Chuck Smith: The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ - Chapter 11

Description
Pastor Chuck Smith teaches on Revelation Chapter 11, addressing the measuring of the temple, Daniel’s 70-week prophecy, and the seven-year covenant with Israel. He explains the Antichrist’s breaking of the covenant, the rapture preceding his rise, and the ministry of the two witnesses—possibly Elijah and Moses—who display extraordinary powers, are killed, and resurrected after three and a half days. Pastor Chuck concludes with the vision of the temple opening in heaven, signaling God’s judgment and the eternal reign of Christ.

The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ - Chapter 11

Let’s turn now in our Bibles to Revelation 11.

John said, “There was given to me a reed like unto a rod.” Now, a rod was a measuring stick about nine feet long. A cubit was roughly 17–18 inches, measured from your elbow to your middle finger. Six cubits made up a rod. They would take straight bamboo sticks, cut them to length, and use them as measuring rods—much like we use tape measures today.

John was given such a rod and told by the angel, “Rise, and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.”

This points us to the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. In Daniel 9, the angel prophesied that from the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the coming of the Messiah, the Prince, would be 69 “weeks” of years (483 years). But Daniel was told that there were 70 “weeks” determined upon Israel. That final seven-year period has not yet been fulfilled—it remains future.

Jesus referred to this in Matthew 24 when He spoke of “the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place.” He told His disciples that when they see this happen, it would be a sign of His coming and the end of the age.

That seven-year period—Daniel’s 70th week—is still to come. Between the 69th and 70th week, there has been a gap, the “times of the Gentiles,” in which God’s primary work has been among the nations. But that time is nearly complete.

During this final seven years, the Antichrist will confirm a covenant with Israel, allowing the rebuilding of the temple. In the middle of that period, however, he will break the covenant, stand in the holy of holies, proclaim himself to be God, and demand worship. Paul tells us this “man of sin” cannot be revealed until the church is removed. Once the restraining influence of the church is gone, he will rise, performing signs and lying wonders through the power of Satan.

John is told not only to measure the temple but also to leave out the outer court, for it has been given to the Gentiles who will trample the holy city for 42 months. This matches Ezekiel’s vision of a wall separating the holy from the profane, possibly indicating a rebuilt temple north of the Dome of the Rock with a wall of partition.

Then John sees two witnesses who will prophesy for 1,260 days (three and a half years) clothed in sackcloth. These are the “two olive trees and two lampstands” standing before the Lord, echoing Zechariah’s vision.

Who are these two witnesses? One is almost certainly Elijah, as promised in Malachi 4: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” The other is debated—possibly Moses, because of the miracles they perform (shutting heaven so it doesn’t rain, turning water to blood, smiting the earth with plagues), reminiscent of Elijah and Moses’ ministries. Others suggest Enoch, who never died, or even John himself, since he was told in Revelation 10, “You must prophesy again before many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.”

Regardless of identity, these two will testify powerfully, and anyone who tries to harm them will be consumed by fire. They will be indestructible until their ministry is finished. Then the beast (the Antichrist) will overcome them and kill them. Their dead bodies will lie in the streets of Jerusalem for three and a half days, seen by the entire world—something only possible in our day through satellite television and global media.

The world will rejoice over their deaths, even exchanging gifts. But after three and a half days, the Spirit of God will enter them, they will rise to their feet, and they will be caught up into heaven before the eyes of their enemies. At the same hour, a great earthquake will strike Jerusalem, killing 7,000, and many will give glory to God.

This ends the second woe, and then the seventh trumpet sounds. Great voices in heaven declare:

“The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.”

The 24 elders fall on their faces and worship God, giving thanks that He has taken His great power and begun to reign. Though Satan has ruled this present world as “the prince of darkness,” Jesus Christ has redeemed it by His blood and will now lay claim to His purchased possession.

The nations are angry, but God’s wrath has come. Judgment is set for the wicked, and rewards will be given to His prophets and saints. John then sees the temple of God opened in heaven, and within it the Ark of the Covenant. Lightnings, voices, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail follow—signs of God’s coming judgment.

Thus, Revelation 11 bridges the prophecy of the temple, the ministry of the two witnesses, and the sounding of the seventh trumpet, which ushers in the reign of Christ and the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom.

Closing Prayer and Benediction

Father, again we are so grateful for the insight You have given to us—that You have not left us without a plan, without a map. You have mapped out for us what the future holds.

We realize, Lord, that we are all headed into these last days. The scene is set, the props are in place. We wait for You to come and take us home to be with You in the kingdom of heaven, that You might begin the final seven-year period upon the earth as You cleanse and purge it for the return of our Lord.

Father, we realize that our destinies are either with You in the kingdom of light or with Satan in the kingdom of darkness. You have given to us the invitation to come and receive life. May we respond to that invitation, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Shall we stand together? The pastors are down here in the front to pray with you tonight. Whatever your need might be, they are here for the purpose of bearing your burden with you and praying for you. As soon as we’re dismissed, if you want to come forward, they’ll be happy to spend time in prayer, fulfilling the Scripture: “Pray for one another, bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom,
And the power,
And the glory,
Forever. Amen.

“God bless you.”