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Many commentators have argued that this chapter in Revelation is the hardest chapter in the Bible to understand, so have some grace with me today as I seek to walk through this with you.
There are a couple of principles I will employ in understanding this chapter.
Because I’m explaining method, this will be more technical for a few minutes, by nature.
Hang in there with me.
The first principle that I’m going to mention here is the principle of continuing narrative.
This section of Revelation is continuing from what came before it.
Last week, in the previous section of this book, God told John to soak in the Gospel SO THAT he could go out and proclaim it.
Here, we’re going to see that proclamation played out.
And what we see about John’s proclaiming of the Gospel is tied to Jesus’ proclaiming the Gospel, and also to ours.
And the point of this text today is a continuation of the message of chapter 10: once you have RAVENOUSLY CONSUMED the Word of God, then you, like John, have a DUTY to PROCLAIM the Word of God to a people who need it.
Let’s read the text:
There’s a lot going on here, isn’t there?
Let’s start at the beginning and ask the question, and walk through:
So John’s given a measuring stick and told to go measure the Temple of God and the altar and the worshipers, but not to measure the outer courtyard.
Why?
I’m going to suggest that this temple is symbolic, which would prompt another question: Why would I believe that?
This temple is symbolic.
Why would I believe that?
If you were going to translate the temple symbolically, what are some reasons you would do that?
1. Genre
1. Genre (apocalyptic uses symbols)
2. Written in AD 95-AD 96.
What happened to the temple in AD 70?
2. Written in AD 95-AD 96.
What happened to the temple in AD 70?
How does the New Testament define the Temple after Pentecost?
-The church.
(, , )
“You” (plural) are God’s Temple
The temple is where heaven/earth intersect.
The Holy of Holies is where God dwelt among humanity, now he dwells among us in the church.
So when he says "Go measure the temple" it means the church.
Common knowledge/teaching that the church is the temple by this time (Revelation is last book written).
Temple already destroyed by Babylon (measuring a temple that isn't there).
Common knowledge/teaching that the church is the temple by this time (Revelation is last book written).
Common knowledge/teaching that the church is the temple by this time (Revelation is last book written).
Why would we be measured:
Measuring indicates several things:
1. Ownership
2. Protection (spiritual) because notice, the Temple is trampled on here.
3. Sovereignty
God’s saying something incredibly comforting and encouraging here: You are mine.
You are in my hand.
I am your master.
If God is measuring you, it’s a good thing!
We see an example of someone measuring in the Bible and it communicating these very same things in 2 Samuel.
David takes a census and then is conscience-stricken () God send a plague wiping out 70,000 people.
Because to measure something is to declare ownership of sovereignty, David challenged God's sovereignty in his rebellious act.
And God reminded David, "you may be king, but I AM the King of kings- Don't forget it!"
David takes a census and then is conscience-stricken () God send a plague wiping out 70,000 people.
Because to measure something is to declare ownership of sovereignty, David challenged God's sovereignty in his rebellious act.
And God reminded David, "you may be king, but I AM the King of kings- Don't forget it!"
So John measures Temple on behalf of God.
It's awkward if God is declaring sovereignty over something that has already been destroyed.
Why would God exclude the outer court?
It belongs to the Gentiles (nations).
So the question is, at this point, who is God calling Israel?
Those Gentiles are outsiders.
Outer court is the dwelling place of non-Christians.
;
;
Who is the bride?
(, )
Sort of like the Lion/Lamb trick in
Says Holy City will be trampled for 42 months.
Church will be persecuted.
Should we take 42 months literally?
I’m going to argue, no.
What is 42 months?
3 1/2 years or 1,260 days or “time, times, and half a time” (3 1/2- allusion to Daniel)
3 1/2 years.
Interesting.
Also 1,260 days.
Also time, times, and half a time (3 1/2- allusion to Daniel)
When you see that number (42 months, etc.), think persecution.
Notice the brevity.
In the grand scheme of things, 42 months is an awful short time, isn't it?
He's not saying, "you're going to be persecuted for 1,000 years!” 1,000 years is mentioned in Revelation, but it’s not attached to persecution.
It’s attached to reigning with Christ.
It's important to understand that they won't suffer long, but they will reign long.
It's all about perspective.
What if these numbers are the same time period?
It's all about perspective.
Why two witnesses?
It takes two or more witnesses to convict in the Old Testament.
They are commanded to prophesy for how long?
What are the prophesying?
The Gospel.
Recapitulation.
Persecution is the same time as the prophesying.
Why are they clothed in sackcloth?
They’re begging the world to repent while they’re being persecuted!
Who are the two witnesses?
Two olive trees/two lampstands (a Jew would have fallen over):
Two offices that were anointed for inauguration: kings/priests.
Two offices that were anointed for inauguration: kings/priests.
What does Hebrews (especially ) say about Christ?
He is our high priest.
He is our high priest.
Messiah means, "anointed one."
What is referred to as he is born (and other times throughout his life)?
King.
King.
Who is God's anointed one?
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