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Revelation 11
By Adam Bartlett
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.
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.
The Temple spoken of here is the “third” temple which at this time does not exist. We know of the first Temple of Solomon and the second Temple that was restored by Zurubbabel in the time of Ezra and which Herod expanded in the time of Jesus. This was the Temple that was later destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70. We know that there will be a Temple in the time of the tribulation period by this scripture along with those in Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15, 2 Thessalonians 2:4.
There are times when prophecies are pertaining to two separate events as is the case with the verses referred to above in Daniel 9:27 and Matthew 24:15. They had a more immediate fulfillment in the desecration performed by Antiochus Epiphanies and a future fulfillment to come by the Anti-christ.
Ezekiel was given the same vision of the measuring of the Temple in chapter 40, but his vision was of the rebuilt second Temple and it did include the “court of the Gentiles.” Some have mistakenly equated Ezekiel’s vision with the same as John’s here in Revelation.
It is measured but there are no measurements given or any instructions about any building so it should be taken as a symbolic act. The fact that the Outer Court is not included is related to the fact that the Gentiles will trod under foot this area for a determined amount of time.
In Luke 21:24 Jesus speaks of a time when the “times of the Gentiles will be fulfilled” and it could very well be speaking of this instance regarding the third Temple and the second half of the tribulation period.
It is said that the “holy city” will be trodden by the Gentiles for forty two months or 3 ˝ years. This would most likely have to happen in the second half of the tribulation period in which the anti-christ will break his treaty and set himself up as god and force all to serve him. In Daniel 9:27 it speaks of this as well as in 2 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians 2
3: Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4: Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
We will cover this in more detail in chapter 13 but this verse clearly indicates that there will indeed be a third temple in Jerusalem during the tribulation period. There is a group called the Temple Mount Faithful that for many years have been pushing and constantly trying to establish the Temple on the Temple Mount. They have what they are calling the “Corner Stone” for this new temple and have vowed to never stop until they get to place it on the Temple Mount. You can find them on their web page at http://www.templemountfaithful.org/
There is also a group called the Temple Institute and they are now in the process of making the linen garments for the priesthood. They can be found at http://www.templeinstitute.org/main.htm
3: And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4: 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.
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 witnesses are the subject of much debate and discussion as to who they actually are. Many believe that they are Moses and Elijah because of the specific powers and miracles that happen at their hands. Those that believe this theory also use the fact that it was these two that were present on the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew 17. I believe that the reason it was these two at the transfiguration was because they represented the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah) and Jesus was the fulfillment of both. That is why when Peter wanted to build booths for each of them there was a voice from heaven that directed them to Jesus alone.
I do believe that Elijah is one of the two but I believe Enoch is the other one. The reason for this belief is that these are the only two people listed in the Bible that did not die but were taken to heaven alive. According to Hebrews 9:27 it appointed unto men to die “once” and then the judgment. The fact that they are in sackcloth indicates that they are mourning for the unrepentant state of mankind even though they are witnessing tribulation events.
It is most likely that these two witnesses will be prophesying during the first half of the tribulation period. When they are killed it will give the anti-christ boldness at which time he will set himself up in the Temple and proclaim himself to be god and demand worship. It is also at this time that he will force the mark upon all people and kill those that refuse it.
Two Olive Trees and Two Candlesticks
In vs. 4 these two witnesses are described as two olive trees and two candlesticks. This is too strikingly similar to that of Zechariah 4
Zechariah 4
1: And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,
2: And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:
3: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.
4: So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?
5: Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
6: Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
11: Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?
12: And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
13: And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
14: Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.
We know that from Zechariah that the two spoken of there are Zerubbabel and Joshua but it is not saying that these are the two witnesses. It is using them to provide the example of what these two witnesses in Revelation will be operating in. The two in Zechariah were anointed and worked in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is exactly what the two witnesses in this chapter will operate under.
These two witnesses are given power to do wonderful miracles and exhibit the power of God against their enemies. It speaks of fire coming out of their mouth and killing those that try to hurt them. This is very much similar to that of Elijah in 2 Kings 1:9-14 which is one of the reasons many automatically associate Elijah as this particular prophet. The other miraculous power related to this prophet is stopping the rain which is another of Elijah’s traits in 1 Kings 17. Is it any coincidence that the drought Elijah prophesied lasted for 3 ˝ years? See Luke 4:24 and James 5:17.
The other miraculous events involve turning water into blood and sending plagues on the earth as that of Moses. That is why many associate Moses as the other prophet. Again, the reason I do not agree with this is because of my comments earlier regarding this. We do not know much about Enoch but we have to believe that God will allow him to be used in this way and maybe even use the same plagues as that of Moses.
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.
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.
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.
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.
After 3 ˝ years of trying to reach an unrepentant people God allows these witnesses to be killed by the anti-christ. This will undoubtedly embolden the anti-christ and I personally believe it will be right after this event that he will make his proclamation in the Temple. I believe it will be at this point that he will force all to take his mark or die. There are a lot of interesting parallels within this whole situation. We must keep in mind that satan is always trying to imitate God in every way possible. Whatever God does satan always wants to try to find a way to imitate it.
Here we see God’s great mercy in the midst of judgment. He gives the people 3 ˝ years to repent and to listen to His messengers. Much like what was done all throughout the Old and New Testaments and even in our days. God has constantly had His messengers placed throughout the world spreading His message and giving people time to repent and seek Him while there is time. Now time has run out, these are the last two messengers God will send to the unrepentant and they have now allowed them to be killed.
Vs. 8 makes it clear that they will be killed in Jerusalem of all places, but then again what better place in satan’s mind. The same place where the message originated and where the savior of the world was crucified now these last two witnesses of God are killed here. It is called spiritual Sodom and Egypt, which we know what happened in Sodom and Egypt has always been typified as sin. Because Jerusalem has continually rejected their Messiah and had Him crucified there, it is cast as a spiritual place of sin.
The fact that this event will be published all over the world as it happens and during the 3 ˝ days proves that it could not have happened until the day and age we are in now with all the satellite and internet coverage. This will be displayed on all the major networks and all over the internet on live broadcasts. It is also interesting that they lie dead for 3 ˝ days, the same as Jesus when He was crucified. They will not be allowed to be buried mainly by the anti-christ so he can bloat over what he thinks is a victory. God allows this though because He knows that they will not be there long anyway. What the enemy sought to use as a means of bloating God will use for His own glory when they rise from the dead in view of the entire world.
The anti-christ will also use this event as a scare tactic to any that would oppose him and his new found rule over the earth. When they arise from the dead and ascend in front of the whole world this will cause the anti-christ to become infuriated and I believe it is at this time he will force the mark on all and kill those that refuse.
The coldness of the people on the earth at this time is evident in the fact that they send gifts to each other because these two men are dead. They were so tormented by the message that these two men were preaching that they are not celebrating the fact that they don’t have to listen to them anymore. Much like the world today, they do everything possible to suppress and ignore the message of Christ. If only they would open their eyes and ears and be saved from the wrath that is to come!
It says that they message of these two prophets “tormented” them. The message of the Gospel does torment those that are insistent on living in sin. Those that continually reject Christ and His simple offer of Salvation are tormented endlessly by what they are rejecting. The enemy has but one goal, to kill, steal, and destroy and those that belong to him will be tormented by truth’s simple message.
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.
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.
14: The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
For three and a half days the bodies of these two prophets are left on display in the street at the enjoyment of the people and the anti-christ. All the people witnesses God raise these two slain prophets back to life and then call them up to heaven right before their eyes. How can any lost person not see the power of God such as these do and still remain unrepentant? It says that they were in “great fear” and you have to wonder if that fear was that these prophets would start prophesying again. It was obviously not a fear of God or His power that they feared because it did not drive them to repentance. This should be a grave warning to all those out there that are under the spell of the enemy. He does have great deceptive power and as Christians aware of this, how much more should we be in prayer for our lost loved ones?
God calls them up to heaven in vs. 12 with the same command as that in chapter 4 when He says “come up hither.” Those pre-trib believers that use this phrase in chapter 4 to claim it is the rapture, how do they view this exact same occurrence?
The anti-christ was relishing his apparent victory over these two nemeses and was displaying his victory by leaving their bodies to rot in the street. Now God steps on the scene and shows His power over that of the anti-christ in view of the whole world. Not only does He show His power by reviving these two slain prophets but there is a great earthquake which kills seven thousand men. This will finally get the attention of the reprobate people of the earth and they give glory to God.
This is why I believe the anti-christ will at this time enforce the mark and proclaim himself to be god because he will be enraged but God’s display of power over him. We will not know exactly how this all plays out until the time comes but one thing is for sure, God will prove Himself more powerful than the anti-christ all through the tribulation.
The third woe that is coming is the sounding of the seventh trumpet which will unveil the seven last plagues to come.
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.
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.
The seventh trumpet which in many eyes is the “last Trump” that signals the much awaited rapture. This position falls into the area of those that believe in what is also considered Pre-Wrath rapture. The last seven bowls of the great wrath of God are getting ready to be poured out. This is indeed the “last Trumpet” and considering all that surrounds it and what follows it makes much more sense that the rapture would be at this point than any other. I am not one that says that if you hold a different position of when the rapture takes place that you are in error or in fear of losing your salvation.
I have never seen the position of one’s belief of the rapture as anyway connected to their salvation as some do. I do believe there can be a danger in the pre-trib view only in the sense of a false security that there will be no persecution. We must always expect persecution if we live for Christ. We may not see it to the degree of those of the past or those in third world countries and if not then we are truly blessed. However, the Bible clearly says in 2 Timothy 3:12 that “all will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” I guess we could measure our godliness by the level of persecution we suffer in our daily lives. Do people ridicule you for carrying your Bible around with you? Do you get criticized for talking about Jesus too much? Do you get mad fun of for relying on prayer too much? You see, persecution does not necessarily mean physical harm.
Everything about what is said in these last five verses strongly support that this is the culmination of events that we know as the rapture and the end of time. I believe as I said in the beginning of the study of this book that you cannot just go through each chapter as see it as sequential events. I believe that this book is extremely unique in its structure. There are times when John is telling the story of what he witnessed and then it is like he stops and goes off into detail about something that just came into his mind. He is telling us a sequential story but it is interrupted frequently with details that come to him as he is explaining things.
The things that are mentioned in vs. 19 are almost exactly what is described in the seventh bowl or the last judgment. We also have to keep in mind that once we are in the spiritual realm that time does not exist. So, for example if we are raptured at the seventh trumpet and then it takes earthly another year to complete the seven bowls of wrath, we would not know it in that time frame. So in John’s explanation it appears as though it happens very rapidly because he is viewing it in spiritual time and then trying to explain it in human time.
That is why it can appear as though the explanations in revelation do not seem to line up or make sense the way they are written. I believe this is exactly what is happening and that if we approach it in that view it makes perfect sense. Compare verse 19 above with the last bowl judgment in chapter 16:17 and see if you cannot see what I am saying.
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