Revelation 11:1-3
Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, 2 but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. 3 And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
Measure twice. Cut once. Bob Vila gave us that warning so we would not waste material by being careless and lazy in the preparation for the big cut. John recently became a participant in his vision by eating a scroll. This new task would seem to be just as obscure but once again, the Old Testament dispels the confusion. God used the imagery of measuring rods and plumb lines as preparations for judgment, which was usually bad news for Israel. He would carefully measure, and then cut.
Come to Cape Community Church tomorrow and see what God is measuring here and why. We will see that when God gets out the measuring rod, the rod of discipline is not far behind. In this case, God measured off the temple and the altar so his people would be protected when the Gentiles trample on the outer court. Once again, the symbolic imagery has given rise to massive speculation as to the meaning of the temple itself, the 42 months, and the identity of the two witnesses. All that is certain is that Jesus is coming with the scales.
O Heavenly Father, you are holy and your judgment is perfect. Thank you for the grace that means we measure up even with our flaws. In Jesus’ name. Amen.