Heaven Prepared for You

Revelation 11:1-3 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
 
GOD has frequently directed his prophets to participate in a vision he is giving them. John measuring the temple is very similar to Ezekiel measuring the restored Jerusalem temple in a vison in Ezekiel 43:2-10. God used Ezekiel to encourage the Jews in exile that they would one day build a new temple in Jerusalem. God would prepare a place for them to worship him.
   In a like manner, God used John to measure the temple of God in Heaven. It represents the current and future eternal reign of God. God wants his church on earth to know he is protecting them. He has a place prepared for them to worship him. One day they will come out of “exile” from a sin-broken world to live in God’s holy temple forever.  
   The “outer court” in the Jerusalem temple was the place for Gentiles. Here, “Gentiles” is a general term for the nations of the world coming against God’s church. They are the unbelievers and even church “members” who reject Jesus and attack his servants. God will allow these opposing nations to trample – to persecute – his church for 42 months, the same time the two witnesses will prophesy. God continually tells the faithful he will protect them through the trials before the final judgment.
   This has been the church’s battle since Pentecost. As we see many signs now of terrible persecution against the church, we can trust that God will act at an appointed time. He will send two witnesses to call people to salvation against great opposition. We’ll learn more of these two as we continue.
   We can understand in the Revelation of Jesus Christ that God has ordained a time for suffering and a time for victory. See this vision as God’s call to you. Measure your life with God’s righteousness. Live as a living temple of God prepared to worship at Heaven’s altar. Be a witness for Jesus.  
 
Prayer: Teach me, Jesus, to measure my life in relationship to your truth. I pray I am a good witness for your salvation. In your name I pray, amen.