In Revelation 11:1–2, how can the measuring of a temple be taken literally if the historical temple no longer stands?

The Passage in Context

Revelation 11:1–2 states, “Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told: ‘Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there. But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the Gentiles, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.’” These verses appear in John’s prophetic vision, at a point where he describes events leading up to and surrounding the latter portion of the book’s unfolding judgments. While the historical Second Temple in Jerusalem was demolished in AD 70, this command to measure the temple signals a continued divine plan involving a temple structure, even if no physical temple currently stands on the Temple Mount.

Historical Background: The Destruction of the Second Temple

Before evaluating how to take this passage literally, it is crucial to note that the Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans under General Titus in AD 70, as attested by the first-century historian Flavius Josephus (cf. The Wars of the Jews, Book VI). By the time John penned Revelation, typically dated around AD 95, that temple was already gone. Despite its destruction, Revelation 11 portrays a future scenario involving “the temple of God” on earth, leading many interpreters to see these verses as a prophecy of a temple yet to be rebuilt or supernaturally established in Jerusalem.

The Futurist Perspective: A Rebuilt Temple

Many readers hold that Revelation 11 describes a literal, physical temple that will exist in the last days. The forty-two months in Revelation 11:2 coincide with three and a half years, an often-cited period in eschatological passages (see Daniel 9:27 and Daniel 12:11). This same timeframe appears again in Revelation 13:5 regarding authoritative power exercised for forty-two months. Coupled with Paul’s reference in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 to a figure who takes his seat “in the temple of God,” a strong scriptural thread suggests a restored temple in Jerusalem.

Archaeological findings and contemporary movements further highlight the plausibility of such a future building. The Temple Institute in Jerusalem, for example, has devoted considerable attention to researching and manufacturing temple implements. These activities, combined with ongoing scholarly examination of the precise location of the ancient temple platform, indicate genuine interest in and preparation for a future temple. Although no temple stands there now, these developments support the idea that constructing one remains a tangible possibility.

Symbolic Significance of Measuring

In Scripture, the act of measuring may signify demarcation of divine property, protection, or judgment. Ezekiel 40–48 includes elaborate measurements of a visionary temple. Similarly, Zechariah 2:1–2 describes a man “with a measuring line in his hand” planning to measure Jerusalem, symbolizing divine intention and ownership.

Within Revelation 11 itself, the command to measure the temple (the “holy place” and “altar”) while excluding the outer court hints that judgment or exclusion will befall some while the inner area is shielded by God’s hand. The specificity of the measuring underscores a literal structure, since John receives instructions to measure particular features of an actual edifice, including “the altar” and “the worshipers there.”

Examination of Objections

1. “No Historical Temple Remains”

Critics note that the text cannot be literal if the temple is already destroyed. However, many maintain that Revelation points toward future end-times events, making it plausible to expect a new temple built on the Temple Mount. Historical parallels exist: after the First Temple’s destruction, the Second Temple arose under Zerubbabel’s leadership (Ezra 3–6). In the same way, another temple could be constructed on that site under prophetic fulfillment.

2. “Measuring is Purely Symbolic”

Some argue that measuring is metaphorical, portraying God’s moral or covenantal oversight of His people. While there is a symbolic dimension—especially in an apocalyptic text replete with images—such symbolism need not exclude a literal object. Revelation regularly incorporates physical realities alongside visions laden with spiritual meaning (e.g., armies, cities, and judgments that reference real-world events).

3. “No Need for a Temple in the New Covenant”

A theological objection arises from the idea that, since Christ’s work has fulfilled the sacrificial system (cf. Hebrews 10:1–10), a temple rebuilt on earth would be unnecessary. But this text in Revelation does not intend to reestablish the Old Testament sacrificial system as salvific. It indicates a particular eschatological scene, wherein God’s prophetic purposes (including judgment, covenant faithfulness, and a future confrontation with evil) are carried out. This harmonizes with the broader biblical message that salvation is solely through Christ, even if a physical building stands as part of an end-times scenario.

Outside Historical and Christian Writings

Early Christian writers, such as Hippolytus and Irenaeus, interpreted end-times passages as involving a literal temple in Jerusalem. They viewed Old Testament predictions (Daniel 9:27) and New Testament prophecies (Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:4) as complementary, pointing to a future temple desecrated by a final antichrist figure. This perspective was also discussed by later theologians who saw continuity between Daniel’s seventieth week and Revelation’s tribulation period.

The Role of Archaeology and Prophecy

Archaeological discoveries around the Temple Mount compound—such as remnants of the Herodian foundations—testify to the historical presence of a grand temple structure. Researchers continue to debate the exact location of the Holy of Holies. Such studies, combined with accounts in Josephus’s works and the Mishnah, clarify that a robust tradition of temple worship once thrived and could be physically reinstated. While some see these data as purely historical, others connect them to future prophecy and the literal sense of Revelation 11.

Practical Implications

1. Eschatological Preparedness

Revelation 11:1–2 encourages vigilance, underscoring that God’s plans are both precise and unthwartable. Knowledge of a possible rebuilt temple invites readers to remain spiritually alert rather than complacent.

2. God’s Sovereignty Over History

Even though centuries have passed since the Second Temple’s destruction, the measuring represents divine ownership and providential guidance. Scripture repeatedly shows that God orchestrates historical events to fulfill His Word, affirming that the details of Revelation will unfold according to God’s timetables and purposes.

3. Spiritual Worship and Expectation

While the passage implies a future literal structure, believers find encouragement in God’s ultimate authority. Whatever form the temple may take in the last days, the central theme is worship directed to the Creator and Redeemer—the One who rules over all space, times, and events.

Conclusion

The question arises: “How can John literally measure a temple that no longer stands?” The consistent answer from a straightforward reading of Revelation 11 is that this passage anticipates a future temple erected in Jerusalem. Archaeological and historical data confirm the location and feasibility of such a structure. Moreover, the biblical pattern of prophecy—seen in Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and now Revelation—frequently involves literal temple imagery pointing to definitive end-time events.

Even though the Second Temple was demolished in AD 70, this vision in Revelation portrays a scene with a physical temple yet to come, reflecting God’s sovereignty over history and His ability to carry out His plan exactly as foretold. The measuring in these verses symbolizes divine possession, protection, and judgment in a tangible setting. By taking this passage at face value, readers can appreciate both the rich theological meaning behind its imagery and the literal outworking of biblical prophecy that looks ahead to a real, rebuilt temple in the days leading up to the culmination of all things.