Rev 11 | MHM | STEP | The Measuring of the Temple This passage is about measuring the temple, which is similar to what the prophet Ezekiel saw in his vision (Ezekiel 40:3 ). The meaning is not simple, but the act of measuring likely shows God’s care for His church. It may be for protection during hard times, or to test if the church matches God’s true pattern, or to correct and improve it. Measuring shows that God is watching over His people, checking if their worship and lives are as they should be. v. 1 : John is told to measure the temple, the altar, and the people who worship there. The temple means the church, and measuring it means checking if it is built and organized as God wants. The altar stands for true worship—offering everything to God through Jesus Christ, and worshiping in spirit and truth. The worshippers must also be measured to see if they are sincere, following God’s word, and living in a way that matches the gospel.

‏ Revelation of John 11

The Measuring of the Temple

This passage is about measuring the temple, which is similar to what the prophet Ezekiel saw in his vision (Ezekiel 40:3 ^a). The meaning is not simple, but the act of measuring likely shows God’s care for His church. It may be for protection during hard times, or to test if the church matches God’s true pattern, or to correct and improve it. Measuring shows that God is watching over His people, checking if their worship and lives are as they should be.

v. 1: John is told to measure the temple, the altar, and the people who worship there. The temple means the church, and measuring it means checking if it is built and organized as God wants. The altar stands for true worship—offering everything to God through Jesus Christ, and worshiping in spirit and truth. The worshippers must also be measured to see if they are sincere, following God’s word, and living in a way that matches the gospel.

v. 2: John is told not to measure the outer court, which is outside the temple. This part was sometimes called the court of the Gentiles. It is not part of the true temple and is left out of God’s protection. It will be given to the Gentiles and trampled for forty-two months. This means that people who worship in the wrong way or with false hearts are not accepted by God. The visible church will face trouble and be mistreated for a limited time, but God’s true people will be protected and, in the end, delivered from all their troubles.

The Two Witnesses

This section describes two faithful witnesses that God keeps for Himself during a time when His church is oppressed and trampled. These witnesses symbolize those who boldly stand for God’s truth, even in the darkest times. God empowers and protects them until their work is done, though they will face persecution and even death. Yet, He will raise them up again, and their testimony will bring glory to God and shake the powers of their enemies.

v. 3: God says He will give power to His two witnesses, who will prophesy for 1,260 days in sackcloth. The number of witnesses is small, showing that only a few remain faithful during hard times. However, two witnesses are enough, as every truth is confirmed by two or three witnesses. Some believe these witnesses are Enoch and Elijah, while others think they represent faithful leaders or the believing Jewish and Gentile churches. They wear sackcloth, showing their sorrow for the state of the church and the world.

v. 4: The two witnesses are described as olive trees and candlesticks, like Zerubbabel and Joshua in Zechariah’s vision (Zechariah 4:2 ^b). God provides them with the oil of grace, zeal, and courage to keep their lamps burning. They are strengthened by the Holy Spirit, not only to preach but also to endure suffering. Their spiritual life and energy come directly from God.

v. 5: If anyone tries to harm the witnesses, fire comes out of their mouths and devours their enemies (Revelation 11:5 ^c). This may refer to the power of their prayers and preaching, which bring conviction and judgment on their persecutors. Like Elijah, who called down fire from heaven (2 Kings 1:12 ^d), these witnesses have God’s power to defend themselves. Their words, like fire, burn the consciences of their enemies and show God’s displeasure.

v. 6: The witnesses have the power to stop rain, turn water into blood, and strike the earth with plagues, like Moses and Elijah did. At their prayers, God brings judgments upon their enemies, showing that He defends His people and punishes those who fight against Him.

v. 7–10: When the witnesses finish their testimony, the beast from the bottomless pit will make war against them and kill them. This beast represents antichristian powers, which will attack God’s faithful servants. Their dead bodies will lie in the street of the city, called Sodom and Egypt, which symbolizes wickedness, idolatry, and persecution. The people of the earth will celebrate their deaths, mocking them and rejoicing that their voices are silenced. However, this triumph of evil is only temporary.

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v. 11: After three and a half days, the witnesses are raised to life by the Spirit of God (Revelation 11:11 ^e). This resurrection shows that God’s work cannot be destroyed. Though they are killed, their testimony will rise again, and their enemies will be filled with fear. This reminds us that God can revive His people and His work, even when they seem defeated.

v. 12: The witnesses ascend to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies see them. This could symbolize their vindication and honor, as God raises them to a higher position in His kingdom. Their enemies will be punished, both in this world and in the final judgment, for rejecting and persecuting God’s servants.

v. 13: After the witnesses ascend, a great earthquake shakes the city, and a tenth of it falls. Many people die, but others are moved to repentance and give glory to God. This event may represent the Reformation, when many people turned away from the errors of the church and embraced the truth of the gospel. Even in judgment, God shows mercy by leading some to repentance and salvation.

Lessons from the Two Witnesses:

God always preserves a faithful remnant, even in the worst times. His witnesses are empowered and sustained by Him, and their testimony will not fail. Persecution may come, but God’s purposes will prevail, and His people will ultimately be vindicated. Even in judgment, God calls people to repentance and offers mercy to those who turn to Him.

The Seventh Trumpet

This section marks the sounding of the seventh and last trumpet. It is a key moment in Revelation, bringing a message of both judgment and hope. The trumpet sounds after a pause, showing that God’s plans happen at the right time. When the seventh trumpet is blown, heaven responds with praise, the world reacts with anger, and God’s true worship is restored. This moment also points to the final victory of Christ and the opening of God’s true temple for all His people.

v. 14–15: The second woe is finished, and the third is coming soon. The seventh angel sounds his trumpet, and there are loud voices in heaven saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15 ^f). This means that Jesus is now seen as the true ruler over all. Heaven recognizes that Christ’s rule is final and will never end.

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v. 16–17: The twenty-four elders, who sit before God, fall down and worship Him. They thank God for using His great power, for beginning to reign openly, and for taking what always belonged to Him by right. God’s reign is eternal, and no one can ever take His power away.

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v. 18: The nations on earth react with anger to God’s rule, but God’s anger comes in response. It is a time when God judges His enemies and rewards His faithful servants. The world cannot stand against God, and those who hate Him only increase their own guilt and judgment.

v. 19: God’s temple in heaven is opened, and inside is seen the ark of His covenant. This shows that God’s presence and His promises are now revealed to His people. The law of God, once hidden, is now open for all to see. There are lightnings, voices, thunder, an earthquake, and great hail. These signs show that God’s answer to the prayers of His people brings both great blessings and powerful judgments. All the big changes in the world come from God’s hand in heaven, in answer to the prayers of the saints.