The King’s Business

Introduction: This morning, we are looking at a period of time that has fascinated many. Hundreds of books have been written about it, and at almost any time, you can see a seminar about it or even a movie produced about this subject—the Great Tribulation. Now, we know that seven years are appointed for the judgment of the world and those who have not received the gift of salvation offered by Jesus Christ. This period is called the time of Jacob’s trouble or the Tribulation period, but the entire tribulation, but a portion of that period will be the Great Tribulation.

If you have your Bible, turn to Revelation 11:1-12 I want to discuss four things with you.

Revelation 11:1–12 NKJV

1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2 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 forty-two months. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. 5 And 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. 6 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, as often as they desire. 7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 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. 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10 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. 11 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. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.

The Place of the Great Tribulation (vv. 1-2)

John is given a reed and told to measure the temple, altar, and those who worship in it.

The problem is, presently, there is no Jewish temple in Jerusalem.

The Mosque of Omar, or Dome of the Rock, sits on the location of the temple.

This location is the most contested piece of real estate in the world.

But Jerusalem has been the place of the temple and will be again

Solomon’s temple – was destroyed in 587 BC by Nebuchadnezzar.

Post-exilic temple – Jerubbaal, Zechariah, and Haggai.

Herod’s temple – during Jesus’ period.

John’s act was symbolic of the rebuilding of the temple.

This will be the tell-tell sign of the end.

Let me give you some interesting facts:

Up until 1967, a temple wouldn’t have been possible.

A temple institute exists now in Jerusalem, crafting utensils, drapes, priestly garments, and musical instruments for the temple.

Dr. Asher Kaufman, a professor of physics at Hebrew University, indicated that the earlier Hebrew temples were actually located 26 meters from the Dome of the Rock.

Dr. Paige Patterson had this to say about a future temple in Jerusalem: Students of history, however, are conscious of how quickly events and circumstances can change, and those who have frequented the modern state of Israel and visited with the most religious of the Hasidim are well aware of the intent to build such a temple and to do so in the relatively near future.

The Epicenter of the Great Tribulation is Israel, more particular, Jerusalem, and even more specific around the reestablished temple. This could happen at any moment.

The Period of the Great Tribulation (v. 2; 12:6; 13:5)

The Gentiles or nations will trample the courts for 42 months – 3 ½ years.

Notice 12:6 as it talks again about Israel: 1260 days – 3 ½ years.

13:5 talking about the Antichrist. He would be given power for 42 months – 3 ½ years.

Daniel 9:24 speaks of 70 weeks or 490 years. Jesus was crucified and resurrected in the 483rd year, and the prophetic clock stopped, thus the age of grace. When the Antichrist signs a seven-year covenant with Israel, the clock will start again. In the middle of that covenant, the Antichrist will abominate the temple and exalt himself as God.

This is a period of intense evil and persecution. It is referred to as the time of Jacob’s trouble and Great tribulation. Jesus stated that it was a time of unprecedented deception and evil such as the world has never seen.

When I was a young person it was hard for me to imagine a world where this kind of evil could take place. In general people were still generous, helpful, valued life, and had morals whether Christian or not. There were evil people because evil people have always existed, but in general people cared about their fellow man.

40 years later it is not that hard to imagine a world of deep corruption, greed, immorality, and discount of human life.

If the world has spiraled this much in 40 years, what could happen in the next 10? It’s not hard to imagine 7 years of tribulation with 3 1/2 years of devastating persecution.

Now that’s the place and period, let’s look at the prophets of the Great Tribulation.

The Prophets of the Great Tribulation (vv. 3-11)

Now, this heading is a little of an unfair because these prophets will not prophesy during the Great Tribulation—they will prophesy right up to it.

Look at verse 3: 1260 days

Who are these prophets?

There has been much speculation about these two. Who are they? No one knows.

Who are they like? Everyone should know (vv. 5-6). Moses and Elijah. The representatives of the law and the prophets.

Listen, let me tell you a few things about these prophets:

They are powerful – miracles, drought

They are prepared – two olive trees standing b/f God.

They are protected – no man can hurt them for a period – until their work is done.

They are persecuted – the people hate them and rejoice when the Antichrist kills them.

They are preserved – after 3 ½ days, God raises them, and they ascend to heaven.

We’ve seen the place, period, and prophets of the Great Tribulation. What’s the point?

The Purpose of the Narrative.

One thing that I have wanted to do as we have travelled through the book of Revelation is help you remember that John was writing to the churches. He wasn’t just writing them to inform them of what would take place in the future. He was writing them so they would know how they ought to respond.

What is the action he was seeking by the church? In chapter 10 we talked about the bittersweet nature of the Gospel. Chapter 11 is about the believer’s responsibility to the Gospel.

This Gospel, witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, must be shared until the end of the age.

We often think that the Gospel has two eternal witnesses — the law and the prophets. Paul says as much in Romans 3:21

Romans 3:21 NKJV

21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

But there is a third eternal witness —the children of God. Just as these witnesses were killed but raised again to life, our life is indestructible.

We should use the life we have here to witness boldly without fear of ridicule or death.

I ran across an interesting old hymn this week. I don’t believe I have ever heard it so I certainly won’t try to sing it, but it is called “The King’s Business.” I want to read the lyrics of this song.

I want to ask, are you on business for your King?

Are you living in fear or by faith?

Have you secured eternal life that takes away guilt and fear?

Is your investment above or below?