There are several references in the Bible to God or an angel measuring something.  (2 Kings 21:13, Ezekiel 40:3, Zechariah 2:1-5, Revelation21:15-17)

Chapter 11 begins with a similar event: “Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.” (V1-2)

Spiritually, God is taking measure of those who truly belong to Him and worship Him. 

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”(‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:19-22‬)

God knows who belongs to Him.  These will always be His children and can be secure in their eternal salvation. But, he also knows those who reside outside of the temple in the court.  The court represents those who have rejected Christ as Messiah and Savior. These may also include those who are religious in behavior and profession but their heart remains far from God. 

God must judge those who reject Him, but In a world of deception He wants truth to be proclaimed.  

“And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth." (v4-5).  God empowers these witnesses and protects them.  Like olive oil, they represent God's spirit and healing and they represent light that shines in the spiritual darkness of the world.  

As planned, however the antichrist will seemingly triumph and strike down these witnesses.  Those who want evil and darkness to prevail will celebrate.  But, God is ultimately in control and He uses their death for His glory. “But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.” (v11)

No matter how powerful evil may seem to be, God is more powerful.  Good ultimately will triumph over evil. 

Satan has been given rule over this world but not forever.  God will eventually oust Satan and then He will rule.   “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.””(v15)  How glorious it will be to join the celebration in heaven on that day.   “saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth."" (v17-18)

This chapter closes with John seeing the opening of the temple in heaven.  “Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.” (v19). The ark of the covenant always represented the presence of God.  So we see the glorious presence of  God and His sovereign power.  What a wonderful sight for those who believe and trust in Him!

God and His sovereign power.  What a wonderful sight for those who believe and trust in Him!