Lesson Two

Chapter 11:1-13

The Temple Court and Prophetic Ministry

a) Measuring the Inner Court (11:1)

- John is told to take a measuring stick and measure the temple and its environs recreating Ezekiel’s vision (Eze. 40-42). This measuring represents ownership and protection of his people. Zech 2:1-5 echoes this as well. This stresses the perseverance of the saints spiritually in the coming great persecution.

- John is asked to measure three things: The temple of God, the altar, and the worshipers in it. This speaks of the heavenly temple and not earthly Solomonic temples. This fits the background of Ezekiel’s eschatological temple.

- The alter points to the inner sanctuary of the temple rather than the whole building. Moreover 11:2 separates the outer court form the temple here. Often in NT, the temple signifies the Church (1 Cor. 3:16-17 and 2 Cor. 6:16).

- What does it mean to measure the worshipers? Here worshipers are described as individual believers in the church. These believers have no part with the world but conquer it by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony (12:11).

- What does the protection of God mean in this context? God will protect his people not from physical harm of evil (6:9-11; 13:7) but rather from spiritual harm (3:7; 7:3-4; 9:4; 12:6, 14, 16). As in Ezekiel, the measuring secured the temple from the abominations of idolatrous worship in its precincts, here it signifies act God would spiritual protect his people from contamination with idolatrous influences i.e. Nicolaitan Cult (2:2, 6, 14-15, 20-24). Though the church will undergo terrible suffering at the hands of the enemies, God will be with those who overcome, and they will emerge victorious (21:15-21). In chapter 21, there is no excluded outer court. This measuring points to the final victory of the Church.

b) Excluding the Outer Court (11:2)

- The outer court is the court of the Gentiles. They were unclean and not allowed to enter the inner court. The Gentiles had access only to the outer court in the temple.

- The outer court is handed over to the Gentiles either to mean: persecution of Christians (Ezekiel support) or compromise of their faith (first century support). Kevin’s thoughts: In Matthew 24:45-51; 25:1-30, Jesus speaks about those servants (outer court) who are not ready for the Lord’s return. They have compromised their faith to the pressures and persecution of the world. Some say that since on 2 out of the 7 churches got it right in Revelation 2 and 3 (33% pass rate, then there is only going to be 33% of believers whole will not compromise their faith from the lures and persecution of the pagan world.

- “Forty two months: this is three and a half years (not found in revelation) or 1260 days (Rev 11:3 and 12:6; Dan 12:7-11). This symbolizes the time of the tribulation and judgment. It refers to a limited time before the accomplishment of the eschaton, were God allows the Antichrist and his followers to triumph (13:5-8) and the people of God to be persecuted and martyred. This final fulfillment refers the reign of the Antichrist, as he demands that everyone worship him. These are the days that it will be so terrible that God will cut the days short or no one would service but for the sake of the elect. This is known as the great tribulation period. It is not only a time of persecution of saints, but also a time of protection and preservation.

c) Prophetic Ministry of the Church (11:3-13)

- Two witness: the final period the two witnesses and the church do not hide from the beast and his follower but engage in fearless preaching involving a call for the nations

- Olive oil trees supply the oil to the lamp stand, speaks to the priestly and kingly role these witness play as in the book of Zachariah.

- The lamp stand refers to the seven churches and the olive tree refers to the anointing and the commissioning of the prophets.

- The witness stands as kings and priest of God in this final history to proclaim and judge by the hand of God. Those, who seek to kill the witness, will be killed by the witnesses, until the witness is complete (just like Jesus ministry was complete before his hour had come John 7:30; 8:20).