In this passage, the instruction to exclude the outer court from measurement serves as a symbolic act, highlighting the separation between what is considered holy and what is not. The outer court being given to the Gentiles indicates a period where those outside the faith will have influence over the holy city, suggesting a time of trial and tribulation. The 42 months mentioned is a symbolic timeframe often interpreted as a period of testing or persecution. This period is not indefinite, emphasizing that challenges are temporary and under God's sovereign control.
The reference to the Gentiles trampling the holy city can be understood as a metaphor for the external pressures and challenges faced by the faithful. It serves as a reminder that while believers may face difficulties, these are part of a larger divine plan. The passage encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, trusting that God is ultimately in control and that justice will be served. It reassures the faithful that their trials have a purpose and that they are not forgotten by God.
