I. EXORDIUM:
Do you know the two witnesses?
Yes. bible is pointing to Enoch and Elijah
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
Believers
III. OBJECTIVES:
To show the two lampstands/olive trees that stands before the LORD GOD.
IV. TEXT:
Revelation 11:4 (Amplified Bible)
These [witnesses] are the two olive trees and the two lampstands which stand before the Lord of the earth.
V. THESIS:
Praise, worship and thank You very much LORD JESUS for You have qualified and made us fit to share in the inheritance of the saints in the Light.
Colossians 1:12 (Amplified Bible)
Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God’s holy people) in the Light.
VI. TITLE:
Enoch and Elijah the two witnesses
VII. EXPLICATION:
A. Author: Apostle Matthew
B. Keyword: Fulfilled
C. Emphatic Thought: Fulfillment of Old Testament Prophecy
D. Audience: Jews
E. Apparent Purpose: To show that JESUS of Nazareth was the kingly Messiah of Jewish prophecy.
VIII. MAIN BODY:
A. Reasons why Enoch and Elijah are said to be the two witnesses:
1. Both of them got translated
Genesis 5:24 (Amplified Bible)
And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him].
2 Kings 2:11 (Amplified Bible)
As they still went on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire parted the two of them, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
2. Both of them prophesies
1 Kings 18:22 (Amplified Bible)
Then Elijah said to the people, I, I only, remain a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.
Jude 1:14 (Amplified Bible)
It was of these people, moreover, that Enoch in the seventh [generation] from Adam prophesied when he said, Behold, the Lord comes with His myriads of holy ones (ten thousands of His saints)
3. Both of them are alive as of today
Genesis 5:24 (Amplified Bible)
And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him].
2 Kings 2:11 (Amplified Bible)
As they still went on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire parted the two of them, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
Genesis 5:24 (Amplified Bible)
And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him].
4. Both of them pleased GOD and are satisfactory to GOD
Hebrews 11:5 (Amplified Bible)
11:5 Because of faith Enoch was caught up and transferred to heaven, so that he did not have a glimpse of death; and he was not found, because God had translated him. For even before he was taken to heaven, he received testimony [still on record] that he had pleased and been satisfactory to God.
James 5:17 (Amplified Bible)
Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours]; and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six months.
5. Both of them are standing before GOD
Revelation 11:4 (Amplified Bible)
These [witnesses] are the two olive trees and the two lampstands which stand before the Lord of the earth.
Two witnesses in the Old Testament has been identified but the two witnesses of the New Testament has been hidden.
Two witnesses of the Old Testament were Joshua, the high priest and Zerubbabel.
Zechariah 4:3 (Amplified Bible)
And there are two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl and the other upon the left side of it [feeding it continuously with oil].
Zechariah 4:14 (Amplified Bible)
Then said he, These are the two sons of oil [Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the prince of Judah, the two anointed ones] who stand before the Lord of the whole earth [as His anointed instruments].
Two witnesses of the New Testament are mentioned in the bible on this verses:
Revelation 11:3-11 (Amplified Bible)
And I will grant the power of prophecy to My two witnesses for 1,260 (42 months; three and one-half years), dressed in sackcloth.
These [witnesses] are the two olive trees and the two lampstands which stand before the Lord of the earth.
And if anyone attempts to injure them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their enemies; if anyone should attempt to harm them, thus he is doomed to be slain.
These [two witnesses] have power to shut up the sky, so that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying (their prediction of events relating to Christ’s kingdom and its speedy triumph); and they also have power to turn the waters into blood and to smite and scourge the earth with all manner of plagues as often as they choose.
But when they have finished their testimony and their evidence is all in, the beast (monster) that comes up out of the Abyss (bottomless pit) will wage war on them, and conquer them and kill them.
And their dead bodies [will lie exposed] in the open street (a public square) of the great city which is in a spiritual sense called [by the mystical and allegorical names of] Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.
For three and a half days men from the races and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and will not allow them to be put in a tomb.
And those who dwell on the earth will gloat and exult over them and rejoice exceedingly, taking their ease and sending presents [in congratulation] to one another, because these two prophets had been such a vexation and trouble and torment to all the dwellers on the earth.
But after three and a half days, by God’s gift the breath of life again entered into them, and they rose up on their feet, and great dread and terror fell on those who watched them.
Speculations said that the two witnesses are Moses and Elijah:
1. Because they have power over nature: fire, rain and blood
Revelation 11:5-6 (Amplified Bible)
And if anyone attempts to injure them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their enemies; if anyone should attempt to harm them, thus he is doomed to be slain.
These [two witnesses] have power to shut up the sky, so that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying (their prediction of events relating to Christ’s kingdom and its speedy triumph); and they also have power to turn the waters into blood and to smite and scourge the earth with all manner of plagues as often as they choose.
It looks like Moses has all of these powers in the 10 plagues for Egypt.
Exodus 9:13-14 (Amplified Bible)
Then the Lord said to Moses, Rise up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh and say to him, Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, Let My people go, that they may serve Me.
For this time I will send all My plagues upon your heart and upon your servants and your people, that you may recognize and know that there is none like Me in all the earth.
2. There's only a small account about Enoch, and Jude spoke about him with no reference to the Old Testament.
Characteristics of Enoch according to Jude:
Jude 1:14 (Amplified Bible)
It was of these people, moreover, that Enoch in the seventh [generation] from Adam prophesied when he said, Behold, the Lord comes with His myriads of holy ones (ten thousands of His saints)
a. Enoch prophesied.
b. Enoch saw the second coming of CHRIST including the believers of the New Testament
Even though the names of the two witnesses of the New Testament are not specified, we are given clues because of their power and authority given to them. One of the two witnesses is Elijah and we have the reasons that points us to Elijah.
Why Elijah is guaranteed as one of the two witnesses of the New Testament:
1. Elijah can command fire
2 Kings 1:10 (Amplified Bible)
Elijah said to the captain of fifty, If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty. And fire fell from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.
Revelation 11:5 (Amplified Bible)
And if anyone attempts to injure them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their enemies; if anyone should attempt to harm them, thus he is doomed to be slain.
2. Elijah has power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain
Revelation 11:6 (Amplified Bible)
These [two witnesses] have power to shut up the sky, so that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying (their prediction of events relating to Christ’s kingdom and its speedy triumph); and they also have power to turn the waters into blood and to smite and scourge the earth with all manner of plagues as often as they choose.
1 Kings 17:1 (Amplified Bible)
ELIJAH THE Tishbite, of the temporary residents of Gilead, said to Ahab, As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before Whom I stand, there shall not be dew or rain these years but according to My word.
although Moses has this power too but Moses died.
3. Elijah never died, alive until now.
Genesis 5:24 (Amplified Bible)
And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him].
Revelation 11:6 (Amplified Bible)
These [two witnesses] have power to shut up the sky, so that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying (their prediction of events relating to Christ’s kingdom and its speedy triumph); and they also have power to turn the waters into blood and to smite and scourge the earth with all manner of plagues as often as they choose.
Moses died as the bible have said thus eliminating him as one of the two witnesses:
1. Bible said you can only die once.
Hebrews 9:27 (Amplified Bible)
And just as it is appointed for [all] men once to die, and after that the [certain] judgment,
2. The death of Moses is physical not spiritual.
Deuteronomy 34:7 (Amplified Bible)
Moses was 120 years old when he died; his eye was not dim nor his natural force abated.
Joshua 1:1-2 (Amplified Bible)
AFTER THE death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ minister,
Moses My servant is dead. So now arise [take his place], go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land which I am giving to them, the Israelites.
[Source: Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary]
Died (Deuteronomy 34:7) and (Joshua 1:1-2) or "maveth" in Hebrew meaning:
1. death (natural or violent)
2. dead
3. their place or state: Hades since Moses is an Old Testament character
4. pestilence, ruin, death, die
Nothing in the bible that said Moses' death is spiritual one but one that is physical. The requirements of being one of the two witnesses is that you have to die,
Revelation 11:7 (Amplified Bible)
But when they have finished their testimony and their evidence is all in, the beast (monster) that comes up out of the Abyss (bottomless pit) will wage war on them, and conquer them and kill them.
The Greek word for "kill" in Revelation 11:7 is "apokteino" meaning to slay, to put to death (physical death). Moses can't die again according to Hebrews 9:27, we're looking for someone to replace Moses that have not died yet and still alive today.
We found Enoch.
Similarities in the life of Enoch and Elijah:
1. Both never died because they were taken away by the LORD
Enoch:
Genesis 5:24 - Enoch
walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him.
Elijah:
2 Kings 2:11-12 - Elijah
11 As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven.
12 Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” And as they disappeared from sight, Elisha tore his clothes in distress.
2. Both are known to be powerful prophets of GOD
Enoch:
Jude 1:14 (Amplified Bible)
It was of these people, moreover, that Enoch in the seventh [generation] from Adam prophesied when he said, Behold, the Lord comes with His myriads of holy ones (ten thousands of His saints)
Elijah:
Malachi 4:5 (Amplified Bible)
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.
3. Both are accustomed to be taken away by the LORD, so they have to be both experience in translation or being taken by the LORD because they have to do it again.
Revelation 11:12 (Amplified Bible)
Then [the two witnesses] heard a strong voice from heaven calling to them, Come up here! And before the very eyes of their enemies they ascended into heaven in a cloud.
3. GOD is pleased with both of them.
Rumor that Moses is not dead:
1. Archangel Michael and the devil contends with the body of Moses
Jude 1:9 (Amplified Bible)
But when [even] the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, judicially argued (disputed) about the body of Moses, he dared not [presume to] bring an abusive condemnation against him, but [simply] said, The Lord rebuke you!
Zechariah 3:2 (Amplified Bible)
And the Lord said to Satan, The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! Even the Lord, Who [now and habitually] chooses Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this [returned captive Joshua] a brand plucked out of the fire?
It is not first time that contentions (striving, quarrel, or opposition) are done for the body of the LORD.
Contention over a body of a righteous person in the Old Testament usually happens because JESUS our LORD and Redeemer is not yet manifested in the flesh.
Contentions over the body of Joshua, the high priest:
Zechariah 3:1-5 (Amplified Bible)
THEN [the guiding angel] showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at Joshua’s right hand to be his adversary and to accuse him.
And the Lord said to Satan, The Lord rebuke you, O Satan! Even the Lord, Who [now and habitually] chooses Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this [returned captive Joshua] a brand plucked out of the fire?
Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and was standing before the Angel [of the Lord].
And He spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And He said to [Joshua], Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich apparel.
And I [Zechariah] said, Let them put a clean turban on his head. So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with [rich] garments. And the Angel of the Lord stood by.
In the New Testament, the LORD delivers us from death the moment we die, we don't die we only sleep. We have been passed from death to life as new testament believers:
1 John 3:14 (Amplified Bible)
We know that we have passed over out of death into Life by the fact that we love the brethren (our fellow Christians). He who does not love abides (remains, is held and kept continually) in [spiritual] death.
John 5:24 (Amplified Bible)
I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the person whose ears are open to My words [who listens to My message] and believes and trusts in and clings to and relies on Him Who sent Me has (possesses now) eternal life. And he does not come into judgment [does not incur sentence of judgment, will not come under condemnation], but he has already passed over out of death into life.
Ephesians 2:1 (Amplified Bible)
AND YOU [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins
Ephesians 2:5 (Amplified Bible)
Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation).
When a new testament believer or saint dies, he actually never dies, he just sleeps.
1 Corinthians 15:51 (Amplified Bible)
Take notice! I tell you a mystery (a secret truth, an event decreed by the hidden purpose or counsel of God). We shall not all fall asleep [in death], but we shall all be changed (transformed)
John 11:13 (Amplified Bible)
However, Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He referred to falling into a refreshing and natural sleep.
Enoch moved in faith even before faith is manifested.
Hebrews 11:5 (Amplified Bible)
11:5 Because of faith Enoch was caught up and transferred to heaven, so that he did not have a glimpse of death; and he was not found, because God had translated him. For even before he was taken to heaven, he received testimony [still on record] that he had pleased and been satisfactory to God.
IX. CONCLUSION:
Praise, worship and thank You very much LORD JESUS for You have qualified and made us fit to share in the inheritance of the saints in the Light.
http://www.NameHost.biz/
Unlimited Domain and Web Hosting
Praise and Worship songs with lyrics:
http://gospelsubs.nabaza.com
Prayer Request Portal - Post your prayer request
http://pray4me.nabaza.info
Bible verse devotionals
http://bibleverse.nabaza.com/
Videos
http://videos.nabaza.com/
William Nabaza of
http://www.nabaza.com/
http://www.Nabaza.info/
http://www.williamrnabaza.com/
http://www.williamnabaza.com/
http://www.1weblord.com/
http://www.namehost.biz/
http://www.vabes.net/
http://jobs.nabaza.com/
http://projects.nabaza.com
http://videos.nabaza.com
http://dating.nabaza.com
http://news.nabaza.com
http://nabaza.ourtoolbar.com
http://www.openwheeler.co.uk/?a=weblord
http://pray4me.nabaza.info
http://bibleverse.nabaza.com
http://1weblord.tradepub.com
http://nabaza.tradepub.com
http://twitmags.tradepub.com
http://williamnabaza.tradepub.com
http://williamrnabaza.tradepub.com
http://namehost-biz.tradepub.com
http://domainon-net.tradepub.com
http://weblord.pbworks.com/w/page/6301766/FrontPage
http://weblord.livehelpengine.com/login.php?err=1
http://www.softpedia.com/developer/Nabaza-35047.html
http://www.zazzle.com/ilocano
http://www.zazzle.com/arubub
http://zazzle.com/ThePhilippines
http://zazzle.com/Bibleverse
http://zazzle.com/weblord
http://monitor.nabaza.com/
http://gospelsubs.nabaza.com/
http://videos.nabaza.com/
http://software.nabaza.com/
http://cut.vg/.18626
http://cut.vg/.18663
http://cut.vg/.18834
http://cut.vg/.19033
http://theapp.mobi/wsearch
http://getone.mobi/magazines
http://adscut.com/f/20414
http://freerotator.com/ro/?r=5&u=weblord
http://astore.amazon.com/p-noys-20
http://nabaza.tradepub.com/c/search.mpl?keyword=human+resources
http://www.zazzle.com/weblord?rf=238323212628680520
http://www.zazzle.com/ThePhilippines?rf=238323212628680520
http://www.zazzle.com/BibleVerse?rf=238323212628680520
http://www.zazzle.com/ilocano?rf=238323212628680520
http://www.sysnito.com/?crid=12435&linkID=10
http://www.sysnito.com/?crid=12435&linkID=172
http://refer.ccbill.com/cgi-bin/clicks.cgi?CA=915719-0000&PA=2287525
http://astore.amazon.com/realtor01-20
http://astore.amazon.com/carlovers-20
http://rapidgator.net/file/ee31f3629c0a9cd873f70c4f6953a2ea
http://rapidgator.net/file/555eb63a7c6068f6d437ec1ad8595db6
http://www.affbot1.com/link-658839-67219-2184-32841?plan=1472
http://www.affbot1.com/link-658839-67219-955-11446?plan=202
http://www.affbot3.com/link-658839-67219-2183-32820?plan=1471
http://www.affbot3.com/link-658839-67219-2174-32707?plan=1462
http://www.affbot3.com/link-658839-67219-2171-32641?plan=1459
http://www.adlandpro.com/partner.aspx?ref=8419&pg=adv_r
http://mhlnk.com/39B107DC
http://weblord.proboards12.com/
http://weblord.binbox.io/
http://www.herculist.com/members/Megaform.cgi?weblord
https://www.oboom.com/ref/D10E5B
http://www.eobot.com/new.aspx?referid=26083
http://tf.org/735
https://cex.io/r/1/weblord/0/
http://astore.amazon.com/p-noys-20
http://astore.amazon.com/bornagain07-20
http://jobs.Nabaza.com http://Projects.Nabaza.com http://www.Nabaza.info www.Nabaza.com www.Namehost.biz http://videos.nabaza.com http://Pray4me.nabaza.info http://Nabaza.tradepub.com http://monitor.nabaza.com http://news.Nabaza.com http://dating.nabaza.com http://bibleverse.nabaza.com http://software.nabaza.com/ http://news.nabaza.com/ http://gospelsubs.nabaza.com/ http://videos.nabaza.com/ http://software.nabaza.com/
install our toolbar:
http://nabaza.ourtoolbar.com/
See random supporters/advertisers:
http://freerotator.com/ro/?r=5&u=weblord
News you can use
William Nabaza < william@nabaza.com > of http://www.Nabaza.com
*************************
Sms Bible Devotional (Philippines Residents only)
Type "JOIN WEBLORD"
Send to 2940 (Smart and TalkNTxt Subscribers)
or 2354 (Globe and Touch Mobile Subscribers)
**P1/txt goes to Cellphone Network
*************************
Customer Support:
Email: william[@]nabaza.com / support@nabaza.com
webpage: http://www.nabaza.com/
http://ask.williamrnabaza.com/ | http://support.nabaza.com/
http://helpdesk.nabaza.com
