THE TWO WITNESSES
Revelation 11:1-19
Charles Dickens described the days in France just before the French Revolution in Tale of Two Cities:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going directly to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.”
The same adjectives can be used to describe the age about to be opened up in Revelation. It will be the worst of times, such as man has never seen, while at the same time appearing to be the best age to those who worship the Antichrist, the beast.
The Temple Rebuilt vs 1-2
Several passages in scripture refer to the temple of the end time. Ever since the jews have been returning to the Israel the last fifty years, rumors have circulated concerning the accumulation of materials for the eventual rebuilding of the temple.
Only one thing stops them. The Dome of the rock (photo 1). The second most holy shrine in the Moslem world. Second only to Mecca, the birthplace of Mohammed.
The Dome of the Rock is build on Mount Moriah, the place considered to be the site of Abraham’s willingness to offer Isaac as a sacrifice to God. (Photo 2)
This is the place where Solomon’s Temple was (Photo 5) built. It was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C. Seventy years later under the direction of Zerubbabel and Joshua, the high priest, the second Temple was build. Not as large as Solomon’s.
This temple served the Jews until it was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes, a Greek-Syrian king, in 163 B.C.
Some forty years before Jesus, Herod the Great had this whole temple destroyed and rebuilt. That temple was known in Jesus’ day as Herod’s Temple. That temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D.
As believers we are not taught to build a Temple, for we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Israel though, will rebuild the Temple. This act will correspond with the start of the Tribulation period marked by the signing of a covenant (peace agreement) with the Antichrist. It may be that one of the first earthquakes mentioned will destroy the Dome of the Rock and open the door for the Temple to be rebuilt.
The reinstitution of the temple worship will reawaken interest on the part of many Jews in the Messiah. Many will realize that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins Hebrews 10:4.
John is now told to measure the temple and count those who worship there. Obviously, this was not an effort to determine its physical dimensions, since none are given. I believe it is conveying something far beyond architecture, God’s ownership. God is marking the line of His possessions. The prophecies to follow will distinguish between God’s favor toward Israel and His wrath on the pagan world.
(Show photos 3 & 4)
The Two Messengers vs 3-14
A variety of suggestions has been offered as to the identity of these two witnesses. God did not tells, so we don’t know. We can, thought, speculate. The strongest argument is for Moses and Elijah. They were with Jesus on the Mountain of Transfiguration.
Their Duty
God has given them authority to prophesy for 1,260, three and a half years. They will call the people to repentance. Their preaching will be while Antichrist’s forces oppress the city of Jerusalem.
Their Attitude
These two witnesses will put on sackcloth as an object lesson to express their great sorrow for the wretched and unbelieving world. They will also mourn because of the desecration of the temple.
Their Power
These witnesses will fearlessly proclaim God’s judgment wrath, vengeance, and the need for repentance. Because of their message they will be universally hated and many will try to kill them. Fire will flow from their mouth and devour their enemies.
They will bring drought and turn the water into blood.
Their Death
God will protect His witnesses until their work is done. Then the Beast (Antichrist) that comes from the Abyss will kill them. Their bodies will lie openly on the city street for everyone to see. The world will rejoice at their death.
Their Resurrection
The world’s party will quickly end as God breaths life into their dead bodies. Great fear falls upon all who see what is happening. Just like God resurrected Jesus from the dead he will bring the two witnesses back to life.
God then calls them home and they immediately go to Heaven.
Some wonder why the two witnesses were not permitted to preach after their resurrection, but signs and wonders do not make the gospel believable. Remember they didn’t listen to Moses, Elijah or Jesus. So as soon as they are done God takes them home.
Their Impact
The result of the treatment these two faithful witnesses received is felt immediately on the city of Jerusalem. God sends an earthquake destroying 10% of the city and 7,000 inhabitants.
The Seventh Trumpet vs 15-19
The blowing of the seventh trumpet does not initiate anything on the earth. Instead, it is much like the breaking of the seventh seal, in introduces the next series of judgments, the seven bowls.
In order to understand the chronological events of this passage you must see that after this introduction of the seven bowls, another lengthy interlude takes place (12:1-15:4).
The interlude details events that will take place during the entire Tribulation Period.
John hears great voices singing in heaven as they announce two things:
1st, The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ. The angels announce in heaven that the one world kingdom of the Antichrist has been conquered by Christ.
2nd, and he will reign for ever and ever. Once Jesus comes to earth, there will be no interruption of His government.
The twenty four elders now fall on their faces and worship the Lord. The way they respond to divine truth is the way we should respond as well.
There is excitement as the fulfilment of God’s word is now taking place. No more injustice, no more persecution, no more martyrdom. It is over.
Tied to the judgment of the seventh trumpet is the promise to believers of unbroken fellowship with God forever. The opening of the Temple of God welcomes everyone.
The message of the seventh trumpet is that Jesus Christ is the sovereign King of kings and Lord of lords. He will one day real soon take the rule of the earth away from the usurper Satan.
History is moving towards it’s culmination in Christ’s return to earth. In light of that sobering truth, Peter exclaims, since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed it’s coming. 2 Peter 3:11-12
