The Book of Revelation 

Chapter 11

Reading Chapter 11:1-2, one would assume the measuring done of the temple is a literal physical one and it "could" be, however when verse one is read carefully and methodically, there is a problem presented with a physical measuring of that temple.  The problem occurs when we read "...and the altar, and them that worship therein."  How is it that one would measure "them that worship therein."? 

When we more closely examine the measuring device, it is readily determined that the measure is not one of man's standards, but God's.  John was given a reed "like unto a rod".  Since the measuring device was given to John, we can only assume it is a divine measurement that is made here, especially given the statement to measure "them" that worship therein.  It is quite likely that the meaning incorporates one of examining the worshippers to see if they measure up to God's standards.  In either case, the reed is not an exact measurement of man's standards but it is a standard which God himself supplied.

Note:  It is quite difficult to determine the exact understanding of the measuring of the Temple and the full meaning of it.  At times, prophecy is difficult to understand until a little more knowledge concerning those events are gained.  We know that the last temple was destroyed so completely in 70 A.D. that it is difficult to find the original foundations.  It has been suggested that the original temple lies just north of the mosque of Omar.  If that is the case and if the temple were to be rebuilt, then we would find the mosque of Omar would sit in the outer court, just as verse 2 of chapter 11 seems to describe:  "the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles:"

Which is the correct interpretation?   Only time will tell!

The indication of "forty and two months" has been suggested by some to be prophetic rather than literal but the number is mentioned several times in Revelation and coincides with the mentioning of the same time frame in chapter 13 and also is the same amount of time (as we know it) as 1,260 days.  42 months:  3.5 years:  1260 days.  In the next few verses we see that time frame being used once again concerning two witnesses.

Verse 3 begins a period (as we shall see near the end of chapter 11) known as the Second Woe!

Revelation 11:3 "And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth."

Verse 4 answers the question concerning the identity of these two witnesses. 

Revelation 11:4 "These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth."

Many have take a partial interpretation from Zechariah chapter 4 and rightly so.  in the 14th verse of Zechariah chapter 4, we read:  "Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth."

Note however, the mention of only one candlestick in Zechariah chapter 4.  Allow me to explain why I believe Zechariah only mentions one candlestick.  Since we know the olive trees represent two "anointed ones", and we also know the candlestick of Zechariah 4 represents one of the "anointed ones" we need to determine if possible, who these anointed ones are.  By allowing scripture to interpret scripture, we can understand a couple of things about these two olive trees, candlesticks and according to Revelation 11:4, the two witnesses.  We already know from Revelation 11 and Zechariah that these "witness" are the two olive trees and two candlesticks which stand before God.  By examining their characteristics and other biblical scripture we can determine the identity of the witness of Revelation 11:4.

Revelation 11:4 "These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth."

Zechariah 4:11 "Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?"

Zechariah 4:14 "Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth."

Hebrews 9:27   "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:..."

Revelation 11:6 "These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will."

Revelation 11:7 "And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them."

From these passages alone we understand:

1.  These witnesses are currently alive, in heaven before God.

2.  All men die once then face the judgment

3.  At some point, these men will appear in Jerusalem, they will prophesy during the reign of the beast until their testimony is finished (Revelation 11:7), and they will be subsequently KILLED.

4.  They will ascend into heave after their dead bodies lie in the streets for 3.5 days. 

There is still much to cover concerning these witnesses and the beast which kills them, so lets' continue on the next page by asking ourselves a couple of questions.

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