Revelation, Part 18 Series

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.”