The Trumpet Interlude: Part 2
Notes
Transcript
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.
The measuring of the temple.
John is given a reed like a measuring rod. This reed comes from a common plant that grew in the Jordan Valley. It grew as tall as 15-20 feet tall. It is light enough to be carried with ease, but sturdy enough to be pliable. It was used commonly for a walking staff, and also to measure things in their day.
John receives this vision toward the later part of his life… somewhere in the mid 90’s AD. By this time, the temple in Jerusalem has been destroyed for around 20 years. This tells us, as many other Scriptures tell us as well, that the temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem. John is seeing a glimpse of the future where the temple will be rebuilt on the temple mound.
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.”
The antichrist will be behind the rebuilding of the temple. It will take place at the beginning, or maybe even just before the tribulation period. The temple sacrifices will be reinstituted and this will carry on for 3 1/2 years. But in the middle of the week, that is half way through the tribulation period, he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. He will go back on his word, commit the abomination of desolation, and the sacrificial system will be brought to an abrupt end.
It is at this time that they will see that he is not the true Christ, but rather the antichrist. Their eyes will be opened to this fact, but also to the fact that Jesus was indeed the true Christ. They will be ashamed of their former persecution of the true Messiah and turn to Him with every fiver of their being.
Notice that everything that John is told to measure concerns the internal, private portions of the temple. Gentiles were restricted from coming to the Holy place, or the Most Holy Place. The outer court was as far as they could go. So John is told not to measure that portion of the temple.
The timing of the events.
Notice that in verse 2, it uses the terminology of 42 months, but in verse 3 it says that the witnesses will prophesy for one thousand two hundred and sixty days. Why the different word usage?
Both 42 months and 1,260 days represent the same thing. They both equal 3 1/2 years. The old Babylonian calendar only had 360 days. When using that calendar, that is exactly 3 1/2 years.
I also believe that the different terms are used to distinguish the first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period from the second 3 1/2 years of the tribulation period. The 42 months represents the last half of the tribulation period. It is during this time that the Gentiles will run across the temple grounds, chaos will be ensued by the events of the antichrist’ betrayal of the Jews, and the worst of God’s judgment will be poured out upon the earth. The first half is represented by the 1,260 days. This is the time in which the two witnesses will preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ fearlessly and without hesitation, attempting to lead as many as possible to Christ.
The Two Witnesses
John is also told that there will be two witnesses sent during the tribulation period who prophesy for God. These two witnesses will be protected by God during this time so that nothing harms them. This protection will come from God, but they are also given power to protect themselves. It says that fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies, and that if anyone wants to harm them, they will be killed in this manner. They will also be given the 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.
It also calls them the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. This is a reference to the prophecy of Zechariah 4:1-14. He is told that these two olive branches are “the two anointed ones who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.”
Their location: Jerusalem
Where the temple is located: vs. 1
Where their Lord was crucified: vs. 8
Their commission: to preach a message of repentance
Clothed in sackcloth: vs. 3
Prophesy: vs. 3 (In NT, this does not mean to tell the future, but rather simply to proclaim the truths of God.
Their duration: 1,260 days
3 1/2 years is how long they will preach the truths of God.
Their protection: fire from their mouths (vs. 5)
God Himself will protect them during their ministry until the appointed time of their death.
Their identity
Joshua and Zerubbabel (Zechariah 4)
Elijah and Enoch (the only two taken up to be with God and did not die)
Elijah and Moses: Distinctive similarities to the description of these two witnesses
Deuteronomy 18: 18 and Malachi 4, the last chapter of the OT, talks about both of these prophets and how it seems as if God is not done with either of them.
18 I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.
4 “Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, Which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, With the statutes and judgments.
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
6 And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
Moses represents the Law and Elijah represents the Prophets, which some say summarize the entirety of the OT Scriptures.
These are the two people who are seen with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration by Peter, James, and John. (Matthew 17).
The miracles performed by these two witnesses are very similar to the miracles performed by both Moses and Elijah: plagues upon the earth (Moses), fire from their mouths (Elijah), shutting up heaven from rain (Elijah), water into blood (Moses), etc.
Both Moses and Elijah left the earth in unusual ways. Elijah was taken up to heaven in a fiery chariot (2 Kings 2:11-12) and Moses was buried supernaturally by God in a secret location (Deuteronomy 34:5-6 / Jude 9).
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.
We are now told that these two witnesses and their ministry will come to an end. When they have finished their testimony, that is when they have done all that God sent them to do and their appointed time has come, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.
When they are killed, their bodies will lie in the street of the great city (Jerusalem) which is called Sodom and Egypt, called this due to its horrific sin at this time. The great beast who defeats them will not allow their bodies to be buried but rather will make them to lie openly in the street to show his power and authority.
The whole unbelieving world will see their dead bodies for three-and-a-half days and rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth (a reference to all non believers). The world will rejoice at their defeat. They will rejoice that this beast defeated them and then made a spectacle of them.
The beast is the antichrist, which we will see more in Chapter 13. He is not more powerful than God, but is given the ability to kill these two witnesses for God’s glory. It is for God’s glory, because these two shall rise again!!!
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.
13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.
After 3 1/2 days, these two witnesses are filled with the breath of God and rise from the dead. All of a sudden, after being dead for over 3 days, these two men suddenly stood on their feet. Could you imagine the response of all of those who worshiped the beast during this time? It tells us that great fear fell on those who saw them do this. I bet it did!!!
Those present were also allowed to hear the voice of God say from heaven, “Come up here” and watch these two individuals ascend to heaven in a cloud.
Not only this, but also in the same hour there was a great earthquake causing a tenth of the city to fall. Seven thousand people were killed in this earthquake, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. What a turn of events. The fear of God finally grips the hearts of some of these people causing them to finally give worship to God. Hallelujah!
We are finally told that the second woe is past and that the third woe is coming quickly.
15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God,
17 saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
Now we get to see the sounding of the seventh trumpet. Our focus shifts from earth back to Heaven as John sees this unfold.
We are not told who these loud voices are, but whoever they are, they are giving God worship. At this time, the 24 elders, who I believe represent the raptured church, fall on their faces and worship Him as well.
During, or immediately after, this worship of God in heaven, the temple of God in heaven is opened. The ark of the covenant is seen in His temple and all of the things that accompany His presence with it.
This is the promise of God to be in His presence for all eternity. The Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament was inside the Most Holy Place. This place was not accessible to anyone but the High Priest. The veil that separated this room from the rest of the temple also separated them from His majestical presence. Anyone who entered other than the High Priest, and him at the appointed time, would instantly fall dead.
In heaven, there will be no separation between us and God. We will dwell in His presence constantly with nothing to hinder that. This last trumpet is the solemn promise that all things that stand in opposition to that plan is about to be removed.
