Revelation 11:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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,

NIV: 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.

NASB: Then there was given to me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, 'Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it.

CSB: Then I was given a measuring reed like a rod, with these words: "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count those who worship there.

NLT: Then I was given a measuring stick, and I was told, 'Go and measure the Temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.

This verse tells how John received a measuring rod and a command to measure God's temple, the altar, and the worshipers. This temple is not in heaven, because the following verse says it will be occupied by the Gentiles. Obviously, the Gentiles cannot take over the temple in heaven.

The temple mentioned in verse 1 appears to be one rebuilt after the rapture. Apparently, during a period of peace at the beginning of the tribulation, the Jews will construct the temple and resume sacrifices on the altar. First Thessalonians 5:3 implies that some level of earthly peace is present when the rapture occurs, and Revelation 6:4 describes the rider on a red horse as taking peace from the earth after the rapture. When the temple is rebuilt, Jews will assemble there for worship, perhaps anticipating the Messiah's arrival. Zechariah 1:16 predicts, "Therefore, thus says the LORD, I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy; my house shall be built in it, declares the LORD of hosts, and the measuring line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem."

In Scripture, measurement is often assigned the symbolic meaning of ownership. God's command to measure these items implies His right to do so.

Revelation 11:1–2 follows the mighty angel telling John he would prophesy again about many peoples and nations and languages and kings (Revelation 10:11). Here, John receives a measuring rod and the command to measure the temple, the altar, and the worshipers. However, he was told not to measure the outer court. It would be overrun by the Gentile nations for three and a half years. The reference to the temple aligns with the following passages of Scripture: Haggai 2:7–9; Zechariah 1:16; Malachi 3:1; Matthew 23:38–39; 24:15; and 2 Thessalonians 2:4. While the Gentiles command the temple, two divinely authorized witnesses will prophesy, as explained in the following verses.

This chapter continues the interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpet judgments. John received a measuring rod and was told to measure the temple, the altar, and the worshipers. However, he was told not to measure the court outside the temple, because the Gentiles would overrun it for three and a half years. During that time, two divinely authorized witnesses would prophesy. They would have power to summon fire from heaven and to strike the earth with plagues. At the end of their testimony the beast from the pit will kill them and leave their bodies in a street in Jerusalem. But, three and a half days later, God will resurrect their bodies and draw them up to heaven. At that time a powerful earthquake will level a tenth of Jerusalem and kill seven thousand people. When the seventh trumpet sounds, loud voices in heaven proclaim Jesus as the possessor of the world's kingdoms, and the twenty-four elders praise Jesus as the Lord God Almighty who will begin to reign. He will judge the dead but reward His servants. The chapter ends with the opening of the temple in heaven.

The eleventh chapter of Revelation provides information about an event that transpires between the sounding of the sixth and seventh trumpets. It involves two powerful witnesses that God raises up in the middle of the tribulation. These two witnesses minister throughout the second half of the tribulation. They are martyred, but God raises them up and lifts them to heaven. Concurrent with their ascension a mighty earthquake destroys one tenth of Jerusalem and kills seven thousand people. This is the second woe. The first woe is described in chapter 9 as an invading army of locusts.

The word ''revelation'' means ''an unveiling or disclosure.'' This writing unveils future events such as the rapture, three series of judgments that will fall on the earth during the tribulation, the emergence of the Antichrist, the persecution of Israel and her amazing revival, as well as Jesus' second coming with His saints to the earth, the judgment of Satan and his followers, and finally, the eternal state. This content, combined with the original Greek term apokalypsis, is why we now refer to an end-of-the-world scenario as ''an apocalypse.''