Revelation 11:1-3 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, 2 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. 3 And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
This chapter introduces two witnesses who will be described in the next section. John is told to measure the temple of God. Bible interpreters have wondered about this situation. Should this be taken as symbolic, like so much of the rest of visions of John, or literally? What is behind this statement? What is the temple? If we take this reference literally, could it be the third temple that Ezekiel describes? So, by the time these events take place, the temple has been rebuilt. There are rumors that the Jews of today are ready to rebuild the temple. This position assumes that we also read Ezekiel’s prophecy as a literal temple. Another option is to see this figuratively and the temple being the people of God, the church, like Paul does in 1 Corinthians 3:16. Another option is that this verse refers to God’s temple in heaven, but the reference to the Holy City which is probably Jerusalem seems to be more earth based because the reference to the nations trampling it for 3 1/2 years. These witnesses will prophesy for this almost 3 1/2 years, wearing the clothes of mourning.
If this is a new temple built on earth, it is an attempt by people to return to a religion of their own interpretation, much like the Jews of the first century. The book of Hebrews shows that Jesus is both the perfect sacrifice and perfect high priest who has opened the way to God. We do not need to sacrifice. We do not need a temple. God dwells now with his people. Perhaps at the end of this age, a few people will want God’s presence again and this will be symbolized in a new temple in Jerusalem. The point we can take from this obscure passage remains the same as other passages. It is now only more reinforced: Pay attention to the witnesses God gives now. God’s presence is available to us now. We should heed this and not wait until it is too late.
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