Revelation 11:1 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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¹ And ^G2532 there was given ^G1325 me ^G3427 a reed ^G2563 like ^G3664 unto a rod: ^G4464 and ^G2532 the angel ^G32 stood, ^G2476 saying, ^G3004 Rise, ^G1453 and ^G2532 measure ^G3354 the temple ^G3485 of God, ^G2316 and ^G2532 the altar, ^G2379 and ^G2532 them that worship ^G4352 therein. ^G1722 ^G846

Cross Reference

Ezekiel 42:15-20 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Now when he had made an end ^H3615 of measuring ^H4060 the inner ^H6442 house, ^H1004 he brought me forth ^H3318 toward ^H1870 the gate ^H8179 whose prospect ^H6440 is toward ^H1870 the east, ^H6921 and measured ^H4058 it round about. ^H5439 He measured ^H4058 the east ^H6921 side ^H7307 with the measuring ^H4060 reed, ^H7070 five ^H2568 ^H520 hundred ^H3967 reeds, ^H7070 with the measuring ^H4060 reed ^H7070 round about. ^H5439 He measured ^H4058 the north ^H6828 side, ^H7307 five ^H2568 hundred ^H3967 reeds, ^H7070 with the measuring ^H4060 reed ^H7070 round about. ^H5439 He measured ^H4058 the south ^H1864 side, ^H7307 five ^H2568 hundred ^H3967 reeds, ^H7070 with the measuring ^H4060 reed. ^H7070 He turned about ^H5437 to the west ^H3220 side, ^H7307 and measured ^H4058 five ^H2568 hundred ^H3967 reeds ^H7070 with the measuring ^H4060 reed. ^H7070 He measured ^H4058 it by the four ^H702 sides: ^H7307 it had a wall ^H2346 round about, ^H5439 five ^H2568 hundred ^H3967 reeds long, ^H753 and five ^H2568 hundred ^H3967 broad, ^H7341 to make a separation ^H914 between the sanctuary ^H6944 and the profane place. ^H2455

Zechariah 2:1-2 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

I lifted up ^H5375 mine eyes ^H5869 again, and looked, ^H7200 and behold a man ^H376 with a measuring ^H4060 line ^H2256 in his hand. ^H3027 Then said ^H559 I, Whither goest ^H1980 thou? And he said ^H559 unto me, To measure ^H4058 Jerusalem, ^H3389 to see ^H7200 what ^H4100 is the breadth ^H7341 thereof, and what is the length ^H753 thereof.

Ezekiel 40:1-48 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

In the five ^H2568 and twentieth ^H6242 year ^H8141 of our captivity, ^H1546 in the beginning ^H7218 of the year, ^H8141 in the tenth ^H6218 day of the month, ^H2320 in the fourteenth ^H702 ^H6240 year ^H8141 after ^H310 that the city ^H5892 was smitten, ^H5221 in the selfsame ^H6106 day ^H3117 the hand ^H3027 of the LORD ^H3068 was upon me, and brought ^H935 me thither. In the visions ^H4759 of God ^H430 brought ^H935 he me into the land ^H776 of Israel, ^H3478 and set ^H5117 me upon a very ^H3966 high ^H1364 mountain, ^H2022 by which was as the frame ^H4011 of a city ^H5892 on the south. ^H5045 And he brought ^H935 me thither, and, behold, there was a man, ^H376 whose appearance ^H4758 was like the appearance ^H4758 of brass, ^H5178 with a line ^H6616 of flax ^H6593 in his hand, ^H3027 and a measuring ^H4060 reed; ^H7070 and he stood ^H5975 in the gate. ^H8179 And the man ^H376 said ^H1696 unto me, Son ^H1121 of man, ^H120 behold ^H7200 with thine eyes, ^H5869 and hear ^H8085 with thine ears, ^H241 and set ^H7760 thine heart ^H3820 upon all that I shall shew ^H7200 thee; for to the intent ^H4616 that I might shew ^H7200 them unto thee art thou brought ^H935 hither: declare ^H5046 all that thou seest ^H7200 to the house ^H1004 of Israel. ^H3478 And behold a wall ^H2346 on the outside ^H2351 of the house ^H1004 round about, ^H5439 and in the man's ^H376 hand ^H3027 a measuring ^H4060 reed ^H7070 of six ^H8337 cubits ^H520 long by the cubit ^H520 and an hand breadth: ^H2948 so he measured ^H4058 the breadth ^H7341 of the building, ^H1146 one ^H259 reed; ^H7070 and the height, ^H6967 one ^H259 reed. ^H7070 Then came ^H935 he unto the gate ^H8179 which looketh ^H6440 toward ^H1870 the east, ^H6921 and went up ^H5927 the stairs ^H4609 thereof, and measured ^H4058 the threshold ^H5592 of the gate, ^H8179 which was one ^H259 reed ^H7070 broad; ^H7341 and the other ^H259 threshold ^H5592 of the gate, which was one ^H259 reed ^H7070 broad. ^H7341 And every little chamber ^H8372 was one ^H259 reed ^H7070 long, ^H753 and one ^H259 reed ^H7070 broad; ^H7341 and between the little chambers ^H8372 were five ^H2568 cubits; ^H520 and the threshold ^H5592 of the gate ^H8179 by ^H681 the porch ^H197 of the gate ^H8179 within ^H1004 was one ^H259 reed. ^H7070 He measured ^H4058 also the porch ^H197 of the gate ^H8179 within, ^H1004 one ^H259 reed. ^H7070 Then measured ^H4058 he the porch ^H197 of the gate, ^H8179 eight ^H8083 cubits; ^H520 and the posts ^H352 thereof, two ^H8147 cubits; ^H520 and the porch ^H197 of the gate ^H8179 was inward. ^H1004 And the little chambers ^H8372 of the gate ^H8179 eastward ^H1870 ^H6921 were three ^H7969 on this side, ^H6311 and three ^H7969 on that side; ^H6311 they three ^H7969 were of one ^H259 measure: ^H4060 and the posts ^H352 had one ^H259 measure ^H4060 on this side and on that side. And he measured ^H4058 the breadth ^H7341 of the entry ^H6607 of the gate, ^H8179 ten ^H6235 cubits; ^H520 and the length ^H753 of the gate, ^H8179 thirteen ^H7969 ^H6240 cubits. ^H520 The space ^H1366 also before ^H6440 the little chambers ^H8372 was one ^H259 cubit ^H520 on this side, and the space ^H1366 was one cubit ^H520 on that side: and the little chambers ^H8372 were six ^H8337 cubits ^H520 on this side, and six ^H8337 cubits ^H520 on that side. He measured ^H4058 then the gate ^H8179 from the roof ^H1406 of one little chamber ^H8372 to the roof ^H1406 of another: the breadth ^H7341 was five ^H2568 and twenty ^H6242 cubits, ^H520 door ^H6607 against door. ^H6607 He made ^H6213 also posts ^H352 of threescore ^H8346 cubits, ^H520 even unto the post ^H352 of the court ^H2691 round about ^H5439 the gate. ^H8179 And from the face ^H6440 of the gate ^H8179 of the entrance ^H2978 unto the face ^H6440 of the porch ^H197 of the inner ^H6442 gate ^H8179 were fifty ^H2572 cubits. ^H520 And there were narrow ^H331 windows ^H2474 to the little chambers, ^H8372 and to their posts ^H352 within ^H6441 the gate ^H8179 round about, ^H5439 and likewise to the arches: ^H361 and windows ^H2474 were round about ^H5439 inward: ^H6441 and upon each post ^H352 were palm trees. ^H8561 Then brought ^H935 he me into the outward ^H2435 court, ^H2691 and, lo, there were chambers, ^H3957 and a pavement ^H7531 made ^H6213 for the court ^H2691 round about: ^H5439 thirty ^H7970 chambers ^H3957 were upon the pavement. ^H7531 And the pavement ^H7531 by the side ^H3802 of the gates ^H8179 over against ^H5980 the length ^H753 of the gates ^H8179 was the lower ^H8481 pavement. ^H7531 Then he measured ^H4058 the breadth ^H7341 from the forefront ^H6440 of the lower ^H8481 gate ^H8179 unto the forefront ^H6440 of the inner ^H6442 court ^H2691 without, ^H2351 an hundred ^H3967 cubits ^H520 eastward ^H6921 and northward. ^H6828 And the gate ^H8179 of the outward ^H2435 court ^H2691 that looked ^H6440 toward ^H1870 the north, ^H6828 he measured ^H4058 the length ^H753 thereof, and the breadth ^H7341 thereof. And the little chambers ^H8372 thereof were three ^H7969 on this side and three ^H7969 on that side; and the posts ^H352 thereof and the arches ^H361 thereof were after the measure ^H4060 of the first ^H7223 gate: ^H8179 the length ^H753 thereof was fifty ^H2572 cubits, ^H520 and the breadth ^H7341 five ^H2568 and twenty ^H6242 cubits. ^H520 And their windows, ^H2474 and their arches, ^H361 and their palm trees, ^H8561 were after the measure ^H4060 of the gate ^H8179 that looketh ^H6440 toward ^H1870 the east; ^H6921 and they went up ^H5927 unto it by seven ^H7651 steps; ^H4609 and the arches ^H361 thereof were before ^H6440 them. And the gate ^H8179 of the inner ^H6442 court ^H2691 was over against the gate ^H8179 toward the north, ^H6828 and toward the east; ^H6921 and he measured ^H4058 from gate ^H8179 to gate ^H8179 an hundred ^H3967 cubits. ^H520 After that he brought ^H3212 me toward ^H1870 the south, ^H1864 and behold a gate ^H8179 toward ^H1870 the south: ^H1864 and he measured ^H4058 the posts ^H352 thereof and the arches ^H361 thereof according to these measures. ^H4060 And there were windows ^H2474 in it and in the arches ^H361 thereof round about, ^H5439 like those windows: ^H2474 the length ^H753 was fifty ^H2572 cubits, ^H520 and the breadth ^H7341 five ^H2568 and twenty ^H6242 cubits. ^H520 And there were seven ^H7651 steps ^H4609 to go up ^H5930 to it, and the arches ^H361 thereof were before ^H6440 them: and it had palm trees, ^H8561 one ^H259 on this side, and another ^H259 on that side, upon the posts ^H352 thereof. And there was a gate ^H8179 in the inner ^H6442 court ^H2691 toward ^H1870 the south: ^H1864 and he measured ^H4058 from gate ^H8179 to gate ^H8179 toward ^H1870 the south ^H1864 an hundred ^H3967 cubits. ^H520 And he brought ^H935 me to the inner ^H6442 court ^H2691 by the south ^H1864 gate: ^H8179 and he measured ^H4058 the south ^H1864 gate ^H8179 according to these measures; ^H4060 And the little chambers ^H8372 thereof, and the posts ^H352 thereof, and the arches ^H361 thereof, according to these measures: ^H4060 and there were windows ^H2474 in it and in the arches ^H361 thereof round about: ^H5439 it was fifty ^H2572 cubits ^H520 long, ^H753 and five ^H2568 and twenty ^H6242 cubits ^H520 broad. ^H7341 And the arches ^H361 round about ^H5439 were five ^H2568 and twenty ^H6242 cubits ^H520 long, ^H753 and five ^H2568 cubits ^H520 broad. ^H7341 And the arches ^H361 thereof were toward the utter ^H2435 court; ^H2691 and palm trees ^H8561 were upon the posts ^H352 thereof: and the going up ^H4608 to it had eight ^H8083 steps. ^H4609 And he brought ^H935 me into the inner ^H6442 court ^H2691 toward ^H1870 the east: ^H6921 and he measured ^H4058 the gate ^H8179 according to these measures. ^H4060 And the little chambers ^H8372 thereof, and the posts ^H352 thereof, and the arches ^H361 thereof, were according to these measures: ^H4060 and there were windows ^H2474 therein and in the arches ^H361 thereof round about: ^H5439 it was fifty ^H2572 cubits ^H520 long, ^H753 and five ^H2568 and twenty ^H6242 cubits ^H520 broad. ^H7341 And the arches ^H361 thereof were toward the outward ^H2435 court; ^H2691 and palm trees ^H8561 were upon the posts ^H352 thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the going up ^H4608 to it had eight ^H8083 steps. ^H4609 And he brought ^H935 me to the north ^H6828 gate, ^H8179 and measured ^H4058 it according to these measures; ^H4060 The little chambers ^H8372 thereof, the posts ^H352 thereof, and the arches ^H361 thereof, and the windows ^H2474 to it round about: ^H5439 the length ^H753 was fifty ^H2572 cubits, ^H520 and the breadth ^H7341 five ^H2568 and twenty ^H6242 cubits. ^H520 And the posts ^H352 thereof were toward the utter ^H2435 court; ^H2691 and palm trees ^H8561 were upon the posts ^H352 thereof, on this side, and on that side: and the going up ^H4608 to it had eight ^H8083 steps. ^H4609 And the chambers ^H3957 and the entries ^H6607 thereof were by the posts ^H352 of the gates, ^H8179 where they washed ^H1740 the burnt offering. ^H5930 And in the porch ^H197 of the gate ^H8179 were two ^H8147 tables ^H7979 on this side, and two tables ^H7979 on that side, to slay ^H7819 thereon the burnt offering ^H5930 and the sin offering ^H2403 and the trespass offering. ^H817 And at the side ^H3802 without, ^H2351 as one goeth up ^H5927 to the entry ^H6607 of the north ^H6828 gate, ^H8179 were two ^H8147 tables; ^H7979 and on the other ^H312 side, ^H3802 which was at the porch ^H197 of the gate, ^H8179 were two ^H8147 tables. ^H7979 Four ^H702 tables ^H7979 were on this side, and four ^H702 tables ^H7979 on that side, by the side ^H3802 of the gate; ^H8179 eight ^H8083 tables, ^H7979 whereupon they slew ^H7819 their sacrifices. And the four ^H702 tables ^H7979 were of hewn ^H1496 stone ^H68 for the burnt offering, ^H5930 of a cubit ^H520 and an half ^H2677 long, ^H753 and a cubit ^H520 and an half ^H2677 broad, ^H7341 and one ^H259 cubit ^H520 high: ^H1363 whereupon also they laid ^H3240 the instruments ^H3627 wherewith they slew ^H7819 the burnt offering ^H5930 and the sacrifice. ^H2077 And within ^H1004 were hooks, ^H8240 an ^H259 hand ^H2948 broad, fastened ^H3559 round about: ^H5439 and upon the tables ^H7979 was the flesh ^H1320 of the offering. ^H7133 And without ^H2351 the inner ^H6442 gate ^H8179 were the chambers ^H3957 of the singers ^H7891 in the inner ^H6442 court, ^H2691 which was at the side ^H3802 of the north ^H6828 gate; ^H8179 and their prospect ^H6440 was toward ^H1870 the south: ^H1864 one ^H259 at the side ^H3802 of the east ^H6921 gate ^H8179 having the prospect ^H6440 toward ^H1870 the north. ^H6828 And he said ^H1696 unto me, This ^H2090 chamber, ^H3957 whose prospect ^H6440 is toward ^H1870 the south, ^H1864 is for the priests, ^H3548 the keepers ^H8104 of the charge ^H4931 of the house. ^H1004 And the chamber ^H3957 whose prospect ^H6440 is toward ^H1870 the north ^H6828 is for the priests, ^H3548 the keepers ^H8104 of the charge ^H4931 of the altar: ^H4196 these are the sons ^H1121 of Zadok ^H6659 among the sons ^H1121 of Levi, ^H3878 which come near ^H7131 to the LORD ^H3068 to minister ^H8334 unto him. So he measured ^H4058 the court, ^H2691 an hundred ^H3967 cubits ^H520 long, ^H753 and an hundred ^H3967 cubits ^H520 broad, ^H7341 foursquare; ^H7251 and the altar ^H4196 that was before ^H6440 the house. ^H1004 And he brought ^H935 me to the porch ^H197 of the house, ^H1004 and measured ^H4058 each post ^H352 of the porch, ^H197 five ^H2568 cubits ^H520 on this side, and five ^H2568 cubits ^H520 on that side: and the breadth ^H7341 of the gate ^H8179 was three ^H7969 cubits ^H520 on this side, and three ^H7969 cubits ^H520 on that side.

Ephesians 2:20-22 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

And are built ^G2026 upon ^G1909 the foundation ^G2310 of the apostles ^G652 and ^G2532 prophets, ^G4396 Jesus ^G2424 Christ ^G5547 himself ^G846 being ^G5607 the chief corner ^G204 stone; In ^G1722 whom ^G3739 all ^G3956 the building ^G3619 fitly framed together ^G4883 groweth ^G837 unto ^G1519 an holy ^G40 temple ^G3485 in ^G1722 the Lord: ^G2962 In ^G1722 whom ^G3739 ye ^G5210 also ^G2532 are builded together ^G4925 for ^G1519 an habitation ^G2732 of God ^G2316 through ^G1722 the Spirit. ^G4151

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Know ye ^G1492 not ^G3756 that ^G3754 ye are ^G2075 the temple ^G3485 of God, ^G2316 and ^G2532 that the Spirit ^G4151 of God ^G2316 dwelleth ^G3611 in ^G1722 you? ^G5213 If any man ^G1536 defile ^G5351 the temple ^G3485 of God, ^G2316 him ^G5126 shall ^G5351 God ^G2316 destroy; ^G5351 for ^G1063 the temple ^G3485 of God ^G2316 is ^G2076 holy, ^G40 which ^G3748 temple ye ^G5210 are. ^G2075

Galatians 6:14-16 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

But ^G1161 God forbid ^G3361 ^G1096 that I ^G1698 should glory, ^G2744 save ^G1508 in ^G1722 the cross ^G4716 of our ^G2257 Lord ^G2962 Jesus ^G2424 Christ, ^G5547 by ^G1223 whom ^G3739 the world ^G2889 is crucified ^G4717 unto me, ^G1698 and I ^G2504 unto the world. ^G2889 For ^G1063 in ^G1722 Christ ^G5547 Jesus ^G2424 neither ^G3777 circumcision ^G4061 availeth ^G2480 any thing, ^G5100 nor ^G3777 uncircumcision, ^G203 but ^G235 a new ^G2537 creature. ^G2937 And ^G2532 as many as ^G3745 walk ^G4748 according to ^G2583 this ^G5129 rule, ^G2583 peace ^G1515 be on ^G1909 them, ^G846 and ^G2532 mercy, ^G1656 and ^G2532 upon ^G1909 the Israel ^G2474 of God. ^G2316

Revelation 10:1-5 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

And ^G2532 I saw ^G1492 another ^G243 mighty ^G2478 angel ^G32 come down ^G2597 from ^G1537 heaven, ^G3772 clothed ^G4016 with a cloud: ^G3507 and ^G2532 a rainbow ^G2463 was upon ^G1909 his ^G846 head, ^G2776 and ^G2532 his ^G846 face ^G4383 was as it were ^G5613 the sun, ^G2246 and ^G2532 his ^G846 feet ^G4228 as ^G5613 pillars ^G4769 of fire: ^G4442 And ^G2532 he had ^G2192 in ^G1722 his ^G846 hand ^G5495 a little book ^G974 open: ^G455 and ^G2532 he set ^G5087 his ^G846 right ^G1188 foot ^G4228 upon ^G1909 the sea, ^G2281 and ^G1161 his left ^G2176 foot on ^G1909 the earth, ^G1093 And ^G2532 cried ^G2896 with a loud ^G3173 voice, ^G5456 as ^G5618 when a lion ^G3023 roareth: ^G3455 and ^G2532 when ^G3753 he had cried, ^G2896 seven ^G2033 thunders ^G1027 uttered ^G2980 their ^G1438 voices. ^G5456 And ^G2532 when ^G3753 the seven ^G2033 thunders ^G1027 had uttered ^G2980 their ^G1438 voices, ^G5456 I was about ^G3195 to write: ^G1125 and ^G2532 I heard ^G191 a voice ^G5456 from ^G1537 heaven ^G3772 saying ^G3004 unto me, ^G3427 Seal up ^G4972 those things which ^G3739 the seven ^G2033 thunders ^G1027 uttered, ^G2980 and ^G2532 write ^G1125 them ^G5023 not. ^G3361 And ^G2532 the angel ^G32 which ^G3739 I saw ^G1492 stand ^G2476 upon ^G1909 the sea ^G2281 and ^G2532 upon ^G1909 the earth ^G1093 lifted up ^G142 his ^G846 hand ^G5495 to ^G1519 heaven, ^G3772

Commentary on Revelation 11 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Chapter 11

In this chapter we have an account,

I. Of the measuring-reed given to the apostle, to take the dimensions of the temple (v. 1, 2).
II. Of the two witnesses of God (v. 3-13).
III. Of the sounding of the seventh trumpet, and what followed upon it (v. 14-19).

Rev 11:1-2

This prophetical passage about measuring the temple is a plain reference to what we find in Ezekiel's vision, Eze. 40:3, etc. But how to understand either the one or the other is not so easy. It should seem the design of measuring the temple in the former case was in order to the rebuilding of it, and that with advantage; the design of this measurement seems to be either,

1. For the preservation of it in those times of public danger and calamity that are here foretold; or,
2. For its trial; that it may be seen how far it agrees with the standard, or pattern, in the mount; or,
3. For its reformation; that what is redundant, deficient, or changed, may be regulated according to the true model. Observe,
- I. How much was to be measured.
  - 1. The temple; the gospel church in general, whether it be so built, so constituted, as the gospel rule directs, whether it be too narrow or too large, the door too wide or too strait.
  - 2. The altar. That which was the place of the most solemn acts of worship may be put for religious worship in general; whether the church has the true altars, both as to substance and situation: as to substance, whether they take Christ for their altar, and lay down all their offerings there; and in situation, whether the altar be in the holiest; that is, whether they worship God in the Spirit and in truth.
  - 3. The worshippers too must be measured, whether they make God's glory their end and his word their rule, in all their acts of worship; and whether they come to God with suitable affections, and whether their conversation be as becomes the gospel.
- II. What was not to be measured (v. 2), and why it should be left out.
  - 1. What was not to be measured: The court which is without the temple measure it not. Some say that Herod, in the additions made to the temple, built an outer court, and called it the court of the Gentiles. Some tell us that Adrian built the city and an outer court, and called it Aelia, and gave it to the Gentiles.
  - 2. Why was not the outer court measured? This was no part of the temple, according to the model either of Solomon or Zerubbabel, and therefore God would have no regard to it. He would not mark it out for preservation; but as it was designed for the Gentiles, to bring pagan ceremonies and customs and to annex them to the gospel churches, so Christ abandoned it to them, to be used as they pleased; and both that and the city were trodden under foot for a certain time-forty and two months, which some would have to be the whole time of the reign of antichrist. Those who worship in the outer court are either such as worship in a false manner or with hypocritical hearts; and these are rejected of God, and will be found among his enemies.
  - 3. From the whole observe,
    - (1.) God will have a temple and an altar in the world, till the end of time.
    - (2.) He has a strict regard to this temple, and observes how every thing is managed in it.
    - (3.) Those who worship in the outer court will be rejected, and only those who worship within the veil accepted.
    - (4.) The holy city, the visible church, is very much trampled upon in the world. But,
    - (5.) The desolations of the church are for a limited time, and for a short time, and she shall be delivered out of all her troubles.

Rev 11:3-13

In this time of treading down, God has reserved to himself his faithful witnesses, who will not fail to attest the truth of his word and worship, and the excellency of his ways. Here observe,

I. The number of these witnesses: it is but a small number and yet it is sufficient.
- 1. It is but small. Many will own and acknowledge Christ in times of prosperity who will desert and deny him in times of persecution; one witness, when the cause is upon trial, is worth many at other times.
- 2. It is a sufficient number; for in the mouth of two witnesses every cause shall be established. Christ sent out his disciples two by two, to preach the gospel. Some think these two witnesses are Enoch and Elias, who are to return to the earth for a time: others, the church of the believing Jews and that of the Gentiles: it should rather seem that they are God's eminent faithful ministers, who shall not only continue to profess the Christian religion, but to preach it, in the worst of times.
II. The time of their prophesying, or bearing their testimony for Christ. A thousand two hundred and threescore days; that is (as many think), to the period of the reign of antichrist; and, if the beginning of that interval could be ascertained, this number of prophetic days, taking a day for a year, would give us a prospect when the end shall be.
III. Their habit, and posture: they prophesy in sackcloth, as those that are deeply affected with the low and distressed state of the churches and interest of Christ in the world.
IV. How they were supported and supplied during the discharge of their great and hard work: they stood before the God of the whole earth, and he gave them power to prophesy. He made them to be like Zerubbabel and Joshua, the two olive-trees and candlestick in the vision of Zechariah, ch. 4:2, etc. God gave them the oil of holy zeal, and courage, and strength, and comfort; he made them olive-trees, and their lamps of profession were kept burning by the oil of inward gracious principles, which they received from God. They had oil not only in their lamps, but in their vessels-habits of spiritual life, light, and zeal.
V. Their security and defence during the time of their prophesying: If any attempted to hurt them, fire proceeded out of their mouths, and devoured them, v. 5. Some think this alludes to Elias's calling for the fire from heaven, to consume the captains and their companies that came to seize him, 2 Ki. 1:12. God promised the prophet Jeremiah (ch. 5:14), Behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people shall be wood, and it shall devour them. By their praying and preaching, and courage in suffering, they shall gall and wound the very hearts and consciences of many of their persecutors, who shall go away self-condemned, and be even terrors to themselves; like Pashur, at the words of the prophet Jeremiah, ch. 20:4. They shall have that free access to God, and that interest in him, that, at their prayers, God will inflict plagues and judgments upon their enemies, as he did on Pharaoh, turning their rivers into blood, and restraining the dews of heaven, shutting heaven up, that no rain shall fall for many days, as he did at the prayers of Elias, 1 Ki. 17:1. God has ordained his arrows for the persecutors, and is often plaguing them while they are persecuting his people; they find it hard work to kick against the pricks.
VI. The slaying of the witnesses. To make their testimony more strong, they must seal it with their blood. Here observe,
- 1. The time when they should be killed: When they have finished their testimony. They are immortal, they are invulnerable, till their work be done. Some think it ought to be rendered, when they were about to finish their testimony. When they had prophesied in sackcloth the greatest part of the 1260 years, then they should feel the last effect of antichristian malice.
- 2. The enemy that should overcome and slay them-the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit. Antichrist, the great instrument of the devil, should make war against them, not only with the arms of subtle and sophistical learning, but chiefly with open force and violence; and God would permit his enemies to prevail against his witnesses for a time.
- 3. The barbarous usage of these slain witnesses; the malice of their enemies was not satiated with their blood and death, but pursued even their dead bodies.
  - (1.) They would not allow them a quiet grave; their bodies were cast out in the open street, the high street of Babylon, or in the high road leading to the city. This city is spiritually called Sodom for monstrous wickedness, and Egypt for idolatry and tyranny; and here Christ in his mystical body has suffered more than in any place in the world.
  - (2.) Their dead bodies were insulted by the inhabitants of the earth, and their death was a matter of mirth and joy to the antichristian world, v. 10. They were glad to be rid of these witnesses, who by their doctrine and example had teased, terrified, and tormented the consciences of their enemies; these spiritual weapons cut wicked men to the heart, and fill them with the greatest rage and malice against the faithful.
VII. The resurrection of these witnesses, and the consequences thereof. Observe,
- 1. The time of their rising again; after they had lain dead three days and a half (v. 11), a short time in comparison of that in which they had prophesied. Here may be a reference to the resurrection of Christ, who is the resurrection and the life. Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Or there may be a reference to the resurrection of Lazarus on the fourth day, when they thought it impossible. God's witnesses may be slain, but they shall rise again: not in their persons, till the general resurrection, but in their successors. God will revive his work, when it seems to be dead in the world.
- 2. The power by which they were raised: The spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet. God put not only life, but courage into them. God can make the dry bones to life; it is the Spirit of life from God that quickens dead souls, and shall quicken the dead bodies of his people, and his dying interest in the world.
- 3. The effect of their resurrection upon their enemies: Great fear fell upon them. The reviving of God's work and witnesses will strike terror into the souls of his enemies. Where there is guilt, there is fear; and a persecuting spirit, though cruel, is not a courageous, but a cowardly spirit. Herod feared John the Baptist.
VIII. The ascension of the witnesses into heaven and the consequences thereof, v. 12, 13. Observe,
- 1. Their ascension. By heaven we may understand either some more eminent station in the church, the kingdom of grace in this world, or a high place in the kingdom of glory above. The former seems to be the meaning: They ascended to heaven in a cloud (in a figurative, not in a literal sense) and their enemies saw them. It will be no small part of the punishment of persecutors, both in this world and at the great day, that they shall see the faithful servants of God greatly honoured and advanced. To this honour they did not attempt to ascend, till God called them, and said, Come up hither. The Lord's witnesses must wait for their advancement, both in the church and in heaven, till God calls them; they must not be weary of suffering and service, nor too hastily grasp at the reward; but stay till their Master calls them, and then they may gladly ascend to him.
- 2. The consequences of their ascension-a mighty shock and convulsion in the antichristian empire and the fall of a tenth part of the city. Some refer this to the beginning of the reformation from popery, when many princes and states fell off from their subjection to Rome. This great work met with great opposition; all the western world felt a great concussion, and the antichristian interest received a great blow, and lost a great deal of ground and interest,
  - (1.) By the sword of war, which was then drawn; and many of those who fought under the banner of antichrist were slain by it.
  - (2.) By the sword of the Spirit: The fear of God fell upon many. They were convinced of their errors, superstition, and idolatry; and by true repentance, and embracing the truth, they gave glory to the God of heaven. Thus, when God's work and witnesses revive, the devil's work and witnesses fall before him.

Rev 11:14-19

We have here the sounding of the seventh and last trumpet, which is ushered in by the usual warning and demand of attention: The second woe is past, and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. Then the seventh angel sounded. This had been suspended for some time, till the apostle had been made acquainted with some intervening occurrences of very great moment, and worthy of his notice and observation. But what he before expected he now heard-the seventh angel sounding. Here observe the effects and consequences of this trumpet, thus sounded.

I. Here were loud and joyful acclamations of the saints and angels in heaven. Observe,
- 1. The manner of their adorations: they rose from their seats, and fell upon their faces, and worshipped God; they did it with reverence and humility.
- 2. The matter of their adorations.
  - (1.) They thankfully recognize the right of our God and Saviour to rule and reign over all the world: The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, v. 15. They were always so in title, both by creation and purchase.
  - (2.) They thankfully observe his actual possession of them, and reign over them; they give him thanks because he had taken to him his great power, asserted his rights, exerted his power, and so turned title into possession.
  - (3.) They rejoice that this his reign shall never end: He shall reign for ever and ever, till all enemies be put under his feet; none shall ever wrest the sceptre out of his hand.
II. Here were angry resentments in the world at these just appearances and actings of the power of God (v. 18): The nations were angry; not only had been so, but were so still: their hearts rose up against God; they met his wrath with their own anger. It was a time when God was taking a just revenge upon the enemies of his people, recompensing tribulation to those who had troubled them. It was a time in which he was beginning to reward his people's faithful services and sufferings; and their enemies could not bear it, they fretted against God, and so increased their guilt and hastened their destruction.
III. Another consequence was the opening of the temple of God in heaven. By this may be meant that here is now a more free communication between heaven and earth, prayer and praises more freely and frequently ascending and graces and blessings plentifully descending. But it rather seems to intend the church of God on earth, a heavenly temple. It is an allusion to the various circumstances of things in the time of the first temple. Under idolatrous and wicked princes, it was shut up and neglected; but, under religious and reforming princes, it was opened and frequented. So, during the power of antichrist, the temple of God seemed to be shut up, and was so in a great degree; but now it was opened again. At this opening of it observe,
- 1. What was seen there: the ark of God's testament. This was in the holy of holies; in this ark the tables of the law were kept. As before Josiah's time the law of God had been lost, but was then found, so in the reign of antichrist God's law was laid aside, and made void by their traditions and decrees; the scriptures were locked up from the people, and they must not look into these divine oracles; now they are opened, now they are brought to the view of all. This was an unspeakable and invaluable privilege; and this, like the ark of the testament, was a token of the presence of God returned to his people, and his favour towards them in Jesus Christ the propitiation.
- 2. What was heard and felt there: Lightnings, voices, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail. The great blessing of the reformation was attended with very awful providences; and by terrible things in righteousness God would answer those prayers that were presented in his holy temple, now opened. All the great revolutions of the world are concerted in heaven, and are the answers of the prayers of the saints.

Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Revelation » Chapter 11 » Verse 1

Revelation 11:1 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

Cross Reference

Ezekiel 42:15-20 STRONG

Zechariah 2:1-2 STRONG

Ezekiel 40:1-48 STRONG

Ephesians 2:20-22 STRONG

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 STRONG

Galatians 6:14-16 STRONG

Revelation 10:1-5 STRONG

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Revelation 11

Commentary on Revelation 11 Matthew Henry Commentary

Chapter 11