“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. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months” (Revelation 11:1-2).
As revealed in the previous posting covering the previous chapter in this ongoing study of each chapter of the book of Revelation, the Apostle John has just eaten the opened scroll. Having received it from the hand of the mighty angel, John finds it to be sweet in his mouth and bitter in his stomach.