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 11:2
The original temple built by Solomon was the place designed for the Israelites for their worship of God. The temple proper was a place reserved for the Israelites only, and much of that for the sons of Levi only, as the priests and singers and others who carried out their prescribed functions came and went. But there was room for the Gentiles to come and observe, and even to worship. The court of the Gentiles was a large courtyard that surrounded the temple, an area that was accessible to all who would come. The Gentiles could not participate in any of the activities there; they could merely observe and seek to understand. This courtyard existed with Solomon’s temple, and later with Zerubbabel’s temple, and with Herod’s temple that existed in New Testament days. And the courtyard will again be available when the temple is rebuilt during the great tribulation. God has a special interest in the Gentiles, even in a day when His primary focus is the nation of Israel. And that includes you and me.
The court of the Gentiles referred to in our text is being described during the tribulation period. This reference is to the Gentiles treating the courtyard with disrespect and disdain. Nothing will have changed from our current day of grace, in which the world is also treating with disdain its opportunity to come near and learn of God. There is no courtyard today; the temple does not exist, other than a tiny portion known as the Western Wall, or wailing wall, revered by Jews. Today, God has spread the Gospel courtyard around the world, with the Word of God available to all. The Gentiles are given the Scriptures to read and to study, a Book that will bring them near to God if they will read and believe it. In addition, the Gospel is preached so that none has an excuse for not hearing about God’s salvation. But today, the Bible is scorned as old-fashioned, inaccurate, and irrelevant to our modern day. Gospel preaching, real Gospel preaching, is ignored and rejected. Today, people are mocking the only route God is giving them to access His salvation. And their time is running out.
During the tribulation period, the Gentiles will have only three and a half years of access to the temple. There will be a set time of opportunity, and when it ends, the courtyard is closed, with no more access to the temple. In the day of grace, the time is not specified, but there is a definite time, known only to God. When the Rapture occurs, the access to the Gospel ends, as will the privilege of viewing God’s people in their worship and service to their Lord. How much time is remaining? We don’t know, and we can’t make a guess that we can count on. But we know that God has given the Gentiles only so long in which to avail themselves of His opportunity. And He has given us only so long in which to preach the Gospel and live as His people.
God has given us this courtyard of opportunity; let us use it wisely and diligently. The eternal welfare of many Gentiles is at stake. -Jim MacIntosh