Revelation Part 17
Revelation 11:3-10
Introduction
Last week we set the stage for the 11th Chapter of Revelation by defining who these two witnesses are – and that they will come with one mission – to preach the Gospel to the entire world with never-ending passion for sharing Jesus.
This week we continue on in Chapter 11, and begin to examine these witnesses specific actions and why we, as believer today, ought to consider them spiritual heroes in our own understanding of the Bible.
I want to give you something to think about before we dive into Chapter 11 – Go with me to Acts Chapter 1 and look at verse 11. (READ)
These angels hit the disciples mission right on the head, and it is time that as the church we simply get busy and STOP acting like we do not know what is going on in this world. This same Jesus is returning, and we ought to be busy proclaiming who He is! I do not want someone else to be speaking for me; I want to tell others about Jesus Christ … as a Son of the True and Living God that is my ONLY responsibility to this world!
It is your responsibility as well, and let me tell you that there is none greater! Let’s see how these two Men of God carry out their duties.
Read Revelation 11:3-10
Pray
Point 1 – The Two Witnesses (v4-6)
The two olive trees reflect back on Zechariah Chapter 4. These two olive trees are described quite clearly as two people who stand beside the Lord. These two people are obviously very special to the Lord, and to witnessing for Him, and their mission here in Revelation is to witness to the testimony of Jesus Christ. They have come for one reason, to preach Jesus and Him crucified.
Note the power that these two witnesses have. Last time we discussed that these witnesses are either Elijah and Enoch or Elijah and Moses. If you notice, these men will have the same protection from the Father that was granted unto Moses when he stood before Pharaoh. Surely, Pharaoh could have struck them down and had Moses killed for his demands, but he was spared.
It is no accident that Moses was originally raised by Pharaoh’s wife – the God placed him there to be a step-brother to the man who would eventually become Pharaoh – and we need to see that. This same protection that Moses had will be the same super-natural protection that the witnesses have.
Go to 2 Kings Chapter 1, 10-12
2 Kings 1:10-12 talks about Elijah having the power to reign fire down from heaven so that he would not be captured, and it is no coincidence that the witnesses (one of them is Elijah) will have the same power He was given originally.
2 Kings Chapter 1, 10-12 says, “Elijah answered the captain, "If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!" Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men. At this the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. The captain said to him, "Man of God, this is what the king says, ’Come down at once!’ "If I am a man of God," Elijah replied, "may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!" Then the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.”
So what?
Very important application: God gives you a power and authority – and if you use it, you shall ALWAYS have it! It is when it is not used that God removes it (Parable of the Talents – Matthew 25). If we do not continue to work for the Lord, He will remove His gifts to us and we will become as lazy as the world.
God needs willingness!
Perhaps some are in that very same rut today and have no idea how to get out? Perhaps some just are not ready to admit that they are even in a spiritual rut. But I assure you, if you are not working for God, you are disobeying Him, willingly. The first step to a right relationship with God is to be willing to change – to admit that you need to change – and then to do it!
The judgments that these men bring about on the Earth are cataclysmic, and they have the power to do them whenever they want. This is a gift from God – but meant to get the attention of the inhabitants of the Earth. I can assure you – these men will NOT be favored among the Earth, and they will be constant targets of those bent on destroying Jesus Christ.
Society will grow angry with them and demand that the anti-Christ do something to remove them – as they are destroying the “perfect world” that has been set-up for them. These souls on Earth will rebel harder against these men than anyone has experienced before – because this world will be under the control of Satan Himself.
Point 2 – The Witnesses are Killed (v7-10)
These men will witness for 1,260 days – which is also 3 ½ years. This is all God gives them to proclaim the Gospel to this world, and they are obedient to that time schedule. They have already had loads of time to rest in the Kingdom, and their job is to finish what the Lord has for them.
These men witness during the same time as the initial Judgments on mankind.
So, for 3 ½ years they will preach and share their testimony about whom Jesus is and why this world needs them. I believe, they will be setup in Jerusalem – perhaps at the Wailing Wall where it is very open and God’s creation can see these men. This area is very important to God, and I believe He would use Israel to see that His plan unfolds.
We need to understand that the entire world will be able to hear their testimony. News stations will carry it as they attempt to report on their terrible actions that infuriate a lost world – just as they carry anything that is worthy of ratings, or money, today.
Think of it this way. When bad news happens, it is on TV immediately. When good news happens, well, that is just not news, is it? These men and their testimony will be considered disruptive and against the flow, and so the news will carry their message, and of course their judgments upon mankind with fire from heaven.
v7 - The beast that ascends is talking about when Satan is bound in Rev 20 for a time and then allowed to wreak havoc again. John is seeing the devil come against these men and in his writing he is confirming that these men will directly battle Satan for their lives! This beast comes to kill them and mock God – just as the world did with Jesus. This also lends weight that it will be in Jerusalem that this happens. Jesus died there and the city celebrated – and I believe these men will die there as well so that the world can celebrate again and Satan can feel victorious over God.
v8 - The Great City is Jerusalem – and here again let me stress that WE need to be on side with Israel. Any nation that comes against it will not stand and I say this with all that is in me – if the United States breaks ties with Jerusalem and stops being its ally we will be doomed. This is God’s land, and we need to be on side with God!!
When these witnesses die – the world will celebrate! There will be gifts exchanged, relationships mended, total celebration for the death of men who call themselves “godly”. CNN, MSNBC, FOX, etc., will carry the images of their dead bodies for 3 ½ days. John is seeing something unique here.
He is saying that everyone will see these men and at the time he is writing this that is impossible … however, think about today and what I said about the news – it IS possible for everyone to see everything at the same moment it happens!
Why do they celebrate?
The world will celebrate because they will be convinced that all the judgments that fell upon the Earth were the fault of these two men – and it is time to party for they are gone!
NONSENSE!
This is God’s plan and if you are hearing this message I want you to know that you should NOT believe it! God has a plan for this world and we are seeing it unfold in Revelation in vivid detail – and as Christians today it is our role to tell the world about this impending event!
Conclusion
Let’s close by REALLY looking at ourselves.
Ask yourself these two questions: “Why will society celebrate the death of men?” “When is the death of someone a great cause for celebration?”
Go with me to John Chapter 3.
DON’T MISS THIS!! DO NOT CLOSE UP YOUR BIBLES AND GET READY TO GO HOME!!
I want you to see John 3:16 in its TRUE context. Sure this is a great verse for salvation, but look at the implications on mankind when you see it in a broader sense! (Read John 3:16-21)
The explanation of this is simple. When we (that is you and I) are confronted with sin, we become angry, bitter, negative, defensive, etc. We find every other excuse in the world to not admit who we are and what we need to change.
The people in Revelation are the same way! Those who fight against (and kill) the witnesses do so because they are angry at the message of truth. The truth hurts!
These people discussed in Revelation are ... US!
It is time Saints, to get a little truth in us!! To understand that God’s truth is what sets us free, and until we can face the truth of our sins and what we need to repair – God will continue to work on us to get our attention.
If He has to use fire and death, then so be it.
This world has had ample time to change, and if you look at history between 1950 and 2007 – we have certainly gone in the WRONG direction! It is time to admit that we need to change – before it is too late and time runs out.
Invite singers
Pray
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