Revelation to John Unsealed

Chapter Eleven

The Power to Prophesy Given to Saints

11

And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

The temple and the altar of GOD is not an earthly 3rd temple in Jerusalem as many expect, even if one should be built. The expression them that worship therein identify only those who are true and faithful on earth, something that cannot be measured by religious standards. This becomes evident once understanding Revelation 6:9, where the lamb opens the fifth seal, and John sees under the altar the souls of those who had been killed for bearing witness and for the word of GOD. These are the martyrs who plea for vengeance before the most High against the beast kingdom that persecuted them unto death during the great tribulation.

In the vision of the seventh seal and the golden censer in Revelation 8:3-5, we can see that GOD responds to the prayers of the saints who are upon the golden altar before GOD's throne by executing vengeance on their behalf against the earth.

In addition, there is a call for martyrdom in Revelation 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, "Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."

This martyrdom is brought about by speaking the truth, executing justice and righteousness and this conviction of the truth may provoke the rebellious to vent wrath in retaliation. On the other hand, martyrdom in Islam is achieved by taking the lives of others even if that means taking one's own life to accomplish it.

The 3½ year Great Tribulation begins

11: But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

The length of time of the Great Tribulation is expressed in several ways. A time, two times and half a time = half a week = 42 months = 1260 days = 3 ½ years = three days and a half = the times of the Gentiles, as Jesus prophesied in Luke 21:24 that Jerusalem will be trampled until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. The times of the Gentiles refers to the invasion of Jerusalem by the beast kingdom, as we can see from Revelation 20:9 "And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

The "court outside the temple" refers to the dwelling of those who are self-righteous and evildoers beginning with the churches. The view of the self-righteous is to interpret this with the "temple" referring to their own earthly temples and that anyone left outside are subject to be trampled. There may still be hope of salvation for those, including the self-righteous who would repent and wash their robes in blood and not by vain ritual practices. The road to obtain the kingdom will always remain to be the commands of the most High in the faithfulness of Yeshua, as we can see from Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

The Saints: The Power to Prophesy

11: And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

We've already established that the length of time of the Great Tribulation is expressed in several ways. A time, two times and half a time = half a week = 42 months = 1260 days = 3 ½ years = three days and a half = the times of the Gentiles.