Revelation 11 The Temple And The Two Witnesses
Questions on Revelation 11
What is the passage about?
What are the arguments for this passage being taken literally? What are the problems with taking this passage symbolically?
What are the current events that could lead up to this situation occurring?
How is this passage encouraging?
Why is the Seventh Trumpet sounding an important turning point?
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Revelation 11 The Temple And The Two Witnesses
1 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, "Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, 2 but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. 3 And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth."
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5 And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. 6 They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. 7 And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, 8 and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, 10 and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. 11 But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here!" And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. 13 And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is soon to come.
15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever." 16 And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying,
"We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign.
18 The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth."
19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.
Revelation 11 is an important and also difficult chapter to interpret and understand.
No plot of land in all of the world is more famous than the temple mount in Jerusalem. Historically 2 temples once occupied its sacred soil: 1) Solomon's temple – destroyed by the Babylonian Nebuchadnezzar in 587 BC. 2) Zerubbabel's temple – which was later enlarged to magnificent proportions by Herod the Great, and then destroyed by the Roman general, Titus, in AD 70.
The Lord Jesus said this would happen: Mark 13: 1 And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!" 2 And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."
In the future another 2 temples as well will occupy this spot in the Holy City:
A Tribulation temple – yet to be built which will be desecrated by Antichrist.
Matthew 24: 15 "So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place ( let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
2 Thess. 2: 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,3 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
The millennial temple – described in Ezekiel 40-47. Akin
Some Bible scholars do not believe there will be a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. They argue that the temple and the witnesses in Revelation 11 should be spiritualized to refer to the Church and its witness. Now it is true that Christ used the image of the temple to refer to Himself (John 2:19-22), that the Church is called the Temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:21-22) and believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). However, it is both unnecessary and unwise to spiritualize this text for the simple reason that the other texts clearly and precisely identified the symbolism involved while this text does nothing of the sort. Indeed, this passage goes into significant detail, unlike the other texts, that makes sense only if a literal, physical temple structure is in view. -Akin
THE TEMPLE, 11:1-2
John is instructed to measure the temple of God, and in order to do this a measuring rod is put into his hands. This was apparently a reed, a species of cane that grew in the Jordan Valley to a height of fifteen to twenty feet. This one was straight like a rod, though its length is not stated (Ezekiel's was six cubits, or about nine feet, Ezek. 40:5).
John was told to measure "the temple" (naos, the inner temple, or the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies), "the altar" (probably the altar of incense, which was in the holy place), and the worshipers. These worshipers are the faithful, believing Jews of the tribulation days. The temple is the one that will be built in Jerusalem (cf. v. 8) during the Tribulation and in which ancient Jewish rites will be reinstituted. It is apparently the same temple in which, at the middle of the Tribulation, the man of sin will seat himself, demanding to be worshiped and overthrowing Jewish worship (2 Thess. 2:4). The measuring itself seems to be an act of knowing, claiming, or staking out. In this act of John's, God is giving assurance that He will take note of those who faithfully worship Him in the first half of the Tribulation.
Measuring it signifies God's ownership and possession. This is His property. God will watch over what belongs to Him. Interestingly, this area could only be entered by Jewish persons. Could the reinstitution of temple worship renew interest in Messiah? This temple is yet to be built, but when it is, nothing will happen to it and those who worship within without the permission of God. Akin
There is an organization in Jerusalem that has been actively preparing for many years to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem.
The Temple Mount and Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel) Faithful Movement is an Orthodox Jewish movement, based in Jerusalem, whose goal is to rebuild the Third Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and re-institute the practice of ritual sacrifice. They have a museum of future things to be used in the reconstructed Temple in Jerusalem. In 2009 Lorelle and I were privileged to go there to see it all. All the instruments for use in the temple are there. The base and retaining walls of Solomon's Temple are still in place today. Each stone is about 10 metres long, 6 metres deep, and 4 metres high. It is an amazing structure. Each stone must be incredibly heavy. How they got those stones there would baffle any modern engineer.
The outer court of the Gentiles is not measured. Instead, John is told to leave it out. The language indicates utter rejection, and the reason is given""the Gentiles will tread underfoot the city of Jerusalem for forty-two months. This will occur during the last part of the Tribulation, when the man of sin overthrows Jewish worship and demands worship of himself (Luke 21:24 For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.). Thus the functioning worship of the temple described in 11:1-2 occurs during the first part of the Tribulation, whereas the treading down of the city by Gentiles (11:2) follows during the last forty-two months.
The temple is a part of God's plan. 11:2 The court outside – refers to the court of the Gentiles. In the time of Jesus, Gentiles who attempted to move out of it and go further into the inner temple area were threatened with the death penalty.
Do not measure – those in this area do not belong to God. It is the possession of Gentiles, lost unbelieving pagans. This is God's plan and harkens back to Luke 21:24 where Jesus said, "and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." Gentiles, following Antichrist, will tread (trample) the Holy City (Jerusalem) for 42 months. Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, the Turks, the British and the Arabs have all occupied and controlled Jerusalem. In the end, Antichrist too will reign, but his reign will be short (the last 3 ½ years). This is God's plan.
Two important spiritual principles are exhibited in these verses: first, God is cognizant of all that is going on; second, God determines the limits of persecution.
THE TWO WITNESSES, 11:3-14
Who are they?
1) Old Testament and New Testament
2) The witnessing Church
3) Witnesses in general
4) Elijah & Enoch
5) Elijah & Moses
6) Zerubbabel & Joshua
7) Elijah & Elisha
8) James & John
9) Peter & Paul
10) Law & Prophets
11) Law & Gospel
12) Israel & Church
13) Israel & the Word
14) Church of Smyrna & Philadelphia
These two come in the spirit of Elijah and Moses and in the likeness of Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor of Zechariah 4.
Their miracles: similar to Moses and Elijah
- Consume enemies with fire (2 Kings 1:10ff).
- Shut heaven so that it does not rain (1 Kings 17:1).
- Turn water to blood (Exodus 7:14-18).
- Strike the earth with all plagues (Exodus 8:12).
Their expectations: Many believed Moses (Deuteronomy 18:18) and Elijah (Malachi 4:5; cf. Matthew 11:14) would come at the end of history. Jesus said in Matthew 17:12-13 "Elijah is already come … He spoke of John the Baptist." (cf. also Matthew 11:14).
Those two stand before the God of the earth on the earth of God preaching in His power, but also preaching in His protection.
THE TIME OF THEIR MINISTRY, 11:3
The time limit of the ministry of the two witnesses is stated explicitly as 1,260 days. There is some disagreement over whether this refers to the first or the last half of the Tribulation. The text does not specify. It seems to me that it refers to the first half, since it is the coming of the Beast (the Antichrist) onto the scene with great power that terminates their witness (v. 7.). Although present and active during the first part of the Tribulation, chiefly as a political figure, he does not show himself in his true character and demand to be worshiped until the middle of the Tribulation. At the midpoint he will kill the two witnesses who have been ministering during the first part of the Tribulation. If this is so, then, of course they will be witnessing along with the 144,000 during this time.
There will be three obstacles to Antichrist's ascendancy to a position of extraordinary power at the middle of the Tribulation: (1) the temple with its worship; (2) the two witnesses; and (3) the ecumenical church (chap. 17). All of these will be destroyed at the middle of the Tribulation, clearing the way for Antichrist to extend his plan to be a worldwide ruler.
THE TRAITS OF THEIR MINISTRY, 11:4-6
Their character, v. 4. These men are described as "two olive trees" and "two lampstands." The figure of olive trees comes from Zechariah 4:3, 14 and means that the witnesses are anointed ones. The figure of the two lampstands may also be from the same passage (where there is one lampstand and two pipes into which oil is poured and channeled to the lamps), and it evidently refers to the witnesses' character as bearers of the light of God's truth.
Their conduct, vv. 5-6. The conduct of their ministry is spectacular, to say the least. They will have power (1) to kill their enemies with fire, (2) to keep it from raining, (3) to turn the waters to blood (cf. 8:7-9), and (4) to bring plagues upon the earth (cf. 9:20). The first two are reminiscent of Elijah and the last two of Moses.
THE TERMINATION OF THEIR MINISTRY, 11:7-10
The time, v. 7. Their ministry will be terminated only when "they have finished their testimony." They will be invincible until their work is done; only then will God permit them to be killed by Antichrist.
Finished their testimony – God's plan for them comes to an end.
The beast – 1st of 36 references in Revelation. This anticipates the more detailed description of him in chapter 13 & 17. He is the Antichrist of 1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7. He is the man of sin in 2 Thessalonians 2. He is the beast out of the sea in Revelation 13. Here the origin of his mission and power is emphasized: it is the Abyss. He is a Satan possessed and demon driver superman who will rule the world for a brief time. He will also kill and humiliate God's 2 servants at his first opportunity.
Make war and overcome (cf. 13:7).
Dead bodies in the street – ultimate shame and dishonor in the ancient near east. Indeed Deuteronomy 21:22-23 said, "And if a man has committed a sin worthy of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his corpse shall not hang all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him on the same day (for he who is hanged is accursed of God), so that you do not defile your land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance."
Place of death: Sodom – a city symbolic of vile immorality and wickedness.
Egypt – a nation symbolic of oppression, slavery and idolatry.
Jerusalem – where our Lord was crucified (no other identification than literal Jerusalem makes sense.)
The means, v. 7. The means of their death will be the rise of "the beast that comes up out of the abyss." This is the first of thirty-six references to the Beast in the book. Martyrdom of the witnesses will doubtless win him the support of many people.
The display, vv. 8-9. Their bodies will be put on public display in the street of Jerusalem, which is identified as the city where the Lord was crucified and is characterized here as Sodom. Their bodies will be denied burial, though the Mosaic Law allowed burial the same day even for the worst of criminals (Deut. 21:22-23). This action reflects the hardened spiritual condition of the people.
The exposure of their dead bodies tells of a most extraordinary malignity and spite, and attests the extraordinary potency and effectiveness of the objects of it. It shows at once a devilishness of unwonted intensity in the people, and a terribleness of efficiency in the Witnesses in provoking a fiendishness and resentment so monstrous and unrelenting that it could not be placated by their death, but continued to reek and vent itself upon their lifeless remains.22
The effect, v. 10. As if the display of their decaying bodies were not enough, the people of the earth will make a holiday of this occasion and send gifts to each other. This is the only mention of rejoicing on the earth during the entire Tribulation, and it is over the death of God's true messengers. So overjoyed are the people because their tormentors are dead that this becomes a happy holiday for them. Had they believed their witness and received their message, their deaths would have been received quite differently. I guess the exultation over their deaths would be something we see frequently today when those who support Sodom's practices achieve victories the world seems to hear of it (and rejoices in it).
THEIR TRANSLATION TO HEAVEN, 11:11-14
But God intervenes. The two witnesses will be raised up after three and a half days and be translated into heaven in "the [not "˜a"™] cloud [of Shekinah glory]." Their restoration to life and miraculous translation to heaven will strike fear in those who see it. Perhaps for the moment they will realize that there is a power greater than that of the Beast. It is not difficult to imagine the scene. A crowd will be standing around or filing past the decaying bodies lying in the street. Undoubtedly, there will be a great deal of radio and television coverage. Suddenly they will stand up; a voice (not the TV announcer's!) will be heard from heaven; the two witnesses, brought back to life, disappear out of sight in a cloud of glory.
The media will scarcely have time to report the story or the commentators write their columns on what happened before there will be another great event to cover""an earthquake centered in Jerusalem that destroys a tenth part of the city and kills 7,000 people. The "rest" (v. 13) does not necessarily indicate a spiritually saved group but simply those living in Jerusalem who were not killed in the earthquake. They become terrified and give glory to God. Some may be converted because of this experience, but others will simply recognize divine power without personal repentance.
This is the end of the second woe and brings the sounding of the seventh and last trumpet.
THE SEVENTH TRUMPET, 11:15-19
THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE KINGDOM, 11:15
11:15 "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever."
With the sounding of the seventh trumpet comes an announcement of the imminent rule of Christ over this world. Some additional events have to transpire before all is realized, but the end is so near now that the announcement can be made. This will bring the fulfillment of many Old Testament prophecies (Ps. 2:2; Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 2:44).
THE ADORATION OF GOD, 11:16-17
The twenty-four elders on the thrones fall down before God and worship Him for taking what is rightfully His.
THE ANGER OF THE NATIONS, 11:18
This verse seems to be a continuation of the words of the elders. In Christ's accomplishment of taking the reins of government, nations will be angry, the wicked dead will be punished, and the righteous will be rewarded. The anger of the nations reaches a climax in 19:19. In other words, when Christ comes to reign, full justice will be meted out and all things will be set right.
THE ARK IN HEAVEN, 11:19
That there is a temple of God in heaven is not surprising, since the tabernacle was constructed after a pattern of things in the heavens (Heb. 9:23). But the worship of God on the earth in the Tribulation temple has been defiled by the Beast. In the heavenly temple, the ark is seen at this point shining through, as it were, the lightnings, voices, thunderings, earthquake, and hail. The ark was the place of the presence of God and a reminder of the faithfulness of God. Here, just before the outpouring of final judgment, is a reminder of God's faithfulness to His own people.
In the end the Savior will reign. 11:15-17 Vs. 15 – 7th angel sounding brings us to the end, not the last event, but the final act of God's drama of retribution and redemption. Remember, the 7th trumpet contains the 7 bowls of chapter 16. The stage is cleared when this act is completed. "The 7th trumpet sets in motion the final consummation of God's redemptive plan for the present universe" (MacArthur, 308). So certain is all of this that heaven can loudly proclaim that the world's kingdoms have become (it is a done deal!) the kingdoms of our Lord (the Father) and His Christ (the Son) [cf. Psalm 2:2]. Furthermore, this kingdom will see no end: He shall reign forever and ever.
Vs. 16 – The 24 elders, representing the redeemed again fall on their faces and worship (cf. 5:8, 14; 7:11; 19:14). They also praise our wonderful Savior thanking Him as being 1) almighty, 2) eternal and sovereign.
In the end the saints will be rewarded. 11:18-19
God will reign supremely (v. 17). He will also judge righteously (v. 18) and reward graciously (v. 18).
Vs. 18:
1) The nations are defiant and enraged, angered and deeply hostile at the idea of God reigning. Oh, how tragically wrong they are, and oh how they will realize it when His wrath comes and He judges the (spiritually) dead "and destroys those who dwell on the earth" (v. 18). How awful it will be for sinners. How wonderful it will be for the saved.
2) Those who serve Him and fear Him; prophet, saint, small or great, all shall be rewarded. In 22:12 Jesus says, "Behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done." The reward Jesus promises to believers is peace, rest and an eternal home in His kingdom. We will reign with Him in His millennial kingdom (20:4-6) and we shall be His people in the New Heaven, Earth, and Jerusalem forever (21:3).
Further: note the promise of 21:4-5!
3) Verse 19 is a response to the hymn of praise in verses 17 & 18. The temple of God in heaven (contra that on the earth of v. 1) is opened and the ark of the covenant is seen. This symbolizes God's covenant promise in redemption. Believers are promised His presence and His blessings. Unbelievers in contrast see only "lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail." Trouble is just around the corner and they, unlike us, will face it without Jesus. How great indeed is the lostness of any person who does not have Jesus as their Savior.
Sources:
Akin, Christ Centred Exposition of Revelation
Ryrie, Revelation
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