Verse 1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
John is in the spirit and experiencing this vision. There is no way he could literally rise from the isle of Patmos and go measure any literal, physical temple. So the temple had to be part of the vision and he was to measure the people that worshipped in it. How do you literally measure people? How do you spiritually measure people? And how do you measure with a reed? The Greek word used for “reed” is “kalamos” and it can also mean a writer’s pen as well as a measuring device. And why does John say the reed was like a rod which could mean a walking stick, a weapon, a shepherds staff or a scepter? One verse before this in chapter 10 says John is told that he is to prophesy again and then he is given the reed. Remember that chapter breaks were not part of the book but added much later by fallible men. So could it be that John, in the vision, was given a pen (reed) to continue his writing of the book which is revealed from Jesus who is the king and the scepter of Gen. 49:10, Numbers 24:17 and Hebrews 1:8, and who is the Shepherd of His people? And could it be that this part of the vision as recorded in chapter 11 is all about the believers versus the unbelievers?
The reed in Ezekiel chapter 40 specifies the length of the reed as being six cubits. Six is the number of sin and of mankind in the Bible. The reed above has no measurement length. Why? Could it be that because the visions and the symbolic contents of the visions are from Jesus and His revelation of things past, present and to come, that there is no number representing man or sin because Jesus is God and sinless?
The reed and the rod also reference Jesus in Scripture. Does this rod represent Jesus measuring His people who are the temple of God in the church age? Does the altar represent the believers who are to be living sacrifices? Only believers would be worshiping.
Verse 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.
As far as this writer knows, the Tabernacle had an outer court on the south side, but Solomon’s temple had two courts: an inner and an outer court. Courts were also commonplace in the people’s houses. They were uncovered spaces around the buildings enclosed by a wall. Basically they were courtyards. Often they housed the animals and were used as stables. So the court above which is outside of the Temple of God belongs to the Gentiles who are not believers. So if John is seeing God number his people, the Gentiles or unbelievers would not be included.
The Greek word for city is “polis” and it means the “city in which one lives” and can refer to the heavenly Jerusalem and the abode of the saints in Heaven. All believers are to be holy as Jesus is holy. All believers do not have this Earth as their home. A believer’s citizenship is spiritual before death and is in Heaven. So how has the Gentile world treated believers since the ascension of Jesus? They have been persecuted. The word for “tread” is “pateo” and it means to tread under foot, trample on, or treat with insult and contempt. How long will this go on? For the duration of the ministry of Jesus which is now carried on by His followers. His ministry was 42 month or 3 1/2 years. The number 42 is representative of the going forth of the Gospel and of the earthly ministry of Christ. So the verse above can be read that the church is going to be trod on by the Gentile world for as long as the ministry of Jesus is being carried out and that God is measuring his people as to how they are carrying out His ministry as members of His spiritual temple.
Scofield has this 42 month metaphor as a literal 3 1/2 years that he taught was part of a literal tribulation period at the end of time. However, in doing a word study on the word “tribulation” this writer cannot find any Scriptural reference to a specific period of time of intense tribulation at the end of the world and the second coming of the LORD Jesus Christ. Instead, what is found is references throughout the New Testament to tribulation in the churches. Remember that John stated in the first verse of Revelation that the things were to shortly come to pass. John 16:33 states, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” And Acts 14:22 states “…and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” 2Cor. 1:4 states, “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 1Thess. 3:4 states, “For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.” 2Thess. 1:4 “So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:”
But you may say, “What about Matt. 24:21 and Mark 13:19-20 where Jesus was talking to His disciples about a future time of tribulation?” Correct. But when was this time of tribulation? Let’s look at what Jesus said. “for then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time (Jesus standing with His disciples near the Temple), no, nor ever shall be” So the tribulation was to be so severe that it was the worst since Adam and Eve and there would never be another time like it again. How would anyone know this? Because time had to continue after this terrible tribulation event in order for Jesus’ prophecy to be without error. This event occurred when the Roman general, Titus, surrounded Jerusalem and all the believers who remembered what Jesus had said fled the city to the hills where they were saved, leaving the unbelievers in the walled city. When the Romans entered the city, it was reported that these war hardened soldiers were sickened at what they found. Rather than surrender, the remaining people resorted to cannibalism to survive. This is historically re-searchable and verifiable. Do not take this writer’s word on this. Check it out for yourself.
Verse 3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
The Greek word for “witnesses” is “martus” and it can mean a witness in a legal sense or a witness in an historical sense. The word used for “prophesy” is “propheteuo” and it means to speak forth by divine inspirations and/or to predict. The time period is 3.45 years if divided by the 365 days in a year used today. But the time period is 3.5 years if divided by the 360 day calendar used by the Romans. And the time period is 42 months if the number is divided by 30 days in a month. Remember that the months used to be equal until several Caesars decided to name months after themselves and to add days to those months by taking them away from the month of February. (Julius Caesar for July and Caesar Augustus for August for example) So the number, 1260, equals the time of the ministry of Jesus Christ and that is its significance. So because there is a repetition of the 3 1/2 years it must always refer to the ministry of Christ which today has been given to the church. It does not represent a time period in a literal sense as the ministry of Jesus Christ is still ongoing. So some of the questions that can be asked here is why is there only two witnesses? Why is their time of witnessing only 3.5 years? Who are they? Where does it say or even imply that the witnesses are living men or living women? And why are they clothed in sackcloth which is a sign of mourning or a sign of leading an austere life? What is the picture seen here?
Well, Scofield would have us believe that the witnesses are two real people walking around in sackcloth or camel hair garments for 3 1/2 years and some churches teach that they are Moses and Elijah come back to life. Hmm. Well the answer to all these questions is in the Bible starting with the next verse.
Verses 4-5 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
So the witnesses are olive trees and candlesticks. What do these items represent? What is the word picture seen here? Read Zechariah 4:1-14 for the answer. The Bible answers Bible questions. So these items represent the Word of God and the true Church. Read Romans chapter 11 also which talks about the olive tree – representative of the believers.
Olive trees in the literal, natural world provided the oil for the lamps in the temple and in people’s homes. The Word of God is the source of light for the churches. Of course, the Spirit of God accompanies the Word of God. Olive wood was used in Solomon’s temple to form the cherubims and the doors. It formed the entry posts and doors into the temple and into the Holy place. The Word of God forms the entry into God’s spiritual temple made up of His people. Notice in verse 14 that the witnesses stand by the LORD. They are not running around on the Earth.
Verse 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.
Elijah and Moses did these things back in the Old Testament and they were anointed by God and working with the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus did miracles during His ministry and He promised to give power to His followers. The early church experienced miracles. Today, Christian churches in less sophisticated cultures experience miracles on a regular basis. Unfortunately the Western church world appears to have trouble believing the Word of God and most believers are operating below the level of power that they have been promised by the LORD. Mark 16:17-18 is a promise from Jesus. “And these signs shall follow them that believe.” What are the signs? “In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.” Verses 20 states, “And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” The apostle Paul did these things or miracles, and he was not poisoned by a snake that bit him when on the island of Malta. History is full of stories from pastors and missionaries who experienced miracles in their ministries. Healing ministries are occurring today all over the world. So the above verses can be referring to the miracles or signs that are to accompany the Church through the preaching of the Word.
Verses 7-8 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. 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 Greek word used for “beast” is “thereon” and it means beast in the natural sense, but in the metaphorical sense it means “a brutal or savage man”. There is no time or room to do a word study on beasts. However, would you agree that a beast in the Bible can mean an individual, a spirit, and also a governmental or political system? The bottomless pit is thought to be the abode of demons, so perhaps this is Satan himself or his system. The picture here is of a beast killing the Word and the church. The world believes Christianity to be dead and sees the church as dead and of no significance, mocking, ridiculing and discrediting it. The world believes they have overcome God’s system. God’s system, composed of His Word and His church, is pictured dead in a city where Jesus was crucified. This cannot be literal as Jesus was not crucified in a city but on a hill outside of a city and that city was not called Sodom and Egypt. So what can this mean? Sodom, the real city, had been destroyed thousands of years before the Apostle John had this vision. So metaphorically it can stand for homosexuality and/or for Jerusalem. Israel of today is the capital of homosexuality and of child prostitution. Sodomites are described by God as having reprobate minds. And Egypt, although it still exists today, was known for its many gods and goddesses. So could this reference refer to the Satanic effort to destroy God’s system through the rise of false religions and sexual depravity? You decide.
Verses 9-12 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. 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. 11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, 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.
But just like the picture of the dead bodies above, the Word and the church is not buried and gone. It has never been dead and gone. There has always been a remnant. The Apostle Paul clearly taught that in the last days there would be a falling away of the church. This has been happening and is happening now. Mainstream, religious establishment churches have compromised with the beast system (sin, governmental control, etc.) and have become useless in their ministries. To avoid paying taxes, in the United States these churches have accepted the 501C3 tax exempt status, and in so doing are unable to preach against anything the government decides is public policy. Abortion, gay marriage, and many other things that God has declared is sin are mandated as acceptable public policy and so pastors must be silent on these issues in order to keep a few dollars. But still, within these churches, God has a remnant. The picture above is of a world that is predominantly serving the Devil, happy that they do not have to be controlled by the Word of God or be shown the error of their ways by the people of God. But there will come a time when the Devil’s and the world’s persecution will be of no effect and God’s people will rise up and preach the Word, unafraid and unaffected by the consequences of their actions. Just as Jesus ascended into heaven in a cloud, when Jesus returns to Earth for the second time, (not the third and fourth time as taught by Scofield’s doctrine) end time believers will ascend into heaven to a cloud of witnesses that have gone before them and all the unbelievers will see this event and be very afraid. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout (the great voice from heaven in verse 12 above), with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
Verses 13-14 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. 14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
The word used for “earthquake” is “seismos” and it means a shaking, a commotion, a tempest, and yes, a physical earthquake. Since the Apostle John is writing in word pictures, it is safe to consider that this earthquake is not a literal shaking of the crust of the earth, but a shaking up of the world system and the spirits and people controlling the system. Since only the tenth part of a city falls in this great earthquake, it cannot be a real one or more of the city would fall. Also, the word “the” is used instead of the word “a” which often indicates the whole part or the part in its entirety. This can be seen in other verses in the book of Revelation. The tenth part of the city must refer to the great city in verse 8 above as the city referred to in verse 2 above is holy and would not fall in a shaking up of the system governing the world. Why only a tenth part? Ten is the number of worldly government and control in Scripture. God had only ten commandments for His entire governmental system. All the statutes and laws given by Moses in the book of Exodus are just expansions of those ten commandments. Read Exodus chapter 20. This city is spiritually Sodom and Egypt and, if the above interpretation is correct that this represents the false religious systems and sexual perversions in the world today, then these two systems will fall. At the time of this writing, the Trump administration along with other world leaders is working hard to end sexual slavery and child molestation and trafficking. Many prominent people have been arrested and indictments are pending on many more. Disney, the Catholic church and Holywood are being exposed and child trafficking rings are being shut down. This has never happened before and the effort is worldwide. So the number 7 is God’s number and the number 1000 is used in Scripture as a representative of a large amount. It is not literal. If God owns the cattle on a 1000 hills, then who owns the rest of the cattle on the rest of the hills? Obviously God owns all of the cattle. So the picture above is that many people will be killing each other (slain of men) as their wickedness and their system begins to fail them.
Verses 15-19 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. 16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 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. 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. 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. (Revelation 11)
The number 7 in Scripture represents divine perfection. The seventh angel is the last angel to sound. When the angel sounds, the end is come and there will be destruction of the evil ones who were destroying the Earth, and the servants of God will be rewarded. The above verses are a picture of great rejoicing in Heaven when evil is conquered and Jesus is reigning with His saints.