03.16. Lesson 16
Lesson 16:Read Revelation 11:1-19 at least three times, without referring to notes or commentaries. Recall that we are between the 6th and the 7th trumpets; the 6th trumpet was blown in Revelation 9:13. Look back at the end of Revelation 6:1-17 and Revelation 7:1-17 to remind yourself of what happened between the 6th and 7th seals.
(1) Think about the chapter as a whole. What images here must be symbolic? Which are possibly literal?
(2) Consider Revelation 11:1-2. What is John told to measure? What is he told not to measure? In Revelation 11:2, what is the explanation given for his not measuring? What does this tell you about the concept behind the measurement? Ezekiel 40:1-49; Ezekiel 41:1-26; Ezekiel 42:1-20; Ezekiel 43:1-27; Ezekiel 44:1-31; Ezekiel 45:1-25; Ezekiel 46:1-24; Ezekiel 47:1-23; Ezekiel 48:1-35 records the measuring of a temple (I don’t suggest you read all that!); see also 2 Corinthians 6:16 and Zechariah 2:1-13 for measuring the temple. Daniel 9:25-27; Daniel 12:7-12 mention similar periods of time to the 42 months referred to here.
(3) Study the other references to “temple” in Revelation: Revelation 3:12, Revelation 7:15,, Revelation 11:19, Revelation 14:15, Revelation 14:17, Revelation 15:5-6, Revelation 15:8, Revelation 16:1, Revelation 16:17, and Revelation 21:22. See also Revelation 12:6, Revelation 12:14, and Revelation 13:5 for references to the same length of time. Look also at Daniel 8:11-14. What insights do these references give you into what is happening here?
(4) List the characteristics of the witnesses, as described in Revelation 11:3-6. Are you reminded of any Old Testament characters? (No, I’m not going to give it away by listing verse references!) Why are they described as olive trees and lampstands? Where has the word “lampstand” been used before in Revelation? What did it mean then? What useful substance do olive trees yield? Think about this, then look at Zechariah 4:1-14.
(5) How can you tell in Revelation 11:7 that God remains in control, even though his witnesses are killed? Look back to Revelation 9:1-21 for the abyss.
(6) What was characteristic of Sodom and Egypt? Why does God use these terms for (literal or figurative) Jerusalem? How would you describe the reaction of the residents of this city to the death of the witnesses? To their resurrection?
(7) Note the allusion in Revelation 11:11 to Ezekiel 37:10, which reads in the LXX kai. eivsh/lqen eivj auvtou.j to. pneu/ma kai. e;zhsan kai. e;sthsan evpi. tw/n podw/n auvtw/n. What does Ezekiel 37:1-28 picture? How might that help us understand who the witnesses refer to?
(8) Look at the end of Revelation 6:1-17 and the end of Revelation 9:1-21; compare those sections to Revelation 11:13. When the people give "glory to the God of heaven," are they repenting and turning to God? See also how Nebuchadnezzer responds in Daniel 2:46-47; Daniel 4:37. Were these examples of true repentance?
(9) The seventh trumpet sounds in Revelation 11:15. Once more John sees a picture of heaven. How would you describe the impact of the seventh trumpet? Consider Revelation 11:18 especially. Compare the title of God given in Revelation 11:17 to Revelation 4:8, in English and in Greek. What is different? Why?
(10) Think again about the 6th and 7th seals, and what happens between them. In what way are the 6th and 7th trumpets, and what happens between them, similar? In what way are they different?
(11) Revelation 1:3 tells us that the one who "heeds what is written" in this book will be blessed. What are we to heed from this chapter? What difference does this chapter make in the way we live our lives?
(12) Think again about the literal and symbolic elements of this chapter. Can you come to a conclusion about this issue? Does your conclusion have an impact on your answer to question 9? You may want to look at Matthew 24:11-14 and Matthew 24:27-31.
Now read Stedman chapter 17 as well as Wilcock pages 103-109. Wilcock page 108 is really excellent. Revise your answers, if necessary, in light of the insights of these two commentators.