The Ministry And Eternal Purpose Of God’s Two Witnesses Series

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)