A Revelation Invitation

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.” (Revelation 11:1-2 ESV)

My next door neighbor owns a small pack of yapping chihuahuas. A few years back I set out to erect a fence between our properties to prevent those dogs from trampling my lawn and harassing any visiting family and friends. As a first step toward my goal to separate and to protect, I measured and marked off my property much like John was asked to do of the temple. In truth my neighbor’s dogs were no threat to anyone except in their own eyes. However, as the church of Christ we face legitimate threats. While scenes of horrific plagues and harsh judgments in Revelation are alarming, its images of comfort are subtle, often puzzling, and sometimes difficult to grasp. What does measuring the temple, the altar and the worshipers accomplish? How in the middle of all these turbulent and trying times are we any better off because of it?

When we consider that the early church had come to see not the building in Jerusalem but themselves as God’s true temple, the symbolism begins to make sense. The Lord dwells within this temple, within his church. Where God is present, we find safety, comfort, joy and assurance. When we see John measure the temple, that is, the people of God, we are heartened that he has set us apart from that which is not measured, a wicked world. He will protect and preserve us from the tribulations that will come. In contrast the outer court, the court of the Gentiles, is not measured. Unbelievers have no such assurance leaving them vulnerable to the woes that are to come.

Another sign of things to come is that the Gentiles, the unbelievers, will trample the holy city, a metaphor for the persecution of the church. Trampled on … yet protected? How do we square that circle? By realizing that this trampling will endure for only forty-two months, or three and a half years. While seven is symbolic of completeness in Biblical numerology, half of seven (three and a half) indicates something temporary though usually troublesome. This trampling, these days of trials and persecutions, will be cut short for our sake. The world will not always have their way with us as they expect. God will preserve us. Though for a time the church will be victimized, in the end Christ will bring us through victoriously.

My Father in heaven, unbelieving men trampled on your son for my sake. Though he suffered terribly to rescue me, in the end he conquered death. You have given me the same hope. Prepare me to accept mistreatment from the world as your son did for me. Thank you for this foresight so that I may prepare. You will protect your holy people. Thank you for your assurances that you will protected and preserve me through this conflict. Amen.