In Revelation 11:1–2, John is instructed to measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there, while the outer court is given to the Gentiles to be trampled for forty-two months. Preterists interpret this passage this way:

  1. The Temple as Symbolic of Old Covenant Israel: Preterists view the temple in this passage as symbolizing the physical temple in Jerusalem, which still existed in the first century. The measuring of the temple is seen as an indication of divine preservation and protection over the faithful remnant within Israel.
    • The measuring also indicates a distinction between those faithful to God (the worshippers in the temple) and those outside, symbolizing judgment on the unfaithful Israelites who rejected Christ.
  2. The Outer Court and Judgment on Jerusalem: The outer court given to the Gentiles represents the non-believing Jewish population and the Gentile nations that would participate in the siege of Jerusalem. The forty-two months (three and a half years) is interpreted as a period of judgment leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. This aligns with the time frame of the Roman siege, as well as with the similar period mentioned in other apocalyptic passages (e.g., Daniel 9:27, Luke 21:24).
    • The trampling of the outer court refers to the Roman occupation and the eventual destruction of the temple, marking the end of the Old Covenant.
  3. Judgment on Israel’s Apostasy: The preterist interpretation highlights this passage as describing God’s judgment on Israel’s rejection of Christ, fulfilled in the events leading to the destruction of Jerusalem. The faithful remnant within Israel (those who worship in the temple) are distinguished from the apostate nation that will face divine judgment.

Dispensational Response to Revelation 11:1–2

Dispensationalists like me have a different approach to interpreting Revelation 11:1–2 due to their futurist perspective on the book of Revelation and their insistence on a normal, grammatical, historical interpretation. We see these verses as pointing to future events, specifically the rebuilding of a literal temple in Jerusalem during the Tribulation. Our response includes the following points:

  1. Literal Temple in the Future: We interpret the temple in Revelation 11:1–2 as referring to a future, physical temple that will be rebuilt in Jerusalem. This is based on the conviction that the temple, which was destroyed in A.D. 70, will be reconstructed prior to the second coming of Christ, fulfilling prophecies about the restoration of the temple (e.g., Ezekiel 40–48).
    • The measuring of the temple is seen as a literal act that will occur in the future, signifying God’s protection over the temple during the Tribulation, a period of intense persecution.
  2. The Role of the Two Witnesses: In dispensationalism, Revelation 11:1–2 sets the stage for the appearance of the two witnesses (Revelation 11:3–12), who will prophesy in Jerusalem during the Tribulation. These witnesses will testify to the truth of God and confront the Antichrist, will desecrate the temple. The forty-two months mentioned in verse 2 is associated with the period of the Tribulation, during which the Gentiles will have power over Jerusalem.
    • This period is often understood to be the final half of the seven-year Tribulation, commonly called the Great Tribulation.
  3. Trampling of the Outer Court: The outer court, given to the Gentiles to trample for forty-two months, is interpreted as a reference to the control of Jerusalem by Gentile nations, particularly the Antichrist and his forces during the Tribulation. This aligns with the understanding that, during the Tribulation, the Jewish people and their temple will be under the domination of Gentile powers until Christ returns.
    • The “trampling” is symbolic of the oppressive rule of the Antichrist, who will desecrate the temple and persecute the Jewish people.
  4. God’s Protection of the Faithful Remnant: The measuring of the temple and the faithful worshippers is viewed as a symbol of God’s protection of His people (the Jewish remnant) during the Tribulation. Dispensationalists see this as part of God’s plan to preserve a faithful remnant of Israel during this difficult time.

Key Differences Between Preterist and Dispensational Interpretations

AspectPreterist InterpretationDispensational Interpretation
TempleThe physical temple in Jerusalem, symbolizing God’s judgment on Israel.A literal, future temple to be rebuilt in Jerusalem.
Measuring the TempleIndicates divine protection over the faithful remnant in Israel.Symbolizes God’s protection of the faithful remnant during the Tribulation.
Outer CourtSymbolizes apostate Israel and Gentile participation in the siege of Jerusalem.Represents Gentile control over Jerusalem during the Tribulation.
Forty-Two MonthsRefers to the period of judgment on Israel leading up to A.D. 70.Refers to the final half of the seven-year Tribulation period.
JudgmentJudgment on Israel for rejecting Christ, culminating in A.D. 70.Judgment on the world, especially Israel, during the Tribulation.

Summary

The preterist interpretation of Revelation 11:1–2 sees the measuring of the temple and the trampling of the outer court as symbolic of the judgment on Israel in the first century, specifically, the events leading to the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. For preterists, the temple represents the Old Covenant system, and the judgment is on apostate Israel for rejecting Christ.

In contrast, dispensationalists view this passage as referring to a literal, future rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, which will occur before the second coming of Christ. They interpret the forty-two months as the period of Gentile control over Jerusalem during the Tribulation, with the faithful remnant of Israel being protected by God during this time of great persecution.

Unknown's avatar

Published by Dan Starcevich

Hi, I am Dan Starcevich. I am a husband, father, and grandfather. I live in Windsor Colorado, just north of Denver. Not only do I run TheoFaith but I also serve as a professor at Tyndale Theological Seminary and Bible Institute, and I serve as the academic dean and professor of applied faith at Agathon University. I wasn’t always a theologian. I was in the United States Army for almost 10 years, then spent 30 years in the Aerospace and Defense industry. Thanks to the support of my wife I was also able to get degrees from Hawaii Pacific University (B.S.), The University of Southern California (M.S.), Dallas Theological Seminary (Thm.), and Tyndale Theological Seminary (PhD. and D.min). My deep desire is the see people grow in the knowledge of the Lord through deep, enriching, satisfying engagement with Scripture.

Leave a comment