Context No. 2383 of 4322 · Revelation

Revelation 11:1-6: in context

1A reed like a rod was given to me. Someone said, “Rise and measure God’s temple, and the altar, and those who worship in it. 2Leave out the court which is outside of the temple, and don’t measure it, for it has been given to the nations. They will tread the holy city under foot for forty-two months. 3I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4These are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands, standing before the Lord of the earth. 5If anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies. If anyone desires to harm them, he must be killed in this way. 6These have the power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.

John is handed a measuring reed and told to measure the temple and those who worship in it, while the outer court is left to the nations, who will trample the holy city for a set time. Then God appoints two witnesses to prophesy for one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth, and gives them protection for the length of their testimony.

Strip back the apocalyptic imagery and a steady pattern remains. The witnesses testify in sackcloth, the clothing of mourning and humility, not triumph. And they are kept safe, not from all harm forever, but for the exact duration of the task God gave them. Their days are numbered and their mission is guarded until it is finished. Faithful witness, it turns out, is both humble and secured: unglamorous in its dress, and untouchable until its appointed word has been fully spoken.

Do I trust that God will keep me for as long as the witness he has given me is not yet finished?

Sources

Revelation 11:3: I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.
Revelation 11:5: If anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies.
Acts 1:8: You will receive power... and you will be witnesses to me... to the uttermost parts of the earth.