Daniel 11

Two Witnesses

My friends, It is a blessing to see your faces today, I hope you are well today!

And while I know our weeks seem to go by so fast and it seems like so much happens, I hope you’ve had a good week.

You know we are moving toward fall, and with it, the second weekend of October we will have our Homecoming, year 128 for our church.

We will do the main day on Saturday, starting at 7am making apple butter.

We will have a cook out style lunch, hot dogs and hamburgers at noon. So it will be a special day. We will share some more details as we get closer to the event.

I give the Lord thanks for allowing our church t stick around all these years, many do not… but our Heavenly Father has given us the chance to minister and influence our community.

What a blessing!

Now today, you know where we are going. We are coming back to the Book of Revelation, chapter 11.

This is a special chapter, namely because of the two witnesses mentioned in these verses.

So this morning we will look at the text, and the first thing I want you to see is the measuring rod.

1. The Measuring Rod...

As we begin to read the text here in chapter 11, we find that John, the beloved is given a measuring rod.

Let’s look at verses 1-3 Rev 11:1-3

Revelation 11:1–3 ESV

1 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, 2 but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. 3 And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”

As we open the text we see John is given a measuring rod. Now the placement of this story is important.

Why?

It is here that God gives us some useful information, some details of events taking place between the 6th and 7th trumpets.

The first of which is a measuring rod, like a long staff, the measuring staff would have been one that was cut to a particular measurement. Think of our own yard sticks. They are all made to 3 feet, or one yard.

So likewise this staff is a pre cut measurement. we are not told exactly how long it is to be, but with the staff, John is given a command to measure 3 things, the Temple, the Altar and the worshippers..

So lets consider some things here. First is the temple… John is told to measure it. But we know there isn’t a temple in Jerusalem. But one day there will be…

I think it is closer than you think. Right now we know that Israel has everything they need to get ready for Temple worship and sacrifices.

For the last several years now they have been making the tools and the items that will stand in and around the temple. They have the garments for the high priest and have that person selected I believe. They currently have the red heifers needed to prepare and purify the items and people.

All that is left is to publically identify the one who will be high priest and start building the Temple.

And this is going to be difficult, the temple mount in the city of Jerusalem, the place where the old temple once stood is a hot bed of activity. Currently the Done of the Rock stands and Temple mount itself is actually in the Islamic quarter of the city.

There is some thought that the new temple could stand near the Pool of Slalom, where they think Solomon’s temple may have stood in the past.

I think we are waiting on one of other person to be mad known, to be revealed and that is the Anti-Christ. Since he is one who will bring peace as we once talked about, I think he will be able to secure its building and work.

But John is called to measure the temple and the altar.. and the people of God. The reason isn’t to determine its size, God knows how big His temple is..

But “measuring” has a much greater idea tied to it. To measure means to take possession of it but it also has the idea of protecting what belongs to Him.

The temple and all that is in it, including the worshippers are the Lord and He will keep them. But John, notice here is told not to measure the outer court. That is given over to the Gentiles, to those who follow and chase after the desires of the flesh.

For these 42 months, the Tribulation period will be a terrible time. Even during the days of his tribulation, those who fear and follow the Lord God will be protected, they will be saved and they will not be harmed just like the 144, 000… because they belong to the Lord.

Now think for a moment about the measuring rod in today’s world. The rod is God’s standard, it is His means to clearly judge between good and evil, right and wrong. If God held the measuring rod up to us, how would we be judged?

Now I know we may think, I am saved, forgiven so it doesn’t matter. Yet my friends, it does matter, because we are saved we should seek to always live up to the standard God has set before us, His Son...

You might say that isn’t possible.. yet, we claim all the time - I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me ( Phil 4:13…)

Don’t we? Yes… then lets put forth the effort in the day in and day out of walking before the Lord.

I believe if we put forth the effort, He will be honored and blessed.

Secondly this morning we see the Two Witnesses..

2. Two Witnesses...

Now we know, during those last 3.5 years of the Tribulation, the Gentiles will overtake and control the Temple area in Jerusalem.

And this will be a difficult time, for in this period God’s name will be profaned among the nations. But, make no mistake, God is still in control.

Look at verse 3… Rev 11:3

Revelation 11:3 ESV

3 And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”

So during these days of Tribulation we will that the Lord will allow his His 144,000 to witness and work in this world, but God will also bring 2 special witnesses to light..

Look carefully at what the Lord is saying here.. I will grant authority to MY two witnesses..

We are not told their identity here, but they are God’s men, placed on the scene at the time He has declared and they have His power and authority to walk among the people declaring the word of the Lord.

The men are clothed in sackcloth and they are to prophesy for 1260 days… Lets break this down..

Lets start with the time of their ministry, they are prophesying for 1260 days which equals the same amount of time the gentiles are controlling the area of the temple, the 42 months.

Now think of the 42 months has the time of the Gentiles. Jesus talked about this time in Luke 21:24

Luke 21:24 ESV

24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

So Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles, and they will dominate the city and the temple area, and this will take place during those 42 months. This will be the last part of the time of the Tribulation leading up the Antichrist breaking his covenant with Israel ( That time of peace.)

Now these witness, they are going to be wearing sackcloth. Sackcloth is a traditional sign of morning. And if they are bearing this upon their bodies “mourning, lamenting, brokeness that sin has caused” it may give us a hint to the message they preach. One of mourning for sin, calling people to repentance before Judgement comes...

Now who are these two witnesses… there is a lot of thought about these men.

Many speculate that it is Moses and Elijah, the two men who who were faithful servants of the Lord. We actually find their appearance in the New Testament with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew 17.

These men like Jesus will have a short ministry. Jesus public ministry from his baptism till the DBR is only about 42 months or only 1260 days…

But the length isn’t important, it is the fact that even in the worst of times, they are faithful even unto death. For 3.5 years, 42 months, 1260 days they are faithful…

Now why two witnesses? Well the Scripture teaches us that the testimony of a person is true if there are at least two witnesses to the event. These men will preach, prophesy in agreement with one another, each bearing witness to the Works of the Lord.

Now look at verses 4-6 Rev 11:4-6

Revelation 11:4–6 ESV

4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5 And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. 6 They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire.

So think if this, they are called (these two witness) are called two olive trees and two lampstands that stand before the Lord.

Why? Well the Olive trees and lampstands takes us back to the Old Testament book of Zechariah 4 where they are like the servants of God in that text. Zerubbabel and Joshua, who were especially anointed of God and empowered to do the work God has established for them to do. Listen to ....

Zechariah 4:6 ESV

6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

And look here, God has protected his servants… When anyone seeks to harm them before their time is complete, fire will come from their mouths and they will eat (consume) their enemies.

And how will this world know these men are God’s men…

Look at verse 6 again Rev 11:6

Revelation 11:6 ESV

6 They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire.

These great signs, Things that took place during the plagues(Moses) and during the days of Elijah.. would be a very imposing authentication of what God was doing and message that they preached was indeed the word of the Lord.

Wow… we’ve had a little drought this year, we have seen bigger ones… could you imagine one of Biblical proportions. Plagues coming upon the land like we read about in Exodus.

Boy that think that would get some attention. It will not cause a great change of hearts, but I think some will be changed before it is to late.

And it says they have the power to bring forth these signs as often as they desire, as they prophesy and speak the word of the Lord.

Consider this thought my friends, when we look around and see what is happening in our world, do you think some of these events might be there to point our attention back to God?

I think it might very well be so… We need to keep our eyes open, and our ears listening to the things around us.

Now, lets look at one more thought about this chapter.

3. Death of God’s Servants...

As we open this next portion of our text, I want you to know the death of Christians, martyred for their faith will not stop until Satan is punished fully and completely.

Lets look at verses 7-11 Rev 11:7-11

Revelation 11:7–11 ESV

7 And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, 8 and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, 10 and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. 11 But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.

The Scripture says that when these two witnesses will finish speaking on behalf of the Lord and his message. The word “testimony” there in verse 7 comes form the word “Marturian” which is where we get the word “witness.”

They will complete the mission God has given them to testify of the Lord message. They will be a faithful witness.

But as they complete their work, we are told the beast will rise from the pit, abyss some versions might say… it is refers to the bottomless pit. The word for beast “Therion” means a beast of prey, one with a ravenous appetite, a carnivore without reason. He is identified with the coming of the Antichrist.

And this Beast is given the power (Now understand even his power and authority to harm is given by God) But he is given the power to overcome the witness and kill them.

These witnesses are killed and they are not even allowed a burial, they are left dead in the street of that Great city, Jerusalem on a street called “Sodom and Egypt.” where their Lord was crucified.

They are left dead in the streets for 3.5 days, and men from every nation, tribe, and language are allowed to view them, gazing upon their bodies. how terrible, they are left there for people to gloat, to celebrate their passing, even exchanging gifts, Man, - you would think it was Christmas.

It just reminds us how sinful people are in our world. We see events where people cheer and give their approval to the death of others.

Our police officers are ambushed and people celebrate, people are killed and robbed and people celebrate. People condemn Israel, fight and protest against them and people celebrate. People celebrate on TV the abortions they have had, and people clap and cheer. it is all because of sin my friends, all because of sin.

But listen, the story isn’t over.. after 3.5 days the breath of God, life enters them and they are resurrected, they stand and the world takes notice. Great fear fell upon all those people and rightly so, God is at work.

Could you imagine this in today’s world, with the internet and TV… not only will Jerusalem see them, all the world will see what is happening in the city of God.

Now look at verses 12-14 Rev 11:12-14

Revelation 11:12–14 ESV

12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. 13 And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is soon to come.

Glory to God, when their work was finished, God called them home.. They went up to heaven in a cloud...

There will not be a better word for God’s servant than to hear one day, let’s go home, let’s go to the house I have prepared for you...

Woooooo....

They are gathered to heaven and all their enemies, all those who persecuted, to gloated in their death, who celebrated their death along with the beast and the Antichrist witness their ascension to heaven.

And look at this my friends, verse 13 tells us a great earthquake came… God sends a earthquake, and a 10th of the city fell, and 7000 people are killed and a great fear fell upon the rest of the city and they gave glory to God.

Understand here, the city, even the world has witnessed a great event, a great work of God. And they give glory to God. Doesn’t mean they are saved, that their hearts have been changed.. they are simply giving God glory praise that is due him.

I know it sounds strange, but friends even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Now with verse 14, we see the Lord tells us the second woe has come to an end, the third woe is about to begin…

Remember a woe is not a good thing, it is a terrible event upon this earth and its people during those days.

Now my friends, just one last thought.. The seventh trumpet is sounded

4. The Seventh Trumpet....

The trumpet brings forth the voices of heaven…look at verses 15-19 Rev 11:15-19

Revelation 11:15–19 ESV

15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” 16 And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. 18 The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.” 19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.

Now this is special I think my friends, for we see the Lord foretelling of the victory that is already come.

Yes there are still battles and fights to be won, but the Lord sees and knows our past, present and future and he declares what is about to come… the Kingdom of this world, has become the Kingdom of our Lord.

Glory to God a future day will come when our Lord will establish his kingdom here on earth and we will be with him in ruling and reigning with Him.

This news tells us that when it was heard, the 24 elders, who sit on their thrones fell down before God on their faces and look at the praise they pour out..

Revelation 11:16–18 ESV

16 And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying, “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. 18 The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.”

What beautiful praise my friends… These 24 elders here are representing all of God’s redeemed, the church and redeemed Israel - 12 from the OT and 12 elders from the NT era.

They are praising God for what will come, which is His kingdom upon this world (1000 yr millennial reign).

Can you imagine, the world and (Satan) who once thought Christ was once defeated, will be upset as he establishes His Kingdom on this earth in the future. But honestly the Devil cannot do anything about it.

Now as we close, look at verses 19, the last verse. Rev 11:19

Revelation 11:19 ESV

19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.

Remember I told you, that the true temple of God was in heaven. God have Moses a copy of what was present before him...

And as the Temple was opened, the ark of the covenant was seen in the temple. The true Ark, the very one where Christ made his sacrifice his own blood before the Father forever satisfying the penalty of sin.

One Pastor said… In the midst of the Tribulation, God is saying to his people “...You can trust me, my promises are certain.”

Wow...

You know when we think of all these future events, as I have told you in the past, the church will not be here, it will be with the father in heaven after the rapture.

But looking at what God is going to do, as he moves us closer to those last events.. We see his protection… He will take care of that which is his, so no matter the difficulties, the treats He has us, we can be obedient.

Also, we see as we walk through the rest of the book, God’s victory is certain and tells us we can trust him.

My friends, I hope that you will be obedient as the Lord leads you to witness, to serve and to work for his glory, And I pray you will trust him as He leads, God has our back....

Lets pray together....