From prophecy alone, this is probably the most exciting chapter in the entire book of the Revelation. Some of the most revealing prophecy in this entire book is in this chapter. It proves that the temple will indeed be rebuilt before the second coming of Christ. (Not necessarily before the rapture.) In order for the events in this chapter to occur there has to be a rebuilt temple.

 

 

    Revelation 11:1-2

1 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers.

2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.

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     Any time you see the beginning of measurements in either the Old or New Testaments, it indicates that God is dealing with the spiritual condition of His people.

 

In these two verses, what is he measuring? A rod refers to judgment. The Jews are still in unbelief at the time of the measuring. The temple is rebuilt in the name of God but Jesus is not recognized. It is a mockery and a sham.

    Now follow me as this is important: The temple of God is limited to only the holy place and the holy of holies, also called the most holy place.

This takes us back to the Old Testament because there is no temple given to the church. The church is a temple of the Holy Spirit today; that is, believers (not a building) are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

 

    Let me explain the tabernacle which was the first temple. God gave Moses the plans and told him to build it exactly like the plan. There was a fence made of fabric around the entire area. Inside the fence was a courtyard, called the outer court. In this outer court were the altar of sacrifice and a laver (that’s a pool for the priests to wash their hands and feet.)

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                                                               The Bronze Alter of Burnt Offering                         The Bronze Laver

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     Then, in the courtyard, there was also a small building, enclosed by fabric and animal skins, hanging on silver poles. This small building was the tabernacle or the temple. It had only two rooms.

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     The first room held the table of bread, the 7-branch candlestick, and the golden altar of incense (that’s the prayer altar). Then another curtain separated this room from another smaller room where we find the Ark of the Covenant with a lid on it called the Mercy Seat. The high priest was the only person that could go into this last room and he could only go there once a year, carrying the blood of the sacrifice to atone for the sin of the people. When the real temple was built in Jerusalem, it was built on the same order only bigger and more magnificent.

 

      Now, notice in verse 2, The altar refers to the golden altar of prayer because the altar of burnt offering was not in the temple proper but is in the outer court. Notice that even the worshippers are to be measured. He was not to measure the outer court.Why not? It is given to the nations, i.e. the Gentiles, God is dealing now with only the Jews, not the Gentiles. The temple mount in Jerusalem now has the Dome of the Rock on it, belonging to the Muslims.

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     There is room for the temple to be built along-side it but it would reach into the outer court. This will contaminate the outer court, however, to the Jews, the outer court is already contaminated because it belongs to the Gentiles. So, to them, at the time it is rebuilt, it won’t matter. But of course, to the Muslims, that’s another matter, entirely.

 

      It will still belong to the Gentiles for another 42 months after it is built. That is 3 ½ years (the last half of the tribulation.) This same period is mentioned twice again. in Revelation 13:5 (the length of the Antichrist’s reign) and Revelation 12:14, (the length of time protection is afforded God’s people from the Antichrist.)

 

      This period of time is called several things in prophecy. It is called “A time, times, and half a time” in Daniel 7:25. Remember? “He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time (1 year), times (2years),and half a time (6months). It is also called “1290 days” in Daniel 12:11. “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Again, in Daniel 9:27 it is called midst of the week”(7 days of the week equal 7 years), or in some translations it is called “one seven” and “middle of the seven”. He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘seven’(7 years). In the middle of the ‘seven’(3 ½ years) he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.

 

    It is not clear when the temple will be rebuilt, HOWEVER, It is very clear, the Temple must be rebuilt before any of this can occur! The antichrist makes a covenant of peace with Israel to begin the 7 years of tribulation. The first half of that 7 years, he honors the covenant, the temple is built, and there is peace for Israel. Then, he breaks the treaty and desecrates the temple and this clash will usher in the last half of the Great Tribulation. The Bible makes it very clear that the temple must be present for the Antichrist to desecrate it. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.

 

     Revelation 11:3

And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”

 

     I have given you much to consider so before we go any further, be sure to read over this information again, study it, and be ready to answer next weeks question”:

 

     Who are the two witnesses? Two is the number for witness in scripture. So, WHO ARE THEY?

     

      Come back next week and we will see whether or not we find out the answer!!!

 

                                                                                                          See you then, precious ones. Love in our Savior, Jesus.

                                                                                                                                                                                     Maggie