Alpha and Omega, Part 35, Revelation Part 12
The Ministry and Eternal Purpose of God’s Witnesses
Revelation 11:3-19
Introduction
- Been studying Revelation together, to understand God’s plan for creation
-- RE: Redemption has been provided only by Jesus; now we have a choice
- Last week, we ended with the command of God to measure those at the temple
-- This relates to those who have given themselves to the Antichrist in worship
-- Greek metaphorically: metreó means to judge according to a standard
- FACT: Anyone who does not worship Jesus is worshiping a false god
-- So, God commands John to count those at the temple for His judgment
-- Why? He’s preparing to judge / condemn their false, unholy, & sinful adoration
-- This is a very valuable lesson for us: God is paying attention to your worship!
- We also saw the depiction of a timeline of events (for our understanding)
-- As a setup from last week, let’s read Revelation 11:1-2
- As a reminder: 42 months = 3 ½ years (1,260 days is also 3.5 years)
-- Scripture teaches that the antichrist will be given 7 years to rule and reign
-- This is covered in the prophecy of Daniel 9:27, “The ruler will make a treaty with the people for a period of one set of seven, but after half this time, he will put an end to the sacrifices and offerings. And as a climax to all his terrible deeds, he will set up a sacrilegious object that causes desecration, until the fate decreed for this defiler is finally poured out on him.”
-- The first 3.5 years will be a calling to him led under a “covenant of peace”
-- The abomination of desolation will unleash the 2nd half of the tribulation
-- This is when Satan indwells the Antichrist, and demands worship of Him
- Today we reveal two critical characters who appear during the Tribulation
-- However, as we discussed a bit on Wednesday, we will jump ahead in time
-- What John gives us is a broad overview of the next 10 chapters
- Read Revelation 11:3-19 / Pray
- TR: John is writing about the second 3 ½ year time period
-- However, he does so in a way that gradually approaches the worst times
-- Allows us to digest, to understand, and to unpack God’s word (seek wisdom)
Point 1 – God’s Two Witnesses
- There are a 6 introductory things to see about the two witnesses:
• 1. They are sent by God – it is God’s calling for them to witness
-- These two men are given gifts of evangelism – to proclaim the Truth
-- This is an unashamed proclamation to mankind; no excuses / apologies made
• 2. They will be sent for a short period of time – 3.5 years
-- Their message is straight forward, pulling no punches
-- Don’t miss that God is specific about this time … 1,260 days
-- Why? God will not tarry forever, the time to repent is right now
-- And notice, they are specifically preaching in the holy city (ref of v2)
• 3. They will be sent forth as prophets who condemn sin
-- Their mission is to proclaim the salvation offered by Jesus Christ
-- Even their garments speak to their mission: sackcloth was worn by prophets
-- It is a wardrobe of mourning, nothing flashy and nothing special
-- It is a sign of submission - seen in 1 Kings 20:31, “Ben-hadad’s officers said to him, “Sir, we have heard that the kings of Israel are merciful. So let’s humble ourselves by wearing burlap around our waists and putting ropes on our heads, and surrender to the king of Israel. Then perhaps he will let you live.”
• 4. They will have their needs met by God
-- They’ll be like two olive trees and two candlesticks before the Lord
-- This is a reference to two old testament prophets: Joshua and Zerubbabel
-- Reference to Zechariah 4:11-14, “Then I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees on each side of the lampstand, and what are the two olive branches that pour out golden oil through two gold tubes?” “Don’t you know?” he asked. “No, my lord,” I replied. Then he said to me, “They represent the two anointed ones who stand in the court of the Lord of all the earth.”
- See this: God will make them as strong as two olive trees (resolute)
-- God will also cause their witness shine like two candlesticks in the dark
• 5. They will have great power bestowed upon them
-- Their power will be the same that Elijah and Moses had while on Earth
-- They’ll have the power to bring fire from Heaven (Elijah, 2 Kings 1:10)
-- And see that the fire comes from their mouths – preaching – fire from God
• 6. They will have the power to perform miracles:
-- EX: Cause it to rain and to not rain (as Elijah did)
-- 1 Kings 17:1, “Now Elijah the Tishbite was a prophet from the settlers in Gilead. “I serve the Lord, the God of Israel,” Elijah said to Ahab. “As surely as the Lord lives, no rain or dew will fall during the next few years unless I command it.”
-- EX: They will also be able to strike the Earth with plagues (as Moses did)
-- Exodus 8:16-17, “So the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Raise your staff and strike the ground. The dust will turn into swarms of gnats throughout the land of Egypt.’” So Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded them. When Aaron raised his hand and struck the ground with his staff, gnats infested the entire land, covering the Egyptians and their animals. All the dust in the land of Egypt turned into gnats.”
- IMP: A supernatural power will be needed to protect them. Why?
-- Imagine the threat they will pose to the ruler of this world (antichrist)?
-- HUGE: When God calls a minister, it must be God that empowers him! Paul:
-- 1 Corinthians 2:4, “And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.”
- Now …. There are lots of theories about who these two witnesses might be
-- Some have supposed this is some kind of imagery comparing two “things”
-- EX: The Law and the Gospel … or The Law and The Prophets
-- Consider: Perhaps these are symbols of other things not outlined here?
- Many others think these are two specific persons from biblical history
-- Lots of guesses here among scholars because it is so unclear and not given
-- EX: Perhaps it is Enoch and Elijah? Or maybe it is Elijah and Moses?
- Admittedly, it is tough to see how these could be anything other than 2 men
-- Why? They interact, they preach, they have power, & they witness for Christ
- However, what we know for sure is that they are NOT identified!
-- Scripture gives us no indication as to who they are; or if they even have names!
-- Even when God places them, they are only referred to as “my two witnesses”
-- Further, when they are resurrected, there is no calling them by name
-- APP: So, we should not suppose for our own personal story telling …
- TR: What is key, is that they will have the power of God bestowed on them
-- The power to testify, to celebrate, and to reveal that Christ is the Messiah!
- The message is clear: Repent and turn to Christ
-- Imagine if that were our calling today? How many likes on FB for that?
Point 2 – The Witnesses Mission, Death, and Honor
- These two witnesses are berated, chastised, and poked at by the Antichrist
-- We know they will lose their life for preaching against him/his choices
-- Note the reference: “He will conquer and kill them” (this is a personal ref) (v7)
-- Greek: apokteinó; “I put to death” or “I abolish”
-- Not that he’ll have them killed – but he will do the killing
- Also, this is the 1st time the “beast” (or the “antichrist”) is mentioned by name
-- Greek: thérion; properly: a wild beast – describes his demeanor perfectly
-- RE: Peter called our enemy a “roaring lion” who’s seeking to devour us!
- What do we see about him first? He will come from the “bottomless pit”
-- Greek: abussos; the abyss or the home of the dead and of evil spirits
- However, these 2 will be supernaturally protected for 3.5 years
-- Since his rise of power will be shouted down by their message
-- He will do all that he can to discredit and cause doubt about them
- Don’t miss this: Satan is the ruler of this world, but even he has limits
-- APP: This is a huge comfort for us today: evil does NOT have “free reign”
-- We are able, and allowed, and even exhorted to say “NO!” to its invitation
- And when they are killed, their deaths will be celebrated globally! (v9)
-- Consider: leaving two bodies in the streets for three days to gloat over them
-- The idea is that the whole world will see them die, and will rejoice over it
-- Deeper: Imagine the power of the antichrist to not allow them to be buried
- Even gifts will be exchanged to commemorate their deaths
-- APP: There will be a great party because they are gone, defeated by him
- Look what is even said about Jerusalem (the holy city)!! It will: (v8)
• “Be as Sodom”: a city of debauchery, immorality, and shameful sin
-- Ref to Genesis 19:4, Lot, the evil deeds men wanted to commit against angels
• “Be as Egypt”: a nation that enslaved and killed God’s people
- BUT!! Something amazing happens – and it’s only by the power of God!! (v11)
-- After 3 days, they will resurrect and be taken to heaven before the partiers!
-- Imagine seeing two dead bodies rise up after being dead for 3 days!
-- John describes it as a “terror” that strikes those who see this happen
-- Greek: phobos; fear, terror, alarm
-- Following this, the holy city will be shaken by a devastating earthquake
- This a tremendous vindication for the two witnesses – 1st to die for God
-- But after that … to be risen and restored by God who called them!
- Imagine the fear and horror of those watching … but they give glory! (v13)
-- This obviously had an effect on those who did not die (re: 7,000 people died)
- APP: On this day, many Jews will be saved – they will come to Christ
-- How? Because they have seen God’s great power and they rejoice in it!
- TR: Then, v14 reminds us about the two terrors that have passed
-- This reminds to understand we are about to see the 7th trumpet …
Point 3 – The Seventh Trumpet and Heaven’s Praise
- When the 7th trumpet sounds, get this … nothing actually happens!!
-- APP: The trumpet is the introduction of the 7 bowl judgements! (Ch 16)
-- Consider: the Earth has been rocked, and yet, there is still more to come
- But look at God’s goodness: He actually gives John a preview of the future
-- So far into the future that the judgments have passed & evil is defeated
-- This is not another praise chorus; this is Heaven’s rejoicing later in time
-- APP: It is a futuristic look – one that John invites us to see also
- What John sees are 4 different scenes, again, all of future events (read each):
1) The kingdoms of this world have become Jesus’ kingdoms (“now”) (v15)
2) The Lord is proclaimed as victor and is worthy of our worship (v16-17)
3) The nations & Satan will rebel one more time and be destroyed (v18)
4) God’s temple will be opened to us (this is a sign of eternity to come) (v19)
- Hebrews 9:23 tells us, “That is why the Tabernacle and everything in it, which were copies of things in heaven, had to be purified by the blood of animals. But the real things in heaven had to be purified with far better sacrifices than the blood of animals.” RE: What is in Heaven is FAR better than what we can make here!
- When you consider a view into God’s temple, what more could we want to see?
-- The things found there are far greater than the Earthly copies we have today
-- CHALL: What other location should anyone reading this want to be found at?
BIG IDEA
- Get this: The presence of God causes a reaction to His most holy place
-- Lightning, earthquake, thunder – awesome sign of God’s authority / power
-- And yet, in that, there is peace because of who resides there – Jesus
-- There is peace because following the judgements, there is only God’s presence
- This is why John shows us this praise and futuristic worship at God’s temple
-- It is to give you and I hope that these things will happen; there is a future here
-- It’s also a reminder that there is an escape from the judgment to come
-- Consider the message of the witnesses: repent and choose (run to) Jesus!
-- In Heaven today, is a place of immense worship, and we are invited to be there
- BIG: In light of what is coming … there is still a way for us to be rescued!
- Let’s pray together …
