1 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there.

2 But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months.

3 And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”

4 These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.

— Revelation 11:1-4

I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level. Hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and water will flood your hiding place.

— Isaiah 28:17

16 At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name.

17 “They will be Mine,” says the LORD of Hosts, “on the day when I prepare My treasured possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.

18 So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

— Malachi 3:16-18

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, Mercy and peace from Christ to you.

After his renewed call to again prophesy about all nations, peoples, languages and kings at the end of Revelation 10, John receives a measuring rod and is directed to measure the temple of God and the altar and its worshipers. The temple reminded God’s people of His presence among them. In prophecy, measuring may point to a future judgment. More often, measuring showed the owner’s intent to protect a treasured possession. John was told to measure God’s temple and the worshipers in it because God loves to dwell with His people and He will divinely protect and preserve His own.

John was told to exclude the outer courtyard from his measurement of the temple, probably indicating the lack of God’s protection. The courtyard had been given to the Gentiles who refused to believe the truth about God’s Son. They would trample on the holy city for 42 months and intensely persecute God’s people for 42 months. God limits the suffering of His people. At the appointed time, He will end all suffering completely. In this critical period, God will appoint two witnesses, empowered by God’s Spirit like two olive trees and the two testifying lamp stands standing before the Lord, to prophesy and perform miracles to encourage and strengthen God’s people as the holy city is trampled.