Revelation 11: 2 Commentary

FORTY TWO MONTHS & THE WILDERNESS IS THIS A CORRECT VIEW?

“The 42 months in Revelation 11:2 and 13:5 has been associated with the 42 different camps of Israel on their way to the promised land, listed in Numbers 33. They “pitched in Succoth;” … “pitched in Etham;” … “pitched before Migdol;” … “pitched in Marah;” … “came unto Elim … and they pitched there;” … “encamped by the Red sea;” … “encamped in the wilderness of Sin;” … “encamped in Dophkah;” … “encamped in Alush;” … “encamped at Rephidim;” … “pitched in the wilderness of Sinai;” … “pitched at Kibrothhattaavah;” … “encamped at Hazeroth;” … “pitched in Rithmah;” … “pitched at Rimmonparez;” … “pitched in Libnah;” … “pitched at Rissah;” … “pitched in Kehelathah;” … “pitched in mount Shapher;” … “encamped in Haradah;” … “pitched in Makheloth;” … “encamped at Tahath;” … “pitched at Tarah;” … “pitched in Mithcah;” … “pitched in Hashmonah;” … “encamped at Moseroth;” … “pitched in Benejaakan;” … “encamped at Horhagidgad;” … “pitched in Jotbathah;” … “encamped at Ebronah;” … “encamped at Eziongaber;” … “pitched in the wilderness of Zin, which is Kadesh;” … “pitched in mount Hor;” … “pitched in Zalmonah;” … “pitched in Punon;” … “pitched in Oboth;” … “pitched in Ijeabarim, in the border of Moab;” … “pitched in Dibongad;” … “encamped in Almondiblathaim;” … “pitched in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo;” … “pitched in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho;” … “pitched by Jordan, from Bethjesimoth even unto Abelshittim in the plains of Moab.”

“These 42 different camp sites help to show what the wilderness represents in Revelation 12:6 and 14. Like the Israelites who moved from place to place, the church also has not attained her permanent spiritual “land,” but is still being taught, and led, often in a roundabout way, to her final destination, the promised “rest,” and the eternal inheritance of the saints.”

“Illustrations of this occur when individual Christians abandon formerly held interpretations, and systems of interpretation, for a different view, or leave the denomination they were brought up in, and become aligned with another. The wilderness for us is the unsettled state, of seeking our promised land, not having attained it already.”

SOURCE: vinyl2.sentex.net/-tcc/GR/ww.html.

By TIUCHE (wrote 2744 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 6/25/2011 14:46 pm

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 20:31 pm