Measuring the Temple
By Tony Warren (cont’d)
Rev 11:11 And after three days and a half the Spirit of Life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
The believers can no longer bring the gospel of life in this great city, which, spiritually speaking, is Sodom and Egypt. Their witness has been so effectively silenced in the Church by the false teachers, that their voice is not heard. It’s as if they are dead. There is no rule of God’s law in the city, there is only delusion and iniquity abounding so that the Word of life has been extinguished.
Philippians 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
1st John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
When we come with the Word of life, we come with Christ. When believers are silenced, then the Word of life is no longer going forth in the city. In this sense, the indivisible Church has become lifeless. The witnesses are dead in the streets. Yet God has not forsaken them. After three and a half days of this death sleep in the city, the Spirit of life enters into these witnesses of God and they stood up. This word stood [histemi] is the same word we read in verse one where the Messenger of God stood that John would measure the Temple. Remember, these witnesses were not literally dead, and so this is not a literal rising up from the dead. Nor were they spiritually dead (an impossibility for true Believers). And so the killing of the Witnesses both in this passage, and in Revelation chapter thirteen, signify only the silencing of the Word of life which they were bringing. i.e., death in that their witness of life ‘in the Church’ has ended. In that sense only were they killed, and so in that sense only do they ’stand up’ from that sense of death in these streets.
There is no question but that this prophecy is a spiritual parallel to the resurrection of the body of Christ, because the Church is the body of Christ. Just as at the time of Christ’s resurrection there was a great earthquake, and the stones moved, and the keepers did quake in fear. So at this time there will be this quaking and stones moved out of their place. In fact, the parallels between the time of Christ’s first coming, and the time of His second, are almost identical at every turn. From the apostasy in the Church, to the testimony of the saints, to the buyers and sellers. The fall of the external congregation and Satan’s rule therein is inevitable. The first and second advents of Christ being divinely inspired parallels illustrate this. And sandwiched between them is the binding of Satan.
This verse in revelation is not of literal people standing on their feet after being dead, anymore than the prophecy of the dry bones of Ezekiel chapter thirty seven was. It illustrates a Spiritual awakening of the faithful witnesses in the Churches by the Spirit of life. The image of them standing on their feet illustrate they are made mobile. The symbology of feet in scripture points to the means of mobilization. God often uses it to signify those who are ’sent.’ Christians who are empowered to prophecy are spoken of as those who are sent, and the feet are often the context because it illustrates their means of mobility. Their walk in this life.
Romans 10:14-15 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
The beautiful ‘feet’ illustrate those mobilized or being ’sent’ with the gospel to declare God’s Word. The beauty signifies the Holiness in which they are sent.
Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Having on the whole armour of God includes being sent with the Gospel of Peace. Feet being shod or wrapped in the gospel illustrates we are commissioned or sent out with the gospel. It is our walk in Christ.
This was also illustrated as Jesus washed the disciples feet and declared that not all were clean. That signified a Spiritual cleansing, and that Judas was the one disciple who was not truly Saved. But these others were empowered by the washing of feet, to be sent out with the Gospel. And in turn, they were to go out and do the same thing that the gospel be sent to the ends of the earth. And notice what Jesus said afterward.
John 13:14-16 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than He that sent him.
The feet are an illustration of mobilization, or those ’sent’ of God to declare His Word. Likewise in Revelation, when these dead stand upon their feet, it is an illustration that they who were once silenced, are mobilized and empowered by the Spirit to again declare God’s Word. But it is not a word of Salvation, but of blowing of the trumpet. In other words, a word of warning that desolation is nigh.
Remember, these who were killed were true Christians and were already resurrected spiritually that they could never die, so this cannot be understood to mean they were spiritually resurrected. Likewise they were not all killed literally or physically, so this cannot mean that all believers were literally killed and their bodies were resurrected on the last day. These are popular but untenable theories about this verse. The truth is, they were resurrected in the contextual, logical, and very same sense that they were killed. i.e., the true witnesses in the Church were silenced (symbolic death, not spiritual death), and here they are awakened from that silence, and stand on their feet mobilized to declare God’s Word. They stand up from their death in the streets, much like in the parable of the ten virgins in which Christ taught they rose up from their sleep (a synonym for death) when there was a cry made ‘at midnight’ to depart out, or go out from where they were [exerchomai] to meet Him.
Matthew 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
It is no coincidence that this is when the bridegroom tarried, or delayed His coming, that the virgins slept. There is a very pertinent spiritual signification to these things. Also note in this parable that some of the virgins had sufficient oil (signifying the anointing of the Spirit) and others didn’t. And ‘after’ the cry was made to come out, and while these unprepared virgins searched to aquire this oil, the door was shut unto them and they were left out from the wedding. Again, a ‘clear’ illustration that there is some time left on earth between the time the cry is made to the virgins, and the end of the world when the door is shut and it is too late. In other words, to not have the oil at this time is a fatal mistake. Consider the parable wisely.
Matthew 25:6-13 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Knowledge is power, and the knowledge in view is the understanding of scripture given by the anointing oil of the Holy Spirit. By this anointing, we are not those who are unprepared to come out when the cry is made. Clearly in this parable God is illustrating that there is a ’separation’ of those who have oil, and those who have no oil. Those who have the continual light, and those who do not. Oil signifies the Spirit, and the foolish virgins ask for oil for their lamps, but believers cannot give of their spirit to those lacking. Rest assured that it is no coincidence that we read in this parable that they must go to those who ’sell and buy.’ For these are unsaved people professing to be Christian, but have not the oil. And the place of buying and selling is ruled over by the beast, and only those with his mark can buy. In other words, the Church is now ruled over by false Christians, a den of thieves and robbers. The time of sealing by the Spirit is over, and the door to Salvation is shut unto these foolish virgins.
The separation is between those who know the difference between Word of God, and the words of men. Those who know the difference between humility to surrender to the authority of scripture, and following after Church tradition or popular opinion. Those who lust after being entertained rather than instructed. Those who lust after friends, and to be spoken well of, rather than true fellowship with God and His Church. The wise (spiritually) don’t have to ‘go learn what that means,’ as the unwise virgins do. Because we have been learning all along. We are not merely waiting, but ‘Watch’ that we are not caught with our lamps out of oil. No one will be able to get oil that will get them into the Kingdom at that late hour of darkness (midnight) when the cry is made. Because Salvation will have ended, the testimony finished, and the buyers and sellers marked of the beast. Clearly, when the cry is made to come out, it is not the end of the world yet, it is a short period of separation, the precursor to Christ’s second advent.
In this same way, the witnesses who were silenced in the Church (symbolized by death) stand upon their feet being called of God, and by the oil they posess declare His Word that Jerusalem is become an abomination, and they must come out. It is a time when many people shall desire to be dead in Christ, but death shall flee from them. This is the time when those who truly died in Christ are the Blessed. This I believe is the time of the fall of the foolish Church. It is a Church without oil, without light, and which has spiritually became a Sodom, or congregation of Satan. The parable of the virgins gives a different symbolic illustration as it shows the aspects of the foolish and wise in the Church. This verse in Revelation is from the perspective of a battle, a seeming defeat, and the ultimate end victory. Different spiritual pictures, but the same outcome.
This is why those in the court outside the Temple were not to be measured. Because they are those professing Salvation, but who were not truly ‘the two anointed ones.’ They were not the oil and the wine which couldn’t be hurt, they were those lacking oil, and lacking the wine which is the blood of Christ, while abundant in the wine of fornication. These are those who love the external Church, themselves, and their liberal philosophies and lifestyles, more than Christ. They have placed all above the Word of God in rationalizing away their disobedience.
It is a time of awakening and distress for true Christians because they now see and realize the abomination standing in the corporate Church, and are made aware of God that they must come out of her. Just as Moses and Elijah appeared on the Mountain and spake of Christ’s decease (Luke 9:28-31) which would happen at Jerusalem. In like manner the faithful witnesses are in the Spirit and power of these prophets, and flee to the Spiritual mountains. They stand to warn of the decease of the Church (body of Christ). Again, the spiritual parallels are astounding between Christ’s first coming, and His second.
The Preaching of Christ
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The only two places where the phrase ‘Son of perdition’ is found is when Jesus speaks of Judas, the man of sin in the external congregation which which betrayed Christ (John 17:12), and the man of sin taking a seat in the Holy Temple (2nd Thessalonians 2:3) to betray Christ. It signifies the unsaved who are part of the external congregation, but who are not truly Saved and thus forsake God’s laws to do their own will.
The condition of God’s congregation will be the same as it was at Christ’s first advent. A den of thieves and robbers, and of buyers and sellers in the Holy Temple, all marked of the beast. As Peter was asleep when Moses and Elijah appeared and not understanding that there is only one ‘true’ tabernacle and that it is the Son of God (not the Church, not Moses, and not Elijah), so these do not comprehend the lawlessness in the Church and why man rule the tabernacle, and they must come out. Moses and Elijah was the Glory of Christ, not the other way around. Even as God said to Peter concerning it, ‘this is my beloved Son, hear ye him.’ One tabernacle or temple, and one measurement thereof.
The Spirit of life makes the witnesses stand on their feet and warn that the bridegroom cometh, and for them to come out of the midst of this abominable city and flee to the mountains (Matthew 24:15-16). That which had been prophesied, is now come to pass. And this coming out is ’seen’ by those wicked who killed their witness in the Church. They are hypocrites just as the Pharisees were, in that they don’t want to believe these witnesses, but they are also angry and fear their standing, and removal from the City. Much as Pharaoh was angry and feared the removal of the Children of Israel from Egypt. They wanted them for slaves and for workers, and these are now by the Spirit come to life and are not merely lying dead in their streets anymore, but speaking out against their abominations. And that is what makes Jerusalem angry with fear, and reviles them as if they were evil.
The overview of verse eleven is that these saints of God whose witness had been killed in the Church, have come to life by the Spirit of God, and spiritually stood on their feet in the streets of this city. In other words, they suddenly are not lifeless in the Church anymore, they hear God’s cry the bridegroom cometh, they stand up, they speak out as blowing a trumpet of warning, and they remove from there. There was silence for a time, but now they are alive with the Spirit. And the people who remain are angry so that they hate and fear them. Just as alleged atheists deceive themselves, but inherently know and fear God, so these of the Church inherently know that there is something of God working in this, but they have not oil or Spirit to understand, nor to repent of their abominations.
Rev 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
This Great voice from heaven is the Word of God. There is only one voice from Heaven who can call man to leave the streets of the great city Jerusalem (the corporate Church), and that is the call of the Great King Himself.
These Witnesses are called from death and stand in these streets of Jerusalem, and ascend to Heaven. Heaven in Revelation is often a representation of the Kingdom of Heaven, or the place of God, and the Spirit of life is the Holy Spirit. It is by the Spirit that they are called to ascend out of this death in these wicked streets and go up to the spiritual Kingdom of the great Zion. Again the representation of the Kingdom of heaven. These witnesses are those who are blessed and who have the Spirit to not just verbally hear the Word, but to spiritually hear. Others in the city do not have the ears to hear the Word spiritually. The witnesses are those not only called, but chosen, and they will flee out of the midst of the city which has become a desert.
Psalms 11:1-4 In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.
The Lord’s throne is in Heaven, Jerusalem lies in abomination, it’s foundations destroyed, and the righteous must flee to where God is. Symbolically heaven, spiritually far off from this once great city. God tries or tests the Children of men, for this is a time of trial, and He that shall remain faithful and abhor the sin in the City that He ascends out to the Kingdom, are those who have root in Christ.
We should note this ascending to the Kingdom is not preceded by the sound of a trumpet. There are many who surmise that this verse refers to the rapture, but from careful study and diligent consideration of all the text, I cannot conclude that this is the case. This is also verified as we read in verse thirteen that at that same hour the city fell, and there were slain of men 7000. But when the rapture occurs, it is the end of the world, and is the ‘final’ judgment. It is not a time when believers are still upon earth giving God glory. They will have been raised up together with Him. I think it would be inconsistent to read these passages as the rapture narrative. This does not appear to be in agreement with the whole of scripture concerning the rapture. On top of this, we see ‘clearly’ in verse fifteen that the seventh angel sounds the seventh trumpet, and we ‘know’ that this is the last trump of God, and the Biblically justified time of the rapture. This being ‘caught up’ (Raptured) occurs at this last trumpet, not prior to that when the witnesses are called to symbolically ascend from the streets of this symbolic city (the Church) to heaven (the Kingdom). The city is not literal, these are not two literal witnesses, the fire from their mouths is not literal, the street where they lay is not literal, their death is not literal, why then would we conclude their resurrection from their symbolic death, is literal? It makes no sense. In order to have a literal resurrection, we need a literal death. Likewise, in order to have a spiritual resurrection, we need a spiritual death. Interpretations must be consistent, not disjointed.
The language of the spirit of life entering into the dead witnesses is part of this symbolism. Remember, the witnesses are not physically dead people. This is illustrating that after their witness is destroyed in the Church leaving them lifeless witnesses in the Church, they receive the Spirit of life that they again stand on their feet and ‘come out of Her’ (this city made abominable) and flee to the mountain (Kingdom) of God. God gives increased knowledge and puts this Spirit in them that they understand that they must leave the unfaithful Church. Heaven here (as in revelation chapter twelve) is symbolic of the Kingdom of Heaven, which is no longer found represented in these Churches, as they have been moved out of their place (Revelation 2:5). In the Spirit we ascend to heaven as we have God’s spirit in truth revealed to us. Look at the similar language when John (by the Spirit) was shown this revelation:
Revelation 4:1 after this I looked and a door was opened IN HEAVEN; and the first VOICE which I heard were as it were of a trumpet TALKING with me which said COME UP HITHER..
You see, almost identical language of God talking with him from Heaven with a great voice (as if a trumpet) saying come up hither. This is God revealing prophecy to John, not John literally going into heaven. In the Spirit only he went to Heaven as God reveals things to him. John is flesh and blood, and flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of heaven. Neither can man leave his body and literally go to heaven and then come back to earth into his earthly body (John 3:13). No man can. But ‘in the Spirit’ God revealed things, while he was still a man on earth. He was never raptured nor literally in heaven, this language simply means he was spiritually in the kingdom of heaven for revelation.
We often think when we see the word heaven in Revelation that it is always talking about literal heaven, but that is not the case. This is a ’symbolic’ book, and thus we should expect symbolism. For example, clearly Revelation chapter twelve speaking of the stars of heaven being knocked down, or in other chapters a star falling from heaven and making the water wormwood, or a pregnant woman sitting in heaven along with these stars on her head. This is not talking about literal stars, nor literal heaven. It’s a symbolic picture of the kingdom of heaven and those who are of that kingdom. Just as we can read in Revelation chapter one God reveals the mystery or secret of the symbolism saying the stars that God had in his hand were really the messengers of the Churches, and the candlestick represented the Churches. These stars weren’t literally stars of Heaven, they were messengers of the Church, which were represented by stars of heaven.
Heaven is not always literal in the book of Revelation, it is symbolic in many cases. And that is how I believe heaven is represented here. At this time the witnesses to truth will rise up from their ’spiritual death’ by the great voice from heaven, and flee from the abomination in these now dead churches. That is what the Word of God by the Spirit tells us (2nd Corinthians 6:16-17) to do in such cases. We are told to come out of a Temple that is not of God because the two kings of these diverse kingdoms have no agreement together. We are not to stay there. Matthew chapter twenty-four says the same thing with different symbolism.
Matthew 24:15-16 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of Desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet stand in the Holy Place, whoso readeth let him understand, then let them which be in Judaea flee to the mountains.
That verse is telling the true witnesses of Christ that when they see the abomination stand in the Churches (the only Holy Place on earth besides believers, after the cross), then they are not to stay, but flee to the Mountains. Not the literal mountains of Israel, as if they could be any security or safety. Not an alleged Holy place in a literal Temple in Jerusalem (because it’s no longer Holy to qualify for this prophecy), but flee from the Holy Place which after the cross is the external Church. It is the only Holy place which even could become abominable. Flee to the mountains (Kingdom) of God. Not literal Heaven, not literal mountains.
Psalms 133:3 as the dew of hermon, and as the dew that descendeth upon the mountains of Zion, for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even Life for evermore.
Mica 4:1 But in the last days, it shall come to pass that the Mountain of the House of the lord shall be established in the top of the Mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills, and people shall flow into it.
Joel 3:8 and it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with water, and a fountain shall come forth of the House of the Lord, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
This is the mountains that we are to flee to when we see abomination stand in the Holy Place. Not mounds of dirt in the middle east. Judaea after the cross is the Church, not a province in Israel. When that city becomes abominable, we are to flee from it to the protection of the real Kingdom of God, because the city will no longer be the representation of God’s habitation. The Church is fallen. And this is what the language of the voice from Heaven calling the witnesses who were dead in the street, symbolizes. They are called to come out of Jerusalem and ascend to the Kingdom of heaven.
Revelation chapter eighteen also illustrates the calling of God’s servants out of an abominable City which shall fall as babylon.
Revelation 18:4-5 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
And they stood afar off where God is, because His congregation had turned to lawlessness, so that spiritually it was as babylon the great. This is the condition of the Church. This is the reason the witnesses come out. Because God is going to bring Judgement upon the Church, and He doesn’t want His witnesses there that they may be partaker with them in sin, or receive of this city’s plagues. For that City is under wrath of God.
Jeremiah 23:14 I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.
Again, this is why the witnesses are called out. They were not literally killed and so they were not literally raised up from that non-literal death, nor do they go into ‘literal’ heaven as yet. For now, they are called to life to remove themselves from these streets where they laid, and go to the only place where they will be secure. To the mountains of God, to the spiritual heavens.
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
The true believers ’stand upon their feet’ and by the Word of God come up to this mountain retreat that their feet will stand on firm foundation. And the enemies of God beheld them as they went in a cloud. And there is no more ministering in this House after they leave, it is now destined to fall.
The cloud in scripture symbolizes God’s Glory. e.g.:
Exodus 40:35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the Glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
Numbers 16:42 And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.
1st Kings 8:11 So that the Priests could not stand to minister because of the Cloud, because the Glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord.
And many other such verses. The cloud signifies the Glory of God. This is a time of judgement upon this house when the priests will not be able to minister by reason of the Glory of God. When we read that the believers are told to come to heaven by God, and they stand up from death in the streets and go into a cloud, it’s signifying that they are in the Glory of God. God is now going to make that unfaithful city desolate, and He doesn’t want them there to be caught up in it. Which is again evidence that this was not talking about the rapture, because if it was, then time would be no more and the end of the world/age would happen right then and there. Because God swore that at the sound of the seventh Trumpet, there would be time no more.
Revelation 10:6-7 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven and the things that therein are, and the earth and the things that therein are, and the sea and the things which are therein, that there should be time no more, but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as He hath declared to his servants the prophets
And so there is not any question that when the seventh angel sounds his trumpet, it is the end of time when the mystery of God is finished, and not when a tenth part of the city falls. The rapture is when the whole world is destroyed and the judgement sits at ‘last’ trump (1st Corinthians 15:52). It is not this time of symbolic Church death when they cannot work. The last trumpet means exactly that. The last. i.e., there is no other trumpets sounding after the last. And it is obvious that the last trumpet hasn’t sounded when these are called to remove themselves from the city streets because the city (not the world) is coming under judgment.
We read that their enemies beheld them. The wicked see these saints who they thought were dead, begin to prophecy again . They stand up from these streets and leave Jerusalem, and the wicked of the city are angry and fear this mobilization. The enemies of God fear because the very foundation of their Church is shaken because of this exit, and though they do not repent of the iniquities which made this city abominable, they are troubled by this exodus just as the Judaizers troubled Paul and the Apostles. This is their fear of what is going on, and the fear of wicked men usually manifests itself in reviling, speaking evil against the saints, and in unrighteous anger.
Luke 21:25-26 And there shall be signs in the Sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon earth distress of nations, with Perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; and men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Those of the sea are symbolic of the unsaved world. The Church were fishers of men from the sea (world). The sea and waves roaring illustrates the world is full of iniquity and beating against the ships (Churches). There is distress and anguish as the unsaved are in a state of quandary, confused over evil of the world. And the Church has no answers because they have forsaken the God of the Bible, and are themselves running to and fro seeking the Word, but unable to find it. The city echoing the noise of iniquity in the sea. This is the fear in the enemies of the true Church. There is judgment upon this people, because this is the vengeance of the lord ushering in the coming of that which is perfect or complete.
Luke 21:22 for these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
It’s the days of vengeance and the completion of all that was written. It is a time of God’s judgment upon them for killing the saints, for spiritually shedding blood by their hatred. When the believers leave the Church their works leave with them, and there is nothing of the waters of life left there. They shall drink wormwood. There is no candle or lamp burning, as they are left in darkness. This city shall be left desolate.
The overview of verse twelve is in the imagery of believers leaving the spiritually dead Church. God is illustrating that when the true believers are silenced in the great city which has become as Sodom, God calls to His witnesses to come up hither, or come here to the place of the Kingdom with Me. And these who were lying in this city, unloved, unaccounted of, and unable to teach the Word of life, ascend up to heaven in the glory of God, and their enemies beheld them, and fear. There is now no more ministering of God in the Holy Temple. Just as Jerusalem of the Old Testament fell, so Jerusalem of the New is under the same judgement for her spiritual fornication and abominations.
Rev 11:13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand; and the remnant were afrightened, and gave Glory to the God of heaven.
At the ’same time’ that the believers (who were symbolically killed) are called of God to stand up from their death in the streets and ascend out of this city, the tenth part of Jerusalem fell. And indeed this is very logical, for if the believers are given strength to stand, and called to leave the city for the Kingdom of Heaven, then there are no more true believers left in the Church. They have all stood up from being dead in these city streets, and have left. Obviously, this is now become a fallen Church. Because without the ‘assembly of saints,’ and the Spirit they possess, you have no Church. For you cannot have a true Church of God which has no true believers in it. That is a biblical impossibility. In Biblical terms, the abomination of this city Jerusalem have now left it desolate, a house in ruination. Just as when the Old Testament saints came out of that Covenant congregation to form the New Covenant congregation. The old congregation of the Lord was left desolate. And it is left desolate to this very day. Of course, they still go to the congregations, and they still pray and think that they do God service, but in God’s eyes Israel is blinded, deceived, antiChrist, and desolate. It is a house fallen.
When God says that the tenth part of this city fell, I believe it is an illustration that there is no longer an ‘offering’ for sin available there. The tenth part is what was used as an offering to the Lord in the Old Testament. For example in the offering of the tithe. This is seen throughout scripture. The tenth part of the city falling I believe indicates that sacrifice and offering has ceased here, as Christ has departed, and is no longer in the midst of the Church.
Numbers 5:15 Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it is an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance.
The tenth part symbolizes the full measure of the offering for iniquity. When the true witnesses leave the Church and it falls, the offering of Christ is gone from it. Or in other words, it is now a false Christ, without true sacrifice and offering for sin. The vessels whom God had commissioned to bring it have been called out of this city, and it has become as a wasteland without life. Nothing remains there but the abominations. The part which was the offering for sin is fallen, as God has departed from His House in judgment.
Ezekiel 8:6 He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my Sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations.
The abominations in the house of the Lord has caused God to remove it out of it’s place (Revelation 2:5) with Him, that it is no longer the Holy Place. The city is fallen, just as Babylon did, as God has shaken it and moved afar off from it. And likewise God has called the saints to remove afar off also.
Revelation 14:8-10 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,” The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
This is the fall of the fornicating Jerusalem, who has ’spiritually’ become as the kingdom of Satan (symbolized by Babylon). She is no longer a Church of God, no more will all the pleasant things of Salvation be found in her. No more will she bring the meal which fed those hungry for the bread of the Word of God. And the people who are truly Saved ‘must’ come out of this fallen Church that they not be worshipping the beast who now dwells therein. In that same hour of her fall, they must come out. It is only the elect, those drawn of God who will see the signs and come out of the Church. Only those who have not been deceived of the beast that cannot discern their right hand from their left, sin from righteousness, or compromise from faithfulness. The unfaithful, marked of the beast, symbolizes that He does his will, at ‘their hand.’ The hand symbolizes the will, the forehead, the mind. Those who receive his (spiritual) mark in their hand, and in their minds, are those not sealed or secured of Christ. And those who are sealed, as we saw, will have been killed of the beast because they will not worship him. Those who are faithful unto death are those blessed of God, and will not be deceived unto death.
Revelation 14:12-13 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
The same thing we read in Revelation 13 of the forty two months (Revelation 13:10) of this same period. ‘Here is the patience of the saints.’ In other words, here are the faithful of the Church who keep the Word of God faithfully and do not worship the beast and his image, nor receive his mark in their forehead or in their hand. These are those in Jerusalem who died in the lord, were killed of the beast that they have rest from their labouring [kopos] in pain of the tribulation in that city. And when they die this death in the Lord, all their works follow them. This means that there is no more preaching of the Word in that city ‘unto salvation.’ Their works [ergon] were in the energy of the Spirit in their preaching the gospel. When they are killed, there is no more work of Christ, and when that city falls there is no more sacrifice and offering for sin. And after this imagery in Revelation chapter thirteen, chapter fourteen gives the imagery of Christ coming again with a sickle to judge.
The remnant (chosen few) who see and fear (Godly fear) are those not among them who are slain in this fall. They have reverential fear for what is going on in the Church. But note also that they know it is God’s doing, and we read that even so, they give glory to God in this. i.e., their mind set is, ‘even so O’ Lord, Thy will be done!’ That is the cry of the blessed who had died in the Lord.
The earthquake signifies a great shaking and judgment by God. The very foundation of this city is shaken to the core as it has no solid mooring upon which to rest, and judgment has come upon it because of it’s sin. Her abominations has left her desolate and now she is in ruins and her final judgment is imminent, her sins having removed her far from God.
Isaiah 59:1-4 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
It is lawlessness or sin which does separate man from the love of God. And this is a Church which does not mourn for her sins, nor repent, nor turn from unfaithfulness, nor seek justice. It is a Church arrogant in it’s trust in itself (rather than Christ) and it’s own words (rather than God’s Word) and thus she didn’t imagine that her cries of ‘Peace, Peace,’ were just words or meaningless plaitudes. But the remnant know the prophecy, have seen the signs, understand that this is the judgment of God, and they fear God, and give Him Glory in it.
The number of ’seven thousand’ who are slain signifies the totality or completeness of all those left in that city. Seven, and it’s multiples (7, 70, 700, 7000) are used in scripture to symbolize totality. In other words, all left in the Churches are slain of God there. It is written, judgment must begin at the house of the Lord. The remnant speaks of all those who escaped this vengeance of God. Their oil and wine are secure by the sealing of the Spirit. They are not part of the seven thousand killed. These are those who had come out of her and are (in Godly fear) witnesses to that fall. Seven thousand, signifying the totality of that great city fell. We can see the example of this number signification illustrated in 1st Kings:
1st Kings 19:18 Yet I have left Me seven thousand in Israel ALL the knees that have not bowed unto baal, and EVERY mouth which hath not him.
Here God uses the number seven thousand to illustrate ‘ALL’ the people who were left who were ‘His People.’ In other words, the totality of them who were Saved were represented in this number seven thousand. Another verse where God uses the number to signify ‘ALL’ the people of Israel is in 1st Kings chapter 20:
1st kings 20:15 Then he numbered the young men of the Princes of the provinces and they were two hundred and thirty two, and after them he numbered ALL the people, even ALL the Children of Israel, being seven thousand.
This is a number to signify the ‘totality’ of whatever is in view. Again, we read in 2nd Kings 24:16 how it speaks of ALL the men of might, even seven thousand. And so we see that God uses the number seven thousand to signify ‘all’ or the completeness of them. The tenth part of the city fell signifying sacrifice and offering ceased, and the completeness of those who were left therein were slain by God. There remains no more sacrifice as they have blasphemied God in having man rule in His stead.
The overview of Revelation chapter eleven, verse thirteen, is that at the same hour or the same time that the Spirit of life comes upon the dead witnesses in the streets of Jerusalem and calls them that they stand up and come to God, there is a great shaking of the foundations of this city. A great judgment of God upon this people for their departing from the faith and forsaking God in disdaining the image of the father which we are to worship. There is judgment for their making their own images to worship. By their spiritual fornication, they are serving images (gods of their own making) which are no gods, and have brought apostasy to God’s Sanctuary.
Jeremiah 19:3-5 And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle. Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents; They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:
If anyone wants to know why God would do such a thing to ‘His Church’ all they need do is ‘honestly’ look at what the Church has done to Him. Spiritually they have made gods after their own image (man) and serve him in God’s house, and put words into God’s mouth which He commanded not, and have symbolically killed all those who would dare speak up against this spiritual idolatry in high places. ..and shall God not require it?
Sacrifice and offering is taken away, and in that earthquake (judgment of God) there was slain ‘ALL’ of those who were left in that city (spiritually 7000). The totality of this house is left desolate. Their candlestick (Continual or daily light) has been moved out of it’s place. And the remnant, those measured, were frightened because of this great thing that God has done to His Church and gave glory to the God of heaven. The remnant who were not cut off see the desolation of this city standing afar off in the kingdom of heaven where they were called to be. The wicked killed the lords prophets, spiritually shed their blood, and they are worthy to drink of the wrath of God poured out upon them. They will no longer be the representation of the Bride, and they no longer have glorious things they once had as the covenant Church, they will no longer have the husband who is Christ. They are left completely desolate.
Rev 11:14 the second woe is past; and behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
The second woe is past and the third comes quickly. Woe [ouai]is an exclamation of suffering or grief. And this third woe is the declaration of the seventh and ‘last trumpet’ judgement. It is the final resurrection and the end of the World. The first woe was the false teachings and the false prophets going forth to deceive. Remember the angel flying in the midst of heaven proclaimed woe three times (Rev 8:13), and this final grief (as we’ll see in verse 15) is the end of days, and the judgement of wickedness.
It comes ‘quickly’ illustrates that it is Christ’s second advent judgment. Coming quickly does not necessarily delineate a short period of time, but the suddeness of the judgment. For example:
Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
It’s been nearly two thousand years since this was penned, and Christ has not returned yet. But the word quickly there signifies not His soon coming in time, but His ’sure’ coming, and the suddenness of his coming. Therefore are we to watch. Judgement comes quickly or suddenly upon the wicked. As a thief in the night, because they are unprepared and unaware of what is coming. It is woe unto the wicked when the Lord returns on the clouds of Glory. For He comes quickly, and when they least expect it.
The overview of verse fourteen is that the first and second woe that has been revealed to John in these visions, is past. And he is about to see the third vision of woe, which comes quickly. This is illustrating that it is at Christ’s second coming. Coming quickly is the language of the ’sure’ and unannounced pressence of Christ. It is a harbinger of the justice of God when the books are opened and all will be judged from what is written therein.
Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever.
This is what Revelation chapter ten spoke about when it said that the mystery of God would be finished and there would be time no more. This is the time of that trumpet sound of the seventh angel or messenger of God.
Revelation 10:6-7 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
It is the end of the world, end of the age, and thus the end of time (as we as human beings know it). The seventh trumpet sounding is ‘the last trumpet.’ Just as illustrated when God shows us a bit of this mystery in 1st Corinthians. We read explicitly of this last trumpet there.
1st Corinthians 15:51-52 Behold, I show you a mystery, we shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at The Last Trumpet; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
At this last trump or trumpet is when the raising up or rapture takes place. We (the church) who are alive at this time won’t sleep (die), but will be changed instantly, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, into our spiritual bodies. This is when we which are alive shall put off this robe of flesh (Which God says cannot inherit the kingdom) and ‘literally’ enter heaven.
Imagine the moment illustrated. The world is going about it’s business as usual, eating and drinking and thinking all is well and they are at peace. Then the Lord appears in the clouds of glory, and with the last trump of God we are changed. Two people are standing on the same street, one is changed in the twinkling of an eye and is lifted up and taken (the true believer), and the other is not changed and is left (the unsaved). And those that are left shall see this rapture, and then must stand before the judgment throne to be judged. God declares there shall be great weeping because they know that they are under God’s wrath and shall suffer His ‘just’ judgments as the books are opened.
1st Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the CLOUDS, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
This is what we call the rapture, and it happens at the last trumpet. Those words ‘caught up’ have the same meaning as raptured. We should understand that the word rapture is derived from a Latin term meaning ‘caught away’ and is merely used by many Christians to avoid repetitive and awkward quoting of an entire verse of scripture each time we reference this event which it describes. So let us be clear that when we use the word Rapture, we are simply speaking about nothing more and nothing less than what the scripture itself defines in this verse of 1st Thessalonians 4:17. This is our being caught up or raptured together to be with Christ in the air at His second coming. In order to avoid typing or repeating that whole verse every time we refer to this great event, we simplify it by calling this ‘the Rapture.’ Nothing more should be read into it.
So here we see that the seventh angel sounds and there is time no more. The believers will now live in eternity where time is insignificant, for we live forever and the mystery of God is finished.
1st Corinthians 13:12 for now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known.
We shall meet God face to face at this last trumpet. Note the agreement with the timing of the rapture and this last day of judgment. Both at the same day. This end of the world/age is when we shall meet God face to face, and know even as we are known, for the Mystery of God is finished (rev. 10:7) as the kingdoms of the world are become the kingdoms of our lord and His Christ. In other words, Satan is no longer the prince of this world, the time of his judgment has come and God has taken control over all things, and rules in Glory. All kingdoms are become His, as everything is under His foot as was prophesied. All must answer to Him.
The overview of verse fifteen is that we are seeing imagery of the seventh angel sounding. Seven being the number of totality or completion. And we see the picture that this is the end of the world. It is the consummation, the completion when all things which have been written have been fulfilled. There are great voices in heaven proclaiming that the kingdoms of this world (which Satan was prince over) are now become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ. Satan has no more authority or rule over the nations. The time is come when he shall be judged right along with all those of the earth who served under him. And our Lord shall rule and reign for all eternity, even for ever and ever.
Rev 11:16 and the four and twenty Elders which sat before God on their seats, fell on their faces and worshipped God.
The twenty four elders I believe symbolize all the congregation of God. They are representing both the Old Testament believers illustrated in the twelve tribes of Israel, and the New Testament believers illustrated by the twelve Apostles. The number twelve is the number of the congregation. This number twenty four signifies the fulness of the Sons of God who make up the complete congregation.
Elders in scripture are used of God to ’signify’ leaders, or those who because of advanced age are deemed to be endowed with wisdom and experience that they may rule wisely. The aged have always been the image of wisdom to rule (as opposed to the foolishness of youth). e.g.:
Exodus 4:29 And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel:
1st Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
This is the ’signification’ of the true believers in the congregation who labor in the Word of God and preach the gospel. The true believers are those God calls wise, and those who understand, and those who reign with Him in heaven. The elders represent all those who have been washed clean in Christ’s blood that they (by the Spirit) have been made wise teachers and rulers. This can be seen in Revelation chapter four where we read that the twenty four elders are those clothed in white (a synonym for those clothed in the righteousness of Christ), and had crowns (signifying they reign with Christ). Furthermore, the twenty four elders sing a song saying that ‘they’ were the redeemed ones. In other words, they were the believers redeemed by the blood of Christ.
Revelation 5:9 and sung a new song saying thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof, for thou was slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue and nation..”
They had the prayers of the Saints, and Christ had redeemed them from the people of the earth. He redeemed them from out of every kindred [phule] or family of the earth. Redeemed from every language, from every type people, and from every nation of people. That is undeniable proof that these elders represents the believers who had been redeemed from the earth and who sit in heavenly places in Christ. They are heavenly princes who live and reign with Christ, having had part in the first resurrection. Christ has made them perfect that they may sit before God on their seats [thronos] or thrones. They are those who live and reign with Him in His Kingdom (Revelation 20:4) because of His redemptive Work.
The overview of verse sixteen is that of the grand consummation of all things being fulfilled. This is illustrated in the twenty four elders representing the souls of men made perfect, giving obeisance, and worshipping God in thanksgiving for their redemption from out of every people, and the ultimate establishment of Christ’s kingdom in Heaven. The Church which lives and reigns (sat on their seats) with God in heaven, fell on their faces (signifying humility and reverence), and honored God. These are those with wisdom and understanding who sit and reign with Christ. They glorify God in His fulfillment of prophesy, to reign and rule over all.
Rev 11:17 saying, We give THANKS o Lord God Almighty, which art and wast, and art to come; because Thou hast taken to thee Thy great power, and hast reigned.
They acknowledge God’s goodness in delivering the two Witnesses from all their trials and tribulations. Their sincere interest in the Church is because they themselves are identified with it. They are the Church, one body with many parts and they give thanks to the Lord (obviously, because they are those redeemed by Him). It is only because of Him that they live and reign and have their being, and they Glory in that He has delivered up the persecuted saints. Now is come the fulfillment of all things, and they give thanks and glory to God, which is, and was, and is to come, the one and only ‘eternal.’ The prophesied time has come that God has taken all Kingdoms, and has taken power from Satan and subdued all things. He brought about the beginning of days, and He brings about the end of days, for He is omnipotent, the immutable one, the same from the beginning to the end.
Revelation 1:7-8 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
The same as this verse, Almighty God which is and was, and is to come, almighty. Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, and so God is denoting here that He is all in all. He is the eternal one that was from the start, and will be the last. There was none before him, and there will be none after Him. He alone is eternal God. The elders worship Him because He has brought to fruition that which He has prophesied. The seventh trumpet has sounded and all things are put under His feet that He has finally taken to Him all power, and has reigned, and now has put down all His enemies, Saved all those predestinated to be Saved, and comes in Glory to consummate the marriage to the bride, and to judge the wicked.
1st Corinthians 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1st Corinthians 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
All His enemies are now defeated, all who were to be Saved have been Saved, the remnant have been delivered from the abominable city, the end of the world is come, and He has delivered up the Kingdom of witnesses who reigned on earth, to the father. They give Glory to God in this, and the mystery of Him is come to a conclusion.
The overview of verse seventeen is that the twenty four elders representing those who live and reign with Christ, give thanks to the Lord God almighty. He has now fulfilled his promise to take the kingdom, to put all under his feet, and reign over all. And the elders of heaven fall down and praise God and thank Him for His faithfulness. They rejoice in the final triumph and victory of their fellow saints, that their blood has been revenged. In all things, they give glory to the God of heaven, for his great plan has come to fruition, and His work has been completed. It may have seemed for a while that Satan had won, but as the old adage, ‘the darkest hour is always just before the dawn.’ Now is the dawn, the day of the Lord, and the finish of all things.
Rev 11:18 and the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be Judged, and that Thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the Prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
It is God’s time of judgment because the nations or Gentiles [ethnos] were angry or enraged against God, demonstrated in their warring with God’s people. This worldwide anger or wrath towards God is a ’sign’ of Christ’s coming. When man becomes totally bankrupt and adversarial to God’s laws and opposed to His Word, and takes offense at everything the faithful preach, then God’s wrath in judgement is not far off. Just as in the days of Noah when the world became continually wicked. This is the signification of the nations being angry. It is a time of great anger or strong feelings of displeasure against God by the world, because they hate God’s laws and precepts and are fallen to lawlessness. It is the time prophesied that Christ would come again and Judge them. All the efforts that the Gentiles or unbelievers had made in rebellion against Christ’s government, and in destroying His sanctuary, will all be for naught. They are now all going to be judged.
2nd Kings 19:27-28 But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me. Because thy rage against me and thy tumult is come up into mine ears, therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.
Revelation 14:20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
It is the time of harvest when Christ comes with a sharp sickle and harvests the earth because of their rage or anger against Him. The love of God had grown cold, and there is hatred evidenced by that lawlessness. These are those who rage or are angry against God. Those who are unsaved, who killed the prophets, who trampled God’s Word underfoot, and who hated His commandments. The wrath or anger they showed against God is now turned to fear as the time of God’s final judgment has come. The time which He has foretold of old. The time when the dead shall be raised and that each and every one of the wicked wherever they shall be found, shall be judged for the sins that they have committed. And God will cast them into Hell who destroyed the earth with their unlawfulness and rebellion against Him. The Wages of sin is death saith the Lord. Likewise, the saints, the Prophets, those that fear God and keep His commandments (the true Church) shall be rewarded with everlasting Life.
Revelation 22:12-14 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Only those who keep His commandments (1st John 2:3-5) shall be rewarded with eternal life. Those who were angry with God, and with His servants because of their witness, shall receive the reward of their deeds as well.
So we see that this being the time of great iniquity raging, and great anger against God by the Gentiles, is the time of Christ’s return. A time when men are departing from the faith (1st Timothy 4:1) which the Spirit spoke expressly would come in the latter days.
Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
It’s a rhetorical question implying that faith will be scarce and not found in ‘any’ but the remnant chosen of God. It is a time of apostasy, of falling away, of forsaking, and of degradation. And it is the time when all that was written shall be fulfilled (Matthew 24:34) and that generation or family of evil shall pass away. It is when the wrath of God will come, the end of the world, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged.
Luke 19:27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
These in this parable refer not only to the Old Testament Jewish congregation who reject Christ, but also to the New Testament congregation who reject Christ as king. Those who want to be their own rulers, who sit in the Temple in lawlessness, these all shall come under God’s judgment.
The overview of verse eighteen is that it is illustrating when Christ comes again, there will not be faithfulness on the earth, but Apostasy where the nations of the world are angry and are opposed to Christ. They are offended by Christ, and have wrath against God. It is at this time when Christ will come, and when the dead will be judged, and when the Lord shall reward the faithful prophets that feared His name and that trembled before His Glorious judgments on the Church. It is now that God will destroy them which were angry and which destroy the earth. God shall reward or give the wages to His servants the prophets and saints which He has promised those who fear Him and had reverential respect and obedience. And He will likewise destroy them in Hell who were wicked and destroyed the earth.
Rev 11:19 And the Temple of God was opened in Heaven, and there was seen in his Temple the ark of His covenant, and there were lightnings, and Voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and Great hail.
Here is the true Holy Temple of God which the holy Temple on earth was merely a pattern of. Here is the true habitation of Christ which the literal worldly Holy Temple built upon earth with hands, was merely a sign of. Those reading prophecy and looking for a literal earthly Temple of God in Jerusalem (the middle eastern nation) have missed the point completely. God is not interested in a New Testament Temple made with hands. Literal bricks and stones do not fulfill. After the Cross, the only Holy Temple of God is (#1) the Lord, (#2)the Church which represents Him, and (#3)those in whom He makes His habitation. Other than those, there is no other New Testament Holy Temple of God. In this verse we see the Lord giving us a vivid image of the only true habitation wherein believers are secure.
The ark of the Lord’s Covenant with Israel is here in this Temple. It’s not a lost ark, it’s not somewhere out there or hidden away, or a literal gold plated box. That also was merely a ‘type’ or figure to signify something infinitely more glorious than a literal box laden with Gold. It signified God’s Covenant with his people. The literal box on earth symbolized the fulfillment of the Covenant ‘within Christ.’ The word ark in scripture is translated from three different words which all signify the same thing.
The first word ark is [tebah], meaning a container or enclosure (such as a box) or boat. Two times this Ark is seen illustrated in scripture. It is a simple box or boat which God used to Save His people. It symbolizes the place of safety or security, and typified the Lord Jesus Christ, the only safe and secure place of the Child of God. We first see the Ark mentioned in regards to Noah, who found Grace in the sight of God, in Genesis chapter six.
Genesis 6:18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.
This ark secured the chosen of God who in it were protected from the wrath of God upon a world which had grown continually wicked. The ark symbolized Christ, the messenger of the Covenant (malachi 3:1), and the only refuge in which the elect of God are safe from the raging sea or the judgment of God.
The second place we see this word used is when Moses’ mother placed him in an ark in Exodus chapter two.
Exodus 2:2-3 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink.
Here we see that ark made of bulrushes (a papyrus or leaf-like material) protected God’s chosen Moses, from being killed by the wicked proclamation of Pharaoh. Again, this Ark symbolized Jesus Christ. The only ship or container of security which protects the Child of God.
The ark of the covenant or testimony is a different word ark [arown] but means the exact same thing, a container or enclosure (such as a box). Moreover, it is made ‘explicitly’ clear from God’s use of the same Greek word for ark of the Covenant as for the ark Noah built, that the Old Testament words for ark are interchangeable. For example:
Matthew 24:38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark,
1st Peter 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
This Greek word for Noah’s Ark is [kibotos] meaning a box. And God, speaking about the Ark of the Covenant, inspired used the exact same word.
Hebrews 9:4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
Revelation 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Here this ark of the Covenant or Testament is the exact same word Ark [kibotos], which is Noah’s boat, illustrating that these Arks are synonymous. They all are a representation of Jesus Christ. The only refuge and security for the Child of God is the covenant in Christ. As the Ark of the Covenant held the two tables of God’s law, His Word, so from within Christ is the Law, the Word of God. The only true Holy Place is not a literal box, but through the flesh of Christ.
Hebrews 10:19-20 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
As Christ is our Covenant tabernacle, and his flesh the veil through which we enter the Holy place, so He is the ark of the testimony, and our ship which keeps us safe upon the raging sea. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Ark which can save us, secure us, protect us in time of trial, and He is the true Covenant ark.
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
By faith noah entered into the Ark to the saving of his house. For that Ark illustrated Christ, the only Ark of Salvation. There was one Ark, one way of salvation for Noah and His house, and one way of Salvation today. The world that was then, was drowned under God’s wrath, except for that remnant of God’s chosen people secured in the Covenant ark.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
There was one Ark to save God’s people, and there is one Saviour. He is the testimony of the Covenant in whom all who will be saved, must be Saved.
Isaiah 43:11-12 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.
So when Revelation chapter eleven says there was seen in the temple the Ark of His Covenant, it is imagery illustrating this is the security and safety of God’s people. Not a box laden with gold, but the body of Christ, in which is the Mercy seat, the Rod, and the Word. This is what this imagery is signifying.
The sign of lightning signifies God’s judgment Lightning, and indeed all forms of fire (coals, brimstone, etc.) signify God’s judgments. The voices heard are the voices of the triune God. The father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The thundering symbolizes God’s Word. God’s Word thunders as it is a word of judgment (Psalms 77:18, Isaiah 29:6) upon man.
Job 40:9 hast thou an arm like God and canst thou Thunder with a voice like him?
The earthquakes again are God’s judgments illustrating a great shaking or trembling in the foundations (Isaiah 24:18, 29:6, Ezekiel 38:19, Joel 3:16). We saw in verse thirteen of this chapter when the city fell, God says there was a great earthquake. This symbolized this was God’s judgment upon the wicked city Jerusalem which had become spiritually as Sodom, Egypt and Babylon, all significations of the wickedness of Satan’s kingdom. Again, we read that the instant Christ died on the cross, there was a great earthquake, symbolizing there was judgment upon the city (Matthew 27:54) of God. A great shaking of the foundations as Israel fell with a great thud, and was no longer the ‘representation’ of Covenant Israel.
The illustration of great hail also is to illustrate judgment of God (Psalms 18:13, 78:47, Isaiah 28:2, 28:17). There are vivid demonstrations of this in the judgments of great hail God brought upon Egypt (Exodus 9:18) because they persecuted the Children of God. And so we see God is illustrating by the language of his Temple being opened, and the Covenant seen, and His judgment, that it is a two-fold message. By the Covenant seen, the believers under this oath or promise of the Covenant have no need to fear God’s wrath at this time. They are secure as the Ark of the testimony. But we also see that the opening of the Temple brings judgments lightnings, voices, thunderings, shaking, and great hail for those who are not under the Covenant promise. We see in these verses symbology of reward for the righteous, and yet severe judgment for the wicked.
The Overview of verse nineteen is that when the last trumpet of God sounds, it is the end of the world, the end of the age, and the true temple of God is revealed in heaven. All see the true house of the Lord and they know the truth that only those secured in the Ark of His Testament or Covenant is safe. Here is the patience of the saints, here is what those under the promise have waited for, signified by the ark of His testament. But just as there is reward for the patient, with His coming there is also lightnings, voices, thunderings, earthquake, and great hail all signifying it is the time of judgment for those who are not under the protection signified in the ark of the Covenant in the temple.
Conclusion
The eleventh chapter of Revelation is a summary of the events which occur between Christ’s first coming, and his second. In that sense it is much like Revelation chapters twelve, or Revelation chapter twenty. But this chapter gives us an overview of the work he has given His Witnesses by the power of the Spirit, through the Word of God, to build again His Holy Temple. Though we read of the beast in the book of Daniel, this chapter is the first time the Beast is introduced in the book of Revelation. It signifies the Kingdom of Satan going forth as a roaring lion, a beast of the earth which devours the sheep.
Comparing scripture with scripture, these are the things which I believe that Revelation chapter eleven are illustrating to God’s people. Granted, this is a chapter which is often misunderstood and misinterpreted. And I believe that the interpretation of it ‘must be’ prescribed by the Word of God, and not by man’s fanciful ideas of politics, geographical nations, or world governments. God is painting pictures of His Holy nation, the Church, not an unholy nation in the middle east. We see here illustrated New Covenant Israel, which is a representation of the true seed of Israel which are all those in Christ. This chapter paints a picture depicting the election opposed by all unsaved people (which are spoken of as the Gentiles), who were not elected and born of God as the spiritual Jews.
The candlesticks, witnesses, thunders, holy place, temple, fire breathing prophets, etc., are all prescribed by God, and thus must be defined by God. Never by the private interpretations of men. We all need to study these things thoughtfully, and go over them carefully, comparing God’s Word with God’s Word to come to truth. That way we know our interpretations are Biblically validated. When we get interpretations from men who do not provide scriptural validation, then we have a private or personal interpretation.
Matthew 24:35-36 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
God’s Word will not return void, it will always be fulfilled just as God intended, not as man or political agenda wants it to be. The promises and warnings of the scripture remain immutable until they are fulfilled.
Psalms 119:88-91 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.
Not one jot nor title shall fail from the Word of God. It is settled in heaven, and will be fulfilled. Thus we pray that the Lord who is Gracious above all, will make us all elders, and give us all wisdom in understanding. May He give us patience, and the nobility or virtue to ‘receive’ what He has prescribed for our learning in His Word. May God grant His humble servants the ability to accept what is written without distortion, or the rationalizing of it away because of the will of man. To God alone be the Glory. Amen!
Copyright ©1994 Tony Warren
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