Revelation 11

A.M. 4100. A.D. 96.

Here,

(1,) The apostle is directed to measure the temple of God, the altar, and them that worship therein, but to leave the outer court unmeasured, as being given to the Gentiles, with a prediction that they should tread under foot the holy city forty-two months, Revelation 11:1 , Revelation 11:2 .

(2,) Power is given to two witnesses, who should prophesy in sackcloth during twelve hundred and sixty days, Revelation 11:3-6 .

(3,) The beast makes war upon them, prevails against and slays them; but they are raised from the dead after three days and a half, when they arise and ascend into heaven, Revelation 11:7-12 .

(4,) The judgments of God are executed on their enemies, and the second wo is accomplished, Revelation 11:13 , Revelation 11:14 .

(5,) The seventh trumpet sounds, and a revelation is made of glorious events, which should follow, and the triumphs of divine vengeance over the persecutors of God’s people are celebrated, Revelation 11:15-18 .

(6,) The temple of God is opened in heaven, and a view is given of the ark of his covenant, while lightnings, thunders, and an earthquake foreshow the wars and convulsions introductory to those awful events which are to overthrow all antichristian opposers, and prepare the way for the universal reign of righteousness, Revelation 11:19 .

We now enter upon the third period of this prophecy, distinguished by the seven vials, as the former were by seven seals and seven trumpets. This period, being much longer than either of the foregoing, is described more at large, and with greater particularity; and the state of it is represented by several prophetic images or emblems, as by measuring the temple, by the prophesying of two witnesses, by the vision of a woman fleeing into the wilderness, and the representation of one wild beast rising out of the sea, and of another coming up out of the earth. So that here are two distinct representations of the state of the church during this period, and another representation of the persecuting power from whence this afflicted state of the church should proceed; and in the end of this, as in each of the other periods, here is a representation of the church’s deliverance out of its afflicted state. And, in particular, the afflictions of the church are to be terminated with this period, and to be succeeded by the most happy and glorious state of peace and prosperity, of truth, purity, protection, safety, and comfort; and are not to be followed, in a short time, by a new period of troubles and calamities, to try the faith and patience of the saints, as the former deliverances were. In the former part of this chapter, from Revelation 11:1-14, Bishop Newton thinks are exhibited the contents of the little book mentioned in the preceding chapter.