THE COURT
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All of the prophecy so far has involved just verse one of Revelation 11 ALL . With verse two, the instruction takes another crucial turn. John is not only told what to measure, but what NOT to include—what NOT to measure! This is the most sobering part of the prophecy—and the most critical to your future.
We must understand why ;the court is excluded from the Temple.
Most of God’s people are probably only a little familiar with either Solomon’s or Zerubbabel’s Temple (the same is true of Herod’s renovation). They would likely not know much about differences, for instance, between the main temple building, the inner and outer courts. These differences are all-important and, when understood, present the blueprint for how God’s people are being divided up to the time of final measuring.
When the Bible references ;God’s House in the Old Testament, this always includes more than the main temple building. It always included the two courts surrounding this building, as well as the six gates (three led to the outer court and three to the inner) and all the other structures associated with the temple. Note that virtually all New Testament references to Herod’s Temple refer to activities occurring in the courts, and not the main building.
When Luke 18:10 and Acts 3:1 reference people going to the temple to pray, it has to mean the outer court because, again, only the priests could enter even the inner court, as well as of course the temple itself. When the apostles taught in the temple on a daily basis (Acts 5:42), it also has to mean the outer court for the same reason. Also, Acts 5:12 records the apostles performing ;signs and wonders…among the people…in Solomon’s Porch. This included the noted miracle of the lame man who was healed at ;the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful (Acts 3:2).
I repeat, all these kinds of activities and encounters had to be occurring in the outer court, never the main temple, either the holy place or the holy of holies. The New Bible Dictionary states that there were actually four courts in Herod’s Temple—one for ;the Gentiles, and others for the women, the men of Israel and the Priests, in ascending order of exclusiveness. The temple complex is seen to be much bigger than meets the eye.
In the Old Testament, Solomon’s Temple would have been the same. An example of this is Jeremiah 28:5, which speaks of ;all the people standing with the priests ;in the House of the LORD. This also would have to have been in the outer court because, I repeat, only the priests could enter even the inner court. Today’s parallel is that the royal priesthood of God’s Temple may still freely meet with those in the splinters at places outside that Temple—outside the true Church and Body of Christ.
Filling In a Picture
Other interesting facts are important to be aware of, and prepare us for fascinating understanding. There were 30 different meeting rooms, some extensive, that existed around the periphery of the outer court. These (and other structures) served for various assemblies and dinners, as well as provided locations where people could meet or pray in privacy.
When most think of Jesus overturning the tables ;in the temple, they think of the main building. But this could not have been the case. Yet, even Jesus, a Jew and not a Levite, spoke in John 2 ALL of what was occurring merely in the outer court in this way: ;And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not My Father’s house an house of merchandise (John 2:16).
We will discuss in more detail a little later how the Gentiles are prophesied to overrun ;the court (Rev. 11:2). Historically, the various courts were frequented by a diverse group that included Gentiles and unbelievers who were all permitted into this area. Realize, and this is certainly obvious, that the standards of conduct and the nationalities permitted among those who could enter the outer court were much lower than for the inner court or the main building. The unfaithful and the impure were acceptable visitors. This would have directly contributed to why an atmosphere could develop in which moneychangers would feel comfortable taking up residence.
In fact, there is at least a partial modern parallel existing at the Temple Mount above the Western (;Wailing) Wall today where tourists, Muslims and other non-Jews visit in great numbers what would have been part of the outer court of Herod’s Temple. I have been there twice, toured the two Muslim Mosques on the site, and seen thousands milling and looking around the area in tour groups.
Now consider. Utterly contrary to what Mr. Armstrong ever permitted, it should be seen as no coincidence that, exactly as happened in the liberal years of the mid-1970s, virtually all of the splinters and slivers quickly returned to an ;open door policy in regard to who may attend services.
Finally, you may wish to read the Psalms 48 ALL description of the beauty and majesty of the entire temple complex to read how impressive were the ;towers thereof, as well as ;her bulwarks and ;her palaces (Psalms 48:12-13), to appreciate both the immense size and sheer magnificence of all that was considered to be God’s House—the Temple of God.
Birth of the New Testament Church!
Before continuing, another more than interesting fact of history should be considered. Were you aware that theNew Testament Church began in the outer court of the temple? Most have never considered this, or why. (In fact, this is also seen to be why the apostles would have spent so much time there later.)
Acts 2:1 records that the Church gathered on Pentecost ;with one accord IN ONE PLACE. Acts 2:2 describes God giving His Spirit accompanied by powerful miracles and many speaking in tongues (Acts 2:2-4 ). The next several verses show that great numbers were present from ;every nation, and that they heard what was happening. A near uproar ensued because of it. After 3,000 were baptized, Acts 2:46 adds, ;And they, continuing daily withone accord IN THE TEMPLE, and breaking bread…
While it is more obvious why Pentecost was the time Christ chose to build His Church and give His Spirit, it is also no accident that God would have chosen the physical Temple as the location to bring into existence the New Testament spiritual Temple of God! Where else would have been big enough? Where else would people have thought to gather on a Holy Day, Pentecost? With so many thousands present (again, 3,000 were just the number ready to be baptized in the first day, and these would have almost certainly had mates and children in attendance), a powerful testimonial would have been intended by God to show that an extraordinary SHIFT had taken place in what God considered to be His Temple!
Understand as you read this that the 12 apostles would certainly have remembered John 2:21—Christ declaring that the Temple was His Body—and would have understood all that the apostle Paul later recorded about the Church and Christ’s Body being the Temple of God, as well as His ;House and ;Building. All of these terms would surely have been explained to and understood by those being baptized. Thus, when Christ fulfilled His Matthew 16:18 promise, those who constituted the New Testament now spiritual Temple would have KNOWNthat they did!
How incredibly sad that most with God’s Spirit today no longer understand who is and who is NOT in the Temple of God!
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