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.
2. Interpretive Issues
There are also interpretive problems. For example, the "court outside the sanctuary" is frequently explained to refer to the court of the Gentiles of the Herodian temple14. It is not clear, however, why this should be the case, since there were three other courts also outside the sanctuary but within the court of the Gentiles, namely, the court of the priests, the court of Israel, and the court of women. What is the fate of these other courts within the traditional schema? The same question can be asked of those who understand John to have had in mind the outer court of Ezekiel’s temple15, for there, too, the court outside the sanctuary was located within the outer court. Furthermore, if Rev 11,1-2 is indeed modeled after Ezekiel’s prophecy in chapters 40–48, one would need to explain why John is suggesting that part of the eschatological temple will be defiled by the nations, when Ezekiel’s point seems to be exactly the opposite16.
But there are other interpretive problems. To_ qusiasth/rion with the definite article and without further qualification normally refers to the altar of burnt offering, located in the court outside the sanctuary17. But why would it be protected, if we grant that the "sanctuary" is symbolizing the Church? Indeed, why mention the altar and the worshipers at all? The measuring of the sanctuary and the casting out of the "outer court" would have been enough to portray the Church as