Chapter Twenty-Five -Reviving the Two Witnesses

Measuring the Temple Sanctuary

John is told to "measure the temple sanctuary of God and the altar and those worshiping in it." What does this imply?  In the Hebrew Scripture prophecies, such measuring provided  a guarantee that justice tempered with mercy, would be rendered on the basis of Jehovah's perfect standards.  In the  days of wicked King Manasseh, the prophetic measuring of Jerusalem testified to an unalterable  judgment of destruction on that city.  (2 Kings 21:13; Lamentations 2:8)  Later, however, this confirmed that the city would be rebuilt.  (Jeremiah 31:39; see  also Zechariah 2:2-8) Likewise, the extensive and detailed measuring of the visionary temple witnesses by Ezekiel was a guarantee to the Jewish exiles in Babylon that true worship would be restored   in their homeland. It was also a reminder that, in view of their errors, Israel henceforth had to measure up to God's holy standards. -Ezekiel 40:3, 4; 43:10.

Therefore, when John is commanded to measure the temple sanctuary and those priests worshiping in it, it is a sign that nothing can prevent the fulfillment of Jehovah's purposes regarding the temple arrangement and those associated with it, and that those purposes are nearing their climax.  Now that all things have been placed under the feet of Jehovah's strong angel, it is the time for "the mountain of the house of Jehovah" To become "firmly established above the top of the mountains." (Isaiah 2:2-4)  Jehovah's pure worship must be exalted, after centuries of Christendom's apostasy. It is also time for those of Jesus' faithful brothers who have died to be resurrected into "the Holy of Holies."  (Daniel 9:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16; Revelation 6:11; 14:4) And the last  sealed ones on earth of "the slaves of our God" must be measured according to the divine standards in order to qualify for their permanent place in the temple arrangement as spirit-begotten sons of God. The John class today is fully aware of those holy standards and is determined to measure up to them. -Revelation 7:1-3; Matthew 13:41, 42; Ephesians 1:13, 14; compare Romans 11:20.

Next time: Chapter Twenty-Five -Reviving the Two Witnesses -The Trampling of the Courtyard

From the book of Revelation