Living Room Study

The Revelation 11

“Then I was given a measuring reed like a rod, and the angel stood up with these words: ‘Go and measure God’s sanctuary and the altar, and count those who worship there.  But exclude the courtyard outside the sanctuary.  Don’t measure it, because it is given to the nations, and they will trample it for 42 months.’”  Rev 11:1-2

The apostle John was given the task of measuring God’s sanctuary, altar, and worshipers.  To accomplish his mission, John was given a measuring rod…the standard by which all things are measured.  This represents God’s Word, the Bible.  The plans given to Moses, concerning the Holy of Holies are precisely written in the Torah.  God’s standard for mankind is also written in scripture. 

Obviously, God’s Heavenly sanctuary & altar are up to His standards, but what about His people?  What about yourself, for that matter?  How do you measure-up to God’s requirements?  The follower of Jesus need not be afraid of such a measurement, for He has fulfilled the Torah’s requirements on our behalf.

That being said, 2^nd Peter and 1^st John are solemn reminders that TRUE followers of Jesus are those who obey His commands.  We should never cease from seeking God’s Word…the standard by which mankind will be judged…in order to conduct ourselves in such a way that honors Him, who saved us.   

There is a tendency in today’s church culture for the “Church” to measure itself against the World’s standards.  Bad idea. 

I have heard it said by some church leaders, that the Church will never do “the World” better than the World does “the World”.  Their point being, that when it comes to secular standards of art, music, and media…and the way they minister to the flesh…Christians simply cannot compete.  Sure, we may occasionally send a music hero, actor, or film maker into international prominence, but that is hardly making a dent in the darkness.  

On the other hand, the World will never do “Church” better than the Lord commands the Church to operate on earth.  What the World offers, by way of worship, always fails to live-up to its hype.  It always leaves us short of what we really desire at a soul level.

Who knows what our affect would be on the Kingdom of Darkness, if we simply determined to conduct ourselves by God’s requirements?  The enemy has no defense against a sold-out believer!

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins