Sermon Tone Analysis

Again, as we look at this description of end times, we have seen the scorpion locusts in Ch. 9 and the 4 angels bound at the river Euphrates carrying 3 plagues and killing 1/3 of mankind referred to as the first woe.

It should be pointed out that at this time, Death riding the Pale Horse killed 1/4 of the population and now 1/3 of the population from the 4 angels.

If we look at the world population as of 2020, there were 7.8 billion people.

1/4 would be 1.95 billion, leaving a population of 5.85 billion.

When the plagues kill 1/3 it would take another 1.95 billion, leaving 3.9 billion - half of the worlds population will now be dead, but the end of Ch 9 sums up the hardened hearts of the people - the rest of mankind did not repent.

We move into Chapter 10 and see the picture of the mighty angel and the little scroll, John heard the 7 thunders, but could not write what they said.

In the end we see John eating the little scroll - at first as sweet as honey, but becoming bitter on his stomach.

Indicating God’s Word is sent as a sweet reminder of His promises to us, but it is also a bitter reminder of what punishment lies ahead for those who choose to ignore and disobey Him.

As we come into Ch.

11, we see a continuation of the interlude from Chapter 10.

Two Witnesses

In verses 1 and 2, John is handed a measuring rod and told to measure the temple - the innermost part of the temple and the Holy of Holies only.

Notice, not only is the temple measured, but those who worship there.

Without a standard to be measured against (rod), how can we ever know if we have met the goal?

Yet he was not to measure the court outside the temple.

This goes back to scripture telling us that the antichrist will walk into the temple and demand the world give first loyalty to him and the state.

Outside of the holy of holies - the dwelling place of God and the innermost part of the temple where the priest (the follower of God) would be, there has been a desecration of God and the temple (it had been turned over to the nations).

How long will the temple court be trampled, and what is the importance?

When might this take place?

It states they will trample it for 42 months.

This is interpreted by some to mean a short period of time.

Now, in my opinion, this is the last half of the rule of the antichrist - we are told in scripture by both Christ and Daniel that the antichrist will rule for 7 years.

We are told that there will be a transition from the white horse antichrist coming with the bow and no arrows, to the second part of the Great Tribulation where many will suffer.

For half of the week - Daniel’s description of the seventieth week it points to a division into two parts.

This last half would be called the “abomination of desolation” where there is worship of abominable idols.

Whenever we see times, times, and half a time, 1260 days, 42 months (30 day months in relation to the Jewish calendar) we see this last part of the Great Tribulation.

There is a time in these last 3 1/2 years where there will be a great influence of satanic power in the world.

God is judging sin and unbelief, not out of spite or revenge, but in an effort to get those, in Chapter 9, to soften their hearts and repent.

This is their last chance.

During this time the antichrist will turn against all who call upon God and who refuse to bow down before the state and give the state their first allegiance.

The antichrist will destroy Jerusalem and the temple, and will launch the worst holocaust the world has ever seen against ALL believers.

The antichrist will destroy Jerusalem and its temple.

But notice God still loves Israel and remembers His covenants with them, and because of this love God is going to save Israel, sending them two great witnesses.

These two great witnesses - messengers - will proclaim salvation in Jesus Christ.

Believers will endure intense persecution, but these two witnesses who come in power and spirit of those like Moses and Elijah.

They will proclaim His word and display His power.

No one will have the power or authority to harm them until “they finish their testimony” - for 3 1/2 years, 42 months, 1,260 days.

Ultimately, the anti-christ will kill God’s two prophets, they will not be buried but will be left in the street for 3 1/2 days.

The people will celebrate and a new holiday established to celebrate the deaths of two men of God.

Notice this is the only time we see celebration and rejoicing in the book of Revelation.

But God…after 3 1/2 days, "a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet”.

They’re resurrected by the ONE who sent them.

When the crowds saw them…they were afraid.

All their enemies watched two corpses breathe again, and ascend into heaven.

God shows them His power and might of resurrection, then shows his wrath by sending an earthquake that kills another 7,000.

But notice the end of verse 12 “and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven”.

63,000 people who were left cried out to God.

Now, was this genuine worship?

If so, this passage describes the reality of salvation for the Jews in Jerusalem, fulfilling God’s promise of blessings for Israel.

In contrast, is it the fear causing these to cry out to God without them truly turning to God?

Whichever it is, the two witnesses come with power, they are persecuted and martyred by the beast, but they are resurrected by God’s breath and will be vindicated in the eyes of God.

Regardless of the details, God’s ultimate plan will be completed.

Sin has had its rampant run on the earth, but the Lord God, the Almighty, will have the final say for eternity.

And this is the second woe.

The second woe has passed, but the third is soon coming.

Seventh Trumpet

Notice that there was a pause for an undetermined amount of time between the first woe and the second, but there is no pause between the second and third woe.

This is where we see the seventh trumpet blast.

The final triumph over evil is soon coming.

The seventh seal contained the seventh trumpet, and the seventh trumpet contains the seven bowls that are quickly bringing things to the end.

What will be endured on earth during this time?

The end time will be a period of horror and tragedy.

The world and its people will go through great tribulation, tribulation such as the world has never before seen.

Scene after scene of catastrophe and horror have already been seen.

Imagine what John was going through.

He was having to look upon these scenes and be an eyewitness of these horrors.

This is the reason here and there throughout Revelation we have seen Christ give John a scene of hope and of the glory that is to come.

This is what the present passage is all about.

John once again needs to be lifted up and encouraged.

Therefore, God gives him a broad overview of what is yet to come; John sees in sketch form the glory with the horror.

This is the overall picture of things to come.

What judgment do we see when the seventh trumpet sounds?

Note when the seventh trumpet blasts there is no judgment and there is no woe that comes forth.

Why?

Because there are some things that need to be seen before the judgments actually take place.

The judgments and woe of the seventh trumpet are actually the seven bowl judgments; that is, the seventh trumpet will blast forth seven more judgments, and these will be far worse than any of the judgments cast upon the earth.

In fact, the bowl judgments will bring the climax of human history and the end of time as we know it.

But there are some things that needed to be seen and understood.

What is there to be seen before the next judgment?

The scene jumps over all of history and shows our God and His Christ ruling over the whole world.

All the kingdoms of this world are done away with, and all the people upon earth live and work as citizens of God’s kingdom.

The point is this: earthly governments are imperfect and weak and are unable to bring utopia to man.

Earthly governments are flooded with the poor, hungry, homeless, sick, selfish, rich, proud, and all the other evils and imperfections that enslave the citizens of this world.

Earthly governments focus upon this earth and all the pleasures and possessions of this earth and upon war and conflict.

This will be especially true in the end time under the antichrist.

The world will be engulfed in sin and evil, selfishness and greed, war and conflict.

But this is not the end: this is the glorious message of this point.

The kingdoms of this world are going to become the kingdom of our God and His Christ.

God is going to reign over the world, bringing heaven to this universe.

When?

During the millennium.

The millennium simply means the period of time, a period of one thousand years, that Jesus Christ is to return to this earth and rule over the nations and people of the earth.

What is the ultimate picture seen?

As soon as the angel gave a glimpse into the future that showed the victory of God, the twenty four elders fell on their faces before God.

They praised Him as the Lord God who “is, and was, and is to come.”

That is, He is eternal.

He is the One existing now, who was always existing, and is to always exist.

The Lord God possesses life forever and ever.

They praised Him for taking His great power back from the world and beginning to reign in His rightful place.

The last verse closes the chapter with heaven’s response to the son in verses 17-18.