The POWERFUL WITNESSES

THE TESTIMONY OF THE TWO WITNESSES (Revelation 11:1–14 “1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. 3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

The ministry of the witnesses (v. 1-6). 

The place is Jerusalem and the time is the first half of the tribulation. Israel is worshipping again at its restored temple, built under the protection of the Antichrist, whose true character has not yet been revealed. To spiritualize Revelation 11:1-2 and interpret the temple as referring to the church creates several significant problems.

For one thing, how could John measure an invisible body of people, even if the church were still on earth? If the temple is the church, then who are the worshippers and what is the altar? And since the church unites Jews and Gentiles in one body (Eph. 2:11ff.), why are the Gentiles segregated in this temple? It seems wisest to interpret this temple as an actual building in the Holy City of Jerusalem (Neh. 11:1, 18; Dan. 9:24).John's measurement of the temple is a symbolic action. To measure something means to claim it for yourself. When we sold our house in Chicago, the new owners hired an architect to measure various areas and recommend potential changes. Had the architect shown up prior to the buyers' commitment, we would have thrown him out. The Lord was saying through John, "I own this city and this temple, and I claim both for Myself." The Old Testament background is found in Ezekiel 40- 41 and Zechariah 2:1-3.

What John did was especially significant because the Gentiles had taken over Jerusalem. The Antichrist had broken his agreement with Israel (Dan. 9:27), and now he was about to use the temple for his diabolical purposes (2 Thess. 2:3-4). All of this will be elaborated on in Revelation 13. "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles," said Jesus, "until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled" (Luke 21:24). The "times of the Gen-tiles" began in 606 BC when Babylon began to devastate Judah and Jerusalem, and it will continue until Jesus Christ returns to deliver the Holy City and redeem Israel (Zech. 14).

Not only do these witnesses declare God's words, but they also do God’s works and perform miracles of judgment, reminding us of both Moses and Elijah (Ex. 7:14-18; 1 Kings 17:1ff.; 2 Kings 1:1-12). Some students cite Malachi 4:5-6 as evidence that one of the witnesses may be Elijah, but Jesus applied that prophecy to John the Baptist (Matt. 17:10-13). John the Baptist, however, denied that he was Elijah returned to earth (John 1:21, 25; see also Luke 1:16-17). This confusion may be explained in part by realizing that throughout Israel's history, God sent special messengers-"Elijahs" - to call His people to repentance; so in this sense, Malachi's prophecy will be fulfilled by the witnesses.

Instead of relating the ministry of the witnesses to Moses and Elijah, the angel who spoke to John connected their ministry with Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest (Zech. 4). These two men helped to reestablish Israel in Palestine and to rebuild the temple. It was a discouraging task, and the Gentiles made it even more difficult, but God provided the special power they needed to get the work done. This truth is an encouragement to God's servants in all ages, for the work of the Lord is never easy.

The martyrdom of the witnesses (v. 7-10). 

Revelation 11:7-10“7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

This comes only when they have finished their testimony. God's obedient servants are immortal until their work is done. "The beast" (the Antichrist) is now in power and wants to take over the temple, but he cannot succeed until the two witnesses are out of the way. God will permit him to slay them, for no one will be able to make war against "the beast" and win (Rev. 13:4).

The witnesses will not even be permitted decent burial (see Ps. 79:1-3).

But even this indecency will be used by God to bear witness to mankind.

No doubt the TV cameras in Jerusalem will transmit the scene to people around the world, and the news analysts will discuss its significance. The earth-dwellers will rejoice at their enemies' removal and will celebrate a

"Satanic Christmas" by sending gifts to one another. It thus would appear that the power of the two witnesses will not be limited to Jerusalem, but that they will be able to cause things to happen in other parts of the world.

These two prophets will have a relationship with Israel, and the world, for the most part, has not approved of the nation of Israel. In the middle of the tribulation, "the beast" will turn against Israel and begin to persecute the Jews. The two witnesses will not be around to protect the nation, and a frightening anti-Semitic movement will ensue.

Jerusalem is called a "great city" (Rev. 11:8), and from a human viewpoint, this is a true statement. However, God views men and nations from a spiritual perspective. To Him, Jerusalem will be considered as polluted and worldly as Sodom and as rebellious and proud as Egypt.

The resurrection of the witnesses (w. Revelation 11:11–14 “11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. 13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.”

Miraculously, the two witnesses are not only raised from the dead, but also caught up into heaven!

God rescues them from their enemies and gives a solemn witness to the watching world. The world's great joy suddenly becomes great fear. (Note the word great in Rev. 11, repeated eight times.)

Are we to interpret the three-and-a-half days literally? Or does the phrase simply mean "after a short time"? It seems too specific to suggest that.

Does it symbolize a more extended period, say three-and-a-half years? It is not likely that rwo dead bodies would be kept lying in a city street for more than three years. Perhaps this is a picture of a rapture of all the saints amid the tribulation, and the three-and-a-half years cover the first half of the period. If so, then what is symbolized by the death of the two witnesses?

This interpretation solves one problem only to create another.

These days appear to be literal, just as the forty-two months in Revelation 11:2 are literal. The Bible does not explain why this length of time was chosen, and it is useless for us to speculate.

Our Lord’s friends watched Him ascend to heaven (Acts 19-12), but the witnesses' enemies will see them resurrected and will be shaken with fear.

Their fear will increase when a great earthquake occurs, killing 7,000 men and destroying a tenth part of Jerusalem. A great earthquake happened when the sixth seal was opened (Rev. 6:12), and there will be a greater one when the seventh vial is poured out (Rev. 16:18-20).

3. THE TESTIMONY OF THE ELDERS (11:15-19)

We have been waiting since Revelation 8:13 for this third "woe" to arrive and now it is here. When the seventh angel blew the trumpet. Three dramatic events occurred.

(1) An announcement of victory (v. 15). 

These "great voices" were probably the choirs of heaven. The grand announcement is that the kingdom (Jonn uses the singular because "the beast" now has the world under his control) of this world belongs to Jesus Christ. Of course, Christ does not claim His royal rights until He returns, but the victory has already been won. Satan offered Him the world's kingdoms, but He refused the offer (Matt. 4:8-9). Instead, He died on the cross, arose, and returned victoriously to heaven, and there the Father gave Him His inheritance (Ps. 2:4-9).

However, we must not incorrectly assume that our Lord is not reigning today, because He is. According to Hebrews 7:1-2, Jesus Christ is "King of righteousness" and "King of peace." He is enthroned with the Father (Rev. 3:21), and He will reign until He defeats all His foes (1 Cor. 15:25).

Today, He rules over a spiritual kingdom, but in that future day, He will reign over the nations of the world and rule with a rod of iron.

No matter how difficult the circumstances may be, or how defeated God's people may feel, Jesus Christ remains the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, and He is in control. One day, we shall triumph!

(2) An acclamation of praise (w. 16-18). 

The elders left their own thrones and prostrated themselves in worship before God's throne. They gave thanks for three special blessings: that Christ reigns supremely (Rev.

11:17), that He judges righteously (Rev. 11:18), and that He rewards graciously (Rev. 11:18).

In Revelation 4:10-11, the elders praised the Creator, and in Revelation 5:9-14, they worshipped the Redeemer. Here, the emphasis is on the Conqueror and the King. Keep in mind that in John's day the church on earth looked as though it were defeated, for Rome was the conqueror and king. John was reminding the saints that they were "a kingdom of priests" reigning with the Savior (Rev. 1:5-6). It may seem at times that the throne of heaven is empty, but it is not. Jesus Christ has both power and authority—in fact, all authority Matt. 28:18, where the word power means "authority"). "Thou ... hast begun to reign" is a good translation.

Christ not only reigns supremely, but He also judges righteously (Rev.

11:18). The Lamb is also the Lion! In Revelation 11:18, we have a "table of contents" for the remainder of the book of Revelation. These events did not take place the instant the angel blew his trumpet; he simply signaled the beginning of the process, and now these events would take place as planned.

"The nations were angry." What do the nations have to be angry about?

Certainly, the Lord has been good and gracious to them. He has provided their needs (Acts 14:15-17; 17:24-31), assigned their territories, and graciously postponed His judgment to give men the opportunity to be saved. Even more, He sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. Today, God offers forgiveness to the nations! What more could He do for them?

Then, why are the nations angry? Because they want to have their own way. "Why do the heathen [the nations] rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LorD, and against his anointed [Christ], saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us" (Ps. 2:1-3).

They want to worship and serve the creature instead of the Creator (Rom.

1:25). Like adolescent children, the nations want to cast off all restraint, and God will permit them to do so. The result will be another "Babylon" (Rev. 17-18), man's last attempt to build his Utopia, a "heaven on earth."

Note the change in attitude shown by the nations of the world. In Revelation 11:2, the nations ruthlessly take over Jerusalem. In Revelation 11:9, they rejoice at the death of the two witnesses. But now they are angry; their arrogance and joy did not last very long. This belligerent attitude will finally cause the nations to unite to fight God at the great battle of Armageddon.

"And thy wrath is come." The word translated as "angry" in Revelation

11:18 is the verb form of the word translated as "wrath." But man's wrath can never equal the wrath of the Lamb (Rev. 6:16-17). Even Satan's wrath, as cruel as it is, is no match for God's wrath (Rev. 12:17). There was intense suffering in the first half of the tribulation, but only the last half will reveal the wrath of God (Rev. 11:18; 14:10; 16:19; 19:15). There are two Greek words for anger: thumos, which means "rage, passionate anger," and orge, used here, which means "indignation, a settled attitude of wrath." God's anger is not an outburst of temper; it is holy indignation against sin. Both of these Greek words are used in Revelation to describe God's anger: orge is used only four times; thumos, seven (Rev. 14:10, 19; 15:1, 7; 16:1, 19;

19:15). God's anger is not dispassionate, for He hates sin and loves righteousness and justice. but neither is it temperamental and unpredictable.

"And the time of the dead, that they should be judged" takes us to the very end of God's prophetic program. In one sense, every day is a "day of the Lord" because God is always judging righteously. God is long-suffering toward lost sinners and often postpones judgment, but there will be a final judgment of sinners, and none will escape. This judgment is described in Revelation 20:11-15.

There will also be a judgment of God's children, known as "the Judgment Seat of Christ" (Rom. 14:10-13; 1 Cor. 3:9-15; 2 Cor. 5:9-11). God will reward His faithful servants (Matt. 25:21), and the sufferings they experienced on earth will be forgotten in the glory of His presence. Though God's children will not be judged for their sins (that judgment took place on the cross), they will be judged for their works and rewarded generously by the Master.

The judgment seat of Christ will take place in heaven after Christ has called His people home. When He returns to earth to establish His kingdom, the saints will be ready to reign with Him, with every blemish of the church removed (Eph. 5:25-27; Rev. 19:7-8). Today, we groan as we serve God, because we know only too well our handicaps and blemishes, but one day, we shall serve Him perfectly!

"Them that destroy the earth" refers to the rebellious earth-dwellers who will not submit to God. How ironic that these people live for the earth and its pleasures, yet at the same time are destroying the very earth that they worship! When man forgets that God is the Creator and he is the creature, he begins to exploit his God-given resources, and this brings destruction.

Man is a steward of creation, not the owner.

As mentioned before, Revelation 11:18 is a summary statement of events yet to come. It is heaven's song of praise for the Lord's faithfulness to accomplish His purposes in the world. Again, it appears strange to us that heavenly beings can sing about judgment. Perhaps if we had more of the throne's perspective, we would be able to join their praises.

(3) An assurance of God's faithfulness (v. 19). 

This chapter opened with a temple on earth, but now we see the temple in heaven. The focus of attention is on the ark of God, the symbol of God's presence with His people.

In the Old Testament tabernacle and temple, the ark stood behind the veil, in the Holy of Holies. God's glory rested on the ark, and God's law was within the ark, beautifully illustrating that the two must never be separated.

He is the holy God and must deal righteously with sin. But He is also the faithful God who keeps His promises to His people. It was the ark of God that led Israel through the Jordan and into their inheritance (Josh. 3:11-17). This vision of the ark would greatly encourage God's suffering people to whom John sent this book. "God will fulfill His promises!" John was saying to them. "He will reveal His glory! Trust Him!"

Once again, John saw and heard the portents of a storm (see Rev. 4:5; 8:5). Greater judgment is about to fall on the rebellious people of the earth!

But God's people need not fear the storms, for He is in control. The ark reminds them of His presence and the faithfulness of His promises. And on that ark was the mercy seat on which the blood was sprinkled each day of Atonement (Lev. 16:15-17). Even in wrath, God remembers His mercy (Hab. 3:2).

The stage is now set for the dramatic appearance of "the beast," Satan's masterpiece, the false Christ who will control the world.