“And There was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein” (Rev. 11:1).
The subsequent verses of this chapter do not go on to tell us about John obeying these instructions or what these measurements are. The fact is, however, that there is really no need for us to be provided with such measurements, as they have already been given in the Old Testament. Evidently this is not referring to the dimensions of Herod’s temple, or that of Solomon. The grand scale of the latter, and much more that belonged to Solomon’s kingdom, appears to symbolise the glory of a Millennial order. By contrast, in the chapter we are considering there is obvious reference to the saints in this present mortal state, with overtones of warfare and witnessing, tribulation and martyrdom.
For the measurements of this temple we must go back to the original, archetypal design set before us in Exodus 26. For the Mosaic tabernacle was God’s sanctuary in the midst of the children of Israel while they journeyed to the promised land; and that journey, fraught with trials and tribulations, teaches us much concerning the saints in this present dispensation, and their warfare in the Truth.
The tabernacle consisted of two compartments: the holy place and the most holy; but for the redeemed these can be regarded as one, seeing that by the sacrifice of Christ the veil separating them has been removed (Heb. 10:20), and for the true believer there is no impediment to ultimate access to the Father through the ministrations of our great High Priest.
The overall length of this structure was 30 cubits, and its height 10 cubits, making a total area of 300 square cubits. There were two sides and a roof, all of the same measurements, which would give 900 square cubits; and with the two ends-10 by 10 cubits, that is, 100 square cubits each—the total adds up to 1,100 square cubits.
We then have to measure the altar of sacrifice. Each of the four sides was 3 by 5 cubits, that is, 15 square cubits, making a total of 60 square cubits for the four sides. The top was 5 by 5 cubits, making another 25 square cubits, bringing the total to 85 square cubits (Ex. 27:1). (Incidentally, we read in 1 Samuel 22:18 that Doeg the Edomite, at Saul’s command, and in a persecuting spirit, slew 85 priests.)
Paul describes those who “wait at the altar” as “partakers with the altar” (l Cor. 9:13). Brother John Thomas says concerning this: “the saints being in Christ Jesus, the altar, they ‘worship therein,’ and are ‘partakers with the altar’ in altar-sufferings”.’ So the temple and the altar have to be considered as one unit spiritually, and may be described as symbolic of the altar-worshiping community. Their combined number totals 1,185.
“And the holy city shall they tread underfoot forty and two months” (Rev. 11:2).
Again we need to go back to the tabernacle to see the implications of the 42 months, for while the tabernacle itself consisted of 10 linen curtains embroidered with blue, purple and scarlet (Ex. 26:1), these were covered by 11 curtains of goats’ hair (Ex. 26:7). We suggest that while goats and sheep have some similar biological characteristics, there are also distinct differences between them, such as might justify the conclusion that the goat’s-hair curtains symbolise a superimposed mastery by a professedly Christian, but apostate, church, during the period of warfare of the altar-worshiping community. These two have to remain in contact with each other, just as the tares and the wheat have to grow together until the harvest at the end of the world (Mt 13:30).
The 11 curtains, each 4 cubits wide and 30 long, would, if laid out flat, cover an area of 1,320 square cubits, but Exodus 26:9 says that the curtain which overhung the forefront of the tabernacle was doubled, that is, folded in half, thus reducing the number to 101/2, and the total area to 1,260. “Forty and two months” is a period of time equivalent to the “thousand two hundred and threescore days” of Revelation 11:3.2 The well-known prophetic time period of 1,260 days representing 1,260 years is thus seen to be linked also to the tabernacle.
Let us consider the 3 sets of figures given in Daniel 12-1,260, 1,290 and 1,335 in relation to our mysterious number 1,185:
1,185 + 1,335 = 2,520 (7 solar times) 1,185 + 1,260 = 2,445 (7 lunar times)
1,185 + 1,290 = 2,475 (33 x 75).
33 years was the duration of the earthly life of Christ, and in 33 years the sun-time differs from lunar time by one solar year. 75 years is the difference between 1,260 and 1,335, but there is more significance than that to it. The measurement of the brasen altar, as we have said, was 3 x 5 x 5 cubits, which figures, multiplied together, would give 75 as the cubic capacity of the box-like structure. This number also features in the genealogy of Christ, as recorded in Luke, where a list of his ancestors is given; and counting down from Adam we find that number 75 is Jesus, the one who is identified as our altar (Heb. 13:10). (This excludes Cainan in verse 36, which is a spurious addition.) 75 is a combination of the significant numbers 33 and 42, with David and Nathan forming the middle link.
As to the application of 1,185 to the history of the Christian church, it may be set out as below, from which it would appear that the 1,185 years covers the period when the papacy was most able to persecute the saints:
These dates will be easily recognised as follows:
- 533 Decree of Justinian granting precedence to the Bishop of Rome.
- 607 Decree of Phocas confirming the Bishop of Rome as head of the universal church.
- 1792/3 The first vial: foundation of the French Republic; war against Europe.
- 1867 Garibaldi’s struggle for a united Italy, resulting in the end of the pope’s temporal power in 1870.
To this list may be added another date3 which marks the time when the privilege of the emperor to appoint or nominate popes was formally abandoned. This was 684, and 1,185 years later (1869) the first Vatican Council was called, and concluded with disaster for the pope.
Again, if we take the date of Charlemagne’s coronation as emperor in Rome, 24 December 800, the addition of 1,185 years brings us to 1985. Time will show what significance this may have.
One could also multiply 1,185 by 2 (2,370) and find interesting features in the commencing and terminating events, such as:
- 597 B.C. The captivity of Jehoiachin. 1773 A.D. Russo-Turkish war leading to humiliating treaty of Kainardji in 1774.
- 573 B.C. Ezekiel has vision of the great temple.
- 1797 A.D. Jewish emancipation begins; ghetto system ended.
- 522 B.C. Haggai and Zechariah urge Jews to finish the temple.
- 1848 A.D. Jews prominent in revolutionary movements throughout Europe.
- 474 B.C. Haman’s attempt to destroy all Jews.
- 1896 A.D. Theodore Herzl published his book, The Jewish State.
- 454 B.C. Beginning of Daniel’s 70-weeks prophecy.
- 1916/7 A.D. Turks driven from Palestine.
In view of the foregoing synchronisations of dates, events and Scripture time periods, plus many others that could be given, it is surely established beyond all doubt that the day-for-ayear principle is sound.
References
- Eureka, 2, p. 597. .
- In Numbers 33 there are 42 places where the children of Israel encamped in their wilderness journeyings. This is an additional link with what Brother Perryman says regarding the appropriateness of the tabernacle symbol in relation to the pilgrimage of the saints.—T.B.
- Mentioned in Eureka, voL 3, p. 263.
Jacob’s Prophecy in Gen 49 and Other Discussion Questions