God’s Predetermined Judgement and Purpose

Revelation 11:1-6 

1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

John was told to measure God’s temple, as well as the altar and worshipers outside of it.  He was not to measure the outside court of the nations, being told that they would have possession of the court area outside of His place of worship as they walked over Jerusalem for a set number of time.  This seems to indicate that God has predetermined plans for who worships and for how long in His temple and who reigns outside for that time.  He has all things in His plan and timing, for He is a God of a predestined (predetermined) timetable.  This prophecy given to John is a culminating example of God’s sovereign will laid out for us to get a glimpse of, just as prophecies of the Messiah before were given with the details hidden until fulfillment by Christ.  Then John is shown that there will be two witnesses for the Lord who will prophesy further for a set time in sackcloth as mourning prophets of old.  These are now before God in His presence, but will at their appointed time appear on earth to bear witness to God’s wrath and grace, mourning for those to be judged and for their sin against the Almighty and Holy One.  These two will be able to defend themselves with fire from those opposed to God’s judgement through them, and will even be able to keep it from raining as Elijah did (James 5:17-18) in judgement.  They will also be able to turn the water to blood and bring plagues as Moses and Aaron did to Egypt for His people’s freedom from slavery to sin and to judge the unrepentant and unrighteous.  God will certainly judge in His time and in His ways using who He will, all the time offering grace and mercy in the Lamb sacrificed for our hope.