REVIVAL (REVELATION 11)
My first impression of the word “revival” was the Billy Graham Evangelistic Crusade. Billy Graham hosted annual "Crusades", evangelistic campaigns from 1947 until his retirement in 2005. All in all, Graham’s 400 crusades reached 210 million people in more than 185 countries and territories on six continents. In 1954-55, he preached in Europe. In 1956 he toured India and Far East. In 1958 he went to the Caribbean islands. 1959 Down under in Australia and New Zealand, and the same year to Africa. 1962 it was South America, France and Germany. In 1967 to Perot Rico, Canada and Japan.
The 70s were the Asia wave! 1973 was Billy Graham’s largest ever Crusade attendance on the last night of the South Korea Crusade, where some 1.1 million traveled mostly by foot to the final service.
https://billygraham.org/story/seoul-south-korea-a-look-back-at-billy-grahams-largest-ever-crusade/
In 1975 Billy Graham came to Taiwan and Hong Kong, and in 1977 to Philippines and Singapore, where I attended the year I was saved. Amazingly, Billy Graham traveled to the communist countries of China and Russia in 1988 and North Korea in 1992.
It’s been said (Alford) that chapter 11 “is undoubtedly one of the most difficult in the whole Apocalypse.” God, however, did not leave His people without His presence, power and protection in any generation. In Revelation chapter 4 the disasters begin the four horses followed by locusts with scorpion sting and horses in chapter 9. God’s response is the emergence of angels in chapter 10 and the two witnesses in this chapter 11.
What is the role of God’s people when He brings about revival in the land? How should we prepare yourselves? Why is God’s work is never left without His witness????
Witness with Your Life
I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6 These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
One of the greatest revival speakers you have not heard of is John Sung, whose public ministry was a short 12 years, dying at a young age of 42. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Sung
Sung is known as the Billy Graham of China, China’s John the Baptist and the man who moved Asia. Why? Not only in China, but from 1928 to 1940 Sung traveled all over China, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Burma, Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand. Thousands were converted through his ministry.
One of the funniest stories from a witness (Timothy Tow) was how a chicken farmer and his wife, sons and daughters bogged down by their farm work 20 miles prayed for a way to attend John Sung’s revival meeting. How was their problems solved? The farmer (Mr. Sim) said, “ln one night all our 700 chickens were taken by a sudden epidemic. This released us to go to the Meetings to hear the Word!"
Chapter 11 left off from the last verse of chapter 10 (10:11) where John was instructed to prophesy to the nations: “You must (verb) prophesy again about (before) many peoples, nations, languages and kings!” The object of their witness is nations. There are more “nations” (Rev 11:2, 9, 18) mentioned in chapter 11 than any chapter in Revelation.
How was John to witness? The double example was in the two witnesses, who are also prophets (v 10) as well as witnesses. Who were they? First, the two witnesses are more likely to be Jewish because they are prophets. Some said Moses and Elijah, others said the undying Enoch and Elijah, and other combinations include Jewish and Gentile believers, Israel and the Church, Joseph Smith and brother (Mormons), Ellen G. White and Elder Uriah Smith (Seventh-day Adventists)!
Two Witnesses
Moses and Elijah
Enoch and Elijah Tertullian, Irenaeus, and Hippolytus
Elder Uriah Smith and Ellen G. White Seventh-day Adventists
Joseph Smith and brother Hyrum Smith Mormons
Israel and the Church
Jewish and Gentile believers
The two witnesses have been identified as Enoch and Elijah by church fathers (Tertullian, Irenaeus, and Hippolytus of Rome), Israel and the Church, Jewish and Gentiles, Uriah Smith and Ellen G. White by Seventh-day Adventist interpretation, and Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith by Mormons.
In the last chapter John was instructed to prophesy (v 3), but how was he supposed to do it? The verb “prophesy” (v 3) is an extension of the last verse in previous chapter (10:11), the job of John (10:11) and the two witnesses (v 3). The two witnesses will prophesy (v 3) with power to people far and wide, hearers faithful or fearful, countries free or not, repentant or not. Prophesy is to speak in God’s name with power, passion and persistence. They will prophesy for 1,260 days or 3 and a half years, half the second half of the tribulation (v 3), enough for God’s fire to burn, ?1 and bake ?with fire (v 5), rain, water (v 6), blood (v 6), heaven/sky (v 6) and plagues (v 6) in their hands.
See chart
6W
Who Two witnesses (v 3)
What Prophesy (v 3)
When A thousand two hundred and threescore days (v 3)
How Power + Sackcloth (v 3)
Where fire comes from their mouths (v 5)
Why so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying (v 6)
Win When You Lose
7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth. 11 But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on. 13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.
BBC Sport described the revival of Brazil’s football team as “The religious movement that spread through a national team.” The story began with how Joao Leite, who believed he had a mission to spread God's word among other football players.
So that afternoon in December 1982, the Atletico Mineiro goalkeeper randomly approached an opponent before the big game started.
"Jesus loves you and I have a gift for you," he told Cruzeiro keeper Carlos Gomes as he presented him with a copy of the Bible. Gomes admitted to feeling in some way angry as he was handed the book. But that initial feeling later changed and he did actually join Leite's religious movement - Athletes of Christ. He was far from the only convert. An association of evangelical Christian sportspeople, Athletes of Christ counted some of the most influential people in Brazilian football among its membership. At their first meeting they were four in number. That would grow to about 7,000 across 60 countries, including high-profile footballers such as 2007 Ballon d'Or winner Kaka and ex-Bayern Munich centre-back Lucio.
"It all began with Alex Dias Ribeiro, a Formula 1 driver who competed with 'Jesus Saves' slogans on his cars," Leite, who played five times for Brazil, tells BBC Sport. "I decided to do the same and played with 'Christ Saves' on my shirt, but then the Brazilian Football Association banned it and threatened my team Atletico with a points deduction. It was then that I started to give Bibles to other players. But they were difficult times - there was so much prejudice against evangelical players. Not even the national team felt like a comfortable environment. It was not easy for me."
In 1980, around when Leite set out on his "mission", 88.9% of Brazil's population identified as Catholics. Evangelicalism - a movement within Protestant Christianity - accounted for 6.6%. The balance has since changed considerably. Research from Datafolha, a polling institute, put those respective figures at 50% and 31% in 2021.
One of their most prominent figures, Brazil right-back Jorginho, also handed out Bibles to opponents when captaining his club side Bayer Leverkusen, whom he left for Bayern Munich in 1992. Two years later during the 1994 World Cup, he was one of six evangelical footballers in the Brazil team that beat Italy in a shoot-out to win the final. Five of them formed a circle in the centre of the pitch and thanked God after Roberto Baggio's penalty flew over the bar. The sixth member was celebrating in his six-yard box. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60483820
Witnessing for the Lord is not easy, effortless or entertaining by any means. What is witness (v 7) and what does it entail? The noun “testimony” occurs 8 other times in Revelation:
Rev 1:2 bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ,
Rev 1:9 I… for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Rev 6:9 souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
Rev 12:11 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Rev 12:17 keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Rev 19:10 have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Rev 20:4 I saw the souls … beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God
From the word testimony, we have the words “testify,” “testimonial” and ‘test,” in the form of war (v 7) in this chapter. The nouns “witness” (v 3, martus) and “testimony” (v 7, marturia) makes its most appearance in the Bible. The noun “enemies” – plural (v 5, 12) - make their debut in the book, twice and only in chapter 11.
STRUCTURE FLOW
V 7 Beast… MAKE WAR + OVERCOME them + KILL them.
V 9 people and kindreds and tongues and nations GAZE + not SUFFER their dead bodies to be put in graves.
V 10 The inhabitants of the earth will REJOICE over them + MAKE MERRY + SEND gifts one to another
V 11
they STOOD upon their feet; and great fear FELL upon them which saw great fear FELL upon them which saw them (v 11) - only “great fear” (v 11) in Revelation!
V 12 their enemies BEHELD them
V 13 in the earthquake were SLAIN of men seven thousand: and the remnant WERE AFFRIGHTENED, and GAVE glory to the God of heaven.
The introduction of the beast (v 7) leads to the death of the two witnesses. Half of the 18 times the noun “war” (v 7) that occurs in the Bible is in Revelation, and apart from the neutral phrase “ there was in heaven” (12:7), the other 8 times are initiated by the enemies of God (Rev 9:7 & 9 – fallen star, 11:7 - beast, 12:7 – war in heaven, 17 -dragon, 13:7 - beast, 16:14 – kings of the earth, 19:19 – beast and kings of the earth, 20:8 – nations Gog and Magog). While the Lamb, and the Lamb, the Lord of lords, and King of kings shall overcome the beast and His enemies in the end (Rev 17:14), the halfway or middle to the end in chapter 11 is Ukraine-like hardship, horror, humiliation, hatred and heresy on the part of the saints, who will be killed and not afforded burial at any price(vv 8-9).
People Action Response
V 9 people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. Gaze + refuse Hardened
V 10 The inhabitants of the earth (they that dwell on earth) will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts Gloat + celebrate + send gifts Hate
V 11 terror struck those who saw them Struck (fell, KJV) Horrified
V 12 enemies looked on. Looked on Hushed
V 13 seven thousand people (slain of men, KJV) were killed in the earthquake, Killed Harmed
V 13 and the survivors (remnant, KJV) were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. Terrified + gave glory Humbled
Wait on the Lord
15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." 16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty ,the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. 18 The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great — and for destroying those who destroy the earth." 19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.
Dead Man Walking is a 1995 American crime drama film starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn. Sister Helen Prejean (Sarandon) establishes a special relationship with Matthew Poncelet (Penn), a prisoner on death row in Louisiana whom she visits him as his spiritual adviser after corresponding with him. Poncelet has been on death row at for six years for the murder and rape of a teenage couple. As his scheduled execution date approaches, Poncelet asks Sister Helen Prejean, with whom he has corresponded, to help him with a final appeal.
Sister Helen decides to visit Poncelet, who is arrogant, sexist and racist. He protests his innocence and insists his accomplice killed the two teenagers. Sister Helen tries to have his sentence commuted to life imprisonment. At the same time, she gets to know Poncelet's mother, Lucille, and the families of the two victims. The victims' families do not understand Sister Helen's efforts to help Poncelet and told her, "You can’t befriend that murderer and expect to be our friend, too." They desire "absolute justice" (i.e. his life for those of their children).
After her application for commutation is refused, Sister Helen agrees to be his spiritual adviser through his execution. Sister Helen tells Poncelet that his redemption is possible only if he takes responsibility for what he did. Before he is taken from his cell for execution, Poncelet tearfully admits to Sister Helen that he had killed the boy and raped the girl, before Vitello killed her. As he is prepared for execution, he appeals to the boy's father for forgiveness and tells the girl's parents that he hopes his death brings them peace. The murdered boy's father attends the funeral ceremony; although he is still filled with hate, he soon begins to pray with Sister Helen.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Man_Walking_(film)
Future persecution could be a hundred times more, but God’s reward is a thousand, a million and a billion times more glorious.
No matter how hard the persecution it is, the last section has two declarations - one by the voices in heaven (v 15) and the next by the 24 elders (v 16). There are three contrasts. First, the adjective “loud/great” describes the voices outside (v 15) but not in the speech itself, but featured three times in the second declaration. Both has one common denominator in the verb “reign” (vv 15 last line, 17 first line) – one in future (v 15) and one in aorist (v 17).The noun “kingdom” (basilea) and the verb “reign” (basileuo) in verse 15 are from the same root. The verb reign (vv 15, 17) occurs more times in Revelation (Rev 5:10, 11:15, 17, 19:6, 20:4, 6, 22:5) than any book in the Bible. It is never compromised in Revelation (Rev 5:10, 11:15, 11:17, 19:6, 20:4, 22:5), three times (Rev 11:15, 17, 19:6) Christ “shall reign,” but four times believers “reign” (Rev 5:10, 20:4, 6, 22:5).
For the contrast, the first declaration is to praise God for who He is unrelated to others, but the second (v 16) includes others – the nations (v 17), the dead (v 18), your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name (v 18) and the second declaration is from the 24 elders Temple of God (v 19).
This is only the second time the 24 elders fell on their faces (v 16), and worshiped God, having done so the first time with the angels and the four beasts (Rev 7:11). The title “Lord God Almighty” (v 17) is unique to Revelation (Rev 4:8, 11:17, 15:3, 16:7, 19:6, 21:22). The word Almighty can also be translated as omnipotent, invincible indomitable and all-powerful. This is the last time the verb “give thanks” (v 17) appear in the Bible, and it is a corporate occasion and decision reserved for God alone. More remarkable, the personal pronoun “we” (v 17) is the least used pronoun in Revelation, only three times (5:10, 7:3, 11:17), of which this is its only third time.
V 17 Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was V 17 you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. Almighty Reign
V 18 The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. V 18 your wrath has come. Anger Return
V 18 the dead V 18 they should be judged (KJV) Assessment Rating
18 servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great V 18 thou should give reward (KJV) Acknowledgment Ratification
V 18 those who destroy the earth." V 18 (thou) should destroy them Aggression Ruin
Conclusion: Are you ready for the Lord’s coming? Is He coming for you? What do you need to do to get ready? In the words of a song:
Do you ever search your heart, as you watch the day depart?
Is there something way down deep you're trying to hide?
If this day should be the end and eternity begins,
When the Book is open wide, would the Lord be satisfied?
Is He satisfied, is He satisfied?
Is He satisfied with me?
Have I done my best, have I stood the test?
ls He satisfied with me?
Victor Yap
Bible.ryl.hk (Grammar Bible)
Preachchrist.com (sermons)
