Revelation 11

“Then I was given a measuring reed like a rod, with these words: ‘Go and measure God’s sanctuary and the altar, and count those who worship there. But exclude the courtyard outside the sanctuary. Don’t measure it, because it is given to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months.’”  Revelation 11:1-2 (HCSB)

The apostle John was given the task of measuring God’s sanctuary, altar, and worshipers. To accomplish his mission, John was given a measuring rod…the standard by which all things are measured. This represents God’s Word, the Bible. The plans given to Moses concerning the Holy of Holies are precisely written in the Torah. And in a greater sense, God’s standard for all humanity is written in Scripture.  

God’s Heavenly sanctuary and altar are up to His standards, but what about His people? What about yourself, for that matter? How do you measure up to God’s requirements? If a “building inspector” were to observe your life, would you be “up to code”? The follower of Jesus need not be afraid of such a measurement, for He has fulfilled the Torah’s requirements on our behalf.

That being said, 2nd Peter and 1st John are solemn reminders that TRUE followers of Jesus believe by faith and seek to obey His commands. We should never cease from seeking God’s Word, the standard by which mankind will be judged, to conduct ourselves in such a way that honors Him, Who saved us.    

There is a tendency among some believers to measure the Church against the World’s standards for righteousness—a bad idea.  

Some Christian leaders say that the Church would never do “the World” better than the World does “the World.” Their point is that when it comes to secular standards of art, music, and media, and how they minister to the flesh, believers in Jesus simply cannot compete. Sure, the Church may occasionally send a music hero, actor, or filmmaker into international prominence, but that is hardly making a dent in the darkness.  

On the other hand, the World will never do “Church” better than the Lord commands His Church to operate on earth. By way of worship, what the World offers consistently fails to live up to its hype. It always leaves us short of what we truly desire at the soul level.

Who knows what our effect on the Kingdom of Darkness would be if we simply determined to conduct ourselves by God’s requirements? The Enemy has no effective long-term defense against a sold-out believer!