And there was given to me a MEASURING ROD like a staff;

and someone said,

"Rise and measure

What does the measuring mean? The Jews in rebuilding the temple and resuming animal sacrifices signify they refuse to accept Jesus as Messiah as He came 2000 years ago. Instead, "the beast" in the rest of Revelation is accepted, Daniel 9:27, Daniel 12:11, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, Matthew 24:15.

Those who accept Christ realize "the temple" is man's body with Christ and Holy Spirit living therein, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

Thus, the "measuring" is to show the Jews how lacking Old Testament temple and altar (ritual) are compared to Jesus Christ and His COMPLETE forgiveness and High Priestly authority (Hebrews 7:11-19).

The "measuring" also denotes preparation for destruction of old Jewish tradition (Isaiah 65:7, Lamentations 2:7-8, Amos 7:7-9, and 2 Kings 21:13) and reconstruction (or restoration) of Messiah (Ezekiel 40:3-5, Zechariah 2, Revelation 21:1,15-27).

Note the order of measuring: 

'The TEMPLE OF GOD'	the devout Jews will be tried first.
'the ALTAR'	this was for atonement in Old Testament times; now Christ has done it, and 144,000 sealed and 2 witnesses talk about it (Hebrews 10:11-18)
'those who WORSHIP in it'	finally, this is for the "religious" (as opposed to agnostic/atheist). The measuring is a separation (Matthew 25:31-46)

 

"And leave out the court which is outside the TEMPLE, and do not measure it,

Apparently, a pact will be made with the Antichrist (Daniel 9:25) which gives the Jews 3 1/2 years to rebuild the TEMPLE on that site. Even today, Jews have gathered materials for the temple utensils. The time is near for the rebuilding of the TEMPLE.

The TEMPLE is so protected from non-Jews that Paul was accused of bringing Greeks into the temple area, Acts 21:27-28-30, instead of leaving them in the court. Some scholars suggest that the reason the court is not to be measured is that the Gentiles already have been measured, 2 Samuel 8:1-2-8.

for it has been given to the nations (Gentiles); and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months.

This time, 42 months, is terminated when the "times of the Gentiles" is finished, Luke 21:24. The "times of the Gentiles" began with Nebuchadnezzar, 2 Chronicles 36:1-21. Here are some related prophesies: Daniel 9:26-27; Daniel 11:40; Ezekiel 38-39; Zechariah 14; and Joel 2.

There is an interesting observation that pre-Tribulation rapture proponents make. For the true believers in Christ, there was no temple. True believers worship God in Spirit and in Truth, John 4:23-24. Furthermore, we are called to worship God in the heavenly sanctuary, Hebrews 10:19-22. If the true believers are, in fact, gone prior to these 3 1/2 years, then there is no reason to try to measure the non-Jewish believers. Some interpret this verse in that manner.

Lastly, the 'holy city' has always referred to Jerusalem (not Mecca or Rome or any other religious 'headquarters' city). It is where the devil took Jesus to be tempted, Matthew 4:1-5-11. It also explains why Israel (and Arabs) get so much news coverage. Inherently, the spiritual side of mankind knows something important is going to happen there.

And I will grant authority to my two witnesses,

These two witnesses are accusing the beast (chapters 13-19) of apostacy and desecration of the temple, earth, and human soul. That this verse personalizes the two witnesses with "MY" two witnesses indicates that this authority comes straight from the throne. God always has had witnesses, whether human or His creation (Acts 14:16-17).

and they will prophesy for twelve hundred sixty days,

clothed in sackcloth.

These are


• the two OLIVE TREES and

Olive trees give oil for the lamps on the two lampstands. Often in scripture the oil represents the Holy Spirit, so these two witnesses are filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Compare this description to Zechariah 4:1-14.


• the two LAMPSTANDS

When witnessing (verse 7) or giving their testimony, they stand our as lights to the Jewish nation. Recall from the previous verse that under Old Testament methods, there are two or more witnesses required.

After the destruction of the Jewish nation, God is referred to as the 'God of heaven'; for example Daniel 2:18, 37, 44. Here with this expression "Lord of the earth", God is again addressing Himself to the Jewish nation. They are witnessing in 'the Great City', verse 8.

And if any one desires to harm them,

Why?

1. If you believe in either a pretribulation or midtribulation 'rapture' , people who thought they were Christians and were left behind don't want to hear the Gospel/testimony (verse 7) again. They are guilty and too ashamed to admit it; their hearts are hardened.
   
2. The AntiChrist as 'world leader' doesn't like what they say because they talk of the preeminence of Christ and not his.

fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies;

Note the results of these spoken judgments:

• Acts 5:1-11 - Annanias and Sapphira die.
  
• Hosea 6:4-5-11 - Ephraim and Judah judgments.
  
• 2 Samuel 22:2-9-16 - David's deliverance psalm.
  
• Psalm 97:1-6 - The Lord's power in obscurity.

and if anyone would desire to harm them, in this manner he must be killed.

These have the POWER to shut up the sky, in order that RAIN may not fall during the DAYS of their PROPHESYING;

and they have POWER over the WATERS
This carries forth the spirit part of power. If water is the abode of spirits, these witnesses by shutting off the water in effect are not giving evil spirits (demons) an abode. See Revelation 9:14. This is another reason why the antichrist is irritated by these two witnesses.
1. to turn them into BLOOD,
   In the Old Jewish laws, there is a direct relationship between life and BLOOD. Atonement comes through the blood into ETERNAL LIFE. Thus, the two witnesses not only have the unique ability to inhibit the evil spirit abode but also to change that abode into life. That is exactly what Christ did for us on the cross (John 19:31-37)
2. and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.
   This chapter in Revelation may be a retrospective look to the seven seals and the seven trumpets. Much of what has been described up to this point during the first half of the tribulation looks like it was/is done under the power of these two witnesses. What is interesting is that these two witnesses are not brought up in Revelation chapter 4 when the seals and trumpets appear. This chapter is like an afterthought which explains how the seals and trumpets are executed.

   'Every plague' denotes that these two witnesses are dealing at a spiritual level. Recall that plagues and diseases are part of the sin curse, Genesis 3:17-19.

And when they had finished their testimony,

the BEAST that comes out of the ABYSS

The ABYSS, the evil abode, is so bad that even the evil spirits do not wish to be there, Revelation 9:1-2,11.

So scholars believe this 'coming up from the ABYSS' is a mimic of the resurrection of Christ. How else will the world accept this evil-occupied human as "Messiah" (he is the only one to be able to kill the two witnesses. Whether the BEAST is in suspended death/trance and then "wakes up" is not clear. Mystic Eastern cults claim such suspension.

1. will make war with them,
   Weaponry will be used to kill them. This follows Daniel's prophesy in Daniel 7:17-21-22.
2. and overcome them and KILL them.
   With the two witnesses' death , it appears that the last great obstacle to total evil control of the earth has been conquered. The 144,000 witnesses in chapter 7 seem to remain until the dragon makes war with the 'rest of the woman's offspring' (Revelation 12:17).

And their DEAD bodies will lie in the street of the GREAT CITY

which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt.

where also THEIR LORD was CRUCIFIED.

And those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations

will look at their DEAD BODIES for three and a half days, and will not permit their DEAD BODIES to be laid in a tomb.

And those who dwell on the earth

• will REJOICE over them and make MERRY; and they
  Why the rejoicing?
  • The two witnesses caused them to suffer physically (verse 6).
  • The two witnesses bothered the world's collective conscience greatly.
  Most likely, Christmas was a celebration without even the possibility of remembering Christ's birth. The antichrist will have decreed it so. These two witnesses had reminded the world WHY they had sent gifts.
• will SEND GIFTS to one another, because these two prophets TORMENTED those who dwell on the earth.
  This celebration coincides with the Festival of Purim (Esther 9:20-28), the Jewish gift-giving festival. Since the festival is held on the 13th day of Adar month (Jewish calendar), most likely these two witnesses are killed on this day. Watch for it. Note: the Desert Storm Persian Gulf conflict concluded on the Festival of Purim. Coincidence or ???
  The two witnesses, as witnesses usually do, cause a study in contrasts. To believers, they would have brought joyous testimony. To non-believers, they will bring terrible torment.

And after the three and a half days

What happens after this is a GOD EVENT in 4 parts: a) a God miracle, b) clear evidence, c) result on observers, and d) a personal invitation.

1. the breath of life from God came into them,
   All life is breathed into us from God. Physically, Genesis 2:4-9, we breath; spiritually, John 1:1-4-5, we have eternal breath; and our reward, Revelation 2:10, is LIFE.
2. and they stood on their feet;
   We, humans, instantly equate someone lying down as asleep, unconscious, or dead. Standing up requires us to be alive, awake, and conscious. The evidence of BREATH on dry bones is clear in Ezekiel 37:1-10.
3. and great fear fell upon those who were beholding them.
   Why would a GREAT FEAR fall on the observers?
   • They remember the past three and a half years.
   • The beast, verse 7, DID NOT have ultimate power over death (Revelation 1:18).
   • The observers realize the two witnesses were telling the truth, and now they must face the consequences, Revelation 20:14-15.

And

4. they heard a loud VOICE from HEAVEN saying, "COME UP HERE."

And they went up into HEAVEN in the cloud,

and their enemies beheld them.

And in that hour
Again, note the precision. It's "in that hour" not "some time later". God's timing is always "on time".
• there was a great earthquate, and
  There is no mistaking that these are God's two witnesses (verse 4). The earth through a physical quake acknowledges their true standing.
• a tenth of the city fell; and
  It was violent enough that buildings collapsed. It is not clear that the epicenter was where the two witnesses were whisked away into heaven or at the spiritual center of the city. Note that the veil of the temple (some distance from Golgotha) was torn in the earthquake that followed Christ's death on the cross, Matthew 27:51-56.
• seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and
  Some of these people may have been "big shots" from the political realm, the news media, and religious leaders. The world had kept a close watch on these two witnesses and their departure. And this is the price they will pay for rejoicing over the two witnesses' death (verse 10)!
• the rest were terrified and gave GLORY to the GOD OF HEAVEN.
  Those alive recognize God as the one who caused the earthquake. but note they only can give GLORY. The time for repentence is passed. When God performs a miracle such as this uptaking or a healing, it is not only an event for the ones taken up or healed, it most directly affects the onlookers including skeptics (Luke 5:17-26).

The second WOE is past;

• Sixth trumpet,
• Little Book, and
• The two witnesses and the beast.

behold, the third WOE is coming quickly.

The 'terror' in Jerusalem in the previous verse shows that the 'rest of Jerusalem' also realizes it. WOEs are common to Jewish experience over the centuries but lest they become ordinary, they (the Jews) and we are told to 'behold' the third WOE:

• Seventh trumpet - Revelation 11:15,
• Woman and dragon - Revelation chapter 12,
• Sea and Earth Beasts - Revelation chapter 13,
• Lamb and Mount Zion - Revelation chapter 14,
• Songs of Moses and the Lamb - Revelation chapter 15,
• Seven Bowls - Revelation chapter 16, and
• "It is done" - Revelation 16:17.