Revelation 11v1-14

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Friends if you are able - please stand for the reading of God’s Word. Today We will read Revelation 11:1-14
Revelation 11:1–14 (CSB)
Then I was given a measuring reed like a rod, with these words: “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count those who worship there. But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Don’t measure it, because it is given to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. I will grant my two witnesses authority to prophesy for 1,260 days, dressed in sackcloth.”
These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. If anyone wants to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and consumes their enemies; if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way. They have authority to close up the sky so that it does not rain during the days of their prophecy. They also have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every plague whenever they want.
When they finish their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war on them, conquer them, and kill them. Their dead bodies will lie in the main street of the great city, which figuratively is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. And some of the peoples, tribes, languages, and nations will view their bodies for three and a half days and not permit their bodies to be put into a tomb.
Those who live on the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and send gifts to one another because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.
But after three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet. Great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” They went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies watched them.
At that moment a violent earthquake took place, a tenth of the city fell, and seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake. The survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe has passed. Take note: The third woe is coming soon!
This is the word of the Lord - would you pray with me? pray Go ahead and grab a seat.

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What does it take for us to become excited about witness and effective at evangelism?
Maybe we think it’s more training? A helpful method?
What would it take for the first century church to want to reengage with witness towards the end of the first century? Revelation was written to seven real churches in asia minor, and only two of them were given affirmation without correction. The other five were mixed.
They were struggling with what it meant to continually live faithfully for Christ in a land that had proven itself hostile to their witness. The destruction of jerusalem, the elimination of many of the apostles and church leaders.
Witnessing started to feel very dangerous, if not impossible. To the extent that our language still reflects the hardship of the early church.
Witness, think in a legal setting, are people who testify to what they saw. They can present evidence, sure, but mostly they tell the story of the truth they see. That’s a witness.
And in greek, the word for witness is martus. Which we now through the years use as the word as someone who dies for their faith. Think about that - that the word for witness became synonymous with one who died for their faith.
So what would it take for people who think that every time they open their mouths to tell the truth, they are potentially about to meet their end, what would it take for them to embrace their call to proclaim the gospel again?
I would argue, that it’s similar to us. Tools are helpful, instruction and education can be great - but what is needed more than anything is courage.
Faithful Witness Is Fueled By Holy Courage
For our lives as christian while living in the worldly empires, under different thrones and powers, can be fraught with hardship. It takes endurance to press on. It also takes assurances. And I think that’s how this section starts. With an assurance to John.
Remember - in Revelation 10, we saw the vision of the mighty angel, where John was told to take the scroll and eat it, and his mouth would be filled with the sweetness of honey, but it will turn his stomach sour. And he was told to prophecy again.
Now, he’s given more instruction - Revelation 11:1-2
Revelation 11:1–2 CSB
Then I was given a measuring reed like a rod, with these words: “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count those who worship there. But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Don’t measure it, because it is given to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.
There has been great speculation to much of the content of chapter 11 1-14, and these first verses are no different. With some futurist readers thinking that this is John measuring a future physical temple that is yet to be built in jerusalem.
However, I would argue that is not what is in view here. Again, this is a vision, through John prophetically to the seven churches to reassure them and encourage them in their lives. Not just a future roadmap. I’ve already argued many times over the last many months that John seems to view the Church, under the headship of the messiah, as the continuation of the Jewish peoples, now open to those outside of ethnic israel.
Therefore, I believe what’s in view here, in the measured area, is the whole of the christian community. For I believe it is clear in the new testament that the Church is now the temple of God.
There is a whole slew of passages in the new testament that talk about this very thing, 1 Cor 3:16-17 is perhaps the most famous,
1 Corinthians 3:16–17 CSB
Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and that is what you are.
And those yous are yalls. beyond this passage, theres 1 Cor 6:19, 2 Cor 6:16, Ephesians 2:21-22, 1 PEter, 2:5. And not just proof texting here - this is a pretty well established new testament doctrine.
And we will see that this will be full made reality in the new creation where God will dwell with man again in all fullness, and we will see that God and the Lamb ARE the temple in the future.
GK Beale notes in his commentary that without exception, the word temple in revelation either refers to a heavenly temple or the temple of Gods presence which comes in the new age. NOT to a literal temple.
So looking back at Revelation 11:1-2
Revelation 11:1–2 CSB
Then I was given a measuring reed like a rod, with these words: “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count those who worship there. But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Don’t measure it, because it is given to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.
The measuring of this temple, with the inner courts is likely to designate and protect the church from it’s ultimate harm. Make no mistake - there is an element in which Christians and the faithful will be harmed, but not in the deepest and truest sense. Their souls, their being, will be protected.
And even the nations, will only allowed to trample for a certain amount of time. this 1260 days is a symbolic number, we will see throughout this section, as it is half of seven, which is a number representing completion.
NT Wright suggests that a huge blessing in this text is to prove to the believers going through hardship, with the earthly temple now destroyed, to take heart and remember that the very presence of God is present in the Church. And no one can take that from them.
But this passage is not JUST about security. It’s about courage. Because of the protection, we now see that the Church has agents. verses 3 - 6
Revelation 11:3–6 CSB
I will grant my two witnesses authority to prophesy for 1,260 days, dressed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. If anyone wants to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and consumes their enemies; if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way. They have authority to close up the sky so that it does not rain during the days of their prophecy. They also have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every plague whenever they want.
The infamous two witnesses. Many pages have been filled with ideas about who these witnesses are, and when they shall emerge.
Without getting into all the argumentation of all the possibilities here, of which there are many, I think the best way to view the two witnesses, in the words of NT Wright is they are a symbol for the whole church in its prophetic witness, its faithful death, and its vindication by God.
John will grab imagery from Moses and Elijah, and perhaps even John the baptist here, all to explain the prophetic witness the church is too have.
The witnesses are called two olive trees, and the two lampstands before God.
Well if you can remember - the seven churches were called lampstands in Revelation 1-3, and two of the seven churches were faithful. Smyrna and Philadelphia. They were the only two to not be called unfaithful by Christ. Therefore these two churches are serving as representatives of faithful and prophetic witness. So we should see here the faithful remnant church who witnesses - even when it hurts.
Again - make no mistake, this passage is dripping in imagery from the entire scriptural witness. The olive trees, this image comes from Zechariah 4:12-14, where Zechariah saw two witnesses like olive trees, and the olive trees provided oil to light the lamps. So, the idea is that God would give his Spirit - or the oil - from his witnesses, to lead in the completion of the temple. So we see that the church is to draw from the true vine, to drink deep and be filled with the Spirit so that we can proclaim the gospel as the temple of Christ continues to be built up.
And verse five seems to play out more of the measuring John was to do - where fire comes from their mouth and consumes them. I think this is not physical fire like the church is some angry dragon - but more the prophetic judgement proclaimed. For as we get to verse 6, it’s clear that John is also using Elijah and Moses as examples here - shut up the sky so it doesn’t rain - that’s elijah, and water to blood, that’s moses. And the Jewish people often used Moses and ELijah as ways to summarize the old testament.
Moses stood for the whole law, and Elijah for all the prophets. So there’s an element here, perhaps that the Church is to proclaim the law of God, and the Word of God, warning people of the judgment that will come on those who fail to repent.
This is interesting too, when we consider the story from the gospels of the mount of Transfiguration. When Peter James, John and Jesus our Lord go up to the mount, and he’s transfigured, two stand there as witnesses, Moses and Elijah. But following that, The apostles take up the mantel of witnessing.
In the same way, the church now, in line with the church father and mothers, and the apostles, and the saints, and the prophets and the patriarchs, we all now proclaim what we’ve come to now. Christ is King! Christ has died, Christ has Risen, Christ will come again - so come, have faith, repent and be baptized!
And friends - that gospel - well it’s not the most popular thing. And people who are living in the dark tend to hate the light. And the witnesses have a timeframe here - look at seven through ten
Revelation 11:7–10 CSB
When they finish their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war on them, conquer them, and kill them. Their dead bodies will lie in the main street of the great city, which figuratively is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. And some of the peoples, tribes, languages, and nations will view their bodies for three and a half days and not permit their bodies to be put into a tomb. Those who live on the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and send gifts to one another because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.
There is a lifespan given to the witness of the church. And like Christ, there will apparently be a time where it seems like darkness wins, and the witness will be silenced just as Jesus was crucified on the cross and buries.
The beast comes up from the abyss, the evil power at work even in our own day to silence believers will seemingly win out.
And now we get really figurative - their bodies will be in the main street of the great city - figuratively sodom and Egypt, where also their lord was crucified.
Okay think about that - we see the theme of the evil empire here. The great city - what would come to mind to most in the roman empire would be Rome! But from a jewish context, perhaps Babel and Babylon. figuratively Sodom, a place of great sin and transgression, and egpyt, where the jews were enslaved - BUT ALSO tied into Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified.
We are seeing a grouping together of all the evil ways of the world, wherever Satan, and his children stand against the word of God, the bodies of the faithful witness will lay, and not allowed to rest in a tomb - but they will gloat over them. even sending gifts to one another.
Friends - make no mistake - there is a war for the souls of people. Satan, a liar and a murderer from the beginning, seeks to destroy and lie to people. And he can cause us great pain. BUT God will protect our souls and our eternal life as we continue to witness. Because death is not the end. Look at 11 - 13
Revelation 11:11–13 CSB
But after three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet. Great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” They went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies watched them. At that moment a violent earthquake took place, a tenth of the city fell, and seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake. The survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
After again, a short amount of time - They are brought back to life PHYSICALLY, BODILY. And now people are filled with great fear. And God calls them home, wrapped in the presence of God. And as they ascend, an earthquake takes place and a tenth of the city falls. thousands are killed.
But look at this - the survivors were terrified and gave glory to God.
Even in the death of the witnesses, because of God’s salvation, some will turn in faith.
We can find ourselves buying into the lie that we need to appear successful in order to win people over to God. Friends - I just want to push back. It’s by becoming like Jesus that the Gospel is best presented.
We do not attain salvation by having fancy lights and clothes and cars and worldly success. We are joined with Christ in baptism in his death! And therefore we will join with Christ in his resurrected life.
Biblically speaking, and even in my experience and when I read the historical record, the Church is most effective at it’s witness not when it enjoys power from an earthly perspective, but when it chooses to love and live faithfully even through pain and suffering and hardship. When it’s kind and compassionate even in the mundane lives. When the church stands for love and justice and rightousness. When it proclaims the saving power of JEsus blood, even when it means they will lose their own worldly position.
Why - because in christ we are already seated with him in the heavenly realms. We can’t attain any higher position than being found in JEsus himself! So we don’t need to strive or connive. We just need to be with Jesus, become like JEsus, and do what Jesus does - as John Mark comer says in Practicing the way.
Final verse, verse 14
Revelation 11:14 CSB
The second woe has passed. Take note: The third woe is coming soon!
The seventh trumpet is coming.
Let’s ask our question:

So What?

What does this passage have for us today?
First, we need to remember
God will save you through suffering; not from suffering
In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have over come the world. Christ told us time and time again that we will suffer and be hated and despised for his name. But we will find life in him in the here and now, sustained by his spirit, but ultimately forever when creation is made new.
Do not buy into any sort of american prosperity health and wealth name it claim it stuff. Friends Satan is at work in the American system as much as he was in the roman empire. And while right now we enjoy great protections, praise God, for religious freedom and expression, it doesn’t mean that that will always be the case.
So let’s think biblically here - if we feel super comfortable and at home and happy all the time as we live in this world, it may mean we are not living and witnessing for Christ. NOT that God doesn’t allow us to enjoy life and give us happiness at times - he does. But our beings SHOULD feel a sort of dissonance with the world, as we become more and more like Christ.
So remember that we will suffer, but we need to look at the life eternal to come.
Second, we need to recapture the courageous and faithful witness. Again
Faithful Witness Is Fueled By Holy Courage
That begs the question - how are we filled with a holy courage to fuel our faithful witness.
I’d argue by being formed into his likeness. By being fully formed by God and his word, and fully formed by the spirit in community, and fully engagned with Christ on mission.
But time and time again I am encouraged by God by remembering and proclaiming the Gospel to myself. We need to reflect time and time again on the life, death, and resurrectino of Jesus, and allow the gospel truths to satiate our deepest hugners, so that we can be filled with righteous courage to witness.
Often times what stands in the way of witnessing to our neighbors is fear. So I want to encourage you with a line from a silly movie I love called we bought a zoo - is to have 10 seconds of just crazy courage.
Would you, this week - ask God for 10 seconds fo courage, and witness to one person. What does that mean tangibly: perhaps there is someone you know struggling - ask them if you can pray for them, and then pray for them. Perhaps theres someone you need to tell the gospel too, do that. And perhaps its as simple as inviting a friend to church, grab a sit with me card, be couragoues for 10 seconds, and invite them to join you next week.
Friend - the best way we are encouraged, is by coming to the table of the Lord, and remembering What Christ has done. So let’s now turn to the table of communion
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