Witnesses Recalled
Notes
Transcript
v.11:
The death of the witnesses sparked a festival, but the festivities are short lived.
After 3.5 days, God resurrects these faithful witnesses.
He gives them the breath of life. This is no different than the life that God breathed into Adam.
He gives them the breath of life. This is no different than the life that God breathed into Adam.
Genesis 2:7
Genesis 2:7
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
Just as God gave Adam a living soul, He restores the souls of these two witnesses to their bodies.
The sight of these two men coming back to life after 3.5 days, was enough to strike fear into all who saw them.
As we will see, a fear of God is a good thing.
v.12:
This entire event mirrors the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Dead for three days, then resurrected.
After the resurrection, like Jesus, they ascended into heaven in a cloud while people watched.
After the resurrection, like Jesus, they ascended into heaven in a cloud while people watched.
Acts 1:9
Acts 1:9
Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
This event will have a huge impact on people, and its no wonder why.
The resurrection is the key doctrine of a saving faith.
The resurrection is the key doctrine of a saving faith.
Romans 10:9
Romans 10:9
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
1 Corinthians 15:14-17
1 Corinthians 15:14-17
And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!
We focus much on the death of Christ. Certainly its true that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.
Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.
Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.
Hebrews 9:22
Hebrews 9:22
And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Certainly Christ had to die, but thankfully it didn't stop there.
His death brought forgiveness, but the resurrection brings salvation.
You are cleansed and forgiven by the shedding of Jesus' blood, but the resurrection is the gift of life.
v.13:
This event will result in an attention getting earthquake, in which a 10th of the city will fall and 7000 people will die.
The resulting fear will result in faith, and they will glorify God.
Throughout the many disasters of the first half of the tribulation, people will refuse to fear God.
However, the power of a resurrection will finally bring that much needed fear.
By the end of the first half of the tribulation, many people will have been saved.
A fear of God is a good thing. It can result in faith, and it is commanded.
A fear of God is a good thing. It can result in faith, and it is commanded.
Matthew 10:28
Matthew 10:28
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Luke 12:4-5
Luke 12:4-5
“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
Fear really means fear, and a fear of God is a good thing!
Fear is a motivator for obedience
Fear is a motivator for obedience
Deuteronomy 8:5
Deuteronomy 8:5
You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the Lord your God chastens you.
Leviticus 19:14
Leviticus 19:14
You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear your God: I am the Lord.
Leviticus 25:17
Leviticus 25:17
Therefore you shall not oppress one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the Lord your God.
Proverbs 16:6
Proverbs 16:6
In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.
2 Corinthians 5:10
2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
Fear of God brings wisdom and knowledge
Fear of God brings wisdom and knowledge
Job 28:28
Job 28:28
And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.’ ”
Psalm 111:10
Psalm 111:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.
Proverbs 1:7
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 9:10
Proverbs 9:10
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 15:33
Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.
A healthy fear of God does not immobilize us, it causes us to act.
A healthy fear of God breeds love, respect, and awe if God. It promotes worship, reverence and honor.
A healthy fear of God deepens and strengthens our relationship with Him.
A healthy fear of God means we don't have to fear the world.
We don’t need to fear the world because we a secure in Christ.
No one or nothing can separate us from His love. We should take great comfort in that promise.
It’s good and beneficial to have a healthy fear of the one who loves you so much.
In closing, verse 15 ushers in the blowing of the seventh trumpet, the third woe.
The seventh trumpet, the third woe, actually consists of the seven bowl judgments.
We won't see the details of these judgments until we get to chapter 16.
In the interim chapters 12-15, we will see seven distinct symbols.
However, with the heralding of the sounding of the seventh trumpet, we will see a proclamation of victory.
Nowhere is victory more apparent than in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the promised resurrection of His children.