Here is one way that we might understand this very complex part of Revelation: John is told to ‘measure out the temple of God’ which by his time (already 20 years after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple) was understood by Christians to mean the church, the place where God dwelt by his Spirit. The inner life of the church is marked out for protection. But outwardly the church will seem vulnerable; it will be trampled by the nations; but only for a limited time (signified by only one half of a seven; seven signifying a perfect whole). In the midst of this time of trouble, the church will stand as a powerful witness (the witnesses are identified with the lampstands of 1:20 so they can be taken as a symbol of the church). The church will be given great power at this time to confirm its prophetic witness by signs and wonders in the tradition of Moses and Elijah (it may be that the two witnesses are an allusion to their respective ministries which will be reflected in these times). It will seem in these times, that the church will have been defeated by the forces of evil (the ‘beast’ and the ‘great city’). For a limited time (symbolised again by half a ‘seven’) the world will celebrate a victory over the church; but then something unexpected will happen. God will raise her up again as pictured in Ezekiel 37 and she will be taken up to heaven in victory as her witness is vindicated on earth. For all its complexities let’s recognise the assurances in this passage.
Reflect on what God is assuring us of here. Pray for this to be realised in your life.
Read Revelation 11:1-14
