The Basics of Bible - Herald of Hope

The Basics of Bible Prophecy
The Construction of the Temple (Rev.11:1-13)
Instructions are given in chapter 11 to measure and build the Temple
at Jerusalem. John is told:
"Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship
therein. But the court which is outside 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 suggests that the Temple will be built in the open space next to
the Gentile mosques, where the foundations of Herod's Temple have
already been located. The Jews plan to build the Temple and collection
of the holy half shekel began in 1997 for this purpose. See Section 5.
The Two Jewish Prophets (Rev.11:3-13)
Two Jewish prophets (witnesses) are associated with the reconstruction
of the Temple and the restoration of Temple worship. These are to
testify for 1,260 days, or three and one half years, clothed in sackcloth
and ashes, which indicates that they are calling Israel to repentance.
We read concerning them:
"These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before
the God of the earth"(Rev.11:4).
This is an obvious reference to "two olive trees" mentioned in
Zechariah's prophecy chapter 4. Here the Temple was being rebuilt
after the Babylonian captivity, and because of opposition from the
Samaritans the work had ceased. The Samaritans had obtained an
international decree from the Persian ruler Artaxerxes to stop the
work (Ezra 4:21). God raised up two Spirit-filled prophets, Haggai
and Zechariah, who urged the people to complete the Temple and
defy the Persian edict. Finally the edict was reversed in the reign of
Darius, and the Temple was completed in 516 BC, twenty years after
its commencement.
These two olive trees provide olive oil to the candlestick, and we read:
"These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole
earth" (Zech.4:14).
During the Tribulation there will be two similar witnesses (prophets)
who will encourage Israel to proceed, in spite of international
opposition, to rebuild the Temple. In 2005 Jews can't pray on the
Temple Mount, but that situation will be reversed, as it was in
Zechariah's day, to allow the Temple to be built.
Some have suggested that these two prophets would be Moses and
Elijah because of similarities in miracles performed. It is more likely
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