Revelation 11:1-2

Expanded Bible

The Two Witnesses

11 I was given a ·measuring stick [^Ca reed or cane used for measuring] like a ·rod [staff; walking stick], and I was told, ·Go [Get up] and measure the temple of God and the altar, ·and count [or including] the people worshiping there [^Cprobably to show God’s control and protection of his people; Ezek. 40:3, 5]. ² But do not measure the ·yard [courtyard] outside the temple. Leave it ·alone [out], because it has been given to ·those who are not God’s people [the Gentiles; the nations]. And they will trample on the holy city [^CJerusalem] for forty-two months [^Ca period of oppression—either literal or symbolic—equal to three and a half years; see Dan. 7:25; 12:7, 11–12].