Revelation 11 sets John to measuring the temple of God, the altar, and them that worship therein. The outer court is left out because it is given unto the Gentiles, and the holy city is trodden underfoot forty and two months. The church age and the times of the Gentiles are not the same thing. The church age runs from Christ and His disciples to the rapture, but the times of the Gentiles began with Nebuchadnezzar and will not end until Christ comes back and takes the kingdoms of this world for Himself.
Daniel’s image gives the big picture. The head of gold is Babylon, the silver points to Medo-Persia, the brass to Greece, the iron to Rome, and the ten toes to that revived Roman empire under the antichrist. The stone cut out without hands is Jesus Christ, and that stone is coming back to crush the toes, take dominion, and rule and reign forever and ever. Luke 21 ties the same thing together, because Jerusalem is trodden down until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
The two witnesses in Revelation 11 come on the scene for twelve hundred and sixty days, the last three and a half years of the tribulation. The olive trees point to Jewish witness, and the candlesticks point to light shining before the God of the earth. Fire proceeds out of their mouth against those who try to hurt them, and God keeps His hand on them until their testimony is finished. Verse six identifies them by their power: Elijah shuts heaven so it does not rain, and Moses turns water to blood and smites the earth with plagues.
Revelation 5 lifts the eyes from judgment to the Lamb. John weeps much because no man is found worthy, but heaven says, “Weep not.” The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed. The Lamb stands in the midst, not hiding, not off to the side, but right where all heaven can see Him. Jesus Christ is the only Savior, not Buddha, not Ram, not Mohammed, not Confucius, not the pope, and not any man. The redeemed from every nation, language, tribe, and people gather for one purpose: “Worthy is the Lamb.” The call of faith bows now, speaks up now, and believes God simply, like a child carrying an umbrella after praying for rain.
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Key Takeaways
- 1. Christ ends Gentile dominion The times of the Gentiles did not start with the church, and they will not end with politics fixing the world. Daniel’s image keeps marching until the stone cut without hands smashes the whole thing. Christ does not negotiate with the kingdoms of this world; Christ takes them and reigns forever. [01:21]
- 2. God measures worshiping hearts Revelation 11 does not only measure a temple and an altar; Revelation 11 measures the worshipers too. God sees more than the place of worship, and God weighs more than outward religious action. The question is not simply whether worship is happening, but where the heart stands before Him. [09:44]
- 3. Witnesses finish God’s assignment The two witnesses cannot be killed until their testimony is finished. God’s protection is not random; God’s protection serves God’s purpose. A faithful witness can stand with courage because life is not finally in the hand of the beast, the crowd, or the enemy. [06:55]
- 4. Worthy is the Lamb Revelation 5 does not leave heaven weeping, because the Lamb has prevailed. Jesus stands in the midst as the Lion, the root of David, the slain Lamb, and the only worthy one. Worship becomes clear when every other name falls away and the redeemed say, “Worthy is the Lamb.” [101:33]
- 5. Faith brings an umbrella The child with the umbrella shows the simplicity of believing prayer. Adults can pray for rain and still walk like nothing will happen, but real faith makes room for God to answer. Faith is not a show at the altar; faith expects the God of heaven to act.
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Youtube Chapters
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:26] - Church Age and Gentile Times
- [02:31] - Jerusalem Underfoot Forty Two Months
- [03:35] - The Two Witnesses Appear
- [07:40] - Measuring Temple, Altar, and Worshipers
- [10:28] - Daniel’s Image and Gentile Kingdoms
- [15:22] - The Stone Cut Without Hands
- [17:21] - Luke 21 and Christ’s Return
- [20:24] - Twelve Hundred Sixty Days
- [22:00] - Sackcloth, Olive Trees, and Candlesticks
- [25:20] - Fire From the Witnesses
- [26:51] - Moses and Elijah Identified
- [82:25] - Suriname and the Name of Jesus
- [89:33] - Revelation 5: Worthy to Open the Book
- [101:33] - Every Nation Worships the Lamb
- [107:43] - Faith in the Fiery Furnace
- [117:16] - The Altar and Prayer for Needs