The God Who is Present
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.
Exegesis
John is given a reed like a rod to measure:
The Temple of God
The Altar
Them that worship in it
He is told not to measure the outer court:
It is given to the gentiles (godless unbelievers).
They shall trample over the Holy City (Jerusalem) for forty two months.
The two witnesses of God.
They will have great power.
This is a supernatural power that will not be able to be explained away by natural causes.
They will have the ability to breath out fire that will kill those who try to do them harm.
They will prophesy for 1260 days or 42 months or three and half years.
The language is so precise and the fact that it identifies the time period two different ways, is proof that this is literal and not figurative.
Many believe that this is the second half of the tribulation period, and also fits with Daniel’s prophecy in Daniel chapter nine.
Application:
I. Even when everything looks hopeless, God is still in control.
I. Even when everything looks hopeless, God is still in control.
I say this to you to encourage you!
We can look at the situations around us, see the dangers that lurk everywhere, and feel as though there is no hope.
And believe me, Christians can all succumb to the feelings of hopelessness.
But, this is why we drag ourselves back to the scriptures, on our knees praying in the Holy Spirit, that we encourage ourselves.
Like David when they were out fighting and returned to Ziklag and the Amalekites had taken everyone captive and burned the entire city.
6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
II. Even in a godless society, God always has His witnesses.
II. Even in a godless society, God always has His witnesses.
When the Israelites kept turning back to paganism, the book of judges tells us that God sent them a witness.
When there are people in the world steeped in idolatry, God sends them a witness.
Jesus said to His disciples in Acts 1:8 that you shall be my witnesses.
He also calls us into the same business.
And I will say, that when the times are as they are, when mankind is turning its back further and further from God, it is now that the world needs a greater witness.
III. Even when He seems ambivalent, God is active in every situation.
III. Even when He seems ambivalent, God is active in every situation.
How can we see the economic crisis from covid 19, or the many deaths attributed to it and other viruses and diseases in the world, or the hurricanes, typhoons, tornadoes, earthquakes, and not think that God is somehow ambivalent to the distress His own people are going through?
We do think this at times!
But we can see through the darkness, that He is active and not passive in all these things!
He allows even the most dreadful events that cost human life, because He has a plan that is working out for good.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
We cannot possibly understand the complexity and will of God, nor the value he places on the soul of mankind.