IT Iz FINISHED with Dr. K L Rich (DMin)

The Measurement of the Temple

“Then I was given a measuring stick, and I was told, 'Go and measure the Temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers.' "But do not measure the outer courtyard, for it has been turned over to the nations. They will trample the holy city for 42 months”

(Revelation 11:1-2).

Every building ever built has had a designer, such as an architect. An architect plans, designs, and manages the construction of residential homes, urban landscapes, commercial buildings, public spaces, and other various structures. They bring the client’s vision to life by developing project models and creating functional and environmental solutions meeting technical and regulatory standards.[1] From the Egyptian pyramids to the Eiffel Tower, a single designer or a team of designers had to come together to bring the vision to fruition, which involved measurements, calculations, and more.

The Apostle John, although not the architect, had been given a measuring rod and was told to measure the temple of God and the altar with its worshipers. However, he was not to measure the outer court, for it had been given over to the Gentiles. According to many biblical scholars, this verse about the measurement of God’s temple and altar symbolizes God’s people being measured for protection and preservation against spiritual harm. This does not mean they will not be martyred or undergo various trials and temptations, but the worshipers' measurement signifies their membership in the heavenly spiritual temple, despite earthly events, and their eternal security.[2] Yet, John was not permitted to measure the outer court.

During biblical times, the temple’s outer court was called the Court of the Gentiles because this was the only part of the temple that non-Jews were able to assemble, as they were considered impure. This was the area where they could also exchange money; Jews could purchase sacrificial animals; women could worship; and it contained the money boxes for the poor. Furthermore, the outer court was where Jesus drove out the money changers, whom He rebuked as thieves and robbers (Matthew 21:12-13; John 2:13-17). Therefore, the outer court was symbolically depicted in Revelation as the place where sinners would be, thus all who rejected the Lord. These spiritual rejects would come against the Lord’s people.

In today’s time, we have people who proclaim to be the temple of God, but they are nothing more than Gentiles living in the outer courts full of sin and debauchery. The Gentiles are those who do not adhere to the Lord’s commands and decrees, but instead, live according to their sinful desires. The Bible says: “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Such people who continue in sin will not find themselves in the inner courts of the Lord’s kingdom.

There is an organization called “The Temple Institute,” whose primary goal is to rebuild the Third Temple in Jerusalem. During David’s reign as King of Israel, God gave him instructions through the prophet Nathan regarding the building of the first temple. However, David would not be the one to build it, but his son, Solomon, who later became king, would do so (1 Chronicles 22:8-10). Unfortunately, Judah rebelled against God, so He allowed the Babylonian King, Nebuchadnezzar, to overtake them. This was around 587 B.C., when the first temple was destroyed. 70 years later, it was rebuilt under the reign of King Darius.

In 66 A.D., the Jewish people rebelled against the Roman Empire, which at the time controlled them. However, in 70 A.D., the Romans, under the leadership of Titus, destroyed the Second Temple and most of Jerusalem. This leads us to today, where there will be a rebuilding of the third temple in accordance with Bible prophecy. Now, how does this third temple relate to what John saw in his vision? In the media, there have been talks of a two-state solution with regard to peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The fight for Jerusalem and the annihilation of Israel continues today. Just as the Jews were despised in the days of old, there is a bitter taste in the mouths of most Middle Eastern countries against modern-day Jews.

The United States Government has been in a major push towards this seemingly peaceful effort. This means that Jerusalem will be divided. However, the Word of God warns against all who have a part in this divide. The Bible says: “I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land” (Joel 3:2). This divide will take place because it has already been prophesied and the Bible must be fulfilled.

The Temple Institute is working towards the rebuilding of the Third Temple. All the pieces, including the red heifer, are in place for the fulfillment of this prophecy. However, if there is a two-state solution, this may cause a problem with other nations and religions, predominantly Islamic, once the temple is built. They will want rights to the temple, and therefore, this would be the part of the prophecy, according to most biblical scholars, where the Gentiles trample on the holy city for 3 ½ years.

[1] Sokanu Interactive Inc., "What Does an Architect Do?," Career Explorer, last modified May 5, 2023, https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/architect/.

[2] Brent Kercheville, "Measure The Temple (Revelation 11:1-2) – Revelation Made Clear," Revelation Made Clear – Bible Study in the Book of Revelation, last modified 2025, https://thebookofrevelationmadeclear.com/revelation-bible-study/measure-temple.html.