by Mike Kurtz
Read Revelation 11:1-2.
It seems as if this is said over and over again, but this chapter of Revelation is perhaps one of the most difficult-to-place passages in the end times scenario described in this book. The two witnesses – who are they? What purpose do they serve? When do they appear within the timeline of the tribulation period? These are difficult to answer. But before addressing these questions, let’s look at the first instructions given to John in verses 1-2. The apostle is given a measuring rod, actually a long reed. He is told to measure the temple and the altar. In verse two John is told NOT to measure the outer courts. Why would this be the case?
One must keep in mind measuring was often a sign of ownership or a designation of a people or area for God’s special use (see for example, Zech. 2, Ezek. 40; Rev. 21). The fact that the outer courts were not to be measured but instead would designate an area for the Gentiles who would destroy the city would lend support to this idea. The people of God are represented as worshipers in the temple and altar areas where God symbolically resided. Interesting symbolism, but I think what stands out above these details is the detail that John is to measure the worshipers themselves. The NIV translation states that John was to “count” the number of worshipers, but literally the text says to measure the temple and the worshipers (as in the NAS). While this could (and perhaps likely) mean the number of worshipers, it could also mean the quality of the worshiper as in how one “measures up” in their worship of God. As we know from Scripture and personal experience, one can never measure up to the standard of the temple and the altar. Is God trying to point out the stark contrast between the one who worships and the One who is worshipped? I don’t know for certain… but I do know that none stands worthy of God. And that is as it should be.
Before God, no man can stand. And yet because of God and His grace, we can come boldly before Him. Do you measure up to God’s standard? Yes, you do because God accepted Christ as worthy for our sake. We measure up through Christ who is worthy and who makes us worthy before God. Have you come to realization that you are His child, that He has marked you as His? Has the truth of your unworthiness and filth before a pure and holy God given you a heart of praise for the work of Christ on your behalf? Take a moment and ponder that thought. The Bible says that as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us (Ps. 103:12). It seems our transgressions were once very close to us – in fact, a part of us. What kind of God would count us worthy to sit before Him?