Revelation. Vision 3. Christ the Mediator. The 2 Witnesses.

[Marilyn C]

THE 2 WITNESSES (Rev. 11: 1 - 14)

The Lord Jesus Christ tells the Apostle John to prophecy again, to speak forth what is about to happen.

`You must prophecy again about many peoples, nations, tongues & kings.` (Rev. 10: 11)

Israel.

In Ch. 11 we are shown the details of this prophecy to `many peoples, nations, tongues & kings.` The first people that Christ deals with are those in Israel who are looking for their Messiah to come. They are the ones who worship in the temple.

`The angel (Christ) stood saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar and those who worship there.”(Rev. 11: 1)

Gentiles.

Then Christ allocates the Gentile nations of the world a specific time for them to rule over Jerusalem. They are given 42 months which is the last 3 ½ years of the tribulation before He comes and judges them as to how they have treated His people.

“ But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for 42 months.”
(Rev. 11: 2)


Moses and Elijah.


Then Christ declares that He will give power to 2 men who will witness of Him to Israel and to the world of His coming kingdom rule through Israel. Their time is 1260 days.

`I will give power to My two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the 2 olive trees and the 2 lampstands standing before the God of the earth.`(Rev. 11: 3 & 4)


These 2 men, Christ`s Witnesses, are represented by olive trees and lampstands. (Zech. 4: 6) They are Moses and Elijah. They witnessed Christ`s transfiguration where He told them of His soon departure from the earth. They were also at the tomb and witnessed Christ`s resurrection, and later ascension into glory. (Luke 9: 30. 24: 4, Acts 1: 10)

Thus we see these same 2 men now appearing to Israel during the second half of the tribulation witnessing of Christ, not only as their soon coming King but also as their High Priest, the one who gave His life for them, and arose victorious over sin and death.

 

[Marilyn C]

God gives the 2 men, God`s Witnesses, Moses and Elijah great power. This is the same power He gave them when they were on earth previously.


` If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy, and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues.....`(Rev. 11: 3 – 6)


Just before the 1260 days, (3 ½ years) the 2 witnesses are overcome by Satan and their dead bodies lie in Jerusalem for 3 ½ days.


`When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.
And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.`
(Rev. 11: 7 & 8)


People from all over the world will be able to see their dead bodies (through the use of technology). They will rejoice because the 2 prophets tormented them..

`Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues & nations will see their dead bodies three and a half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.`(Rev. 11: 9 & 10)


However, after 3 ½ days the 2 Witnesses come alive and ascend into heaven, in the presence of their enemies.

`Now after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.”And they ascended to heaven in a cloud & their enemies saw them.`(Rev. 11: 11 & 12)


In that very hour God caused a great earthquake and a tenth of Jerusalem fell, killing seven thousand people. People were afraid and realised that they were under God`s judgment.

`In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

The second woe is past. Behold the third woe is coming quickly.` (Rev. 11: 13 & 14)

 

[Marilyn C]

The 7th Trumpet.


The 7th trumpet sounds declaring that it is time for the kingdom of this world to become the kingdom of Christ.

`And the seventh angel sounded..... `The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.`(Rev. 11: 15)


The 24 Elders give thanks to God because He has taken His great power and reigned.


`And the 24 Elders who sat before God on their thrones. fell on their faces and worshipped God, saying, “We give thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
The One who is and who was and who is to come, because You have taken Your great power and reigned.”(Rev. 11: 16 & 17)


They declare that God`s wrath in the tribulation has come, and then enumerate the other judgments that will eventuate over time.

`the nations were angry and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, That you should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth.` (Rev. 11: 18)


The `Ark of the Covenant` is then seen opened in heaven. This is a symbolic picture of Christ, the Voice of God, speaking forth the judgments and making war against His enemies.

`Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thundering, an earthquake and great hail.` (Rev. 11: 19)