It is most important to grasp the meaning of Revelation 11. John in given a reed, and the angel (Christ) bids him measure the temple of God, and the altar and the worshippers; but the court, which is without the temple, is not to be measured. The Gentiles are to be in possession of it, and the holy city is to be trodden under foot by them for forty and two months, or three and a half years.
Here we get plainly indicated the great tribulation which is to take place in the latter half of Daniel's seventieth week, and the expiry of which practically ends the time of judgment. It is the final purging of the Jews, causing at length deep repentance and readiness to receive their long-expected Messiah. To find that He is the One whom they have crucified will bring them into depths of repentance, so vividly described in Zechariah.
The measuring of the temple, altar, and worshippers shows that God is taking account of His ancient people as prophesied so fully in Old Testament Scriptures.
Two witnesses stand up at this awful time in testimony. Probably the two witnesses are not two men, but represent a godly remnant among the people who will render competent witness (two speaking of competent witness. “In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established” (Matt. 18:1616But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (Matthew 18:16))).
God will preserve these witnesses spite of the fury of the enemy during 1260 days, that is during three and a half years. The witnesses have power. Clothed in sackcloth shows that they are broken-hearted as to the state of things around them.
They are likened to two olive trees and two candlesticks, reminding us of Zechariah 4, where the prophet sees a vision of a seven-branched golden candlestick fed by two olive trees. The two candlesticks speak of their clear and competent testimony, the two olive trees that this testimony is adequately supported by the Spirit of God.
If any man will hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and destroys their enemies. They have power to shut heaven, so that it does not rain, reminding us of Elijah; and power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with plagues, as often as they will, reminding us of Moses, who performed such miracles. Elijah witnessed to a people in relation to God; Moses to a hostile power. Thus God would indicate how He will leave the people among whom the witness is rendered without excuse.
Yet when their testimony is finished, like their Lord and Master against whom no weapons forged could be effective till His hour had come, their hour comes when the beast, who ascends out of the abyss, makes war against them, overcomes and kills them. Their dead bodies lie in the street of Jerusalem, called Sodom and Egypt spiritually—Sodom, because of its wickedness, Egypt, because of its oppression of God's people. Could there be a more solemn description of Jerusalem?
Apparently the news of the death of these witnesses gives rise to rejoicing world-wide, so much so that earth dwellers send gifts of congratulation one to another. But their joy is short lived, for at the end of three and a half days the unburied bodies live—the spirit of life from God enters them, and they stand on their feet, and great fear seizes upon those who see them.
But their work is done, their testimony in life and death and in resurrection is over—a great voice from heaven is heard, saying, “Come up hither.” In a cloud they ascend up to heaven, their enemies beholding the wonderful sight.
At the same hour a great earthquake takes place, a tenth part of the city falls, seven thousand are slain—the rest are affrighted and give glory to the God of heaven.
But the end is not yet. At this stage it is solemnly stated, “The second woe is past, and behold, the third woe cometh quickly.”
The Seventh Angel Sounds.—The third woe begins. Great voices in heaven are heard, saying, “The kingdom of the world of our Lord and of His Christ is come, and He shall reign to the ages of ages” (JND). In our Authorized Version the rendering is distinctly faulty. It is not the kingdoms of the world becoming the kingdoms of the Lord, but the world-kingdom of the Lord and of His Christ is come.
Many have been the attempts at a world-kingdom. Christ alone is worthy and competent for such a glorious position, and the day is not far distant when He will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
This announcement produces two results. The four and twenty elders rise from their seats, fall on their faces and worship God, saying, “We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because Thou hast taken to Thee Thy great power, and hast reigned.” Solemn and glorious sight!
But the nations are angry. At this point we would ask the reader very specially to note chapter 11:18. In that verse we have reviewed in rapid sequence all God's dealings with men in judgment up to the very end. The time of the dead that they should be judged leads us up to the great white throne which is set up in eternity.
Next, rewards to the prophets and saints and them that feared God's name are mentioned. This gives us the result of the judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5), and the judgment of the living nations (Matt. 25). This in time takes place prior to setting up the kingdom of heaven, in manifestation, what we call the Millennium.
Thirdly, the destruction of those who destroy the earth, that is, the judgment of the living takes place at the great battle of Armageddon. The first in chronological order is last in order of narration in this interesting passage.
The rest of the book is taken up with details leading up to these great events. Unless it is understood that the chronological sequence of events closes with the rapid summing up of chapter 11:18, all must be confusion.
Nothing that is described in the later part of the book is subsequent to this verse, except chapter 21: 1-8, which deals with the eternal state, but nothing can be subsequent in time, for this verse leads us up to the very portals of eternity—the great white throne.
Verse 19, we believe, gives us the seventh woe being poured out. In one short verse its tremendous happenings are compressed. The temple of God is opened, and the ark of the testament seen. In other words, it is Christ's personal intervention in judgment. He is the true Ark of the Testament.
On the one hand, the time has come for the deliverance of Messiah's earthly and sorely afflicted people; on the other, the hour has struck when their enemies and God's shall be finally disposed of prior to setting up the Millennium.
Lightnings and voices and thunderings, and an earthquake and great hail occur. The last woe descends on the quivering earth, and out of its travail is produced the blessed peace and rest that comes when Christ sets up His kingdom, and reigns in righteousness—the true Melchisedec, who, as King of righteousness and King of peace, will give bread and wine to His people—sustenance and joy.