Revelation 11:1-5

In chapter 10 John was given a little scroll to eat, sweet in his mouth but bitter in his stomach. The Lord has more to say through John to the world and to the Jews. In the next fourteen verses we see the final things that complete the sixth trumpet and the second woe.¶

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, 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."

Revelation 11:1-2 (ESV)¶

A real, future temple¶

John is given a measuring rod and told to measure the temple of God. In these days the temple will already have been rebuilt. We know this is an actual, physical temple because spiritually the church is the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) — God is not telling John to measure the church; he is told to measure the temple, the altar, and those who worship there, in a geographic location. I scanned through several commentaries and all of them take this as a reference to the church, but I have a very hard time seeing that. At the very end of chapter 11, the true temple of God is opened in heaven (Revelation 11:19) — which is yet another reason I believe the church will be in heaven during this tribulation period. If the church is the temple of God, and we now see the true temple in heaven, then this temple John measures is a real place, a temple yet to exist.¶

The fact that Israel only became a nation again in 1948 made a third temple literally impossible for the 1,878 years before then. Many who read this during that time would have a hard time seeing a physical future temple and would either allegorize it or take it as the temple destroyed in AD 70. But today there are plans drawn up for the third temple, over 60 of the vessels for temple service have been created, and on September 15, 2022, five perfect, unblemished red heifers arrived in Israel from the USA. There are persistent efforts by orthodox Jews to build the third temple in our lifetime.¶

Why measure it?¶

Measuring lines, when in reference to God, are often images of judgment — measuring out for destruction (2 Kings 21:13; Lamentations 2:8). More precisely, God can accurately measure or set up something to test against. It's as if God is saying, "Let's see if you so-called worshipers measure up to what is true" (Matthew 7:2; Isaiah 28:16-17). The Jews are still partially blinded, pursuing the law of God in their own strength (Romans 10:5; James 2:10) — but without Christ, we can never measure up. They have built a building that is not necessary for rituals already fulfilled by Christ, to their own design and purpose. John is told not to measure the outer courts, given to the nations for 42 months (3.5 years).¶

The two witnesses¶

"And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.

Revelation 11:3-4 (ESV)¶

Now we meet the two witnesses — granted authority to prophesy in Jerusalem, probably right in front of this new temple, for 1,260 days. We have 42 months in verse 2 and 1,260 days in verse 3; these could be the same 3.5-year period. (A side note: 1,260 days is exactly 3.5 years on a 360-day year — the model used in financial markets, formed by averaging the lunar and solar calendars. I find it fascinating that this number is associated with combining the Jewish calendar with the world's systems.) Verse 4 tells us these are the two olive trees and lampstands — the anointed ones spoken of in Zechariah 4:12-14, in a section about rebuilding the temple and God's plan for his people. It will actually happen before their eyes, the fulfilling of Old Testament prophecy — nearly impossible for the Jews to dismiss without blatant denial.¶

As for their identities, a theory I hold is Enoch and Elijah — the only two who never died but were taken to heaven (Genesis 5:24; 2 Kings 2:11). Enoch witnessed the wickedness that brought the flood; Elijah witnessed against the wickedness of Israel's king, calling down fire from heaven (2 Kings 1:9-10) — which sounds much like the two witnesses:¶

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.

Revelation 11:5 (ESV)¶

Some believe they are Moses and Elijah (the two who appeared with Jesus at the transfiguration). We don't know for sure, so we can only speculate from Scripture. Either way, these men will be a terror to the world as they witness and prophesy about the true Messiah, Jesus.¶