Revelation Part 18
Revelation 11:11-18
Introduction
Last week we examined the two witnesses and their ministry on this world. We learned that they are examples of proclaiming the truth in this world, and because of their ministry, many will come to salvation and repentance.
We also discovered that these two witnesses shall appear during the times of the first judgments from God (Chapters 4-10) and because of their ministry and testimony about Jesus Christ they are killed by Satan himself.
Each of us ought to have a testimony – and when asked by others what is your testimony, you ought to be able to tell what God has done for you immediately. It is because of their testimony, that God uses them to proclaim Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.
Today we will look at what these men have been given by God because of their faithfulness.
Pray
The Two Witnesses Resurrected (read v11-14)
After these men lay in the streets for three days (amidst the celebration of the nations because they were killed), these men will be raised to life by God himself. The word says that the breath of life entered them – and it is important to know that the breath of life that entered them is the SAME breath of life that re-entered Jesus in the tomb.
The witnesses’ physical bodies were dead – but they were resurrected and then taken up to heaven. The same voice that called Lazarus to come from the grave is the same voice that calls these men home. This is the voice of Jesus Christ!
The resurrection of these men was public – and in full view of the world. Due to this miracle – this miraculous calling home to glory – people who witnessed this saw that God is who He says He is, and they understood God’s authority.
When these men were resurrected there was a terrible earthquake.
At the cross of Calvary, when Jesus gave up his last breath the Word says in Matthew 27:51-53 “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.”
Side note here – note that there are MANY bodies resurrected when Jesus died. This is a totally different message, but I want you to see that when Jesus died – God’s power brought back hundreds, perhaps thousands of holy people who had died to testify for God. Notice where they went to testify about God – Jerusalem! (Again, the Word ties into the importance of Israel.)
God’s resurrection power is unbelievable!
In the same hour that the witnesses were resurrected, 7,000 people will die as a result of this earthquake that happens. Perhaps they will die of shock? Or being under rubble? The focus here is that more lives will be lost – but see something special here. 7,000 are predicted to die during this earthquake.
Imagine sitting at home, after the rapture of the church. You have a bible in your hand and are following along with the events of this story, and the news-cast suddenly flashes on the screen that 7,000 people have been killed as a result of this earthquake.
Could that not be a specific confirmation to the reader that God’s Word is true? God gives us a number here so that we can validate things in the future – to give a roadmap.
God’s authority is magnificent and we worship it today.
Point 2 – The Third and Final Woe (read v15-18)
Remember back that the 6th trumpet released on Earth the 200 million horsemen from Satan’s army and they were responsible for the death of 1/3 of the Earth’s remaining population. Then, there was a pause in Heaven (this pause is the time of the witnesses’ death and resurrection).
We now begin what is referred to as the beginning of the 2nd half of the Tribulation.
When the seventh angel sounded, this is similar to the same event in Jericho when the 7 priests blew their trumpets on the 7th day and the city walls fell. This trumpet blowing will represent voices in heaven coming forward to battle Satan and his angels.
Verse 15 says that the world has become Jesus’!
Remember in Matthew Chapter 4 that Satan offered Jesus the “kingdoms of the world” if He would fall down and worship Him – but what Satan failed to see is that the kingdoms of the world already belonged to Jesus! Satan was making Jesus an offer that he could not deliver – because He is the father of lies and deception – and Jesus called Him on it! Matthew 4:10 says “Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ’Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”
Notice in Heaven we see the 24 elders (represented by12 men from the OT and 12 men from the NT) falling down and worshiping before the throne, again! These men worship constantly, and their example ought to be a cue to us that worship is not an hour a week – it is constant!
Even in Heaven their lives signify worship to God! Are you afraid to worship? Here are men, at the throne of God, prostrate before Him … we should worship today with the same heart.
Note what they are saying in their act of worship to Jesus Christ (they are offering confession and testimony of who God is):
1. Because you have taken power … Satan’s power is removed and God stands supreme!
2. And reigned … Christ will exercise God’s authority over the kingdoms of men.
3. Nations were angry … The nations of the Earth will fight against God’s authority. The second Psalm clearly indicates that there will be a rebellion against God by the Kings of this Earth.
Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.” Psalm 2:1-3
David was crying to God that this world will turn away from Him.
4. Your wrath has come … The “Day of the Lord” is God’s wrath on all the continual sin of man. Armageddon will be the final showdown between mankind and God. (Rev 16:16)
5. Time of the dead … The rest of the unfaithful dead will be judged after the 1000-year millennium at the “Great white throne” judgment described in Rev 20:11.
6. You should reward … Reward is given for faithful service is promised to believers. But three different servants are:
One of 5 crowns in addition to eternal life: LIFE, RIGHTEOUSNESS, GLORY, INCORRUPTABLE, and REJOICING.
A. The prophets: Daniel is told (Dan 12:13) he will receive his inheritance at the end of days. David is promised a place of honor in the coming kingdom. (Jer 30:9, Ezk 34:24,). Job looks forward to his day of resurrection when he will see God with his own eyes. (Job 19:25-27)
B. The saints: All who are saved are saints but all will not be rewarded equally. All will receive eternal life but many who are first in the world will be last in the kingdom.
C. Those that fear your name: The saints who fear God’s name will also be rewarded. There is a continual accounting taking place in Heaven of man’s action. (Ezek 9:4)
Ezek 9:4 says, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.”
There is accountability in Heaven – Romans 14:12 ties in here.
7. Should destroy … From the beginning man was given the responsibility to care for the Earth. Through war and moral decay man is seen as the reason for the earth destruction. The Earth is God’s possession and mankind was given stewardship over the Earth. Now God is about to destroy the remaining disobedient stewards.
Conclusion
Invite Singers
Let me sum this message up for you in three small phrases:
Resurrection of life
Focus on worship
Promise to redeem
What does this say about us today?
We are resurrected when we surrender to Jesus Christ’s calling on our lives.
We focus on worship, intent on looking to the cross and to Jesus for guidance and leadership.
We have a hope (Jer 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”), that that we shall be redeemed (Luke 1:68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people.”) and through the salvation of Jesus we shall see a glorified Heaven and the enemies of God shall be destroyed (Hebrews 1:13 “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”).
This is the hope we have, and confirms why the Two Witnesses should be heroes of ours – for their testimony of truth is rewarded – in the same fashion that ours shall be rewarded as well!
What is your testimony? What does it say about you? Who are you trusting in and where is your heart of worship?
Pray
* Research confirmed by TruthNet.org
