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| 1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. |
Given me – John, the church in the flesh at the end of the Age.
The angel – The same angel who was speaking with him in chapter 10, i.e., our returned Lord.
Stood – Compare Dan. 12:1.
Saying – Our Lord's instruction to the church in the flesh - the John class, during the time of His second presence.
Rise up – It is time to stand up and be counted as those who are on the Lord's side. It is the time of the second Advent and the Lord's people (the John class) are to be active for the time of harvest has arrived.
This may also be a reference to the fact that the church, the "virgins," had fallen asleep since the days of William Miller. - see Matt. 25:1-13 - esp. vs. 5, 7 "they all slumbered and slept."
Measure the temple of God – "Which temple ye are." This measurement is given in Rev. 7:4-8 and Rev. 21:15-17.
And the altar and them that worship therein. – Make known that the true worship of God is only being done by those who have access to the (golden) altar, those who have access into the Holy, the spirit-begotten ones. This requires that one make a full and complete consecration of themselves in order to obtain this access. |
| 2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. |
The court – Corresponding to the court of the Tabernacle.
That is without the temple – Outside the spiritual condition as represented by the Tabernacle (Holy and Most Holy).
Leave out and measure it not – There is no measurement to those who are not spirit-begotten.
Given to the gentiles – Those not spirit-begotten.
The holy city – The embryo kingdom of God.
They – The gentiles.
Tread under foot – Mistreat and have (from a worldly standpoint) dominion over.
Forty and two months – 42 x 30 = 1260. Applying the Divine formula of a day for a year (Eze. 4:6; Num. 14:34) this indicates 1260 years. |
| 3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. |
I – Jesus.
Will give – Jesus is here described as the one giving to the two witnesses to prophecy. This indicates several things. Among which is the following (incomplete) list:
1. Both the Old and New Testaments tell of Jesus.
2. Both are actuated by the same spirit as Jesus is activated by.
3. In order to understand what these say, we too must be activated by that same spirit.
Two witnesses – Old Testaments. Zech. 4:2,11-14
They shall prophecy – They will still speak, express the word (especially the prophetic).
1260 days – 1260 years from 539 A.D. to 1799 A.D.
In sackcloth – Symbolic of mourning. This is because their prophecy was not in the common language of the people but was kept hidden by the Papacy in dead languages. |
| 4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. |
The two olive trees – Zech. 4:2, 11-14.
And the two candlesticks – These two olive trees supply the oil to the candlesticks. This shows that the Lord's people (candlesticks) need the supply of the holy spirit (oil) that comes from both the Old and New Testaments. |
| 5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. |
Any man – The man of sin - the papacy - or possibly any system (protestants).
Hurt them – Hurt, or rather attempt to hurt, the two witnesses (Old and New Testament scriptures).
Fire – Symbolic of destruction.
Proceedeth out of their mouth – The word of God is what does this destructive work.
Devoureth their enemies – This devouring does not necessarily come during the 1260 years. It could happen after. It is God's judgment upon those who have chosen to be His enemies and God is very patient. Consider 2 Thess. 2:3,8.
Hurt them – Hurt the two witnesses. How can someone hurt the Word of God? By misrepresenting it. "He who steals my purse steals trash; but he who steals my good name takes that which little enriches him but makes me poor indeed." - Shakespeare
In this manner – In what manner? In the manner here described, i.e., by the fire that proceeds out of the mouth of the two witnesses. - Psa. 18:13
Be killed – Lose his life. In this case the man (of sin) will lose his life during the bright shining of our Lord's second presence. - 2 Thess. 2:8 |
| 6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. |
These – The two witnesses, the Old and New Testaments.
Power to shut heaven – Shut the nominal heavens. The truth of God is not coming from that source.
Rain – Blessing - Giving the water of truth to organized society (earth). Rain is a little different than giving someone water to drink. While it is water, its distribution is generally spread out over a large area. This is what should have been done. Instead the counterfeit system withheld the water of truth from society because it (the truth of God's Word) did not match with their selfish aims. Thus the two witnesses shut up the nominal heaven.
Power over waters to turn them to blood – These "waters" coming from Christendom did not reflect the truth of God's Word, nevertheless they claimed to be based upon His word. When the people were brought in contact with the truth of God's Word, the false "waters" of Christendom did not measure up. These muddied waters, instead of giving life, brought death (became blood.)
Smite the earth – Not kill or destroy, but inflict lesser harm on organized society under religious restraint (earth.)
With all plagues – Troubles, ailments by causing a loss of faith in the established order - the false Kingdom of Christ - Christendom.
As often as they will – Throughout the period of the 1260 years there were outbursts of truth coming out (consider Waldo, Wycliffe, Luther.) These messages of truth always caused trouble for those who trusted in the false claims of Christendom. |
| 7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. |
They – The two witnesses, the Old and New Testaments - the Word of God.
Finished their testimony – At the end of the 1260 years (vs. 3), - 1799.
The word here translated as 'testimony' is Strong's 3144 'evidence given,' or 'testimony.' This is appropriate. This is exactly what a witness does when called upon. They 'testify' or give their 'testimony.' - Compare this with vs. 3 where the two 'witnesses' (Strong's 3141 - 'evidence given (judicially or generally)' give their prophecy for 1260 days.
The above makes it emphatic that whatever is indicate by vs. 8 must come after the 1260 prophetic days.
The suggestion has been made by some that the Greek allows for the thought of this as happening during or near the end of their testimony. This is then applied to the period beginning in 1793 when "a decree passed the French Assembly forbidding the Bible." This thought is contained in the so-called 7th volume, 'The Finished Mystery.' Every translation we have been able to locate contradicts that thought.
Ascendeth out of the bottomless pit – see Bottomless Pit.
Note here. It does not here tell us anything about the bottomless pit, nor does it suggest anything about the two witnesses being in any way involved with the bottomless pit. The only thing associated here with the bottomless pit is the beast. What beast? The one that ascends out of the bottomless pit. Where do we find out about that beast? - In Rev. 17:3,7,8,11,12. - This beast is Rome.
Shall make war against them – So what else is new?
And shall overcome them – That is why they were prophesying in sackcloth.
And shall kill them – "Make them appear to have failed in their testimony that the 1260 years would end the papal power." (Revelation Today) |
| 8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. |
And their dead bodies – "Dormant Old and New Testaments, made so by the seemingly ineffective prophecy of the 1260 years which did not observantly terminate papacy's power." (Revelation Today)
Shall lie in the street – "Be in open view in the Roman Empire." (Revelation Today)
Of the great city – Babylon, Christendom, The 'Holy Roman Empire'.
Which is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt – Sodom was known for its moral corruption. Egypt has always been a symbol for the world (as opposed to the church).
Where also our Lord was crucified – Jesus was indeed crucified by those who had become worldly-minded (Egypt) and corrupt with power and jealousy (Sodom.) |
| 9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. |
And nations – see additional comments vs. 8
Shall see their dead bodies – see additional comments vs. 8
Three days and an half – See Revelation-Today.com |
| 10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. |
They that dwell upon the earth – Residents of organized society under religious restraint.
Shall rejoice over them --
And make merry --
And send gifts one to another --
Because these two prophets – The Old and New Testaments, the word of God.
Tormented – By reminding them that this is not the true Kingdom of God.
Them that dwell on the earth – Not only do these inhabit the nations of Christendom but they do more. They dwell, i.e., they support and accept the arrangement, on the earth - organized society under religious restraint. |
| 11 And after three days and an 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. |
After three days and a half – From 1799 to 1803. This is when the Bible Societies had their beginnings.
It should be remembered that it takes time to organize, so while the first of these Bible Societies made its official appearance in 1804, the process of organizing would have begun earlier.
The spirit of life from God – Their dead bodies had been lying in the street. Now they are to be lifted up, given new life, new vitality. This spirit of life is to emanate from God. He certainly was not going to actually let His word remain (symbolically) dead.
See 'Two Witnesses' at Revelation-Today.com for a good description of how this took place. |
| 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. |
They ascended up to heaven – R5565:5; 5628:15; D267:2. |
| 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 affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. |
The same hour – Perhaps not beginning at the same time but some of the events described here overlap with the 3½ days of verse 11.
A great earthquake – A great revolution, the French Revolution.
A tenth part of the city – Christendom was divided into its ten toes (of the image). The tenth part of that city was France.
Slain of men – See 'slain' under Rev. 6:9. These are slain of men, i.e., their beliefs were slain by men. In this case it they are slain by the common man of the French Revolution.
Seven thousand – This may have reference to those who should have remained faithful to the Lord. Compare Rom. 11:4,5; 1 Kings 19:18.
The remnant – The 7,000 just mentioned who have had their faith slain.
Were afrighted – This was, after all, the time of the French Revolution. It was a scary time, especially for believer's in the Lord's word. The Bible itself had been banned by the French Assembly and the lives of believer's were in danger.
And gave glory to the God of heaven – These still gave glory to God. It is this fact that helps to identify them. |
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| 14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. |
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| 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. |
The seventh angel – 7th Messenger, Pastor Russell.
Sounded – Blew the 7th Trumpet. This is the trumpet of Jubilee, the Last Trump. 1 Thess. 4:16; 1 Cor. 15:51, 52.
Clearly this is the time of the resurrection of the saints. This trumpet sounds for a thousand years.
See B147:3
This is the trumpet of Jubilee. As we remember the time calculation for the antitypical Jubilee we are reminded that this includes the 50yrs times 50 or 2,500 years which brings us to about October 1875. However, since this includes the Jubilee year, and we are looking for the antitype, the reality, we need to go to the beginning of that year, i.e., to October 1874 and then realize that it is not one year but instead it is one thousand years of Jubilee. Thus this trumpet which begins to sound in 1874 will last until the thousand years have expired in 2874.
Great voices in heaven – Pastor Russell's thought is that these great voices had reference to the Lord's people who, having found the truth, were proclaiming the truth to others in the nominal systems in his day - largely by spreading the message contained in the Volumes. - see R2994:2, 3.
Kingdoms of this world – Christendom. Dan. 2:44 - "In the days of these kings.."
Are become the kingdom of our Lord – Psa. 2:8,9
And His Christ – Gal. 3:29
He shall reign for ever and ever – See The Reign |
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| 16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, |
See Rev. 4:4
Who sat before God on their seats – The 24 Elders are sitting upon their thrones (Greek thronos). The Old Testament prophecies are enthroned as part of God's holy word.
Fell upon their faces – This is similar to Rev. 4:10 where the 24 Elders cast down their golden crowns before the throne. This seems to refer to the fact that it is during this period (the sounding of the 7th trumpet) that their prophecies (especially concerning the times of restitution - Acts 3:19-21) are fulfilled.
Worshipped God – These prophecies being fulfilled (or in the process of being fulfilled) cause the saints to have a greater appreciation of our Heavenly Father, i.e., they cause us to worship God even more than before. |
| 17 Saying, We give thee 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. |
We – The twenty-four elders, the prophecies of the Old Testament (see additional comments vs. 16).
Give thee thanks – Because now (the Times of Restitution) is the time of our special activity.
Which are..were..are to come – This can only refer to Jesus Christ as the representative of the Father. This is so because he was (i.e., lived in the past but then his existence ceased), he is now (having been raised from the dead), and are to come (he has now gained immortality and thus will always exist). "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore" Rev. 1:18
Hast taken – D622-23
Thy great power – Rev. 2:26-28; Psa. 2:6-9
And hast reigned – This reign begins in 1878.
"The gathering to Armageddon would immediately precede Messiah's taking to Himself His great power and beginning His reign." Dxv:1 |
| 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 them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. |
Nations were angry – Psa. 2:1,2; 46:6
This seems to have special reference to World War I. The nations there were banded together (by the various treaties). They then attempted to avoid the great conflict but, largely due to these treaties (as well as their pride) they were drawn inexorably into the conflict.
Thy wrath – Contained in the 7 last plagues - "for in them is filled up the wrath of God." - Rev. 15:1
Is come – Is FULLY come. The thought here seems to be that since the wrath of God is contained in the 7 last plagues and the purpose of the 6th plague is to gather the nations to Armageddon, when this stage is reached it is the time for the last of the plagues, Armageddon, to appear. Once this has been released it can then be said: "Thy wrath is [fully] come."
Time of the dead – While the resurrection began with the raising of the sleeping saints in 1878 and they there received the result of their judgment, yet the primary focus of this verse is clearly the world of mankind.
They should be judged – They (the dead world of mankind - Matt. 8:22) will be judged during the thousand year reign of the Christ.
Give reward – For most of the classes indicated this reward will be life, whether on the heavenly or the earthly plane of existence.
Unto thy servants the prophets – Amos 3:7 While the primary thought here seems to be the faithful prophets of old yet there may also be here a reference to the saints. When this is compared with Rev. 1:1 we see the saints are referred to by this same phrase, "his servants."
Destroy them which destroy the earth – While organized society under religious restraint is to be done away with, those who are directly involved in this process, those of the sea class who are rebellious [remember during the 1960's the cry was often heard from this class: "down with the establishment"] are also to be destroyed. See Zeph. 1:7-9; Joel 2:1-11; Rev. 19:15-18 |
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| 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. |
The Temple of God – Is this the true temple or the false? This is the normal question that is asked by Bible students. We suggest the answer to the question is: "Yes." The Lord has done this often in His word. The simplest way to look at it is to consider the parable of the wheat and tares. It is a wheat field that becomes overrun with tares. So is it a wheat field or a tare field. The answer is that it is a wheat field. And this is how the Lord deals with it. In chapters 2 and 3 the various messages to the church are directed at this wheat field. Parts are for the true wheat and parts for the tares.
There was seen – This does not indicate that all could "see" this ark of 'his testament' - ark of the covenant, but some could.
In His temple – In His Wheat-field, the church nominal (including both the true and the false church).
The ark of His testament – Thus it was in the nominal heaven (wheat field) there was indeed seen the ark of the covenant - the true church (T121:1), i.e., there were, at that time, members of the true church still in the nominal church.
The ark of the covenant. Compare this with Eze. 9:3; 10:4.
Lightnings, voices, thunderings, earthquake, hail – Rev. 4:5; 8:5; 16:18,21
As this entire combination (all 5 elements just mentioned) are included only under plague number seven (Rev. 16:18,21) we suggest that this is a reference to the same thing. The ark of the covenant (testament) is now seen, i.e., has now gained recognition, in the nominal heaven. |