Revelation 11:1

The present chapter gives the contents of the little book expressed in two striking emblems, the measuring of God's temple, and the prophesying of the two witnesses.

A reed like unto a rod-measure the temple-and them that worship; compare Ezekiel 40:3, etc. The holy city, Jerusalem, with its temple and court, represents the body of those who profess Christianity: measuring denotes God's act of acknowledgment and approval; leaving unmeasured, his act of rejection. The temple and altar therefore, with their attendant worshippers, represent "the Israel of God," whom he owns as his true people; while the outer court of the temple and the city thronged with Gentiles, represent the multitude of both church officers and people who are Christian only in name. The whole symbol represents a period during which there would be some spiritual worshippers among the professed followers of Christ, while multitudes would be given up to spiritual darkness, idolatry, and death.