¶ And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
And {G2532} there was given {G1325} me {G3427} a reed {G2563} like {G3664} unto a rod {G4464}: and {G2532} the angel {G32} stood {G2476}, saying {G3004}, Rise {G1453}, and {G2532} measure {G3354} the temple {G3485} of God {G2316}, and {G2532} the altar {G2379}, and {G2532} them that worship {G4352} therein {G1722}{G846}.
I was given a measuring rod like a stick and told, “Get up, and measure the Temple of God and the altar, and count how many people are worshipping there!
Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there.
And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and one said, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
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Revelation 21:15
And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. -
Ezekiel 42:15
¶ Now when he had made an end of measuring the inner house, he brought me forth toward the gate whose prospect [is] toward the east, and measured it round about. -
Ezekiel 42:20
He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred [reeds] long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place. -
Zechariah 2:1
¶ I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand. -
Zechariah 2:2
Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what [is] the breadth thereof, and what [is] the length thereof. -
Ezekiel 40:1
¶ In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth [day] of the month, in the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither. -
Ezekiel 40:48
And he brought me to the porch of the house, and measured [each] post of the porch, five cubits on this side, and five cubits on that side: and the breadth of the gate [was] three cubits on this side, and three cubits on that side.
Revelation 11:1 marks a pivotal moment in John's vision, shifting focus from the trumpets of judgment to a scene of divine measurement and protection. This verse introduces a symbolic act that has profound implications for understanding God's plan amidst the tribulation.
Context and Setting
This verse immediately follows the sounding of the seventh trumpet in Revelation 10:7, which announced the completion of God's mystery. The scene transitions to John receiving a "reed like unto a rod," an instrument for measuring. The command from the angel to "measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein" sets the stage for the narrative of the two witnesses and the fate of Jerusalem. Interpretations of the "temple" vary, ranging from a literal rebuilt temple in Jerusalem during the end times to a symbolic representation of the church or God's true people. In ancient cultures, measuring could signify ownership, preparation for construction, or demarcation for preservation or judgment.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "measure" is metreo (μετρέω), meaning to measure out, to apportion, or to estimate. This implies a precise and intentional divine action, not a casual observation. The term "reed" is kalamos (κάλαμος), referring to a measuring rod, typically a long stalk or cane. The word translated "temple" here is naos (ναός), which specifically refers to the inner sanctuary or the holy place itself, where God's presence dwells, as opposed to the broader temple complex or precincts (hieron). This distinction is crucial for interpreters, as it suggests the measurement is focused on the most sacred part, or perhaps, the spiritual essence of God's dwelling and His people.
Practical Application
Revelation 11:1 offers a profound assurance for believers today. Even in times of great turmoil, uncertainty, or perceived chaos, God remains sovereign and active. He meticulously identifies and protects those who truly worship Him. This verse reminds us that our identity in Christ is secure, and God's watchful eye is upon His faithful. It encourages us to strive to be among "them that worship therein," living lives dedicated to Him, knowing that He preserves His own, even as the world faces increasing challenges. Our spiritual standing before God, characterized by genuine worship and faithfulness, is what ultimately matters and is what God recognizes and preserves for eternity.