In Chapter 11, the interlude that began in Chapter 10 between the 6 th and 7 th trumpet continues. The lull before the storm will continue until Chapter 11:14.
1a And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: This reed was a measuring stick that was used as an instrument in taking measurements. It was approximately 10 feet long, and probably was a plant from the Jordan Valley.
1b and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. John is told to not only to measure the temple of God and the altar, but also the people of Israel, concerning their spirituality.
The First Jewish Temple The first place of Jewish worship built of stone was Solomon s Temple (I Kings, chapter 7). This temple was destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 588 B. C.
The Second Jewish Temple Jews were exiled in Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. Following their return from captivity to Jerusalem, a second temple was built by Zerubbabel and Joshua in 536 B.C. and became known as Zerubbabel s Temple (Ezra 3:12).
The second temple was pillaged, desecrated by a pig scarificed in the temple,and dedicated to the heathen god, Jupiter, by Antiochus Epiphanes in 170 B. C.
The second temple, was renovated, enlarged, and rebuilt by Herod the Great around 17 B.C.
The outer court and inner courts were separated by the middle wall of partition (Ephesians 2:14), and no Gentile was allowed beyond that point. Paul angered Jews who almost killed him for bringing Gentiles into the temple. (Acts 21:28)
Herod s Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. by Titus, the future Roman Emperor.
The Third Jewish Temple A third temple will be built after the Rapture during the Tribulation and will be used by the beast who claims to be God, the Antichrist. This temple, its altar, and the attendants are Jewish. There is no outer court for Gentiles as there was in past temples.
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
John was told to omit the outer court, because Gentiles will occupy and trample the Holy City of Jerusalem under their feet for forty-two months (3 ½ years half of the seven years of tribulation).
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
God sends the two witnesses as a team, because He wants the truth to be declared. The Law stipulated that matters had to be established by the word of two witnesses, Deut. 19:15; Matt. 18:16.
The two witnesses will prophesy exactly a thousand, two hundred, and three score days = 1,260 days or 42 months or 3 ½ years, and no more.
These prophets are clothed in sackcloth, a symbol of mourning. They will not come with a message of peace, comfort and hope, but will bring a message of condemnation. calamity, and judgment to a wayward people.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
This is symbolic of God s hand on their ministry. The olive trees are the source of olive oil, a symbol of the Holy Spirit. This represents the anointing of the two witnesses by the power of the Holy Spirit for their particular ministry.
The candlesticks are light bearers proclaiming the message of light to a world darkened with sin.
There is a great deal of speculation regarding the identity of these two witnesses. The most common theories are that the witnesses are Elijah and Enoch or Elijah and Moses.
Elijah is identified in both theories for several reasons: Elijah will return before Jesus comes according to ~Malachi 4:5: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; Elijah is God s prophet to Israel.
Elijah did not suffer a physical death. God translated Him to Heaven by a whirlwind and a chariot of fire. ~ 2 Kings 2: 9-11 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: ~ Hebrews 9:27
The only other person who did not suffer a physical death was Enoch, who walked with God for 300 years. ~ Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. ~ Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Enoch s earthly ministry predated the establishment of the Jewish race He is considered by some as God s first prophet to the Gentiles.
Moses will witness for God s Law and for Jesus because he appeared with Elijah representing the prophets at the Transfiguration of Christ. ~Matthew 17 : 1-8
The body of Moses was preserved by God. Jude 1: 9 states: Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
Though their identity is unclear at present, in time it will be clear. The fact is God sends and provides divide protection for two witnesses or prophets to speak on His behalf, even during the most horrible time the earth has ever seen.
5a And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies:
5b and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
Though these men will be extremely unpopular because of the message they have come to deliver, they are under divine protection. Many will try to kill them, but they have been given power to destroy their attackers with fire from their mouths..
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.
These two mighty men will be given supernatural powers by God to shut up the heavens for 3 ½ years, turn rivers to blood, and smite the earth with all kinds of plagues. This verse helps support Elijah and Moses as the two witnesses as one sees re-runs from the past. Moses caused: Blood to turn to water Plagues Elijah caused: Fire to fall from Heaven Drought
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.
God removes His hand and allows the two witnesses to die as martyrs for the testimony of Christ. Though the form of death the two witnesses will suffer in not stated, beheading is the prevalent form of death during the reign of the Antichrist (Revelation 20:4)
Like the two witnesses, a believer s life cannot be taken without the permissive will of the Lord. As long as you are in the Lord s will, you are invincible! He will keep His hedge of protection about you and keep you safe until it is time for Him to take you home to glory. Until the Lord gets finished with you, no man or no devil can harm you!
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
The great city refers to Jerusalem, the city in which Christ was crucified. It is called Sodom and Egypt because of the wicked moral and spiritual conditions that existed in Sodom before its destruction, and the idolatry that abounded in Egypt before God judged the land, are found inundating Jerusalem during this period of time.
9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
The death of the two witnesses is observed by the entire world probably through satellite television, internet or other social networking sites available in the home.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. The killing of the two witnesses brings a public victory celebration by the Antichrist. The two witnesses had power from God to make them suffer; so they were glad that they were dead. They sent gifts to each other and publicly rejoiced.
11a And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them,
11b and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. The two witnesses are raptured to heaven, just as the saints in Revelation 4:1, departing for glory in a twinkling of an eye.
13a And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand:
What a television special this will be! Imagine seeing two men brought to life and then vanishing into a cloud, followed by an earthquake that will hit Jerusalem killing 7,000 people! Many Bible scholars believe those killed will be big names among the elite!
13b and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. Those who survived became frightened and praised God, not from converted hearts, but praised as a result of astonishment and alarm.
14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. Now we come to the third and final woe with each woe becoming more severe.
15a And the seventh angel sounded; The sounding of the seventh trumpet will introduce another series of judgments, but the events this brings to pass are not recorded until Revelation 15.
15b and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. In Revelation 11:15, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior has come as Lord of lords, King of kings and the Prince of Peace to take over the kingdoms of the world. In the same hour Satan s rule and power ends, except for a short season when he is loosened at the end of the Millennium reign of Christ.
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, As the King returns, a praise and worship service begins in Heaven as an act of gratitude that Satan s reign is finally over and the King has come!
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. This is a prayer of thanksgiving to Christ. The power that was always His has now been embraced, and He has begun His reign.
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. The nations were angry; the time of the spiritual dead has come and they face judgment and the servants of God will receive their reward for serving God. God will destroy them that corrupt the earth with lies and deceitfulness.
19a And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament:
The Temple of God and the Ark of the Testament, both connected with Jewish worship, picture Israel.
19b and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. In the midst of the storm, God spares His covenant chosen people, Israel.