Revelation 11:1

Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod.  And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.

• ·        The design of this measurement seems to be the preservation of it in those times of public danger and calamity that are here foretold.  (MH)

• ·        How much was to be measured.  1.  The temple, the gospel church in general.  2.  The altar.  Whether the church was the true altars.  3. The worshippers too must be measured, whether they make God’s glory their end and his word their rule.  (MH)

Ezekiel 40:3  He took me there, and behold, there was a man whose appearance was like the appearance of bronze.  He had a line of flax and a measuring rod in his hand, and he stood in the gateway.

Zechariah 2:1  Then I raised my eyes and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand

Revelation 10:11

And he said to me, “You must prophesy again about many people, nations, tongues, and kings.”

• ·        This book of prophecy was not given him merely to gratify his own curiosity, but to be communicated by him to the world (MH)

• ·        Whatever the content of the scroll, it is connected to John’s command to prophesy to all men. This is not a message just focused to the church. (DG)

• ·        John’s prophecy speaks of the fate of the entire world, not just one nation, empire or emperor, such as the Roman Empire.  (DG)

Jeremiah 1:9, 10  Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me:  “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.  See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant.”

Ezekiel 11:4  Therefore prophesy against them, prophesy, O son of man!

Revelation 10:10

Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth.  But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter.

• ·        When this book of prophecy was more thoroughly digested by the apostle, the contents would be bitter; these were things so awful and terrible, that the foresight of them would not be pleasant. (MH)

• ·        Any effective communicator of God’s Word has experienced both the sweetness and bitterness that is associated with His Word (DG)

Jeremiah 15:16  Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord GOD of hosts.

Ezekiel 2:10  Then he spread it before me; and there was writing on the inside and on the outside, and written on it were lamentations and mourning and woe.