These are the Gentiles, the unbelieving. Christ had commanded his disciples to proclaim the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19–20) and the apostles obediently did so (Revelation 6:2). But not all who hear believe; though they come to the “outer court” of the gospel, many reject the message of salvation and respond with hatred against Christ and his church (Revelation 6:3–4), even killing some of the saints (Revelation 6:9).
2 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.