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,”
John was given a command to “rise” and “measure”. John is in the Spiritual realm and is called to rise up to its highest level of understanding and revelation. He is called to evaluate, measure, and examine the Spiritual perfection of this Spiritual Temple. What an honor given to the Beloved Disciple! I am convinced this honor was bestowed on him as he had a revelation of Love that uniquely qualified him to be the messenger of the Revelation of Jesus Christ joined with His body composed of the Sons of FATHER. He was called to be an “inspector” of the Temple.
An inspector examines the workmanship, the conformance to a predetermined set of standards, and the materials used in building a house. This call for inspection was immediately after the seven trumpets denoting the Spiritual maturing process of the Sons. John had just been shown the mystery of these seven trumpets given for the preparation of the Sons by the servants and prophets. This is referenced by Paul in Ephesians 4:
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
The perfecting, maturing process of the Sons by the process of the seven trumpets is now ready to be measured and the standard is the “stature of the fullness of Christ”. We will see later in Revelation 21 that a reed is again used to measure but the focus will be on the entire city and only after “all things are made new”. The reed is only used to measure those who have been restored, each in his own order. The second reed is a gold reed, speaking of Divine Nature whereas the first reed is of standard material and denotes a lesser standard. This speaks of progression into the fullness of Divine Nature, the theme of this entire book.
Included in this call to measure are those who worship therein. These are to be measured according to the stature of the fullness of Christ. Jesus Christ is our sole standard and none of us should look upon men to compare ourselves against. HE is the spotless One without blemish. Our measurement is based on our spiritual condition, maturity, and perfection. Only a fully mature Son is qualified to represent FATHER. This standard by which all men are measured was determined by Our Heavenly Father. The good news is that being our Creator, HE has provided for each of us as Sons to ultimately rise up to that Standard but only through the proper maturing process. The revelation of Love is a critical aspect in this growth process as stated in Ephesians 4:
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
If we were not able to attain to the standard of Christ, the mystery would not be revealed to us. Paul understood this Truth as he shared in Philippians 3:
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
We must set aside the past for it does not dictate our present day or our future. We must continue to press toward the goal and if we were not able to attain it, HIS SPIRIT would not have revealed it to us. By faith we receive this revelation to manifest within us! As we pursue this revelation of Love, Romans 8 becomes alive in us:
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
If we are predestined to be conformed to the image of HIS Son, then we will pass the inspection against this high standard. We will stand before all and proclaim “As HE is, so are we!” The Temple represents HIS Presence and the source of HIS Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. Those being measured are those who worship there, not in some external building designed and created by man. We must worship HIM in Spirit and in Truth. Love must be the intent by which we enter in. Any other motivation will not be allow access into this Most Holy Temple of HIS Presence.
HE knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts and these are measured in reference to HIS Son as being the standard. Let us go on to perfection expecting to achieve this level of perfection sanctioned solely by HIS Divine Intent. He apprehends us for HIS call to duty. HE opens our eyes to understanding and opens our ears to hear HIS specific word to us that our faith might be energized with the expectation of this perfection revealed at this hour. With this in mind, ponder the words written by Paul in Ephesians 3:
14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—
19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Are you ready to be measured?