Page 80 - Satan in the Sanctuary

82 Satan in the Sanctuary

So, again, we must have the Temple to complete the
picture of things to come. Nothing less than the rebuilding
of the Temple sanctuary itself will satisfy these exacting
prophecies.
John's fascinating Revelation also contains reference to
the Tribulation Temple:
And there was given to 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
(Rev 11:1-2).
So, in the midst of the section of Revelation that de-
scribes the tribulation period (chapters 4-19) a Temple
appears. John is to measure it—not the general grounds
which the Gentiles tread, but the Temple building proper;
the naos. The altar and the worshipers are to be included
in John's reckoning, but not the common courtyard, which
will be desecrated by the Gentiles for forty-two months
(three and one-half years).
How nicely this coincides with Daniel's calculations.
Three and one-half years—indeed half of Daniel's final
"week" (seven years)—will the holy city be despoiled after
the abomination of desolation.
So here again we see that the Temple building must be
standing at the halfway point of the tribulation.
Furthermore, in this passage we see that the Temple is
sanctioned by God as an authentic Temple—an authorized
place of worship. John is commanded to measure the "Tem-
ple of God." It is apparent that the tribulation Temple will
stand and will be acceptable to God.