Jesus and the Tribulation: The Measuring of the Temple and the Two Witnesses

John had a vision of the measurements of the temple. 1-2

1 Then there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, “Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it.

2 “Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months.

God has a specific design for worship.

God has a specific direction for worship.

God has specific disciples for worship.

And those who worship in it and leave out the court that is outside the temple

John had a vision of the two messengers of the tribulation.  3-14

It was a special period of ministry. 3a

3 “And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

It requires a special posture for ministry. 3b

...clothed in sackcloth.”

It requires a special presence for ministry.  4

4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.

It requires a special protection for ministry. 5

5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire flows out of their mouth and devours their enemies; so if anyone

It requires a special power for ministry.  6

6 These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.

It results in satanic persecution of ministry. 7-10

7 When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them.8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.

9 Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

It results in supernatural proof of ministry.  11-12

11 But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them.

12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them.

It results in a sovereign preservation of ministry. 13-14

13 And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe is past; behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

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