Revelation 11: 1 Commentary

In the beginning of the eleventh chapter of the Revelation of St. John it is said:
“And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
“But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.”

This reed is a Perfect Man Who is likened to a reed, and the manner of its likeness is this: when the interior of a reed is empty and free from all matter, it will produce beautiful melodies; and as the sound and melodies do not come from the reed, but from the flute player who blows upon it, so the sanctified heart of that blessed Being is free and emptied from all save God, pure and exempt from the attachments of all human conditions, and is the companion of the Divine Spirit. Whatever He utters is not from Himself, but from the real flute player, and it is a divine inspiration. That is why He is likened to a reed; and that reed is like a rod — that is to say, it is the helper of every impotent one, and the support of human beings. It is the rod of the Divine Shepherd by which He guards His flock and leads them about the pastures of the Kingdom.

Then it is said: “The angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein” — that is to say, compare and measure: measuring is the discovery of proportion. Thus the angel said: compare the temple of God and the altar and them that are praying therein — that is to say, investigate what is their true condition and discover in what degree and state they are, and what conditions, perfections, behavior and attributes they possess; and make yourself cognizant of the mysteries of those holy souls who dwell in the Holy of Holies in purity and sanctity.

“But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles.”

(Abdu’l-Baha, Some Answered Questions, p. 44)

By V. James (wrote 132 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 6/3/2011 19:20 pm

I may add that even in Rev.11:1, the word “Naos” means the sanctuary; for we have also here in this chapter the reference to the outer court given to the gentiles. So the text does go to be speaking about the material temple.

By Jayant Christian (wrote 287 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 1/29/2010 00:43 am

If we look up different references where the word “Naos” is used for temple, we do find that it is used for the physical temple as well, but it goes to mean the sanctuary,the holy place and the holy of holies.

By Jayant Christian (wrote 287 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 1/28/2010 09:33 am

Can anyone explain what Revelation 11:1 regarding the Temple means…I have been taught over the years that this is talking about a rebuilt Temple that the Jews will build to start their business of worship & so forth(animal sacrifices)& etc..during the Tribulation…but is this correct? the word Temple here i found is naos, meaning a spiritual house not a physical place of worship,which the word heiron does mean..
thanks…for his glory

By searchfor truth (wrote 1 Bible Commentary - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 1/27/2010 19:27 pm