Synopsis: Revelation 11 tells the story of the Church as God’s heavenly temple on earth. Measured by God, the Church belongs to Him and is secured by His care. As God’s temple, the Church is sent into the world to proclaim His Word with power and authority. Yet the witnessing Church will also suffer, because the world hates the convicting light of truth. Still, the enemies of Christ will not prevail forever. One day the trumpet will sound, Christ will return, and the hidden temple will be revealed in glory. At the center of heaven stands Christ, whose blood has redeemed His people forever.

Text: Revelation 11
Date: May 10, 2026

Introduction

Opening Illustration: My wife and my daughters love to watch home makeover shows, where folks come in and transform a house. The shows typically follow a similar pattern. First, they dream up the concept of what they’re going to do. Then they start to construct but typically hit some kind of roadblock. They find termites. Or they find mold. Or the gas line needs replacing. The whole show is done on a timeline. There is a date they must be done by. Then of course there is always the reveal at the end. This is where the eager homeowners see their completed home for the first time, and their mouths drop open in awe.

Temple: The Bible uses building development langauge like this, to describe the Church in this age.

Ephesians 2:20–22 “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”

The Church is growing, not just into any house or building, but into a temple. A temple is the place where heaven and earth overlap each other. We can think the temple imagery throughout the chronology of the Bible.

• Eden was a temple, where Adam would walk with God in the cool of the day.
• The tabernacle was a temple, where Moses would meet with God face to face.
• Jerusalem’s temple was a temple, where priests would intercede for sinful humanity through the sacrifice of animals.
• Today, the Church is now a temple, where God through the Holy Spirit dwells with man.
• One day, the entire new creation will be one magnificent temple, where every shred of sin that separates man from God will be fully expunged from existence.

Context: Today’s chapter in Revelation is all about how God’s Temple (that’s the Church, that’s us) is being constructed, and functions in a hostile world. Remember, Revelation is a very unique book. It is full of symbols and imagery that must be interepreted. While various pastors and theologians have interpreted various chapters differently over the years, the main thrust of the book I believe, is to describe our Church Age (from Christ’s Ascension to the day he returns).

Main idea: The Church is God’s heavenly temple on Earth. Our text makes this point by telling the story of the God’s Temple (the Church) through four major movements.

Meaning & Application

THE TEMPLE IS MEASURED (1-2)

Revelation 11:1–2 “Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.”

In these first few verses, John is commanded to “measure the temple, the altar, and those who worship there.” Those who hold to a futurist interpretation of Revelation believe that this is speaking about a future temple that will be built on this Earth in Jerusalem in the days preceding Christ’s return. But as I’ve said I think this passage, like all of Revelation, is clearly telling the story of the Church, which is God’s temple.

OT Prophets: One of the first things we should recognize that this imagery has been used elsewhere in the Scriptures. So we should take those other places into consideration when interpreting this. In Ezekiel 40-42, the prophet Ezekiel measures every aspect of the temple. And then in Zechariah 2:1-5, the prophet Zechariah measures the city of Jerusalem. The general sense of those passages is that the “measuring” is a symbol for marking God’s people as belonging to him, and being protected by him. And so in our passage, this first image of “measuring” is conveying that God counts and numbers each and every authentic follower of Christ. He has measured the Church and knows its extent.

Illustration – Father: It’s a bit like when my three girls were a little younger and I would them over to Maggie Daley Park on the weekend. It’s just a massive jungle gym with hundreds of people. And as a Dad, its the scariest place on earth. It’s so hard to keep track of your kids. Every person is a bad guy. So constantly, I have my eyes scanning for all three children. And I’ll count “1, 2, 3… 1, 2, 3.” To be measured means to be known, loved, and protected. Church, your heavenly Father has measured you. And his knowledge of you and care for you is deeper and wider and greater than my knowledge and love of my children.

Outer Court: Interestingly, John is commanded not to measure the outer court, but to leave that for the pagan nations to trample. That is fascinating imagery. The “outer court” of the physical temple that used to stand in Jerusalem was called the Court of the Gentiles. It was the closest that a Gentile (non-Jew) was able to get to the actual temple structure.

True/False Believers: Why is John instructed not to measure the outer courtyard. There are a few interpretations. I think he is saying not all who attach themselves to this new temple, that we call the Church, are in fact measured as belonging to the Church. I think he is saying there is a group of folks who call themselves Christians, who appear on the outside to be a part of the temple compound, but they are Christians in title only, and have no actual saving faith, and so when trial and tribulation and suffering comes, their false faith is revealed, and they fall away from the Church, as if they were never a part of it to begin with. Jesus has already warned about this earlier in Revelation 3 when he said to the Church in Laodicea,

Revelation 3:16 “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”

Personal: This introduction therefore is both a comfort and a warning.

Comfort: What a comfort it is to know that you Christian, have been measured. God has counted you as part of His own. That measuring cannot be undone. And what it means is that no matter what comes, Christ will sustain your faith, and secure your salvation.

Warning: But it is also a firm warning to all nominal Christians. It is not enough to simply attend Church, or to call oneself a Christian. If that is far as your faith takes you, then in time the trials of this life will draw you away. I’ve seen it too many times! This morning, are you one who has been measured by Christ, or are you still in the outer courts? Do not wait until it is too late, to confess your sin to God, and to receive the new life that Jesus offers.

The temple is measured.

THE TEMPLE WITNESSES (3-6)

Second, the temple witnesses. Just as in the Old Testament days when there was a physical temple, people would experience God through the preaching and teaching that took place at the temple. So does God’s temple today witness through preaching and teaching to the world..

Revelation 11:3–6 “And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may 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 kind of plague, as often as they desire.”

Futurist: Again, those who hold to a futurist interpretation believe that in the days before Christ two new prophets will be raised up in the final days before Christ’s return, and they will proclaim judgment upon the nations. Some go so far as to say that literal fire will come from their mouth as they speak. Once again, it is important to remember Revelation is a book of symbols. If we take an overly-wooden interpration, we have missed the point.

Observations: What then do these prophets represent. I believe instead that these two “prophets” represent every Christian throughout the Church Age who is sent by God with the message of the Gospel. It’s you, and its me. And what is particularly being highlighted is not only our commissioning, but the very real power and authority that we hold as Christians as we proclaim Christ’s death and resurrection. Consider three observations about these prophets.

Moses & Elijah: First, These two prophets are likened unto Moses and Elijah from the Old Testaement. Verse 6 says they “have the power to shut the sky so no rain would fall.” The prophet Elijah performed such a miracle. Verse 6 then says they “have the power over the waters to turn them into blood” and to strike the earth with plagues. That is precisely what Moses did. I think this is saying that a legitimate authority has been granted to the witnessing Church to proclaim both the coming judgment of the Lord and the grace offered through Christ. Remember how Jesus used hyperbolic language to communicate similarly.

Matthew 17:20 “… For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.””

Fire From Mouth: Second observation, we read that when they prophets are harmed “fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes.” This is describing in very symbolic terms the Ministry of the Word. The “Ministry of the Word” describes every time a Christian speaks God’s Word to the world.

Preaching: So what I’m doing right now is formally the Ministry of the Word. When a preacher preaches a faithful sermon, what God does is that fire comes forth from the preachers mouth, and convicts those who hear it.

SGL: Another form of the Ministry of the Word might be a Small Group Leader, who opens the word of God with their Small Groups. And as they lead the discussion adn provide insight on God’s Word, fire pours forth from their mouth and brings conviction.

Parent: A third form might be when a parent sits down with their child with the Bible opens and instructs their child in the ways of God. Fire comes forth from their mouth and works mightily in their child’s life.

Takeaways: What a commissioning this passage. When you realize the authority that God has granted you, when a Holy Spirit filled Christian wields the Word of God. Christian, be bold and consistent. Have the Word of God always on your lips. Speak it into people’s lives both formally and informally.

The witnessing temple.

THE TEMPLE SUFFERS (7-10)

Third, we read of the suffering Temple. In the days of the Old Testament, when the temple stood in Jerusalem, that structure was attacked and threatened regularly. As the new temple, when we proclaim God’s Word among the nations, the Kingdom of God will indeed take ground, as history has shown. And yet, the nations will rage as we do so. God’s enemies will seek to ruin the Church. The verses we are about to read, outside of the crucifixion and a few other passages are some of the most disturbing in the Bible.

Revelation 11:7–10 “And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth.”

The Beast: This passage makes reference to a “beast from the bottomless pit.” You may recall we were introduced to that beast back in chapter 9, and we identified him there as the Devil, and his demonic horde that wages war against God’s measured saints. You can be sure, that where the Ministry of the Word flourishes, the Devil will throw his most vicious leutenants.

Celebrated: What makes this section particularly disturbing is not that they kill the prophets. It’s what happens in verse 10.

Revelation 11:10 “and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth.”

The nonbelieving world, enflamed by demonic influence, will hate the Church so much, that when the Church is harmed, hurt, killed, they will celebrate as if it were their Christmas. They’ll give each other gifts. The language at the very end of that verse is fascinating. They celerbate because the prophets had “been a torment to those who dwell on the earth.” They hate the Church so much, because the fire of the Word of God preached and taught, convicts them. Isn’t this true Church. I was listening to a woman on the news recently say that she believed the greatest threat to America was Evangelical Christians. This was on a major network. And it wasn’t just a lone ranger. If you’re listening closely, evangelical Christians a routinely identified as the regressive, and the primary problem. I’m in no way playing the victim card here. I’m just stating, that what this text says would happen, is happening.

Why Hated: Why are Christians considered a “torment”? Let me give you a few reasons.

Because we are unbending in our convictions of morality.

Because we preach sin and the need for repentence.

Because we have the Holy Spirit and are not easily sold by worthless ideologies.

Because we have the joy of the Lord, and so more you harass us, the more we count it all joy to share in Christ’s sufferings.

Because we won’t go away. Despite decades of philosophers and scientists stating that the church was going to become obsolete in a few short years. We’re still around. And we’re pretty strong! In fact, cumulatively around the globe, we’re growing!

Church Mandated: I want to take a moment and explain something very important to us about the ethos of this Church over and agains the ethos of many other Churches.

Seeker Sensitive: Many Churches follow what is called a “seeker sensitive model.” Their aim is to never offend a skeptic or a nonbeliever that comes in the door. They believe the best sermons and the best Ministry of the Word should appeal to a nonbeliever, and make them feel good and uplifted. This passage is a big problem for those churches, because this passages says the proper preaching of God’s Words should function in many ways as a torment. Not that there are not beautiful aspects that even a nonbeliever might not cherish. But the word preached properly will convict of sin.

Our Model: We are not a seeker sensitive church. In fact we believe the exact opposite. If you are a nonbeliever or a skeptic in the room today, I am so glad you’re here. I want you to understand, my aim is not to make you feel good and to give you a pep-talk. My aim is to preach God’s Word like fire and to let God’s Word have its way on your life. If I don’t offend in my sermon at some point, then I haven’t done my job. Because if you don’t believe in Christ, you stand condemned by His law. For to simply encourage you would be like the captain of the Titanic tucking their passengers into bed and wishing them a good night sleep, as the Titanic was going down. No! You need to know, if you choose to reject Christ, and continue in your sin, you will perish eternally. But the living God, offers life to any and all who will receive it. Repent of your sin. Believe in Christ.

The Church is measured. The Church witnesses. The Church suffers.

THE REVEALED TEMPLE (11-19)

Lastly, we see the Revealed Temple. Right now, God’s temple (the Church) is like a great monument that is still bein constructed. The scaffolding is still all around the building. There’s great tarps and cranes over different sections. The windows are still all boxed and about to be put in. But one day, the great reveal will happen. We’ll read in two sections. First the remaining verses in chapter 11.

Revelation 11:11–14 “But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. And at 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. The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is soon to come.”

The Rapture: What is being described here is what many theologians have referred to as the Rapture. We read how those who had died in Christ are called out of death to go meet the Lord in the air. There are quite a lot of divisive views about how this will occur, so let me try to teach with some clarity on what we are describing.

Roman Rapture: First of all, the image of the “rapture” has at least some overlap with old Roman practices. In the days of the Roman empire, when a king won a great battle on the battlefield, he would return to the city as a victor. What would happen is he would march to outskirts of the city with his captors in tow. He would then send a trumpeter into the city to announce the king return and the return of their men. At that point, everyone left in the city would leave the city, and go meet the king and their men on the outskirts of the city. And then together, everyone would march back into the city victoriously. The image was that the king was sharing his victory with all of the people. The people who met the king on the outskirts celebrated as if they were the ones who won the battle.

Christian View: This is essentially what will happen at the end of days. Christ will return. As he does so, he will call his saints, both living and dead, from this world to meet him on the outskirts of this Earth. We will rise to meet him. And then together, we will enter into this Earth as victors, Christ sharing his victory that he won on the cross, with us as if we were the ones who won it.

No Intermediate Millennium: That moment will mark the division between “this age” (of the Church), and “the age to come” when Christ returns and ushers in the New Heaven on this Earth, and expunges all evil forever and ever. That transition from “this age” to “the age to come” is what is described in the final verses in this chapter.

Revelation 11:15–19 “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.” Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.”

Kingdom’s Collide: We see in verse 15 that this future when Christ returns will be kingdom transformation. Every square inch of this universe will be filled by the Kingdom of Heaven. We will no longer pray, “your kingdom come your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven” because his kingdom will be have arrived in full. The Temple will be complete.

Elders Prayer: I love the hymns of the 24 elders in verse 17-18. It actually gives a number of interpretive clues that reenforce how we interpreted this chapter.

Who Is / Was: Verse 17 says “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was…” Throughout Revelation so far God has been referred to as the one “who is and who was and who is to come.” But after Christ returns, he is no longer “to come.” He’s arrived! And so the elders simply say “who is and who was.”

Nations Raged: Verse 18 says “the nations raged.” That is summarizing much of what was described in the first 14 verses, where we saw the nations trampling the outer court of the temple, and killing the prophets and celebrating at their death. But that will happen no more. The saints of the Lord will face no more threat.

Wrath: But! “your wrath came.” The day of the Lord will be a sweet and precious day for those who are in Christ. Because for them, the wrath of the Lord against their sin has already been paid in full by Christ. But for those who are outside of Christ’s provision, the Day of the Lord will a day of reckoning, and a day of wrath.

Ark of the Covenant: Verse 19 ends this chapter almost poetically. The curtain is pulled back on this heavenly temple, and none other than the ark of the covenant is seen within. The ark of the covenant was singular place, within the Old Testament physical temple where heaven and earth overlapped. It was the place where annually priests would offer the blood of a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. The ark of the covenant always bore witness to the blood of the sacrifice. And so when John sees the ark of the covenant, in the center of the heavenly temple, he knows what it means. That ark bears witness to the blood of the final sacrifice of Christ, who was the lamb that was slain for the forgivness of sins. His blood stands at the center of heaven bearing witness to testimony of the Church, that they are redeemed in full, and heirs of God’s Kingdom.

The Temple is Revealed

Conclusion

Let me close with a few thoughts of application. If we are God’s temple, then we are supposed to be the place where heaven and earth overlap. Your neighbors, your friends, your family don’t need to go to Jerusalem, to a physical structure, to find God. They only need to go to you. And when they come to you, what will they find?

Will they find somebody who walks deeply with God?

Will they see that you have organized and ordered your life and your family on God’s Word?

Will they see somebody who lives by a different set of values and desires than other people they know?

Will they clearly understand that at the center of your life, is the truth of Christ’s blood that was shed for you on the cross.

O Church, may we take this responsibility with the gravity it deserves.