Chapter 11
Chapter 11 continues the pause in the revelation between the 2nd. Woe (9:12-21) and the third (11:13-14). As said before, this is not a pause in the suffering of the judgments but only in the revelation to John of the judgments. We need to remember that all of this is future to John and us. When it happens, it will come speedily and without interruption. The pause is called a “parenthetical period.” We found the same thing in 8:1-5 the “silence in heaven.”
We also must note that this chapter seems to be an overall view of the entire final three and a half years of this great tribulation. This is because we see in this chapter some things that will take place at the beginning of the period. The first thing is the measuring of this temple. This is at the beginning of the period, as well as the two witnesses, for they must prophecy for 1,360 days, which in the Hebrew calendar is 42 months or three and a half years. Then we see that the event of verse 18 comes at the end of this period.
This first 13 verses deal with three primary subjects: the measuring of the temple (verses1-2);
and the two witnesses of God (verses 3-12); followed by another heavenly scene (verses 14-19).
1. The measuring of the Temple,
Verses 1-2 “And there was given me 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. 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 best guideline to follow in interpreting this section is to take each fact literally. In line with this principle, a literal temple will be in existence during the Great Tribulation, and the city should be considered the literal city Jerusalem in keeping with its identification in 11:8. The time periods of 42 months (verse 2) and three and one-half days (verses 9, 11) again should be considered literally. The earthquake will literally kill 7,000 individuals, and the two witnesses should be considered as two individual men.
There are now plans for a new Temple to be built, with all the worship services and priestly duties. There is also the practice of animal sacrifices going on there in our times today. This is because the priests believe that their method must be perfect, so much practice needs to take place. Also, there are others that want to build a pre-fabricated temple so that it can be erected in six months of the go-ahead.
We note that the temple mentioned here is to be, and has to be, the tribulation temple because the city is to be trod under foot for forty- two months (three and one-half years).
The fact that this angel tells John to not measure the court which is without because it is given to the Gentiles, seem to convey the idea that this is in reference to the area that is now where the Dome of the Rock is sitting.
This may also relate to the Old Testament Temple where the Gentiles could come into the court area, they could not go any further. This may also mean that the court area may be part of the area that is to be trod under the feet of Gentiles.
John was given a reed, a lightweight rod, to be used as a measuring instrument. John was instructed to measure the temple and the altar but not the outer court, meaning he was to measure the holy place and the holy of holies. While others could come into the outer court, only priests could enter those two temple rooms. The explanation was given that this would be under the control of the Gentiles who would trample on the holy city for 42 months.
It goes on to say that John was to measure “them that worship therein.” This is to say that John was to count the worshippers. Why, we are not told. Here the thought seems to be that God will evaluate both the temple and those in it.
2. The two witnesses (verses 3-12).
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 time of their ministry: Here again there is much disagreement and much discussion about when these two witnesses appear. Some believe that the 42 months refer to the first half of Daniel’s 70th week Daniel 9:27;
“And he the anti-Christ, shall confirm the covenant with many for one week, seven years, and in the midst of the week, (three and one-half years or forty-two months), he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”
While it is not clear, the evidence surrounding this passage in Revelation seems to refer to the final three and one-half years. This also seems to be confirmed by the fact that in the first half of the last seven years the Jews will possess the city of Jerusalem and worship in their temple, offering sacrifices and drink offerings, whereas here the context indicates that this is the period when Gentiles will tread down the Holy City, implying ill treatment of the Jews and desecration of the temple.
We also have those that believe that it will be during the first half and these events close out the first half. But this piece of the puzzle does not fit the context of these verses.
We also find that the time of their ministry will be a time of great apostasy in Jerusalem. Notice that in verse 8 Jerusalem is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt. Jerusalem has long been known as a city that is unfaithful. In the days of Isaiah, Jerusalem was a wicked place, things were so bad that Isaiah compared Jerusalem to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Isaiah. 1:10 Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah). Form the context of this verse and what is said in verse 1 of this chapter in Isaiah it is definitely referring to Jerusalem of Judah. That was strong language, considering God destroyed those cities with fire and brimstone.
In the days of Ezekiel, Jerusalem played the harlot and chased after idols and false gods (Ezekiel 16). God said they acquired their adulterous and idolatrous ways in Egypt. Remember the golden calf the Israelites built on their way from Egypt to the Promised Land.
The identity of the two witnesses. Because they are not named, there seems to be a lot of discussion and speculation of the identity of these two anointed messengers. We will look at some of these speculations.
Most commentators seem to agree that one of these will be Elijah. and the other will be Moses. They base this assumption on the idea of their ministries. Elijah had called for the withdrawal of rain and had called down fire from heaven (verse 6). Also, Elijah had not died, he had been taken into heaven alive. This goes along with Hebrews 9:27 where it says that “As it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment,” it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. So, the reasoning is that Elijah would need to die.
For the same reason of dying, many believe that the other will be Enoch. Enoch did not die but it says that he walked with God and was not, for God took him. But the argument has been made that there will be a multitude of people that will not taste death when the Lord returns in the rapture.
Moses had been used to turn the waters to blood and smite the earth with plagues. This does sound plausible but when you go back to Hebrews 9:27 it informs us that it is appointed for men to die once, not twice. This is met by the argument that there have been many people in the bible that were raised from the dead, and died again. Hebrews 9:27 taken in context is shown to be a general observation that the writer is making, not a hard- fast rule. The word for “appointed” is the Greek word “apo-ketai” and it means reserved, to be in store, to await. Another understanding is the word “assigned.” It has been assigned unto men once to die. This would be a general assignment. It would be much like a teacher assigning the class to do a certain project, and then adding that “Mary and Adam” would do something different.
I have my thought that Elijah will be one of them because it tells us in Malachi 4:5 this; “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”
I am also of the opinion that Moses is representative of the resurrected saints and Elijah represents the translated or raptured saints.
Another reason is that it is Moses and Elijah that met with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew 17:1-5.
Perhaps the reason they are not named is that it is unimportant who these two are. Or perhaps it would cause people to place too much emphasis on them and not on their message. Certainly, God could have told us if He wanted us to know. This is just another thing that causes people to speculate and argue about, when the real message is being ignored. Judgment is coming.
Verse. 4 “These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.”
This takes us back to Zechariah 4:11-14. 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?
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? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
Zechariah explains what the lamp stands represent; the lamp stands hold pots of burning oil that provide light. These two witnesses will be lamp stands because they will provide light to a dark world. The two olive trees stand by the lamp stand and provide oil to the lamp stand. Since oil signifies the Holy Spirit, then these two witnesses will be like olive trees because they are filled with the Holy Spirit.
Verse.5 “And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.”
These two witnesses have the total protection of God during their ministry. No one will be able to cause them any harm, if they do, they die. We are not told exactly what their message will be, but we know it will be one that the Anti-Christ will hate. It no doubt will contain the gospel message to the Jews concerning the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, His coming again to rule the world in peace and righteousness and the need to repent. At the time of their prophesying or preaching, there will be very few that will want to hear what they have to say. They will not be popular. We find this in verses 7-10 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. 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. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and a half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 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.
Just the fact that that the message they will bring and who they represent is enough that these people are tormented; they will be under great conviction but will not be willing to repent.
This is the first mention of this “beast.” We will read more about this person in later chapters.
This beast is no doubt the Anti-Christ. He will hate these two witnesses. He will fail to cope with their condemnation of his world government, religion, social principles, and economic system, and will be infuriated when he hears them preaching about Jesus, so he will throw all the power of his satanic government into an attack against them. The witnesses will be overpowered and killed.
We have often wondered and speculated on who the anti-Christ will be. Let me give you some solid scriptural reasons that we can know who it will be.
John 17:12 “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled.” Here Judas is called the “son of perdition.”
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. Here the anti-Christ is also called the “son of perdition.”
Jump over to chapter 17:8 and 17:11 for further scriptures. 17:8 “The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was and is not and yet is.” 17:11 “And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.”
The only place we see the terminology of “was, is and is not,” is referring to someone who has lived and died and is alive again (Revelation 1:18; 2:8).
Judas was alive, and died when he hung himself and as Acts 1 :25 tells us went to his own place (perdition). He will be loosed from the bottomless pit to serve as the beast, or anti-Christ. Just as he was on earth as Judas, when he was a thief and only Jesus knew this, he will be deceptive and come as a man of peace, but after the first three and a half years he will allow Satan to fully be incarnate in him and will turn completely evil with no pretense.
We have previously discussed the wicked city of Jerusalem that is called spiritually Sodom and Egypt. Now we see the effects of the Anti-Christ on the world population. He is very popular. He commands much respect and idolizing. And he is given it. These two poor witnesses dressed in sack cloth (burlap), are ridiculed and reviled. At their death there is much rejoicing and party making. They even send one another gifts much like they do at Christmas time now. They won’t even allow them a decent burial. They let them just live in the street for three and a half days, while the world makes merry and parties and the television cameras are televising it world-wide. According to Jewish tradition it takes three days to officially declare a person dead. If you remember Jesus waited four days after it was told him that His friend Lazarus had died. This was so the Jewish leaders could not claim any trickery on the part of Jesus. Here in these verses we find that God allows the bodies to remain dead for three and a half days before resurrecting them.
The authorities will not permit their bodies to be buried for three days and a half, so that the “peoples and kindreds and tongues and nations” can see them lying in the street. Leaving a body unburied was the greatest contempt and humiliation that could be shown in biblical times. It has been less than 100 years ago that the world thought it impossible for the whole world to witness such an event. But we today see how probable it is. We think it awful that these people would allow them to lie in the street that long, but it is God’s plan. When He resurrects them, He wants the whole world to know that there is a greater reality than what the anti-Christ presents.
All the rejoicing, merry making, and gift sending show that people do not like to be told that they are living a sinful lifestyle. It is evident that there is much conviction being preached by these two witnesses. People today claim they want the truth, but as it was said in the movie A Few Good Men, they “can’t handle the truth.” The death by the Anti-Christ of these two witnesses, seem to indicate that it shows that the Anti-Christ is the supreme god of this world. The celebrations over the deaths seem to show that the world agrees.
Verses 11-12 “And after three days and a 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. 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.”
Then God will suddenly step in; He will do what He did when He created Adam. He will breathe life into the two witnesses, causing them to come alive. The partying will stop; the revelry will end. The whole world will watch in terror as the two witnesses stand to their feet. Much like the partying ended at King Belshazzar’s party when the hand writing on the wall appeared.
These two witnesses that the world is unworthy of, will hear God speak to them from heaven, “Come up hither!” When the world, especially those on site see the two witnesses ascend into heaven they begin to have great fear. “Could we have been wrong,” seems to be the question. God answers from heaven with a “great earthquake that destroys a tenth of the city and kills seven thousand people. Now they have something to think about. Suddenly they see their error and “give glory to the God of Heaven.”
This ends the pause between the second and third woes (8:6-10:11).
Verses 14-19 “The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
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. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 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 has reigned.
And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead that they shall 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. 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.”
We are now about half way through this book of Revelation. I think that it would be wise to stop here and take a quick review of the first half.
We have seen that the seventh seal judgment opened the seven trumpet judgments. Like-wise the fifth, sixth, and seventh trumpet judgments are also the three woes. This third woe or seventh trumpet judgment also now introduces the seven vial or bowl judgments. But before they are introduced we are again treated to a time- out and are shown the different beasts that will arrive on earth. The vial or bowl judgments close out the remainder of the Anti-Christ’s reign, and the rest of the book is dedicated to his judgment and the future reign of Christ.
In verses 14-17 we are privileged to again to see a heavenly throne room vision. Again, heaven is opened, and John hears a multitude of voices declaring “the kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” The angels view this as something that has already happened. Christ will reclaim rule over the kingdoms of this world at His Second Coming. This will settle forever the question of who is the sovereign ruler over planet Earth.
Upon hearing this, “the four and twenty elders fell upon their faces, and worshiped God” (verse16) by giving Him “thanks (verse.17).
1. They thank God for who He is: “O Lord God Almighty, who art, and wast, and art to come” (verse.17).
2. They thank God for His world-wide rule: “because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned” (verse17]).
3. They thank God for His wrath upon the ungodly: “And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come” (verse 18). This is the fulfillment of God’s wrath that will be poured out upon the nations.
4. They thank God for judging the wicked “that they sound be judged” (verse18).
5. They thank God for rewarding the works of the righteous: “and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants, the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great: (verse18).
6. Finally they give thanks for judging world-wide wickedness: destroy them who destroy the earth (verse18).
At the end of this praise and thanksgiving time, we find that the Temple of God in heaven was again opened and there is lightnings, and voices, and thunderclaps, and an earthquake (verse19). This is a fitting conclusion to the sounding of the seventh trumpet, whose judgments will soon be poured out upon the earth.
The challenge for today is that we sense that the world is moving swiftly toward a time of judgment, Like the two witnesses, we in the church are messengers with a mandate to proclaim the message of repentance and judgment to our generation