Revelation 11

Revelation 11:1

We are at the halfway point of the Tribulation, and this is quite an incredible section. A measuring instrument in John’s day, a “reed like unto a rod” would probably be approximately ten feet high. Midway into the Tribulation, John is told to measure the temple, which presupposes there is, indeed, a functioning temple at this point. Throughout Scripture the temple plays a key role… Solomon built the first temple on Jerusalem’s Mount Moriah in 1050 B.C. More than four hundred years later, the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and decimated the temple in 586 B.C. About seventy years after Babylon’s first invasion of Israel, Zerubbabel rebuilt the temple in 536 B.C. A “third” temple was built in 20 B.C. However, not all scholars deem this the third temple because it was simply an expansion of the old. Wanting to obtain the favor of the Jewish people, King Herod enlarged and expanded the templea project that took decades to complete. Jesus referred to this temple when He said, “There shall not be left one stone standing” (see Mat_24:2). Forty years after Jesus’ resurrection, His prophecy came to pass. While sacking the city of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, a Roman soldier disobeyed the orders of General Titus and threw a torch into the temple. The ensuing fire was so hot that it caused the gold to melt and run down the temple walls into the cracks of the hundred-ton stones. The soldiers pulled down every stone from the walls to extract the goldfulfilling Jesus’ prophecy to the letter. But there is a fourth temple, yet to be built. In the Institute of Temple Treasures in Jerusalem, you can see preparations for this fourth temple being made even now. Sixty percent of all instruments needed for temple worship, according to Old Testament regulations, are completed. And two yeshivas, or schools, are training young men with the last name of CohenCohen meaning “priest"to sacrifice animals in the temple tradition. Why? Because the Orthodox Jewish community understands that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin (Lev_17:11; Heb_9:22). And since they do not believe Jesus is the Messiah who died for their sins, they realize they must make sacrifices for the forgiveness of their sins. Does this mean we will see the temple rebuilt before the Rapture? Not necessarily, for there’s a rather large obstacle in the way: A mosque known as the Dome of the Rock…

Revelation 11:2

In the late 600s, a man named Omar built a mosque on the thirty-five-acre platform over the rock believed to be the site of the Holy of Holies. This renders a temple rebuilding on this site impossible because the Muslims would immediately invade Israel if anything happened to the mosque. But twenty years ago, after spending sixteen years studying the temple mount area, a physicist and archaeologist at Hebrew University named Dr. Asher Kauffman came to some remarkable conclusions. In his landmark article in the March/April 1983 issue of Biblical Archaeological Review, Dr. Kauffman declares that while the Mosque of Omar has been assumed to sit on the Holy of Holies site, the true location is actually one hundred meters north. What is one hundred meters north of the Dome of the Rock? A small gazebo-like structure, below which is the only other place the original bedrock of the temple is exposed. As opposed to the jagged rock in the Dome of the Rock, however, the stone one hundred meters to the north is flatproviding a much more likely setting for the ark of the covenant within the Holy of Holies. Not only more logical, this site seems more historical. You see, according to the Mishnathe highly esteemed book of Jewish oral traditionswhen the priest stood in the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement, he could look through the veil, through the door, and see the Eastern Gate directly before him. The results of a secret excavation in 1970 confirmed that the original Eastern Gate is directly below the present Eastern Gate. This makes Kauffman’s assertion even more intriguing. For if you stand one hundred meters north of the Dome of the Rock, the Eastern Gate is in plain view. In addition, when the Muslims built the gazebo-like structure in A.D. 6, they gave it two names: The Dome of the Spirit, and the Dome of the Tablets. Thus, even Islam recognized this site as the spot where the tablets (the Ten Commandments within the ark of the covenant) and the Spirit (the shekinah, chabod, glory of God over the ark of the covenant) had been. So, according to Kauffman and most scholars, the temple could be rebuilt and the Dome of the Rock would remain standing. But the Dome of the Rock would be in the outer courtyard of the templewhich brings us to the rest of verse Rev_11:2… During the Six-Day War of 1967, the Israelis launched a preemptive strike against the Arabs and recaptured the city of Jerusalem. General Moshe Dayan could have easily booted the Muslims off the temple mount at this point, saying, “You lost. Too bad.” But he didn’t. In a gesture he himself never fully explained, he let them retain control of the thirty-five-acre parcel. Thus, the outer court of the temple remains “given to the Gentiles” to this day.

Revelation 11:3

Why are there two witnesses? Because “in the mouth of two witnesses every word shall be established” (2Co_13:1). Thus… Two spies of the twelve commissioned were correct (Numbers 13). Joshua sent in two spies to scope out the land (Jos_2:1). There were two angels in the tomb on Easter morning (Joh_20:12). Jesus sent out His witnesses two by two (Mar_6:7).

Revelation 11:4

The two witnesses are likened to the two olive trees in Zechariah 4 that provide a perpetual supply of oil and are emblematic of the Spirit’s anointing in ministry (Zec_4:3-6).

Revelation 11:5

Who are these men hinted at in Zechariah 4, clothed in sackcloth in Revelation 11, with power to bring about drought and scorch anyone who hassles them? Elijah called down fire from heaven that destroyed one hundred soldiers (2 Kings 1). Elijah prayed, and the heavens yielded no rain for three and a half years (Jas_5:17). Elijah never died, but instead rode to heaven in a fiery chariot (2Ki_2:11). The Old Testament ends promising Elijah’s return (Mal_4:5). Thus, I believe Elijah is one of the two witnesses, who, anointed with the oil of the Holy Ghost, will shine as brightly as candlesticks in the midst of the Tribulation. While some have suggested Enoch or Zerubbabel as the second witness, I believe it is Moses. At Moses’ command, Egypt was plagued with darkness, frogs, and death; at his command, the water of the Nile turned to blood (Exodus 7-12). Moses, representing the law, appeared with Elijah, representing the prophets, on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17). Satan and Michael the archangel argue over the body of Moses (Jud_1:9)very likely in order to prevent his resurrection as the second witness.

Revelation 11:7

Jerusalem, the only city God calls His own, the city over which Jesus wept compassionately, is now likened to Egypt and Sodom because she has rejected Christ.

Revelation 11:9

For hundreds of years, commentators did not understand how the whole world could see this event. Then enter CNN, 20/20, and Tom Brokaw. I have a piece of advice for Brokaw and the boys: When this story breaks, leave your camera crews in place because it’s not over yet…

Revelation 11:10

The only time people rejoice in the Tribulation is over the death of the two witnesses. “Hey, the guys who made us feel uncomfortable, who talked to us about stuff we didn’t want to hear are dead! Leave them in the gutter, and let’s celebrate!” If you’ve been beaten down or left out, rejoice. You’re in good company.

Revelation 11:11

These witnesses are examples of what you can be in the last days in which we live. You’re to share the gospel with people. Yes, you’ll be beat up emotionally and verbally, ostracized, left out, not invited to the party. But you know what will happen? Three and a half days later, you’ll rise. There will be a spring in your step and joy in your heart as you find yourself soaring emotionally. Truly, gang, there is nothing, nothing, nothing like sharing your faith. Even if you’re put down, beat up, left out, you’ll find yourself revived. If you feel your relationship with the Lord is stagnant or tediouswitness. I guarantee, like the two witnesses in Revelation 11, you’ll be caught up into heavenly places. Witnessing is the single most important way I have found to see my own faith revived and renewed. Jesus didn’t tell us to preach the gospel because He wants us to be miserable. On the contrary, He said, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (see Luk_6:38).

Revelation 11:13

Not only is the world shaken up emotionally by the resurrection of the two witnesses but it is shaken physically in a great earthquake. The notes in the margins of newer translations correctly render this phrase “seven thousand men of names.” If this earthquake, originating in the fault of the Rift Valley that runs through Israel to North Africa, claims the lives of seven thousand notables, it must also take the lives of multiplied thousands of unknowns in Jerusalem.

Revelation 11:15

Here is the last of the seven trumpets, sounded not by Godas those who espouse a mid-Tribulation Rapture view suggestbut by an angel. “See,” say those who believe in a mid-Tribulation Rapture, “the seventh trumpet sounds and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord.” But they don’t take into account the fact that the verb translated “are become” is in the aorist active indicative tense, which means the kingdoms of this world are becoming the kingdoms of our Lord. It is what is referred to as a proleptic statement. That is, it is an event so certain that it is spoken of as if it has already taken place. In Isa_53:5, we read, “He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities.” Of whom is this speaking? Jesus. Had this already happened when Isaiah penned these words? No. But Isaiah wrote it in the past tense because it was as certain as if it had already happened. In Rom_8:17, we read that we were glorified because one day, we, indeed, will be. How do you speak? Those who are spiritually dyslexic say, “I can’t make sense of what’s going on. Everything’s backward. Why even worship? What’s the point of praying?” On the other hand, those who are proleptic say, “Even in the middle of my tribulation, the midst of my difficulty, the center of my pain, I know God is on the throne and He is good.” A baby girl was born thirty-one days prematurely to Matt and Cyndy McCollum, missionaries in Honduras. Little Maria Nicole stopped breathing and began to turn blue. Since the tiny airport at La Ceiba was closed, it was doubtful whether she would survive. But I was so blessed talking with Matt’s dad, Jerry, the next morning because before he even knew the outcome, he said, “Certain members of Cyndy’s family who aren’t interested in the things of God are now praying and seeking Him about this situation. And the health care official in Honduras has rededicated her life to Christ watching Matt and Cyndy go through this trial. Great things are happening.” Jerry could have said, “My kids are serving God, and this is what He does?” Instead, he was proleptic. It was after they made it through the Red Sea on dry ground that Miriam led the multitudewho moments before had wanted to kill Mosesin worship (Exo_15:20). While praise is always fitting, how much better if they had praised God before the Red Sea parted? The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord. Such is the language of heaven. If you want heaven in your heart or home, speak proleptically as you praise God prolifically.

Revelation 11:18

As the earth quakes, are people repentant? No, they’re angry. Those who destroyor, literally, “corrupt or pollute” the earth will be destroyed, while those who serve God will be rewarded.

Revelation 11:19

Sometimes I am asked if the “ark of his testament,” or the ark of the covenant, will be found. I don’t think so because Jer_3:16 says in the last days the ark will not be mentionedprobably because no one remembers it. But as the temple is merely a shadow of the reality in heaven, the true ark will be seen in heaven. The “great hail” in the last verse of chapter 11 sets the stage for the parade of great beings and events John is about to witness in chapter 12…