Revelation 11:1-2 – Measuring of the temple

In the interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets, John was given the scroll and told to eat it. Like him, for any prophet to speak without contradiction, he must first taste the scroll – bitter or sweet. Having ingested the scroll, John was instructed to prophesy. So in this chapter, he began his prophecy and he did so in parabolic languages. First was the measuring of the temple. Why measure the temple? Was John referring to the temple in Jerusalem or the temple he saw in his earlier vision? 

Firstly, the measuring of the temple reminds us of similar actions of two Old Testament prophets recorded in Ezekiel 40 and Zachariah 2. However, the temple referred to here is the church. Why? In the time of John, the church of Jesus Christ had already been seen as the new temple. This church is God’s new temple, not built with bricks and stones but with the living stones of men. It’s the place that God comes now to dwell through His Spirit. The measuring of the temple indicates God’s intention to protect and bless His people with His presence. Both the inner and outer courts of the temple probably refer to the church. The outer court to be trampled upon tells us the church would have to suffer at the hand of the unbelieving world for three and a half years. In another sense, the church will also be protected and God will keep it safe despite these attacks. This, in a sense, is the bitter sweet experience John had when he ingested the scroll.  

What about the 42 months? In the book of Revelation we will see different ways this duration has been described. Revelation 11:2 and 13:5 referred to it as 42 months. In Revelation 11:3 and 12:6 it is designated 1,260 days. And in Revelation 12:14, it is “a time, times and half a time”. In Luke 21:24, Jesus referred to it as “the times of the Gentiles.” It is taken as a standard symbol for the limited period of time during which evil would be allowed free rein. It is also used to describe the temporary triumph of evil before the end of the age. The exact duration is not the focus. The primary focus is that during this time of hardship and trouble, God had already marked out His own. He knows them and will protect them with His presence.  

Every one of us is a living stone, being used to build up God’s spiritual house. We are to be His holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Yes, we the people of God are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that we may proclaim the excellence of Christ who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light!