Two Witnesses: Fear God or . . . .

We have to get back on track in our journey through Revelation. It has been about 6 weeks or more since we were in this book. So we need to review where we have come from. We have examined thus far the 7 seals which opened up to the seven trumpet judgments. We have concluded that the Church that was alive at the beginning of Chapter 4 before the seals were opened has been removed and are in heaven with God. We have been introduced to the 144,000 Jewish witnesses who would evangelize during the course of the tribulation. We have been exposed to the fact that at this point in the unfolding of future events over half the worlds population has perished. The world is in a state of chaos. The landscape of the world has changed drastically. Chapter 9 ended with the statement that “the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, . . . .” Nevertheless, God’s grace and mercy has been at the forefront of this revelation. It is a revealing of the Christ: Of Christ’s return. The main theme is the gospel of Jesus Christ. God is going to bring everything to a full stop as Jesus is revealed further to be the Christ before whom all mankind must bow. But we see that man still refuses to bow the knee to Him. In our text we are still speaking about the contents of the 6th Trumpet.

We are still speaking about the contents of the 6th Trumpet. In

In Chapter 10 we were introduced to the Angel that held the little scroll that announced time was running out. By the way, this was a message of mecry too. John was told to eat that scroll and then to prophecy. We understood that John’s message was one of repent. It was the gospel. It was judgment and mercy together in the same message.

Chapter 10 we were introduced to the Angel that held the little scroll that announced time was running out. John was told to eat that scroll and then to prophecy. We understood that John’s message was one of repent. It was the gospel. It was judgment and mercy together in the same message.

eld the little scroll that announced time was running out. John was told to eat that scroll and then to prophecy. We understood that John’s message was one of repent. It was the gospel. It was judgment and mercy together in the same message.

Last Monday morning we woke to the tragic news of a massacre in Las Vegas where we now know that 59 people were killed. 59 souls went into eternity unexpectedly. And 527 were wounded. All because of the evil of one man who plotted and planned the carnage. “Man’s heart is only evil continually.” the Bible says. A “man’s heart is desperately wicked and deceitful above all, who can know it.” How can you guard against such things? You can’t stop them, but you can plan for them so that you are ready whenever the inevitable happens.

Last Monday morning we woke to the tragic news of a massacre in Las Vegas where we now know that 59 people were killed. 59 souls went into eternity unexpectedly to them. And 527 were wounded. All because of the evil of one man who plotted and planned the carnage. “Man’s heart is only evil continually.” the Bible says. A “man’s heart is desperately wicked and deceitful above all, who can know it.” How can you guard against such things? You can’t stop them, but you can plan for them so that you are ready whenever the inevitable happens.

As we move into chapter 11 we can see what we are to do to prepare for such a tragedy. We are introduced to two witnesses who proclaim the message of hope and doom, grace and judgment. Two sides of the same coin. For those who put their faith in Jesus it is one of hope and grace. But to those who reject Jesus, who refuse to believe it is a message of doom and judgment.

I am going to lay this section out for you. The key to understand this chapter and especially this section is found in v. 13 “the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.” That is the point of these events to cause people to know who is the Lord and to fear Him enough to believe and repent of their sin of rebellion against the God of the Universe, the Creator of all. This message of these two witnesses is all about pointing people to Jesus. But those who love darkness more than the light, those who love evil calling it good will rebel violently as we see here and in our own experience in life.

Now many say this is the hardest chapter of Revelation to interpret. I find it very difficult to nail down the meaning of every detail as you shall see. However, the main idea is very clear as to why John includes this section as we already mentioned.

I will help you unpack this by dividing this into 6 stages that naturally divide our text. this is written so that we might know before it happens who God is and that we might fear Him enough to repent of out sins and to walk with him the rest of our lives. Much like Jesus did with His disciples so that it is often mentioned that the disciples finally understood something after it happened as Jesus said that it would. I think it is true here for us.

So here are these 6 stages that I think help us to understand the message John has for us. And if we understand it then we can face the future with hope and peace knowing God is in charge. It will give us confidence to go on in life full bore not holding back our service to Him.

Stage 1: The preparation for the two witnesses, v.1,2a

As I stated earlier there are those that think this is the most difficult passage to interpret in the Revelation. Here is why. Which temple is meant?

Which temple is meant?

What is the purpose of measuring the temple, altar and those who were worshipping in it?

Who are the worshippers?

Are we talking about the church, believers both Jew and Gentile, or just Jews?

Is John seeing the temple on earth in Jerusalem or is this heavenly one?

Those are all questions we don’t have concrete answers for.

What we do know is that John is again participating in this revelation for he is given the reed to measure with and then commanded to rise up and measure.

John is again participating in this revelation for he is given the reed to measure with and then commanded to rise up and measure.

A kalamos is a reed, a hollow stalk of some sort, that was a flexible stalk, often used to symbolize instability, easily shaken by the wind, () or used as a mock scepter when the Romans handed Jesus one after they scourged Him, (). Here it is used as a measuring tool.

The preparation for the two witnesses, v.1,2a

this reed was like a rabdo rod or staff that could be used in walking, or as a club. The reed wasn't a walking stick or club, ie. rigid and hard, but it was like one, probably refers to its length. It was to be used here to measure the temple.

Yet he never gives a measurement. At least, he doesn't record that he measures the temple. You normally measure something in order to get its size. Sometimes you measure something in order to mark it off to separate from something else. Which we will get to in a minute.

Next we see the mention of the temple. Which is it? There are two words in the NT for temple, naos, heiron. The word here is naos and normally refers to the inner part of the temple which referred to the Holy of Holies and the Holiest place. While heiron referred to the entire temple structure. In the NT heiron referred to the temple rebuilt by Herod the great. It had the naos in the center, with the courtyard for jews only then the outer courtyard for all. There was a divider between them with a sign that warned gentiles from passing into the Jewish court on pain of death. It seems clearest that John has this in mind when he is describing this as he also places a distinction between the naos and the outer court of the Gentiles.

There are two words in the NT for temple, naos, heiron. The word here is naos and refers to the inner part of the temple which referred to the Holy of Holies and the Holiest place. While heiron referred to the entire temple structure. In the NT heiron referred to the temple rebuilt by Herod the great. It had the naos in the center, with the courtyard for jews only then the outer courtyard for all. There was a divider between them with a sign that warned gentiles from passing into the Jewish court on pain of death. It seems clearest that John has this in mind when he is describing this as he also places a distinction between the naos and the outer court of the Gentiles.

Now the Altar that is mentioned could be the altar of sacrifice which was before the holy of holies in the court of the Jews or it could refer to the incense altar in the Holy of Holies. I'm not sure we need to be too concerned with which one it is. It would simply be a guess on our part.

The worshippers are clearly those who worship God. But are they the church as Alford suggests or are these only Jewish worshippers.

One commentator sees ‘‘them as Jews during the tribulation protected by God.”

“The survival of a remnant of the Jews will become the subject of chap. 12 to follow and is also anticipated in and various other” (NAC)

In fact, rev. 21:22 says there is no temple. Of course that is in the new Jerusalem. Possibly this reference to the new city. Thus we have the measurement. No temple is because gods presence is there and there are no unbelievers present. As in the court of the gentiles they are all outside the presence of God. For this reason I take this to be the literal temple in Jerusalem during the time of Tribulation.

I want to suggest to you that the purpose for John to measure the temple is:

NAC suggests the measurement is it was an indication of God’s protecting providences as is apparently the case in this passage. Ie. he measures in order to set apart those whom He will protect from the gentiles who will trample the city.

In a man is seen measuring the temple and v.5 God is said to be a protective wall about it amid God's judgment on the city.

is another occasion of measuring

Then again in

these seem to be God singling out what is His

I want to suggest to you that the purpose for John to measure the temple is:

-the marking out of the people of God --

In a man is seen measuring the temple and v.5 God is said to be a protective wall about it amid God's judgment on the city.

is another occasion of measuring. Then again in these seem to be God singling out what is His.

Then again in

these seem to be God singling out what is His

God has always set his people apart from those whom He is about to Judge- from teh call of Abraham out of Ur, to the separation of Israel from Egypt in goshen during the plagues, to remnant saved out God during the ministry of Elijah. there has always been a group of the faithful whom God has protected from the onslaught of the enemy. Reminds me of the prayer of Jesus in to keep His people from the evil one.

-the marking out of the unbelievers, v.2 here we have what is mentioned by Jesus in . Here Jesus speaks of of the ransacking of Jerusalem by the Gentiles. cf. also ; .

Now we move to

Stage 2: The period of the two witnesses, v.2b

they are going to rise up during this time of extreme duress.

The 42 months corresponds to Daniel's "time, times, and half" ; ; . Referring to the period of the Gentiles.

Interestingly this 3 and half years connects to the 3 1/2 years of Jesus witness to the truth to Israel. The resurrection of the 2 witnesses after 3 1/2 days corresponds to the resurrection of Christ after 3 days.

The question seems to be which part of the tribulation does this depict, the first half or the second half. It seems from the context its placement in amid the trumpets that this is the last half. The gentiles/world system wreaking havoc on God's people, Jews/Christians during this last time. the witnesses proclaiming the Christ. The gentiles reign until the second coming of Christ depicted later in the chapter in the 7th trumpet.

It is during this time of domination of the evil world system that these two witnesses will declare their message calling people to believe in Jesus and repent. But as we see they will be met with little positive response from their hearers. In fact, the response will mostly be with violence.

Now we are ready for

Stage 3: The presentation of the two witnesses, v.3,4

Our text tells us that they will be granted authority,

Prophecy for 1260 days or 3 1/2 years or 42 months

and they will be clothed in traditional prophets clothing of sackcloth.

So first of all their authority is derived. It is not inherent to them. It is given to them by God. Their authority rests not in who they are, but in Who God is. they have no authority of their own. It is only as they proclaim the message in the manner and with the words God gives them. They will speak with authority because they will only be speaking God’s word to the world. That authority, as we shall see from our text will be validated by their works.

The duration of their prophecy is for a limited time only, 3 1/2 years.

In other words, there is only a limited time before it is too late. Last time I titled the message: “Ready or not, Here I come!” meaning that the clock is running out for those who want to put off repenting.

this also points out there is hope for believers in that the time of Gentile, world system domination is limited too. That will come to an end. Then Jesus comes and sets up His kingdom.

The question is who are these two witnesses. Many have suggested Moses and Elijah, Elijah and Enoch, but the truth is their names are not mentioned. What we do know is what we read here in v.4.

They are two olive trees and two lampstands.

These two lampstands refer to , where Joshua and Zerubabel ministered to the Jews as two olive trees. The olive trees speak of oil that fills the lampstand, v. 6. There the point is that it is not by might or power, but by the spirit of God that they do what they do. . Thus, it speaks of the Spirit of God empower them. As they ministered to the remnant in Jerusalem so these two witnesses will minister to God's remnant on earth as well as proclaiming the Gospel to the wicked and testifying to their judgment should they refuse to believe. And they do it by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The fact that there are two witnesses attests to the law that at two or three witnesses something is deemed true. So that their testimony is seen and understood as true.

Stage 4: The proclamation of the two witnesses, v.5-7a

The message of the witnesses is clearly the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a call to repentance and faith in Jesus. But it is also a message of judgment to those who refuse to believe.

Now it is also obvious that John is declaring there is strong opposition to these two witnesses. The enemies of God are numerous and strong. It is a world system that is against God. But their defeat is certain is also a theme here. They are really weak compared to God.

The destruction by fire and the drought, the water turned into blood and smiting with plagues clearly attest to the time of Moses against Pharoah and that of Elijah to the apostate Israel. We don't know who these two witnesses are, that is obviously not important but what they do surely brings to mind that which has been mentioned already. The point being that these events testify to the truth of God, That people would know that "I am the Lord" in this case referring to the witness re: Jesus Christ. And those who refuse to believe will end up like Pharoah and apostate Israel. This is clearly a call to repentance a putting to death of sins lest rather than the mercy and grace of God they experience the wrath of God.

v. 5 fire . . . devoureth cf. ; In short It is the word of God that penetrates and destroys those who refuse its call. As these prophets call for judgment on the enemy it happens.

The power to shut the sky from rain, or to devour by fire those who violently oppose them or to turn water into blood or strike the earth with a plague that kills people are clearly validations of their message; that they speak the truth. They are designed to put the fear of God into people’s hearts to cause them to humble themselves before God. However, the more they proclaim the truth the stronger the opposition to them which leads us to

Stage 5: The promotion of the two witnesses, v. 7b-12

In these verses we see that Satan who is the beast out of the bottomless pit rises against them.

-war against them

-apparent defeat by Satan

The death for three days seems to corresponds to Jesus dead for 3 days in the tomb.

-party by their enemies, v10 there is great celebration by the inhabitants of the world at that time. they don’t realize their time is running out. They are like those who lived during the days of Noah before the flood. They were partying making merry and living life as though the message of Noah about a flood was a mere fairy tale.

-resurrection surprise, v.11-13a

But then hope arises for believers and doom and dread for unbelievers. They went from celebration to despair in a matter of moments as they saw the two witnesses come to life and ascend to heaven before their eyes.

The taking of the two witnesses upon a cloud brings to mind the ascension of Jesus on a cloud rising in victory in the sight of the disciples. here it happens before the eyes of their enemies.

v.13

After this there was an earthquake which destroyed a 10th of Jerusalem and killed 7000 men creating fear in the hearts of the inhabitants.

The last stage is

Stage 6: The response of their enemies, v. 13b

-fear of God- they became terrified, afraid. Same word that described the frame of mind of the women in the empty tomb when the angels stood before them in shining clothes. The women were afraid. luke 24:3 or in v.37 that of the disciples when Jesus appeared in the midst of them. The idea of course here is that people became terrified at the unexplainable resurrection of the two witnesses as well as the earthquake that killed 7000 of their fellows. Their fear was rooted in their fear of death, of being killed. It didn’t mean they necessarily believed in the Lord and were saved. But they had no doubt of God at that time. Much as Pharoah and the citizens of Egypt had no doubt of God.

-gave glory to God

ie. they knew who God is. In other words, they acknowledged God. To glorify God means to acknowledge God is. There is only one true God. But to acknowledge God is, doesn’t mean a person has saving faith. The demons knew Jesus but were not saved. There are those who know there is God, but still refuse to submit to Him. Take Pharoah for example. In this case we know that most still do not repent though they are fearful of death and of God.

So what of you?

Most still did not repent though.

We can take hope from this passage in that we will not be there. But even if we are the domination of the world system of evil is temporary. It is for us to stand strong and true to the Lord. Nothing wavering. AS Paul stated in “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

If you have not bowed the knee to Jesus yet, now is the time to do so. Your time is running out. Those at the concert in Vegas didn’t know that night their time had run out, but it did. Don’t be caught unawares. Repent and be saved today.

I think this verse makes the whole point of the 6th trumpet and all that has gone on before the People would fear God and give Him glory.

Acknowledge God, and believe in Him and repent of sin.

IT.

6 stages

The preparation for the two witnesses, v.1,2a

-the marking out of the people of God --God has always set his people apart from those whom He is about to Judge- from teh call of Abraham out of Ur, to the separation of Israel from Egypt in goshen during the plagues, to remnant saved out God during the ministry of Elijah. there has always been a group of the faithful whom God has protected from the onslaught of the enemy. Reminds me of the prayer of Jesus in to keep His people from the evil one.

-the marking out of the unbelievers

The period of the two witnesses, v.2b they are going to rise up during this time of extreme duress.

The presentation of the two witnesses, v.3,4

MT>

-war against them

-apparent defeat by Satan

-party by their enemies, v10

-resurrection surprise, v.11-13a

The response of their enemies, v. 13b

-fear of God

-gave glory to God

ie. they knew who God is.

Most still did not repent though.

MT>

Acknowledge God, and believe in Him and repent of sin.

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