The Last Days
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Lesson 44 | 10/26/25
Revelation 11:1-4 | The Two Witnesses
Chapter 11 is a continuation of the interlude between the 6th and 7th Trumpet. Chapter 10 last week was a pause from the Judgements as God takes a short break and allows John, and us, to catch our breath. And in this small break, He reminds us of His wonderful plan of Redemption and the fulfillment of the mystery of His Gospel.
Now in chapter 11, we continue this interlude, but like the first interlude between the 6th and 7th Seals, we are taken back to the beginning of the Tribulation Week and introduced to these two peculiar people who God calls, His Two Witnesses. Let’s begin by reading the first three verses, Revelation 11:1-3.
Twice, in these three verses, we are given the same length of time, 42 months (v.2) and 1,260 days (v.3). Which is the same as 3-1/2 years (using the Jewish 30 day/month calendar) which is also the same length of time as the phrase, “time, times, and half a time.” These are eschatological time frames designating half of the 7-Year Tribulation. When we come across these phrases, we then have to use context to decide which half it is. In this case, the Two Witnesses are empowered to prophecy the first 3-1/2 years, the antichrist rises to power at the middle of the week and kills them, then the Gentiles will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.
We have to remember, the 7-Year Tribulation begins when the antichrist confirms a covenant with the Jews, for one week, Daniel 9:27, which will be some type of covenant to bring peace to the Middle East, Daniel 11:21-25. At this time, the Jews are allowed to rebuild their temple and begin the daily sacrifices, Daniel 8:11-14; 9:27; 11:31. Something that hasn’t happened for almost 2,000 years, since 70ad, but here we see John refer to a temple to measure it. That brings us to verse 1...
11:1) 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.
The piece of land where this third temple will stand on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, is probably the most contested piece of real estate in the world. For thousands of years, there have been many wars over this land and even now, the tension between the Jews, Muslims, and even Christians is immense. But we know who holds the title deed, that is Jesus Christ. He is the owner of this land, and the whole earth, and one day He will set up His throne on this very spot. In fact, the Bible calls this Mount, the Mount of the Lord, Gen 22:14
11:2) 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.
11:3) And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
11:4) These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.
Johns directs our focus to the prophecy of Zechariah 4 to describe these Two Witnesses. The book of Zechariah, specifically chapter 4, but also parts of chapters 1, 2, 3, and 6 are crucial to understanding Revelation chapter 11 and the ministry of the Two Witnesses.
After Cyrus king of Persia conquered the Babylonians in 538bc, he allowed the Jews lead by Zerubbabel to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, Ezra 1:1. In the 2nd year of their release they began building the Temple, Ezra 3:1-11, 4:12, Hag 2:18. But during this time there was much opposition from their adversaries that delayed and prolonged the building of the temple which finally led to a complete stop, Ezra 4:1-24. About 15 years later, 521bc, God sends two Prophets, Zechariah and Haggai, to exhort the Jews and encourage two leaders, Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, to finish the Temple. Zechariah begins with a call of repentance saying, “Return to me, and do not be like your fathers.” Zechariah 1:1-4. God gives them words of comfort and encouragement, Zechariah 1:12-17. This is prophesying of the first coming of Jesus and Him building His Church, His house. But notice there is a surveyor’s line mentioned. Later in 4:10 it is referred to as the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand. This is the plumb line of Jesus. Everything in our life will be measured in accordance with Jesus Christ. He is the Plumb Line. This measuring is prophesied in Zechariah 2. So likewise, John is measuring the Temple and the people, taking an account of their hearts in accordance with Jesus Christ, the Plumb Line.
In connection with the measuring, God sends two men, two witnesses, to perform His work to bring the hearts of the people to God. These two men are described in chapters 3 and 4. First Joshua, the high priest, then Zerubbabel. Let’s start with Joshua in Zechariah 3:6-10. Joshua the high priest is given authority to “judge My house,” and have charge of My courts,” v.7
The vision of Zechariah continues to describe these two witnesses and names Zerubbabel in Zechariah 4:1-14. Verse 14 defines the two olive trees as “sons of the fatness of the olive tree.” Paul uses this same term in Romans 11:17 to describe a Christian as one who is a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree. These two sons in Zechariah’s day were Joshua and Zerubbabel. These were obedient men in that day whom God empowered to perform His work. They were extensions or witnesses of Jesus.
This is God’s pattern with everyone He empowers to do His work, even Moses and Elijah in their day. We have to remember, these men were not great of their own ability, but it was God working through them in His power... Zechariah 4:6- ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.
Someone might ask, “Doesn’t Elijah or Enoch have to come back because they never died physically?” But you have to remember, when the rapture happens, there will be millions of Christians who will never die physically, but we who are alive and remain will be caught up, raptured, and changed into our glorified bodies, 1 Thess 4:17.
So just like John the Baptist, these two witnesses might be in the likeness of Moses or Elijah or even Zerubbabel and Joshua, but they will be normal Jewish believers of that day in which God will empower them to do supernatural things.
PREVIOUS LESSON 43 ← GO TO → NEXT LESSON 45
Now in chapter 11, we continue this interlude, but like the first interlude between the 6th and 7th Seals, we are taken back to the beginning of the Tribulation Week and introduced to these two peculiar people who God calls, His Two Witnesses. Let’s begin by reading the first three verses, Revelation 11:1-3.
Twice, in these three verses, we are given the same length of time, 42 months (v.2) and 1,260 days (v.3). Which is the same as 3-1/2 years (using the Jewish 30 day/month calendar) which is also the same length of time as the phrase, “time, times, and half a time.” These are eschatological time frames designating half of the 7-Year Tribulation. When we come across these phrases, we then have to use context to decide which half it is. In this case, the Two Witnesses are empowered to prophecy the first 3-1/2 years, the antichrist rises to power at the middle of the week and kills them, then the Gentiles will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.
We have to remember, the 7-Year Tribulation begins when the antichrist confirms a covenant with the Jews, for one week, Daniel 9:27, which will be some type of covenant to bring peace to the Middle East, Daniel 11:21-25. At this time, the Jews are allowed to rebuild their temple and begin the daily sacrifices, Daniel 8:11-14; 9:27; 11:31. Something that hasn’t happened for almost 2,000 years, since 70ad, but here we see John refer to a temple to measure it. That brings us to verse 1...
11:1) 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.
- In our timeline of Revelation, we are just before the mid-point of the Tribulation Week,
- but here in this interlude, John is taken back 3-1/2 years to the beginning
- he sees a temple and is told to measure it, specifically the Sanctuary, ναός, the inner court containing the holy of holies, the altar, and those who worship there.
- but here in this interlude, John is taken back 3-1/2 years to the beginning
The piece of land where this third temple will stand on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, is probably the most contested piece of real estate in the world. For thousands of years, there have been many wars over this land and even now, the tension between the Jews, Muslims, and even Christians is immense. But we know who holds the title deed, that is Jesus Christ. He is the owner of this land, and the whole earth, and one day He will set up His throne on this very spot. In fact, the Bible calls this Mount, the Mount of the Lord, Gen 22:14
- 1871bc Mount Moriah- Abraham offers Isaac, Genesis 22:14- the Mount of the Lord
- 1055bc Jerusalem, the city of David. David conquers the Jebusites and takes the land, 2 Sam 5:6-7
- 1016bc David erects an altar on Mount Moriah, 1 Chron 21:18-22:5
- 1004bc Solomon build the Temple, 1 Chron 28 – 2 Chron 8
- 606bc Nebuchadnezzar destroys the Temple, 2 Kings 25:2, Jer 39:1-2
- 537bc (70 years later) Cyrus allows Zerubbabel to rebuild the Temple, Ezra 3:1-11
- 167bc Antiochus Epiphanes desecrates the Temple, Maccabean revolt
- 38bc Herod the Great remodels and expands Zerubbabel’s Temple
- Contemporary with Jesus. “Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” John 2:19
- 70ad Rome destroys Herod’s Temple
- Soon??? The antichrist will establish a covenant with Israel and the 3rd Temple will be built, Daniel 9:27
- Is God pleased with this 3rd temple? Not at all... His people are trampling the blood of Jesus underfoot.
- God is taking an account of this and will bring Judgement on His people...
- to the Jew first then the Gentile, 1 Peter 4:17
11:2) 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.
- John is told not to measure the court of the Gentiles because it has been given to them.
- These are not believing Gentiles. These would be the unbelieving Gentiles in the world
- According to Asher Kaufman, a temple scholar, he suggests a slightly different Temple location than the traditional thinking
- He calls it the “northern conjecture,” which pushes the holy of holies about 100 yards to the north, which would make the Dome of the Rock fall within the Court of the Gentiles.
- This may be what John is referring to and also shows some harmony that the antichrist may be able to bring to that area.
- We are given a time frame... they (Gentiles) will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.
- I believe this is the last 3-1/2 years after the antichrist breaks the covenant and desecrates the Temple. Then the Gentiles will tread the city underfoot completely.
- This “treading” of the Gentiles is spoken of by Jesus in Luke 21:24... And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
- The fullness of the Gentiles is at the end of the 7-Year Tribulation, Romans 11:25-27.
- Here we get a glimpse of the entire 7 years
- Notice the court outside the Temple has been given to the Gentiles.
- For the first 3-1/2 years, the Gentiles are in the outer court and there is peace, then after the middle of the week, the Gentiles trample the city for the last half.
- When was this given to the Gentiles?
- The times of the Gentiles started in 606bc when Nebuchadnezzar conquered the city
11:3) And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
- These Two Witnesses are clothed in sackcloth representing their call to repentance, Jonah 3:5-8; Matt 11:21; Gen 37:34; 2 Sam 3:31; 1 Kings 21:27; Esther 4:3.
- Their length of ministry is the first half of the Tribulation, 1,260 days (3-1/2 years)
- We know this is the first half and not the last half because they are killed when the beast rises out from the bottomless pit and kills them at the middle of the week, v.7.
- In this Revelation, God brings John back to the beginning of the 7-Year Tribulation to take and accounting before the Judgements begin.
11:4) These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.
Johns directs our focus to the prophecy of Zechariah 4 to describe these Two Witnesses. The book of Zechariah, specifically chapter 4, but also parts of chapters 1, 2, 3, and 6 are crucial to understanding Revelation chapter 11 and the ministry of the Two Witnesses.
After Cyrus king of Persia conquered the Babylonians in 538bc, he allowed the Jews lead by Zerubbabel to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, Ezra 1:1. In the 2nd year of their release they began building the Temple, Ezra 3:1-11, 4:12, Hag 2:18. But during this time there was much opposition from their adversaries that delayed and prolonged the building of the temple which finally led to a complete stop, Ezra 4:1-24. About 15 years later, 521bc, God sends two Prophets, Zechariah and Haggai, to exhort the Jews and encourage two leaders, Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, to finish the Temple. Zechariah begins with a call of repentance saying, “Return to me, and do not be like your fathers.” Zechariah 1:1-4. God gives them words of comfort and encouragement, Zechariah 1:12-17. This is prophesying of the first coming of Jesus and Him building His Church, His house. But notice there is a surveyor’s line mentioned. Later in 4:10 it is referred to as the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand. This is the plumb line of Jesus. Everything in our life will be measured in accordance with Jesus Christ. He is the Plumb Line. This measuring is prophesied in Zechariah 2. So likewise, John is measuring the Temple and the people, taking an account of their hearts in accordance with Jesus Christ, the Plumb Line.
In connection with the measuring, God sends two men, two witnesses, to perform His work to bring the hearts of the people to God. These two men are described in chapters 3 and 4. First Joshua, the high priest, then Zerubbabel. Let’s start with Joshua in Zechariah 3:6-10. Joshua the high priest is given authority to “judge My house,” and have charge of My courts,” v.7
The vision of Zechariah continues to describe these two witnesses and names Zerubbabel in Zechariah 4:1-14. Verse 14 defines the two olive trees as “sons of the fatness of the olive tree.” Paul uses this same term in Romans 11:17 to describe a Christian as one who is a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree. These two sons in Zechariah’s day were Joshua and Zerubbabel. These were obedient men in that day whom God empowered to perform His work. They were extensions or witnesses of Jesus.
- God worked through Zerubbabel to build His temple, Zechariah 4:9
- He also worked through Joshua the high priest as a foreshadow of Jesus The High Priest, Zechariah 6:11–13
- Verse 13 speaks of the two offices of Jesus: King and Priest. Joshua and Zerubbabel foreshadow this in their ministries as well.
- Joshua was the high priest representing Jesus as our High Priest, Zech 6:11-13
- Zerubbabel was from the line of Judah representing Jesus as our King, Matt 1:12-16.
- Verse 13 speaks of the two offices of Jesus: King and Priest. Joshua and Zerubbabel foreshadow this in their ministries as well.
This is God’s pattern with everyone He empowers to do His work, even Moses and Elijah in their day. We have to remember, these men were not great of their own ability, but it was God working through them in His power... Zechariah 4:6- ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.
Someone might ask, “Doesn’t Elijah or Enoch have to come back because they never died physically?” But you have to remember, when the rapture happens, there will be millions of Christians who will never die physically, but we who are alive and remain will be caught up, raptured, and changed into our glorified bodies, 1 Thess 4:17.
So just like John the Baptist, these two witnesses might be in the likeness of Moses or Elijah or even Zerubbabel and Joshua, but they will be normal Jewish believers of that day in which God will empower them to do supernatural things.
PREVIOUS LESSON 43 ← GO TO → NEXT LESSON 45