Revelation Chapter 11
John is given another peculiar assignment; he is to measure the temple of God. It is peculiar for two reasons. First of all, the temple was destroyed in 70 AD. And secondly the measurements are not recorded that John took. John would have been very aware that the temple had been destroyed in his time and now he is being instructed to measure it. The Greek word “hieron” is the word for the temple proper or for the entire temple complex. The Greek word used here, the one that John is told by the angel to measure, is the word “naos” which means the Holy of Holies. John is only measuring the Holy of Holies because the rest has been corrupted by the Gentiles.
How is it possible that there is a temple in Jerusalem during the Tribulation? There is one coming who will offer a false peace and he will be able to negotiate between the Jews and the Muslims to allow such a temple to be built. This great negotiator is the anti-christ. With what is going on in our world today the scene is being set. I think that the anti-christ will build a temple that will be inclusive for both the Muslims and the Jews to worship. The Jews may only have a small portion of the temple. Maybe they will have only the portion called the Holy of Holies while the rest of the temple mount will be for the Muslims to worship.
II Thessalonians 2:3-4Let no one deceive you by any means; for that day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
Let's Reflect
1. The Holy city (Jerusalem) will be trampled for how many months?
2. During the same period of time for 1,260 days or the span of 3 and ½ years God will have two witnesses who will be a light to the dark world. God has sent 144,000 evangelists from Israel to be witnesses of the gospel and now He is going to have two more witnesses that He will greatly empower. I think these two witnesses will stand guard at the temple and will be proclaiming the truth of the gospel. They will be dressed in the symbolic dress of the Old Testament that shows the need for repentance. What are they wearing?
3. These two witnesses are described as two olive trees and two lampstands. This is a reference to the vision of Zechariah. Zechariah 3 and 4. These two witnesses will be on the news worldwide because as there is a false peace on the earth these two are known for harming people who try to get them to be quiet. What power will God give these two witnesses? Some have thought these two witnesses might be Elijah and Elisha, but the truth is the Bible does not tell us who they are. What we need to focus on is that once again God is allowing there to be a faithful witness of the gospel in the midst of a very dark world.
4. The two witnesses will be murdered by the beast from the bottomless pit. It will be known that these two have been killed and their bodies will be left in the street for everyone to see that they are dead. What will be the reaction of the people when they see the dead bodies of the two witnesses?
5. These two witnesses will be a picture of our Lord Jesus Himself, because what will happen to them after 3 days?
6. As the two are ushered up into heaven there is a great earthquake that rips through Jerusalem. How many will die during that great earthquake? What will be the reaction of those witnesses who survive the earthquake?
7. The true celebration is happening in heaven. The seventh trumpet is sounded, and the worship service begins. What did John see in heaven that many humans have speculated the whereabouts of this particular item?
