Revelations 11
Revelation 11:1-19
1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.
2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.
3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner.
6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.
10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.
12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.
13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.
15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God,
17 saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
To be an occupant of the inner courts, where the heart of God is truly known, is to be set apart from the outer courts, the place where the effects of God’s judgment are encountered. Though a structure claims to be a place of worship, this does not mean that it is measured as that inner place of His holy presence. There are far too many that think themselves safe in a “religious” dabbling that will find that they are really outside and exposed in the day of trouble. Only those who have taken on His holiness by applying His blood have truly entered into the Holy of Holies to be known as His. There is an association with the place of God’s presence that actually bristles at the supernatural soundings of His prophetic voice of judgment. Though it may seem that there is a getting by with crushing that voice, God will take the very things that are being presented as proven superiority to confirm His own overwhelming power and purpose. His thunderings and incredible movements will not be constrained in the constructs of human incarcerations. There may be a period in which it would seem that the power of darkness is prevailing over the snobbiness of ungodliness, but there will be a rising and coming to life of those ones who truly represent Him in holiness. In them will be the final confirmation of God’s unquestionable righteousness in overwhelming dominance.
A true encounter with the temple of His presence will be so much more earth-shattering than just a little brush with a peaceful feeling. It will completely transform the world of the one who has drawn near by the blood of the Lamb. Especially for those who have become His temple, it will not be a light thing that occupies but a slight portion of their awareness throughout the day. Where He truly occupies, there are lightnings, noises, thunderings, earthquakes, and hail that will demand much more than a consenting nod. The true fear of God will result in an acknowledging of His presence that makes totally insignificant any other identity. So much for any kind of equity in His presence. It will only be His that gets any deference or consideration. Rather than horsing around in the outer courts where there is skepticism of the power of God, there is an opportunity in every moment to draw close to our Father who subdues all opposition with overwhelming force.