In revelation 11 Could you explain the 1260 days and 3 1/2 days ? thanks
Revelation 11
King James Version
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a scepter/rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
John is measuring or sizing them up, with a rod, for destruction . Because Satan will be there blaspheming there, claiming to be Christ. And the world, will believe it ( Daniel 9:27 ; II Thessalonians 2:2-4.).
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.
leave out or cast out,
The equals 3 1/2 years. The prophecy is given in months or Moons has to do with Satan or darkness.
In contrast the prophecy given about the two witnesses are given in Days or of the light. God is the light . Read Zechariah 11:11- 14 you get more about the symbolism used for them.
Satan arrives deceiving the world into believing he is Christ. This deception last for five months Revelation 9:5, 10 .
Christ taught about him ( Satan/Antichrist ); and what we as Christians were to expect before His ( Christs ) return. Matthew 24:15.
You have three and a half years recorded: but we have five months mentioned also: the reason is Christ is recorded saying:
Mark 13:20 kjv ( speaking of the tribulation of Antichrist )
And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen,
he hath shortened the days.
Shortened those days you read of in Revelation 11; from three and a half years; to five months ( Revelation 9: 5, 10 ) when the two witness will be present on earth and doing whats written in Revelation 11.
Revelation 11:2 "But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gen'-tiles (nations): and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months."
The lamentations of Jeremiah recorded this future, destruction in Lamentations 2:7-10.
"The line" that was stretched out is the scepter that John has been given.
Lamentations 2:9, "Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars; her king and her princes are among the Gentiles (nations): The law is no more (where the law is not); her prophets also find no vision from the Lord."
This future destruction is complete, and the king is spelt with a small "k". The princes of Zion today call themselves Gentiles. Because they do not know who they are. Confusion of faces after their scattering ( Deuteronomy 32:26; Daniel 9: 5-10 ).
Today God's laws are being changed by the so-called men of God, that they go against the Word of God.
The prophets of the house of Israel have no vision from God, because they will believe Satan to be God. Their preachers and doctrines are leading them to believe the first messiah is Christ..
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
This chapter will focus on the last three and an half days which brings about the last days before our Lord Jesus Christ's return. The church of God is still here on earth during this period of time. However, the witnesses will be witnessing for the entire thousand two hundred and threescore days during this final period. God is placing these two witnesses on earth for the sole purpose of witnessing for Him. They will warn all of mankind, and the "sackcloth" indicates that this warning of their sins is to be their only mission.
Notice also that the time of the two witnesses witnessing are given in days. These witnesses are of the children of light, and their message is of God. When you compare the forty two months of Antichrist from Daniel 9, with the 1,260 days of the two witnesses, they are the same.
Revelation 11:4 "These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of this earth."
In Zechariah 4:3, 11, and 14, these two witnesses are the "olive trees" that are spoken of there. The "candlesticks" represent the churches, and we saw in Revelation 2, and 3, that there are only two churches, or types of churches that God will respect at the close of this earth age. Those were the Churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia. This is because they knew who the "Kenites" are, and would not allow the false doctrine of the Kenites to come into their churches. Those that call themselves of Judah but are not.
Some of these notes were taken from Roger D. Christopherson and my own notes. If you want more notes then look in my blog here on cc.