(1) And there was given 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. (2) 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.
The beloved Apostle is here employed by the Lord, to measure the temple of God, and the Altar, and them that worship therein. This latter clause of the people, throws a light upon the former, and seems to explain, that, by the whole is meant the Church, the true Church of regenerated believers. The word of God, in a great variety of places, speaks of God's people as a Church founded on Christ. God the Father, ages before Christ's incarnation, called upon the Church to behold that he laid in Zion, for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation, Isaiah 28:16. And God the HOLT Ghost by Peter declares, that this was Christ, to whom the Church, coming as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God and precious, became as lively stones, and were built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 2:8; 1 Peter 2:8; Psalms 118:22; Acts 4:11-12; Ephesians 2:19-22; Revelation 21:23
The allusion which is here made, to the original temple at Jerusalem, of the Altar and Court without, seems also to have been intended, as typical of Christ and his Church. The Lord makes the bodies of his people, his temple. He calls Zion his rest, and declares that he will dwell in it, for he hath a delight in it, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; Psalms 132:13-14; 2 Corinthians 6:16. By the Altar may be intended, Christ, our New Testament Altar, High Priest, and Sacrifice. And by John's measuring of it, may be implied seeking from the Lord grace, to contemplate the infinite dimensions of his boundless love, in the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of it, in that love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, Ephesians 3:16. And by the worshippers are meant, the true faithful followers of the Lord; who worship God in spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, Philippians 3:3
I do not conceive, that this measurement of the Church, was intended to imply anything in this place, similar to what was done under the former visions, when the Lord himself sealed his people before the four Angels, which held the winds, were to execute their orders. But it should seem rather to have been at this time, graciously intended by our Lord, to let John understand by his own measurement of it, that Jesus had his Church still, in all its dimensions, that he knew all his members, and watched over them. This, as it strikes me, was the gracious design in our most gracious Lord. The time was now hastening towards the close of the sixth trumpet. And the total overthrow of both the impostures, in the East and in the West, was coming on. But before these things, the Lord's two faithful witnesses were to prophecy in sackcloth. And when they had fulfilled their ministry, they should he slain, and all the other events follow, introductory to the sounding of the seventh trumpet. Hence, therefore, the Lord Jesus commands John, first to measure the Church and people. Reader! it is a sweet thought, and everlastingly to be cherished with the utmost affection in the mind, that Christ hath a Church in the worst of times. There is even now, a remnant, according to the election of grace. Graciously he watches over it. Sweetly Jesus sings to it, which he calls his vineyard of red wine, for even in bloody times, the song must go on. I the Lord do keep it, Jesus saith. I will water it every moment: Lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day, Isaiah 27:2-3.