REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 11.1

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

                                                                           

Chapter Eleven:

The Great Tribulation

(Parenthesis)

 

 

Introduction

Revelation Chapter 11 continues the parenthetical section through Chapter 14. In this section, extra pertinent material is revealed to John to pass on to his recipients.

 

Outline of Chapter 11

1.  The measuring of the Tribulation Temple (Vv. 1-2)

2.  The preaching of the two witnesses (Vv. 3-6)

3.  The killing, resurrection, and ascension of the two (Vv. 7-12)

4.  The sealing of Israel's remnant and earthquake (Vv. 13-15)

5.  The sounding of the seventh trumpet (v. 15)

6.  The worshiping of the twenty-four elders (Vv. 16-18)

7.  The opening of the Temple of God in Heaven (v. 19)

 

The seven-sealed scroll (5:1), once in the hands of the One worthy to open, six seals are now unraveled and unsealed. The remaining book containing the seventh trumpet judgment (seven vials or bowls) has just been eaten and digested by John under a direct command from God. Before the final outpouring of judgment (cf. Revelation 16) which will occur during the Great Tribulation --- the last 3 ½ years (42 months; 1,260 days) of the seventieth week of Daniel 9:27 --- Chapter 11 begins by saying:

 

 

(Verse 1)

 

And there was given me (John) a reed like unto a rod: and the (mighty) angel stood, saying, Rise (stand up John), and measure the Temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

 

As Chapter 11 opens, it begins with the conjunction, "and" which connects this verse to the last verse of Chapter 10 where the reader is reminded of John's renewed commission: Thou must prophesy. Rise and measure become a sequel to the previous injunction.

 

During his spiritual state, John is seen once again becoming actively involved in his visions. Some other experiences include:

1. Falling prostrate at Jesus' feet as a dead man (cf. Rev. 1:17)

2. Weeping, that no one was found worthy (cf. Rev. 5:4-5)

3. Taking and eating the little book (cf. Rev. 10:8-10)

 

And there was given me a reed like unto a rod

Following the contextual flow, the same mighty angel of 10:9 hands the Apostle a reed that looked like a rod.

 

Reed and Rod

A Reed, kalamos, in Greek, is defined as a plant or a reed pen. In the immense breaks of the Jordan Valley, a reed-like plant grows to a height of fifteen to twenty feet. Being comparable to bamboo, its description is as follows:

1. Long and rigid enough to be used as a walking staff or cane

 

2. Hollow so its stem can be shaved down and utilized as a pen

3 John 1:13 - I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen (kalamos) write unto thee.

 

3.  Lightweight like a ruler, it is frequently employed in taking measurements

 

A rod, [maţţeh, or shêbeţ (Hebrew: Strong's H4294, H7626) and rhabdos (Greek: G4464)] on the other hand, is a long stick and is often applied either as a scepter or staff. In antiquity, it had various uses, included are:

1. For instruments of measuring

A rod is a Jewish unit of measure of six cubits. A cubit is equivalent to a common cubit of 17.772 inches. So, six cubits would be considered about nine feet in length. 

 

2. For comfort

Psalm 23:4b - Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

 

3. For the chastisement

Psalm 89:32 - Then will I visit their transgression (moral rebellion or revolt) with the rod, and their iniquity (moral evil, perversity or sin) with stripes (flogging).

 

Three other noteworthy Old Testament occurrences include:

1. Moses' rod or staff changing into a snake (cf. Exodus 4:2-5)

2. Moses lifted his rod to part the Red Sea (cf. Exodus 14:16)

3. Aaron's rod blossoming to produce fruit (cf. Numbers 17:8)

 

And the (mighty) angel stood, saying, Rise

The same angel who stood with his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the earth is at another place near the Temple. And, he stoops down to pick up a reed, hands it to John, and bids him to rise.

 

Rise

The word rise is an active imperative verb in the Greek future tense: Get up, stand up, arise, or rise up again.  Figuratively, it is sometimes used as an awakening from the dead. But in this passage, it is an awakening or arousal from any inactivity, i.e., to arouse or regain one's mental facilities. [ἐγείρω, egeirō; Strong's G1453].

 

 

Measure the Temple of God and the altar, and them that worship therein

Now, John is instructed to become acutely aware and alert and do three things with the measuring reed:

1. Measure the Holy Place in the Tribulation Temple

2. Measure the altar in the Tribulation Temple

3. Measure those worshipping in the Tribulation Temple

 

Measure (out) the Temple of God

Measure

Figuratively used, the measure is defined as giving an estimate or meting the Temple's dimensions. Since no effort is given to record its measurements, measuring goes beyond architecture. It thus becomes a symbolic action to define the parameters of God's ownership.

 

The intent is to signify (1) special protection, (2) preservation, (3) favor, or (4) to mark out something for judgment or destruction. Therefore, here its indication is that of something good since what is not measured in Verse 2 is considered evil. [The above will be clarified in the next study].

 

The Temple of God

There are two common Greek words for Temple: (1) Hieron, meaning sanctuary in general, and (2) Naos which describes a Holy place (usually a shrine containing an idol, a word used among the pagans) and the Holy of Holies where only the priests were able to serve.

 

Note: Interestingly, Naos of our text is the same word used by Christ in describing Himself:

John 2:19b - Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

 

Prophetically, a Temple of God will be rebuilt and reinstituted during the Great Tribulation Period. This Temple is that conversed in Revelation 11:1. On the other hand, Temple in the Old Testament economy represented the House of God where God dwelt amongst His people.

 

Seven Temples

Significant for further study, the Bible mentions Seven Temples. The word Temple is technically designated as "The House of God." It is a place or sanctuary wherein lies God's presence.

 

Upon creation during the Age of Innocence, God dwelt with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden paradise. Clothed in light, they walked and talked with Creator God. The active presence of God dwelling with man implies a prototype of later Temples.

 

Due to their disobedience, Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden, causing sin to enter the world, and resulting in sinful man no longer being able to commune with a holy God. Now, a plan of redemption needed to be set in place. So for man to resume his intimate relationship with God in worship and service, His redemptive program was progressively revealed through Scripture.

 

Man's early attempt to worship God was essentially through crude open-air altars of stone erected to make sacrifices unto Him.

During the wilderness travels, however, something unique happened:

 Exodus 13:21 - And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.

 

A Holy God intended to dwell with a sinful man causing the necessity of a temporary Tent of Meeting, Tent of the Congregation, or Tabernacle. This then became the launchpad for the Seven historic and prophetic Temples. They are as such:

 

1. The Tabernacle

After the wilderness experience, The Tabernacle, (a moveable tent also called a Tent of Meeting) was designed by God and instituted as a moveable worship center. Upon seeing the Shekinah (a manifestation of His divine presence) glory of the LORD at Mount Sanai, Moses heard God speak from a cloud:

Exodus 25: 2, 8-9 – Speak unto the children of Israel…And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. You must make it according to all that I show you--the pattern of the Tabernacle (dwelling place of God in Heaven) as well as the pattern of all its furnishings.

 

Exodus 40:34 - Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the Tabernacle.

 

Uniquely and for practicality, the transportable Tent of Meeting was always situated in the middle of Israel's military tribal encampment.

 

2. Solomon's Temple

Simply stated, King David originally had his heart set on building a stationary permanent Temple to God in Jerusalem. But, because David was a man of war (cf. 1 Kings 5:3; 1 Chronicles 28:3), God, in His predeterminate plan, withheld the king's architectural drawings (patterned after the heavenly Tabernacle) for his son Solomon to execute its construction:

2 Samuel 7:12-13 - And when thy (David) days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his (Solomon) kingdom. He shall build an house for My name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

Solomon's Temple stood for approximately 400 years.

 

3. Zerubbabel's Temple

Due to Israel's disobedience against God, the city of Jerusalem along with the Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. After 70 years of captivity, a modest temple restoration program was initiated under the leadership of Zerubbabel and the high priest Jeshua (Joshua), the son of Jozadak [no description of this Temple exists; only that it was not as elaborate].

 

The rebuilt Temple later was desecrated by a Greco-Syrian ruler, Antiochus Epiphanes, an act which was a prefigurement to what the Antichrist will do in Matthew 24:15 – The Abomination of Desolation. In 171 B.C. he began an extensive campaign of blasphemous actions against the Jewish religious system and its practices. And on December 15, 168 B.C., Antiochus sacrificed a sow on the altar of the Temple, spoken of by Daniel the prophet (cf. Daniel 9:27; 11:31).

 

4. Herod's Temple

Existing during the times and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ was Herod's Temple. Before His incarnation, Herod the Great, King of Judea (a vassal king under Emperor Augustus Caesar), began a massive restoration program by greatly expanding the immensity and beauty of the prior Temple.

John 2:20a - Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building.

 

Herod's Temple covered about thirty-five acres in Jerusalem and was seated on the Dome of the Rock. Later, Jesus prophesied of its destruction:

Luke 19:44b - They shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

 

In the year A.D. 70 at Passover, Jerusalem, and Herod's Temple was destroyed by Roman general Titus under his father Emperor Vespasian's reign.

 

The Structure of the Church

5. Jesus the Temple

According to Scripture, Jesus humbled Himself, shed His divinity, and put on humanity (cf. Philippians 2) to be a fulfillment of all Messianic prophecies concerning His First Coming since Genesis 3:15. 

 

As stated in John's Gospel, Jesus identified Himself as The Temple by saying:

John 2:19 - Jesus answered and said unto them (The Jews), Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up [speaking of the Resurrection].

 

Later in Revelation, Jesus refers to Himself as The Tabernacle of God.

Revelation 21:3 - And I (John) heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, The Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.

1. The Physical Body of a Believer as a Temple

Before His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus promised:

John 14:16 - And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter (paraklētos; Advocate, Counselor, i.e., The Holy Spirit), that He may abide with you for ever.

 

The moment a person believes in the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour (cf. Acts 16:31), he is then indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19 - Know ye not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Therefore, your body becomes the house of God – a Temple.

 

2. The Community of Believers as a Temple - The Church

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is in every believer, both Jew and Gentile. So when they congregate, Jesus said:

Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

      

The sixth and seventh Temples will be discussed in the forthcoming study. Also, we will delve deeper and discover the Tribulation Temple's relevance to the text.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.   What were the uses of reeds?

2.   Why does John's prophecy differ from other prophecies?

3.   What is John instructed to do in verse one?

4.   Where was God during Israel's wanderings in the desert?

5.   What is the true meaning of the Tabernacle?

6.   What is significant about Solomon's Temple?

7.   What was the fate of Solomon's Temple?

 

 

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