Day 18 of Revelation Study: Chapter 11

The Apostle John was given explicit instructions to measure the temple, altar and the people worshiping there. It is interesting that John was told to measure the worshipers. This could mean that he counted them which would make sense when he gives an approximate number of people who died because of an earthquake in 11:13. The way we know that this is the earthly temple, opposed to the Heavenly one, is due to the fact that the nations are said to be trampling through the outer court and the holy city for a certain amount of time.

While no such measurements of the earthly temple or its altar or its worshipers make it into this chapter, John did include specific allotments of time [i.e. forty-two months and 1,260 days]. Two witnesses are said to be prophesying during this allotted period of time and seem to be invincible — that is, until the beast who came out of the bottomless pit (9:1-11) destroys them and leaves their bodies lying in the street in order to make a public display of his power and authority. The identity of these witnesses is unknown and debated as usual, but I believe they are the two individuals in the Old Testament who never died — Enoch (Gen. 5:24) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11-12).

For three and a half days the world will gaze upon their bodies. How is this possible? Well, this is actually one of the strong evidences for this book still bearing a future fulfillment. With the rate of globalization and the advancement of technology, many tribal groups in today’s world have now been given access to world news and social media outlets like never before. We live in a time when a person in the heart of the Amazon rainforest can pull out their cell phone and watch videos on the internet.

At the end of the three and a half days, God will raise them from the dead and call them back up to Heaven. Soon after their departure from Earth, a major earthquake strikes the city of Jerusalem where seven thousand people die. It is at this point that the seventh angel blows his trumpet which then brings forth lightning, thunder, an earthquake and hail. While the judgments of God are being poured out upon mankind, the people of God in Heaven are praising Him for His justice and righteous indignation. The King is taking back His world.

Continue on to read about chapter 12.

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