Revelation Chapter 11
The Woes and Trumpets End

In the last chapter, John revealed that God will give no more warnings to the disobedient. John was commissioned to preach the word, though it may be bitter. It is a message of sorrow, mourning and woe. It was primarily a message of judgment on the nations. This message and theme continues through the first half of Ch. 11. But, in vs. 14, God will again present the picture of victory for the faithful !!!

In the first few verses, God again assures his people of ultimate victory. He also tells them that persecution will continue. The beast from the bottomless pit will wage war on God’s people. This refers to the persecuting power of THE ROMAN EMPIRE! Some Christians WILL suffer (even losing lives). However NOTHING will be able to touch their souls!

At the end of the chapter John again declares "victory in Jesus!”! Basically the text interprets that God’s kingdom wins, Rome loses. This scene of judgment is NOT the final judgment at the end of times! I believe it to be strictly the judgment of the Roman Empire, in answer to the cry of God’s martyred saints (Ch. 6:9-10). God has answered the cries of his servants. And as a result, Rome has been judged!

THE MEASURED TEMPLE

V1- John has (since the last chapter when handed the book) now become an active participant in the Revelation. He has now been given a reed—which is a measuring device. He is told to measure the temple. Any idea what this means? And any idea what the temple is?

The temple could refer to one of those built in Jerusalem (Solomon’s, Joshua and Haggai’s, Herod the Great’s). Many people feel this to be true. I do not…..any idea why? Because the only temple that was even around during John’s life was destroyed by Rome and Titus in A.D. 70. That occurrence would be some 25-26 years in the past at the time John wrote Revelation!!! It could NOT be literal!

What then could the “temple” refer to? When used in a spiritual sense, it refers to the people of God!!!!! (Ez 42:20, Zexh. 2:5, I Cor. 3:16-17 etc) It would seem clear that this is the proper interpretation for this text! The temple is to be measured for special care and protection by God!

So what doe sit means to be “measured”…. It means to take an “inventory” if you will and then God’s church on earth will be known and protected and preserved! (they will NOT escape persecution … but NOTHING will affect their salvation and relationship to God)
***Only hen people come under the measuring rod of God is there REAL security and assurance.

What about “the altar”?? In the OT the altar was located in the Holy Place. It was connected DIRECTLY with prayer and intercession to God. Only the High Priest could enter on the Day of Atonement. But, now, thanks to the blood of Jesus, all Christians are priests, we all have access to God’s sanctuary! John sees God’s protection and care given to the church as a whole!!!!! No one is singled out here!

V2- The sanctuary in John’s vision only had one court. It WAS NOT to be measured and protected by God. Why not do you think? What was this talking about? The primary though here must be seen in the fact that God is protecting and preserving ONLY THOSE who he has measured out—his faithful!

The original language used here literally means to “throw out or cast out” (greek- ballo). He is probably referring here to those who had not remained faithful during times of trial and struggle. ***(remember that 5 of 7 churches in the beginning were told that if they did not repent God would remove their candlesticks!!). So now, maybe those who had no backbone were being cast out of those measured and preserved! So, those in the outer courts would not be covered! This would be ALL peoples not counted faithful by God. The use of Gentiles is a common metaphor for all individuals who do not have a right relationship with the Lord. It is a metaphor for the unconverted world of mankind!

He declares that they will trample out the holy city. The “holy city “ is another metaphor for God’s true church. They will not be trampled forever, but God will determine a length and time and intensity of all trials against the people.

The Two Witnesses

V3- I have no clue who the 2 witnesses are! I believe them to stand for God’s anointed and/or chosen ones. John never specifies who they are. Many theorize it is Peter and Paul. Some say Moses and Elijah.
I don’t think this to be important. I think what matters is what they are doing and experiencing!
What is sackcloth and why would you wear it? Though it can be worn for many reasons, the primary purpose was to wear in times of mourning, lament and repentance! (it was also worn in times of humiliation an supplication too God to win his favor) Here, being worn by the “witnesses”, I think it indicates mourning. There are seeing oppression everywhere. The clothes express their dependence on God and an earnest supplication to Him for divine support!

V5-6- Some power is shown here! First it shows that they live by “lex talionis”, or a “law of retaliation”. The figures mentioned represent protection. The promise from God to the 2 witnesses seems to be that in the midst of all oppression, their witnessing should continue!!!! They are assured the necessary power to prevail until their testimony is complete!

There is also a possible reference to Elijah and his ability given to shut the heavens from rain. They also have a power like Moses to turn water to blood. They could also smite the earth with plagues! These are mighty powers given by God most high! Therefore, it seems that no power, not even from Satan, can destroy or prevent these witnesses from completing the work God had sent him to accomplish!

V7- Something rises up and finally crushes the testimony of the 2 witnesses (only after that finished). What was this “beast from the pit”? It was persecution from the Roman Empire!…and possibly maybe even more specific, it was persecution directly from Domitian (considered by many to be THE BEAST!). However, this death of the witnesses is short lived! It was AFTER the Gospel had been fully preached. Satan can NEVER suppress the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!! The “bottomless pit” always refers to Satan’s territory. Rome is pictured as a beast allowed by God to have power enough to kill the 2 witnesses and suppress their testimony, but ONLY for a short time!

V8-9-10- The “great city” referred to here is Rome! John uses other cities to describe it! He calls it Sodom…referring to its moral depravity. He calls it Egypt, in reference to political persecution and bondage. And he refers to Jerusalem in reference to its RELIGIOUS persecution.

Then, they are so disrespectful that their dead bodies are not given a proper burial! This was indicative of the way followers of Jesus were treated! They will not even allow others to do so! The Roman world DID NOT care about Jesus and his followers!

So they go so far as to celebrate what they think is a victory. The send one another gifts!

V11-12- I love these verses….here victory begins to be shown!! The rejoicing of the ungodly is short lived!! The rejoicing of wickedness is always short lived!

And here we see that God’s church will NEVER be stamped out! The open testimony of the word has now been brought back to life! And the Roman spectators are PANIC-STRICKEN!

Then they are resurrected to God! It was vindication of their cause! God’s word and cause may be allowed to suffer at times, but here is proof of his promise of ultimate victory!

V13- So God’s judgment is here manifested as a great earthquake (this would have much effect to the people of this time, as these were very common in Asia in the 1st century!) that destroyed 1/10 of the city!

And people were scared and gave Glory to God. What do you think this means? Do you think they turned and worshipped him? I don’t think so. It IS possible to recognize God as powerful and deserving of respect, but never surrender to his will! People do it all the time! The recognition here I believe came from fear…and not love, which is the response God wants from us!

V14-15- The 3rd woe and 7th trumpet show a glimpse of what is to come much cleared later!~ God and his are victorious and the oppressor has see judgment! The voices in heaven are now declaring an official statement of victory! The world kingdoms will not overthrow God….not even the all powerful Rome…not even the all powerful USA today!

V16-17- Upon this announcement, the heavenly hosts break into song and worship!

V18- This is a picture of judgment brought forth against Rome in answer to the martyred saints! God has now taken his great power into HIS own hands and vindicated his cause! This will be illustrated throughout the rest of this book! (Especially in the bowls of wrath starting in Ch. 15!)

V19- This section opened with a door opened in heaven to reveal the throne, and it now ends with the temple in Heaven opened that all might see the ark. This is to assure God’s people yet again that he will keep his promise to them. What is this promise? VICTORY!!!!!