Parenthetical close-up. The Third Temple. Two Witnesses.
The place is Jerusalem. The time is the fist half of the 70th week of Daniel. Israel has a restored Temple. [Rev 10:11: John is to prophesy again concerning (not “before”) many peoples, nations, tongues and kings. In Revelation 11-14, we will get an amplification of the elements. Note the distinction between Jews and Gentiles reappearing, suggesting the OT dispensation. This chapter begins on the earth but ends in heaven (Rev 11:19).
[1] “And there was given me a 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”: This reckoning or measuring is tantamount to claiming it. The rebuilding of the Temple is required for this verse to take place.
Temple: naos; holy place (vs. heiron, temple area as a whole).
Measuring rod: staff (shevet) Psa 64:2; Jer 10:16; Jer 51:19. In Revelation, an instrument of chastisement (Rev 2:27; Rev 12:5; Rev 19:15).
Measurements indicate preamble to judgment (Jer 31:38-39; Zech 2). Preamble to destruction: Lam 2:8; 2Ki 21:13; Isa 34:11; Amos 7:8. Judgment begins at the House of God. In Ezekiel 40:2ff and Zech 2:1-2, measurement is in preparation of the Lord’s coming to dwell upon the earth.
[2] “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.”
“Leave out”: ekbale, throw out, cast out. The Gentiles have taken over Jerusalem (!) Luke 21:24 (until Zech 14:3-4).
“The holy city”: no other so designated (Neh 11:1, 18; Isa 52:1; Dan 9:24; Mat 4:5; Mat 27:52-53).
Half-week designations:
“Times”= dual; used of years (Dan 4:16, 23, 25). Half of the (70th) week of years (Dan 9:24-27; Rev 12:14).
This is the most documented period of time in the Bible, and more definitely marked for literal interpretation than that which limits the time of future judgment upon the earth preceding the Millennium. [The literalness of the fulfillment of the 69 weeks of Daniel 9:25 is a guarantee of the literalness of the seven-year duration of the 70th week.]
Third Temple to be rebuilt: Three times in NT: Mat 24:15; 2Th 2:4; Rev 11:1-2. The original location may not be the traditional Dome of the Rock site:
Based on alignment with Golden (Shushan) Gate, certain rock outcroppings, etc. Suggests that actual site of Holy of Holies and the Ark of the Covenant was at the Dome of the Tablets (also known as the Dome of the Spirits).
Based on three-dimensional computer studies of the Temple Mount, elevation of Hulda Gates, surveying of the water aqueduct, and other topographic considerations. Ground penetrating radar seems to support this possibility.
Both conjectures suggest that the Dome of the Rock is actually in the Outer Court (The Court of the Gentiles) and this is particularly provocative in light of Rev 11:1-2.
Joshua sends only two on a mission, (versus 12 by Moses 40 years earlier) Two is the required number of witnesses before the law (Deu 17:6; Mat 18:16). [Note: always two angels—after resurrection, at the ascension, Gen 18, etc.]
These are specifically called prophets (Rev 11:3, 6) in the Old Testament sense; they perform miracles.
[3] “And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.” First half of the 70th Week?
“Sackcloth”: Speaks of the law rather than grace. Everything here speaks of the OT.
[4] “These are the two olive trees, and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth”:
“Olive trees” = “trees of oil”; anointed ones = “sons of oil” (Zech 4) This is a reference to Zerubbabel and Joshua, who re-established Israel (Zech 4:10-14). [“Before who I stand”: favorite phrase of Elijah: 1Ki 17:1.] Continuous filling by the Holy Spirit (Zech 4:12).
[5] “And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.”
[6] “These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will”: God has confidence in them.
| 1) | Three were expected: Jhn 1:20-21 [Talmudic expectations.] |
| Messiah Mal 3:1-3. 5-6 | |
| Elijah; Mal 4:5-6 (Last words in OT) | |
| Moses; Deu 18:15-19 | |
| Jhn the Baptist: “I am not.” Jhn 1:19-20; Mat 11:14; Mat 17:10-11. He did not “turn the hearts of the children” as Malachi predicted, nor usher in the “great and dreadful day,” etc. | |
| 2) | Two ministries were unfinished: |
| Moses: Num 20:12; Deu 3:26-28 | |
| Elijah: 1Ki 17:1; 19:13-16; 2Ki 2:11 | |
| 3) | Unique Powers, Miracles |
•; Fire from heaven; 1Ki 18:37; 2Kgs 1:10, 21; (Jer 5:14)
•; Shut heaven; 1Ki 17:1; (3 1/2 years! Luk 4:25; Jam 5:17)
•; Water into blood: Exd 7:19
•; Plagues; Exd 8 - Ex 12
[vs. ministers of Church to be harmless: Phil 2:15; Rom 16:19. James and John would have duplicated Elijah’s acts, but Jesus rebuked them (Luke 9:54-56.]
| 4) | It wasn’t necessarily Enoch: Heb 9:27 = general rule, but there are exceptions: Lazarus, Jairus’ daughter, Nain’s son. He was a Gentile: Witnesses are Jewish. [Is Enoch a model of the Rapture? Born, translated, on the 6th of Sivan, the Feast of Shavout?] |
| 5) | Staff Meeting in Mat 17; connected with Second Coming: Luk 9:31; 1Pe 1:10-12; 2Pe 1:6-18. |
[Mystery: Why did Michael contend with Satan for the body of Moses? Jde 9; Deu 34:5-6]
Jhn the Baptist? (McGee). John, the Apostle (and writer)? Previous chapter: “Thou must prophecy again” (Rev 10:11); Jhn 21:20-24 “tarry till I come...” However, we would include John in the Church which is in heaven. [John expressly rebuked from desiring Elijah’s acts.]
[7] “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”: Invulnerable until testimony is completed. [Moses and Elijah had their ministries interrupted.]
Antichrist now in power. (First mention). Note the origin of this beast. More in Chapter 13.)
[8] “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”: “Bodies = carcasses.”
Jerusalem = “Sodom” (Isa 1:9-10; Isa 3:8-9; Jer 23:14; Deu 32:30-33); “Egypt” (Eze 23:3-4, 8, 19).
“Great”: in Revelation 11 mentioned 8 times.
[9] “And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves”: Was this predicted in Psa 79:1-3, 10-11?
[10] “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.
Only celebration on the earth in Revelation! A “Satanic Christmas”?
[11] “And after three days and an 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”: CNN exclusive? [Same coverage as Mat 24:15?]
[12] “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”: Cf. Rev 4:1; 2Ki 2:11.
[13] “And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were afrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.”
A great earthquake occurred when the 6th seal was opened (Rev 6:12); a greater one when the 7th bowl is poured out (Rev 16:18-20). (The greatest fault line on the earth runs east of Jerusalem down the Jordan called the Great Rift Valley, running underneath the Dead Sea into Africa.)
“Tenth”: expressly declared that the tenth belonged to the Lord: Lev 27:30-34.
“Seven thousand names of men were killed in the earthquake.” Idiom suggests men of prominence.
[14] “The second woe is past; behold, the third woe cometh quickly”: Ends parenthetical section between 6th-7th trumpets. Opens up the Seven Personalities in Revelation 12 & Revelation 13.
[15] “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.”
Kingdom, singular, basileia. Satan has had the world under his control. (Mat 4:8-9; Mat 12:26; Jhn 12:31; Jhn 14:30; Jhn 16:11).
Announcement of victory. Satan had offered a shortcut (Mat 4:8-9). Jesus did it the way the Father wanted it done. [Note that this is the trumpet of an angel, not the “Trumpet of God” which occurs at Sinai (Exd 19) and at the rapture (1Th 4:16-17). Seventh angel yields seven bowls of wrath.]
[16] “And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God”: Threefold acclamation of praise (Rev 11:16-18). Christ reigns supremely (Rev 11:17); He judges righteously (Rev 11:18); He rewards graciously (Rev 11:18).
[17] “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 hast reigned”: In Rev 4:10-11, the elders worshipped the Creator; in Rev 5:9-14 they worshipped the Redeemer; here, the emphasis is on the Conqueror and King.
“Thou hast begun to reign” is more accurate (ingressive first aorist active indicative).
[18] “And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should 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.”
“Destroy” = corrupt. Not an ecological statement, but referring to those who follow the one called the Destroyer. However, man cannot be an acceptable steward if he denies the Owner.
This is a “table of contents” for the remainder of the Book of Revelation. [A “scope” statement, as in Dan 9:24.]
Why are the nations angry? They want to have their own way (Psa 2:1-3). They want to cast off all restraint. God will permit them to do so. The result of their “utopia” is Rev 17; Rev 18. Their anger will lead to Armageddon.
“Thy wrath is come”: “Angry” is the verb form of the word translated “wrath.” Only the last half of the 70th week will reveal the wrath of God (Rev 11:18; Rev 14:10; Rev 16:19; Rev 19:15). Two Greek words used: orge, used here (4X), indignation, a settled attitude of wrath; and thumos (7X: Rev 14:10, 19; Rev 15:1, 7; Rev 16:1, 19; Rev 19:15), “rage, passionate anger.” God’s anger is not dispassionate, for He hates sin and loves righteousness and justice; neither temperamental or unpredictable. [In contrast to Allah who is presented as capricous...]
“And the time of the dead to be judged” carries over to Rev 20. Thus, this verse covers the whole period of the “Day of the Lord.” [Just as our whole period is contained in the comma between two clauses in Isa 61:2.]
* * *
[End of this passage. Rev 11:19 really introduces Revelation 12.]
[19] “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.”
Ark of the Covenant, from a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God. [Israel vs. Church]
•; “Original” was a pattern of the heavenly ark, Heb 9:23;
•; Approached only on His terms: Lev 16:14-15; Jhn 14:6;
Nadab and Abihu (Lev 10:2); Ussah (2Sa 6:3-7);
•; Never to come to mind (Jer 3:16).
| Rev 4:1 | A door opened in heaven |
| Rev 6; Rev 7; Rev 8:1 | The seals are opened |
| Rev 9:2 | The Abyss opened |
| Rev 11:19 | Temple of God opened |
| Rev 15:5 | Tabernacle of testimony opened |
| Rev 19:11 | Heaven is opened |
| Rev 20:12 | Books of Judgment opened. |
Next: The Mystery of the Woman—Rev 12:1-2. “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.”
Who is she? Key question.
(Selected references were included with Volume 1. Supplemental references are included with each subsequent volume.)
DeHaan, M.R., The Tabernacle, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids MI, 1955.
Missler, Chuck, From Here to Eternity, Mystery of the Lost Ark, The Trinity, Beyond Perception, briefing packages, Koinonia House, 1993-95.
Soltau, Henry W., The Tabernacle, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids MI, 1972.
Strong, James, The Tabernacle of Israel, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids MI, 1987.
Bull, Geoffrey T., Love Song in Harvest, Christian Literature Crusade, Fort Washington PA, 1972.
DeHaan, M.R., The Romance of Redemption, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids MI, 1958.
Hession, Roy, Our Nearest Kinsman, Christian Literature Crusade, Fort Washington PA, 1976.
Anderson, Sir Robert, The Coming Prince, Hodder & Stroughton, London, 1895.
A classic work on the Seventy Weeks of Daniel 9.
Pentecost, J. Dwight, Things to Come, Dunham Publishing Co., Findlay OH, 1958.
Chafer, Lewis Sperry, Systematic Theology (8 vols.), Dallas Seminary Press, Dallas TX, 1946.
Fruchtenbaum, Arnold G., Israelology: The Missing Link in Systematic Theology, Ariel Ministries Press, Tustin CA, 1993.
Hunt, Dave, Cup of Trembling, Harvest House, Eugene OR, 1995.
Lewis, David Allen, Can Israel Survive in a Hostile World? New Leaf Press, New Forest AR, 1993.
Lindsey, Hal, The Road to Holocaust, Bantam Books, NY, 1989.
Miller, D.A., Forbidden Knowledge, Joy Publishing, San Juan Capistrano CA, 1991.
Missler, Chuck, and Stewart, Don, The Coming Temple, Dart Press, Orange CA, 1991.