Revelation 11:1 Revelation 11:1 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. In this verse is contained, first, John’ s preparation unto his work appointed him by Christ. And there was given me a reed like unto a rod Secondly, John’ s Commission for the work which he was commanded to do: and the angel stood, saying, rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. The reed like unto a rod, wherewith the servants of Christ, His ministers ought to measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein; is the written Word of God, the holy Scriptures of truth: So God commanded his servant Moses and the children of Israel (Exodus 25:8-9. And let them make me a Sanctuary, -after the pattern of the tabernacle -even so shall ye make it. And Hebrews 8:5 See (faith God) that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed unto thee in the Mount). And this revelation of measuring the temple of God under the administration of the Gospel in the latter days, which Jesus Christ shewed by his angel in a vision unto his servant John, beareth some allusion to that vision which the prophet Ezekiel had of measuring the city and temple of God (Ezekiel 40:2-6 -In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, ...and there was a man... with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed... of six cubits long, by the cubit, and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building one reed;  and the height one reed; 4 And the Man said unto me, Son of Man, behold thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee;- declare all that thou seeth to the house of Israel;\ Afterward he brought me to the temple, ...So he measured the length thereof twenty cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits before the temple. And he said unto me, This is the most holy place). \ Now as God had shewed and instructed Moses, \ and the prophets, how the tabernacle, and the first and the second temple should be builded, and all things to be done about His worship and ordinances, by his holy word which he spake unto them. \ So Jesus Christ revealed to his servant John all things that must shortly come to pass, and be done about the temple of God, the altar, and them that worship, which are to be measured by the reed of the written Word of God. Rise, and measure the temple of God. By the temple of God, here we are to understand the house of God, \ which is the Church of the living God, called the temple of God, under the administration of the Gospel, \ which was to be builded after the Apostles’ days, as was prophesied, \ of the gentile Churches under the Gospel. \ God at first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of the Gentiles a people for His name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; — After this will I return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down, — And I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith JEHOVAH, who doth all these things And the altar By the altar here is meant the whole worship of God, and all his holy Ordinances instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ and his Apostles, which ought to be measured also by the same reed of the written Word of God. \ The golden altar was a type of Christ. And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail;  and he burnt incense thereon as the Lord commanded Moses. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer, and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar, which was before the throne (Exodus 40:26-27 compared with Revelation 8:3). This altar sanctifieth the gift. \ The altar of burnt-offerings, and daily sacrifices, which stood in the open court of the tabernacle of the temple, called the brazen altar, typed forth the worship and ordinances of God under the Gospel. \ Then will I go to the altar of God;  that is, I will worship God, and offer to him the sacrifice of praise; I will praise Thee, O God, my God. \ And them that worship therein The worshippers of God in his Churches of saints, ought to be measured by the reed of Gods written Word, as well as the temple and the altar of God; that thereby it may appear, they are the true Worshippers of God in his house, and worship him in Spirit and in truth For the Father seeketh such to worship him truth. \ The ministers of Jesus Christ, who are builders of Gods gospel temple, \ ought to measure the pattern, \ of the churches, worship, and worshippers of God in the days of Christ and his Apostles, and to see that the churches, worship, and worshippers of God, now in these latter days, be in all things, as they were then, and to reform those things that are amiss; The rest will I set in order when I come. Let all things be done decently and in Order. Joying and beholding your Order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. \ All things in the Church and worship of God ought to be done according to the rule of the written Word of God; Let us walk by the same rule. \ There is but one rule for all the churches, worship, and worshippers of God to be framed, measured, and ordered by: And the ministers of Christ, now ought to measure, frame, and order all things in the Churches and worship of God by the same rule. \ First, the ministers of Christ ought to take care, and inspection of the Church of God, and see for they are called seers, and overseers \ that the Church be builded upon the foundation doctrines, and faith of the apostles and prophets, \ Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone in whom all the building, fitly framed together (and compacted) groweth to an holy temple in the Lord, \ etc. Secondly, they are to take care, that the pillars, \ in God’ s house, His gospel temple which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth, \ be not only Trees of Righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified \ but that they also be able ministers of the New Testament, both of the letter, and also of the Spirit. \ The Bishops, kat ekklhsian -in every Church called Stars and Angels of the Churches, \ and the pastors and teachers in every Church (called Presbyters, that is, Elders) that rule well \ ought to be learned and holy men, taught of God by his Holy Spirit, qualified with spiritual and ministerial gifts and graces; to wit, knowledge, wisdom, meekness, and a blameless conversation. \ Thirdly, they ought to take care, or heed, that the whole worship of God, and all the sacred ordinances of the Lord be administered according to the gospel; institutions, commandments, and examples of Christ and his holy Apostles; and not after the rudiments of the world, nor after the commandments of men \ and their Doctrines. Fourthly, they ought to inspect them that worship, and to take care before persons be admitted unto the visible Churches of Saints, to partake of all the sacred ordinances of God, that they be found in the faith, and holy in their life. \ And after they be added to the Church, the ministers ought to oversee them, that they do not walk disorderly, to the dishonour of God, and scandal of the Church; that the ministry be not blamed, nor the weak brethren stumbled or offended, and the way of God reproached. \ And therefore, I do humbly beseech the wise master-builders, and all Christ’ s gospel ministers, to take this reed of God’ s holy Word, and measure the churches, the worship of God, and the worshippers of God in his gospel-temple; and to use their spiritual wisdom, and ministerial power, and utmost endeavours to reform and amend what they shall see amiss, and set in order, \ things that are wanting, that God may be glorified, his churches of saints edified, and sinners converted.