Marko Jauhiainen, «The Measuring of the Sanctuary Reconsidered (Rev 11,1-2)», Vol. 83 (2002) 507-526
The act of measuring in Rev 11,1-2 does not portray the Church as spiritually protected but physically vulnerable, as normally thought. Not only are there lexical and interpretive difficulties with the traditional view, it is also not supported by the OT and extra-biblical evidence commonly adduced. Reading two kai/j differently and recognizing an allusion to Ezek 8:16 LXX addresses both the lexical and interpretive issues. The act of measuring is used to communicate the fact that contrary to Ezek 8–9, this time God will not abandon his earthly sanctuary, though idolatry among his people will still be judged.
interpretation of the passage is analyzed and some of its problems are highlighted (I). Next, the OT "measuring" passages normally invoked in support of the traditional view will be examined (II), and, finally, a more nuanced understanding of the act of measuring, together with a fresh reading of Rev 11,1-2, will be proposed (III).
I. The traditional view
The NIV reflects well the way the command to John in Rev 11,1-2 is normally understood:
Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there. But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles.
Given the many different interpretations of these two verses, commentators are surprisingly unanimous in explaining how the act of measuring signifies security or protection3. Thus the sanctuary (or "temple", as the NIV has it)4, the altar and the worshipers are protected by measuring, whereas the "outer court" remains vulnerable.