Revelation 11
11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod:
and the angel stood, saying, {or, 'and One said' (cp. v.3 to identify the speaker)}
Rise, and measure the temple of God,
and the altar,
and them that worship therein.
11:2 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.
measure- In scripture, things measured belong to the Lord.
That is, they are certain despite intervening defilement & desolation. Zech 2:1,2,12
  • After Solomon's temple was destroyed, Ezekiel saw, in a vision, an angel measuring the Millenial temple and its courts, in great detail. Eze 40-42
  • After the destruction of the 2nd temple (in 70 AD), John, in Rev., foresaw the measuring of a 3rd temple and also of the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:14-17).
  • Here, in Rev. 11, John saw, in a vision, the measuring of the 3rd temple, which will exist during the Tribulation period. The prophetic measuring indicates that the existence of the Tribulation temple is certain. It is required by prophecy. cp. Dan 9:27; 12:11; Mat 24:15; 2Thes 2:1-4
temple- GK= naos, which refers to the Holy & Most Holy places, but not to the courts of the temple.
(cf. GK hieron, which refers to the temple complex, Mat 24:1-2, and includes the courts).
The "naos" was entered only by priests (eg. Zacharias, Luk 1:9,10).
Much of Jesus' ministry occurred in the "hieron". (Mat 21:12,14,23)
altar- Since the brazen altar of sacrifice is in the court (which is excluded from measurement),
the altar in view here is the golden altar of prayer within the Holy place. This may imply that the sacrifices on the brazen altar are not acceptable for salvation.
them that worship- Perhaps these are pious Jews who have turned to the Lord
through the 2 witnesses (v.3-). The Lord knows them that are His. Eg., Luk 2:22,25,36-38
the court without (outside)- "without" is GK= esothen, usually trans. "within".
This description encompasses both the inner & outer courts, which would include:
  • the court of Israel,
  • the court of women,
  • the court of gentiles.
leave out- GK= ekballo, lit., throw out, cast out, reject.
measure not- The courts of the Tribulation temple are defiled by the "nations" (gentiles).
The times of the Gentiles (Luk 21:20-24) are not yet past, there remain yet "forty-two months"- also referred to as: A time, times, and a half (Dan 12:7), and 1260 days (Rev 11:3). This places the vision mid-tribulation.
the holy city- ie., Jerusalem: The place "called by My Name" and set apart for God's purposes,
which will not change though the world disregards and tramples on them.
cp. Deu 12:1-6; 1Kin 8:9-11,14-19,44-50; 9:3; Jer 7:10,11,14,30
The Temples of the Lord at Jerusalem:
1. Built by Solomon (approx. 1000 BC).
At its dedication, it was filled with God's Glory. 1Kin 8:9-11
But because of the sin of the people-
- - The Glory of the Lord departed (reluctantly, via Mt. of Olives). Eze 9:3,4; 11:22,23
- - The Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians (586 BC).
2. Built by Zerubbabel, at the return of the captives with Ezra (516 BC). Ezr 3:8,12; Hag 2:3-9
It was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes (a "type" of antichrist)(168-165 BC)
Haggai's prophecy, of future glory, was partially fulfilled by-
- - Renovation and expansion by Herod (20-29 BC).
- - Visitation by "the desire of all nations" (ie., the Lord Jesus Christ).
But because of the sin of the people-
- - in their rejection of the Lord of Glory, cp. Joh 1:14; 5:43
- - it was destroyed by the Romans, in 70 AD. Luk 19:41-44
3. The Tribulation temple: to be built under a covenant involving Israel and
the antichrist, who will break his covenant and attempt to establish his glory as god there.
Dan 9:27; 11:36-37; 2Thes 2:3,4
(See below for possible locations of this temple.)
It is to this temple that the Lord will suddenly come in judgment. Mal 3:1,2
4. The Millenial Temple:
-- By Ezekiel's dimensions, the Temple area will be a mile square! (500 reeds of 6 cubits in each direction).
-- The Glory of the Lord will return, and dwell among His people. Eze 43:1-7
5. The New Jerusalem:
-- is radiant in God's Glory, and
-- has no need of a temple building. Rev 21:22,23
Theories on location of the Tribulation temple:
  1. The current Islamic Dome of the Rock occupies the temple site. It must be removed prior to temple construction. (View held by most Orthodox rabbis.)
    Islam reveres the rock beneath the Dome as the point of Mohammed's ascension into heaven on a white stallion (cp. 6:2).
  2. The site of the Most Holy place is more likely occupied by a small gazebo called the Dome of the Spirits, or the Dome of the Tablets. This site fits some historic descriptions which place the Mt. of Olives, the Eastern Gate, and the Temple in a direct line with each other. The temple could be built on this site without impinging upon the Dome of the Rock. However, this would not provide room for full enclosure of the court area. This and concessions to other parties in the covenant, may explain why the court is open to the nations.
    (This location was suggested by research of jewish archaelogist Asher Kaufman, see "Biblical Archaeology Review", March/April 1983, p 40-59.)
Note: The Temple site was chosen by God. 2Sam 24:10-18; 2Chron 3:1 (also, see refs. re: "the Holy city" above).
11:3 And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses,
"I" - It is the voice from heaven (ie., Christ), who is speaking (10:8; also 11:12).
"power" - This word is not in the original.
The meaning here is "I will commission my two servants to prophesy..." Christ has delegated authority to them.
and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days,
clothed in sackcloth.
sackcloth- suggests sorrow / mourning for sin & the resulting troubles. 2Kin 19:1-3; Dan 9:3-6
Who are these witnesses?
Non-futurist interpreters arbitrarily suggest the names of various popes, reformers, religious movements, or even the OT & NT.
Futurists are in three camps, suggesting:
  1. Elijah & Enoch -Both men were translated and did not see death (Heb 9:27).
    But this is also true of church saints taken in the rapture. 1Cor 15:51,52
  2. Elijah & Moses -Both were present at Christ's Transfiguration.
    -- Scripture says Elijah's coming is to precede the Day of the Lord.
    -- One such passage also mentions Moses. Mal 4:4,5; Mat 17:2,3,11
    -- The plagues executed by these witnesses are reminiscent of the prior ministries of Elijah and Moses (see note at v.5,6).
  3. New prophets with an unprecedented ministry.
Note that the 2 witnesses:
-- Are not identified. Therefore, we don't need to know, or He would have told us.
-- Are not seen by John. The voice tells John about them and their ministry.
We cannot accurately identify them, but the language demands that they are individual human beings. (They wear clothes, prophesy, are killed, ascend...)
Why two witnesses? lit., "the two witnesses of mine".
-- To establish God's Word. Deut 17:6; Mat 18:16
1260 days= half of the 7 yr Tribulation period.
The immediate context is not clear whether this refers to the first or last half.
However, all other passages which refer to a similar period refer to the last half [as 1260 days, 42 months, or 3.5 times (years)]. cp. Rev 11:2; 12:6,14; 13:5; Dan 9:27; 12:7,11-13
11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks {ie., lampstands}
standing before the God of the earth. {cp. Zech 4:2-6,14}
The picture is from Zech 3 & 4 (context: the re-building of the second Temple).
Two lampstands= 2 witnesses (lights in the world).
In the Zechariah passage, there is just one lampstand, "all of gold," with seven lamps representing "the eyes of the Lord." This lampstand speaks of Christ, who is truly God, whose glory rightfully shines in His Temple, and whose purposes cannot be thwarted. cp. Rev 5:6
- In Zechariah's time, Joshua and Zerubbabel were representatives of the True and Living God
bearing witness to His glory, and to the certainty of His purposes, at a time when the rebuilding of the Temple was being hindered by satanic opposition.
- In Zechariah's time, Joshua (a priest) and Zerubbabel (the governor, of David's lineage, Mat 1:12,13)
together foreshadow (as types) the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
-- As Priest, He is the Branch of the Lord who will remove iniquity from Israel. Zech 3:8,9
-- As King, He is the Headstone before whom every mountain will be made low. Zech 4:6,7
Witness to His coming has been maintained by God in all ages-
-- by Israel,
-- by the Church,
-- by the 144,000, following the Rapture of the church,
-- by these 2 witnesses, during the latter half of the Tribulation.
Two olive trees= the supply of oil to the lamps (speaks of the Holy Spirit). Zech 4:6,12
These two witnesses have no power in themselves. It is the Holy Spirit who speaks through them to illuminate the true Light of the world, who shines in His perfection, and who will fulfill His purposes in the earth. (Zech 3:9; 4:2,10).
standing before the God of the earth {GK=ge, land}- cp. Zech 3:1; 4:14 (where 'earth' is HB= eretz, land).
These are representatives of the true and living God, the Creator of heaven and earth (cp. 10:2,6, where the same word for earth is used).
Elsewhere, Satan is called "the god of this world {GK= aion, age}" (2Cor 4:4), and "the prince of this world {GK= kosmos, system, arrangement, order}" (Joh 14:30; 16:11; Eph 6:12; in Eph 2:2 he is 'the ruler of the course {aion} of this world {kosmos}'). But Satan has no valid claim to the earth (which God created) or to the Land (of God's promises).
standing before... - implies -- readiness for service, and also
-- inferiority & submission to the One before whom they stand.
Therefore, these 2 witnesses are not Christ & the Holy Spirit.
Rather, they are representatives of Christ bearing witness to the One who set His Name in this place, standing in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit, and in opposition to the false christ who has usurped the place of God. cp. Zech 3:1,2
11:5 And if any man will {ie., desires to} hurt them,
fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies:
and if any man will {ie., desires to} hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
Contrast Jesus' ministry & rebuke of disciples who would have called down fire.
In the NT age of grace, believers were to be wise but harmless. Luk 9:54-56; Mat 10:16
These witnesses are under the OT "eye for eye... tooth for tooth..." economy.
Cp. the enemies of Moses & Elijah: Numb 16:35; 2Kin 1:10,12
11:6 These have power {ie., authority} to shut heaven,
that it rain not in the days of their prophecy:
and have power {ie., authority} over waters to turn them to blood,
and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
They are entrusted by God with authority to bring plagues at their discretion.
Cp. Elijah: fire, no rain (1Kin 17:1; 18:41-45; Jam 5:17,18)
Cp. Moses: water to blood (Ex 7:20), various plagues (Ex chapters 8-12)
Note that Trumpet judgments #1-4 and the Bowl (Vial) Judgments #1-6 involve these sorts of plagues, the latter in far greater intensity.
11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony,
the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit {abyss}
shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
When is their testimony finished? (also see note at v.3 re: 1260 days)
  • Not until their work is completed. God preserves them until then.
  • Some say: At the mid-point of the Tribulation, because:
    1. The beast will break his covenant with Israel, interrupt Temple worship, and make war against the saints at that time. Dan 9:27; Rev 13:4-7
    2. If the 1260 days of their witness begins at the mid-point, the Tribulation will end before the additional 3.5 days required until their resurrection. (v. 9-11)
  • More probably: At the end of the Tribulation, because:
    1. Although the beast makes war with the saints beginning at mid-Tribulation, the length of time until he prevails is not clear. It could be that the 2 witnesses continue to the end.
    2. The 1260 days of their testimony may include the 3.5 days that their corpses are viewed by the godless world. Their resurrection speaks effectively. (v. 11)
    3. Although the duration of their testimony coincides with the beast's reign of 1260 days, the collapse of the world system will not be complete until 1290 days have elapsed. (see Dan 12:11).
the beast- GK= therion, wild beast.
Refers to the antichrist who is introduced in Rev 13:1 as "a beast" rising out of the sea (ie., the sea of humanity). The use of "the beast" here suggests that 11:7 follows 13:1 chronologically (which tends to support the latter view above).
the beast... out of the bottomless pit- is the same man (antichrist).
Although human, he is indwelt by & empowered by Satan. cp. 9:1; 13:2
11:8 And their dead bodies {lit., carcases} [shall lie]
in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt,
where also our {lit., their} Lord was crucified.
carcases- The word chosen indicates the disdain of the world toward them.
the great city= Jerusalem (where Jesus was crucified).
The great is brought low: Jer 22:8; Lam 1:1
The "Holy City" has become:
  • Sodom- A center of perversion worthy of destruction.
    The name is also used in reference to Jerusalem in Isa 1:9,10,21.
  • Egypt- A center of idolatry & false religion.
    In scripture, Egypt speaks of the world of sin out of which the Lord delivers His own.
How could these invincible witnesses by killed?
-- By the supernatural power of the beast (13:4),
-- because their work was done, and
-- because God allowed it (13:7).
11:9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations
ie., all of humanity- Throughout Rev., the length & order of similar lists vary, suggesting man's confusion.
shall see their dead bodies three days and an half,
and shall not suffer {ie., allow} their dead bodies to be put in graves.
not buried- Perhaps this is an indication of the hatred toward these witnesses. Or...
Perhaps they had predicted their resurrection. Rather than risking reports of another empty tomb (Mat 28:12,13), and to satisfy curiousity, the TV networks may keep their cameras on them around the clock. [McGee]
11:10 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.
Earth dwellers are those -- who mind earthly things,
-- who refuse to repent inspite of the plagues, and
-- who are in agreement with the persecution of the saints.
rejoice...send gifts- This is "anti-christmas".
The hearts of men are revealed in what makes them laugh with glee.
11:11 And after three days and an half the Spirit {or, breath} of life from God
entered into them, and they stood upon their feet;
and great fear {GK= mega phobos} fell upon them which saw them.
after three days and a half...- The beast's victory over these two witnesses
will be little more enduring than Satan's victory over the Lamb whom they serve. (cp. Luk 24:6,7; Hos 6:2)
saw- observed with keen interest
(cp. a different word at v.9 where they 'see without giving thought'.)
11:12 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.
beheld- GK= theoros, viewed with keen interest. (This word is trans. 'saw' in v.11.)
This event should not be confused with the Rapture of the Church, which occurs in a twinkling of an eye (1Cor 15:52). Here, their enemies watch them ascend.
11:13 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:
and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
The mega-city, where a mega-voice called away His witnesses,
is struck by mega-fear which is intensified by a mega-earthquake.
One tenth of the city's structures fall.
7000 men of name (GK= onomata anthropon) are killed.
In the beast's kingdom, men of name must receive their honor through allegiance to him. In contrast, consider the 7000 whom the Lord reserved unto Himself. (cf. 1Kin 19:18; Rom 11:2-5)
The remainder (those not slain) are filled with fear & give glory to God.
This may be mere "fox hole religion". But some may come to salvation.
Rev 14:6,7; 16:9; Isa 26:5-9
Coming at the end of the ministry of the two witnesses, this earthquake precedes the final fall of the world system by a matter of days. (See note 'C.' at v.7)
11:14 The second woe is past; [and], behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
the 2nd woe (the sixth Trumpet)- involved destruction & death caused by the great army
approaching from the east (9:13-21). The parenthetic episode between Trumpets #6 and #7 has concluded with a foreview of a great earthquake near the end of the beast's reign. The progression of the Trumpet judgments now resumes, at a point in time just prior to the appearance of the beast.
quickly- speedily, without delay
11:15 And the seventh angel sounded;
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 {lit., unto the ages of ages}.
The seventh Trumpet will bring the mystery of God to conclusion (cp. 10:7).
The rejoicing, in v.15-17, looks forward to 21:6 "It is done!"
great voices- Probably the multitude of the redeemed (cp. 19:1,2).
cf. 8:1 where there was silence in heaven after the 7th Seal was opened.
Here there is rejoicing because the end of the reign of evil is imminent.
the kingdom(s) of this world- are all under Satan's sway. cp. Mat 4:8,9
the kingdom of our Lord- Dan 2:35,44; 7:14; Isa 9:6,7; Psa 2:2-6,8,9
11:16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats {thrones},
fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
11:17 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 praise (and the events noted in v.18) is forward looking to the end of the beast's 42 month reign.
It represents answered prayer: Mat 6:10
11:18 And the nations were angry,
Psa 2:1-3; Rev 19:19; Rom 8:7
and thy wrath is come,
Psa 2:4; Rev 19:15
and the time of the dead, that they should be judged,
Rev 20:12
and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants {the saints of all ages- }
the prophets, {representative of OT believers}
and to the saints, {ie., the NT Church}
and them that fear thy name, small and great; {ie., Tribulation saints}
and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
.		{Satan & his followers:
cp. Rev 19:1,2; 1Pet 5:8}
11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven,
and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament:
and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings,
and an earthquake, and great hail.
The storm of judgment continues. (cp. 4:5; 8:5)
Ch. 11 opens with the measuring of the temple in Jerusalem, and
closes with the open Temple in heaven.
Since the Church has no temple (but Christ), we see that God is dealing with the Jews (ch. 12 will further demonstrate this).
The ark of the covenant (seen in "the House not made with hands"):
  • is secure.
    God will keep His covenant with Israel,
    though on earth it is broken by Jews, trampled by gentiles, and defiled by the beast.
  • represents the new & better covenant in Christ's blood.
    cp. Heb 9:1-5,11,12; 8:6-13; Jer 31:31-34
    "The days" for the new covenant with Israel have "come".

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