I noticed this week these words from Revelations 11:1-2. "And there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, "Rise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and those who worship in it. And leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months."
I've read those verses numerous times, but then I stopped and thought about why John would be asked to measure the temple. But, not the outer court. And what does it mean to tread under foot? I may be reading too much into this but doesn't treading it under foot suggest to you and measure of disrespect and even hostility to the Gospel? Have you noticed that this is happening not outside the temple, but inside where the Gentiles should be? Then, I thought to myself how do I show disrespect or hostility to the gospel or do I?
Isn't it interesting that the people that Jesus had the most contempt for where the Pharisees and lawyers who made the faith a set of rules. They threw the baby out with the bathwater when they ignored the compassion and love Jesus called them to live by and instead made God reachable if you only follow a list of rules. As if we can ever be good enough on our own. They forgot it was all about grace and God's power that got them saved in the first place. By doing so, they showed contempt for the very gospel they represented.
I'm really not sure if that is what is going on in this passage or not. It could also be, that the way many churches attempt to water down the gospel and make it a "feel good" gospel is part of this also. That they seek to stop talking about how we need to live holy lives and stop talking about sin because it isn't popular. They forget that at times Jesus was not popular. In fact, sometimes the crowds simply walked away when Jesus would not perform miracles at their command. Some actually came for the same reason some go to hear popular speakers today, to come see the show under the big tent. To be a part of what is popular. To be entertained.
"As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew, and were not walking with Him anymore. Jesus said therefore to the twelves, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life?" John 6:66-67
