Chapter Eleven

Chapter 11 continues the pause to set apart the followers of God. Places or groups of people are measured in the Bible for a couple of reasons. Sometimes the measurement is to see whether things have been done according to the design given by God. The ark of Noah could have been measured to see whether or not he followed God's instructions. The temple could have been measured to find out whether or not the people had obeyed God's directions. In fact, the temple was measured in a vision recorded starting in Ezekiel chapter 40. There the measurement of the temple is a figurative representation of how well the people had been, or had not been, following God. God says, "This is the measurement that I have given. How well have you followed it?"

The other reason for measuring is found in Zechariah chapters one and two. There the city of Jerusalem is measured to set it apart for God's protection. This second reason fits best with the context of Revelation, although the first one may also be included.

Notice in Revelation 11:2 that only the true followers are to be included. There are some who are close to the sanctuary, but they are to be excluded.

The time of the persecution is given as 42 months. This is 3 1/2 years. If seven years is a complete time, what is 3 1/2 years? It is a limited time. It is a limited time when the people of God are persecuted but are cared for by their Creator. James 5:17 tells us that there was no rain for 3 1/2 years while Elijah was hiding. The prophet was being persecuted, but we know from the account in 1 Kings 17 that God provided for Elijah. The Jews had 30 days in each month, with extra periods to make up for the difference. So 42 months for a Jew was 1260 days. And 3 1/2 years can be expressed as "a time, times and half a time." These terms all represent the same thing: a limited time of persecution when God cares for His people.

This is the meaning in reference to the trampling of the holy city in verse 2 and of the prophesying of the witnesses in verse 3, as well as the nourishment of the woman in Revelation 12:6,14, the authority of the beast in Revelation 13:5 and the little horn in Daniel 7:25.

Authority is given during this time to two witnesses. God is not silent in times of persecution, and neither are His followers.

According to Jewish practice, it took two witnesses to confirm a matter. Jesus points this out in verses such as Matthew 18:16 and John 5:31. Paul gives this instruction in 1 Timothy 5:19 in regard to hearing an accusation against an elder. In Luke 10:1 Jesus sends his followers out in pairs. Remember that the number two is symbolic of strength. Solomon comments on this in Ecclesiastes 4:9-11.

The two olive branches are discussed in Zechariah chapter four. Zerubbabel was the king and Joshua the priest. These were God's two representatives among the people. The olive provided the fuel for the lampstand, so the two are used interchangeably in Revelation 11:4. As in the Old Testament passage, they stand for God's representatives among the people.

The enemies of God seem to triumph for a time and the witnesses are stopped in the great city known as Sodom and Egypt. Sodom represents false morality and Egypt a false source of power.

But the triumph is only an illusion. After 3 1/2 days the witnesses are back at work. If 3 1/2 years is a limited time, what does that make 3 1/2 days? God and His people will triumph, and some will repent and turn to Him as we see in verses 12-13.

With verse 14 the pause is over and we return for the third woe, which is also the seventh trumpet.

As the trumpet sounds, all of the voices in heaven join in praise to God. If the seventh seal involved the seven trumpets, we would expect the seventh trumpet to involve the seven cups or bowls. This is exactly what happens. But, in keeping with the composition of the book of Revelation, we would expect the next section to begin with a vision. That is where we will pick up in chapter 12.

The main thrust of chapter 11 involves the two witnesses of God and their reception by the people. Most of the people were glad to see God's followers silenced. But some took an honest look at the things that happened. They repented of their errors and accepted the truth that made them free. Where do you stand?

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission."