The Revelation

Revelation 11, Part 1: God’s Measured People and Their Witness
Lesson 18 Bobby Stafford

Revelation 11, Part 1: God’s Measured People and Their Witness

Introduction:
Revelation 11:1–10 reveals how God measures, protects, and empowers His people even in seasons of persecution. This lesson encourages believers to remain faithful, reminding us that God limits the time of suffering and assures victory to His church through the power of His Word.

The Setting of Persecution
As the first century closed, Christians faced severe persecution under the Roman Empire. The imperial cult demanded emperor worship, and refusal often brought imprisonment or death. Revelation’s message to those believers—and to us—is simple and strong: God is in control. The empire may roar, but the Lord reigns. The church will not be overcome; Christ’s people will prevail through faithfulness and perseverance (Revelation 1–3).

Measuring the Sanctuary—God’s Protection and Ownership
John was given a reed to measure “the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there” (Revelation 11:1). The word used here refers to the sanctuary, not a literal temple. Measuring throughout Scripture symbolizes protection, ownership, and special care (Ezekiel 40–43; Zechariah 2:1–5). God is marking His people as His own. The altar represents prayer and worship, and those measured are the faithful saints whom God knows by name (Revelation 7:1–3; 2 Timothy 2:19). Even while persecution raged, God’s people were secure in His care.

The Outer Court and the Limited Time of Trouble
John was told not to measure the outer court, for it was “given to the Gentiles,” who would “tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months” (Revelation 11:2). The time period—forty-two months, 1,260 days, or three and a half years—is symbolic of a limited season. It reflects Daniel’s “time, times, and half a time” (Daniel 7:25; 12:7). Persecution would be intense, but temporary. God sets the boundaries. Evil does not rule indefinitely. Christians in the first century needed to know that suffering had an end—and so do we.

The Two Witnesses—The Church’s Prophetic Role
God promises, “I will give power to My two witnesses, and they will prophesy 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth” (Revelation 11:3). These witnesses symbolize the church bearing divine testimony in a hostile world. The number two signifies valid witness and strength (Deuteronomy 19:15; Mark 6:7). Their sackcloth attire conveys humility, repentance, and moral urgency. The true church preaches repentance to a world darkened by sin. Prophecy here means proclaiming the revealed Word of God—not new prediction, but divine truth delivered with authority (Acts 2:42; 4:31).

Olive Trees and Lampstands—God’s Supply and the Church’s Light
“These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth” (Revelation 11:4). This echoes Zechariah 4, where the prophet saw a lampstand supplied by two olive trees symbolizing continual oil—the Spirit’s power—to sustain the light. The church is God’s lampstand (Revelation 1:20), and its light is truth. God continually supplies His people with strength through His Spirit and Word (Zechariah 4:6; Matthew 5:14–16). No darkness can extinguish that light.

The Power and Purpose of Their Testimony
“If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies” (Revelation 11:5). This image is not literal but describes the spiritual power of the Word (Jeremiah 5:14; Hebrews 4:12). Like Elijah and Moses, these witnesses symbolize God’s authority over nature and nations (1 Kings 17:1; Exodus 7–10). Their message convicts, exposes, and judges sin. The gospel pierces hearts and tears down false strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4–5). Persecution could not silence their message—it only spread it further (Acts 8:1–4).

Apparent Defeat and Temporary Triumph of Evil
“When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them” (Revelation 11:7). The beast represents Rome’s corrupt power energized by Satan. The “great city,” spiritually called Sodom (moral corruption) and Egypt (bondage and oppression), “where also our Lord was crucified,” portrays the godless world united in rebellion (Revelation 11:8). The world rejoiced when the church seemed defeated—celebrating, exchanging gifts, and mocking the silence of truth (Revelation 11:9–10). Yet the duration of their apparent victory—three and a half days—is brief and symbolic. God’s people may appear struck down, but their testimony is never extinguished.

Encouragement to the Faithful
For Christians in the first century, these visions were a lifeline of hope. God measured His people for preservation. He limited the enemies’ time. He empowered their witness. He would avenge their suffering and vindicate their faith. The same truths strengthen us today. God still hears the prayers of His saints (Revelation 8:3–4). He still limits evil’s reach. He still supplies His witnesses. And He still reigns over every empire.

Revelation 11: God’s Measured People and Their Witness Sermon Outline:

Text: Revelation 11:1–10
Theme: God marks His people, empowers their testimony, limits the enemies’ time, and assures ultimate victory.

I. Orientation and Setting

• A. Audience under pressure: late first-century Christians facing imperial cult persecution (Revelation 1–3).

• B. Revelation’s pastoral aim: strengthen faith and announce God’s certain justice (Revelation 6–8; 10).

• C. Key movement in this section: an interlude between trumpet judgments, offering hope and perspective (Revelation 10–11).

II. The Measuring of the Sanctuary — Ownership, Protection, Purpose (Revelation 11:1)

• A. The “temple” term points to the sanctuary (naos)—the holy place of God’s presence.

• B. Measuring in Scripture signals possession, protection, and intent (cf. Ezekiel 40–43; Zechariah 2:1–5).

• C. What is measured:

  1. The sanctuary — God’s presence with His people.

  2. The altar — worship, sacrifice, and prayer (Revelation 8:3–4).

  3. The worshipers — God knows and seals His own (Revelation 7:1–3; 2 Timothy 2:19).

• D. Pastoral implication: God marks His church for preservation and mission amid storm.

III. The Unmeasured Court and the Limited Time of Trouble (Revelation 11:2)

• A. The outer court “given to the Gentiles” — sphere of profanation outside the guarded inner worship.

• B. “Forty-two months” = 3½ years / 1,260 days / time, times, and half a time — symbolic limited period (Daniel 7:25; 12:7; Revelation 12:6, 14; 13:5).

• C. Treading the holy city = real pressure upon the visible people of God, yet under divine limits.

• D. Comfort: oppression has a boundary set by God; it does not run free.

IV. The Two Witnesses — Identity, Clothing, and Duration (Revelation 11:3)

• A. Identity: a corporate portrait of the church bearing faithful testimony.

• B. “Two” establishes valid witness and strength in mission (Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16; Mark 6:7).

• C. “Clothed in sackcloth” — posture of repentance, grief, urgency; the church calls the world to turn (Joel 1:13–14).

• D. Duration: 1,260 days — the same limited season of affliction; the church’s witness persists through it.

V. Olive Trees and Lampstands — Supply and Shine (Revelation 11:4; Zechariah 4)

• A. Olive trees — continual Spirit-supplied provision for God’s work (Zechariah 4:6).

• B. Lampstands — the church as the light-bearer of divine truth (Revelation 1:20; Matthew 5:14–16).

• C. Standing “before the God of the earth” — ministry lived in God’s presence and authority.

VI. Mandate and Means of Ministry — The Word’s Power (Revelation 11:5–6)

• A. “Fire from their mouth” — the judging, consuming power of the spoken word (Jeremiah 5:14; Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17).

• B. Elijah-Moses motifs:

  1. Shutting the heavens (1 Kings 17:1; James 5:17–18).

  2. Turning waters to blood / plagues (Exodus 7–10).

• C. The point: God arms His church with prophetic authority; the gospel exposes idols, convicts conscience, and topples pretensions (Acts 4:31; 2 Corinthians 10:4–5).

• D. History’s lesson: persecution often amplifies gospel spread (Acts 8:1–4).

VII. Apparent Defeat — Mission Complete, Beastly Assault, Public Scorn (Revelation 11:7–10)

• A. “When they finish their testimony” — mission completion precedes suffering’s climax; timing rests with God.

• B. The beast from the abyss wages war and kills — imperial power animated by satanic malice (anticipating Revelation 12–13; 17).

• C. The “great city” spiritually called Sodom (moral corruption) and Egypt (bondage/oppression), “where also our Lord was crucified” (Roman authority at Jerusalem) — a composite symbol of God-opposing culture.

• D. Public spectacle and celebration: bodies unburied, global gloating, gift-giving — the world cheers the silencing of truth (Revelation 11:9–10).

• E. “Three and a half days” — brief, bounded humiliation; God still holds the clock.

VIII. Assurances for Suffering Saints

• A. God measures His people — ownership, protection, purpose (Revelation 11:1; Revelation 7:3).

• B. God limits the oppressor — forty-two months cannot become forty-three (Revelation 11:2; Daniel 7:25).

• C. God empowers witness — olive-oil supply, lampstand light, Spirit-boldness (Zechariah 4:6; Acts 4:31).

• D. God uses the word to conquer — the sword of the Spirit advances through proclamation (Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17).

• E. God secures the outcome — apparent defeat never cancels completed testimony (Revelation 2:10).

IX. Applications

• A. Pray with confidence; God has measured you and hears you (Revelation 8:3–4; 2 Timothy 2:19).

• B. Proclaim with clarity; keep the word central in every season (Acts 5:42; 2 Timothy 4:2).

• C. Persevere with endurance during the “forty-two months”; the limit is real (Hebrews 10:36; Revelation 13:10b).

• D. Pursue holiness; lampstands shine through holy lives and sound doctrine (Matthew 5:16; Titus 2:7–8).

• E. Prepare for reproach; public scorn does not define the church’s future (1 Peter 4:12–14).

X. Invitation

• A. Obey the gospel—believe, repent, and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

• B. Renew faithfulness—seek strength to witness and endure; trust Christ’s promise of life (Revelation 2:10).

Call to Action:
Be one of God’s measured people—known, sealed, and sustained by His Spirit. Let your life bear faithful witness even in adversity. When trials come, remember that your hardships have limits and that your prayers rise before the throne. If you have not obeyed the gospel, come to Christ today—believe, repent, and be baptized for the remission of sins. If you are already a Christian, remain faithful, steadfast, and immovable, knowing your labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Key Takeaways:

• God measures and protects His people—He knows those who are His (Revelation 11:1; 2 Timothy 2:19).

• Persecution has limits; God sets boundaries to every trial (Revelation 11:2; Daniel 7:25).

• The church’s calling is to bear prophetic witness in the world (Revelation 11:3; Acts 4:31).

• God continually supplies His church with power through His Spirit and Word (Revelation 11:4; Zechariah 4:6).

• The Word of God is living, active, and conquering (Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17).

• Evil’s victory is temporary—faithfulness leads to eternal triumph (Revelation 11:7–10; Revelation 2:10).

Scripture Reference List:

• Revelation 11:1–10 — Measuring the sanctuary, two witnesses, limited persecution.

• Revelation 7:1–3 — God seals His servants for protection.

• Ezekiel 40–43; Zechariah 2:1–5 — Measuring as a symbol of divine ownership.

• Daniel 7:25; 12:7 — Time, times, and half a time—bounded oppression.

• Zechariah 4:1–14 — Olive trees and lampstand supplied by God’s Spirit.

• Jeremiah 5:14; Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17 — Power of the Word.

• Acts 8:1–4 — Persecution scattering believers and spreading the gospel.

• Matthew 5:14–16 — The church as the light of the world.

• Revelation 2:10 — Faithfulness unto death rewarded with the crown of life.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO

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