Revelation Chapter 11, Part 2

[Pastor Dave Honey]

Revelation 11:3
And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."

 

Twenty four years ago, in 1986 when I was first saved, I went home to my apartment, poured my whiskey down the drain and proceeded to write a Christian children's song! The lyrics went something like this; Two by two, Two by two, that’s what I'll do for you, for you! Two by two, Two by two, I'll bring you all My creatures, Two by two! Ha! That was a great first day as a Christian!

 

So, why do I share this bit of "New Christian" history with you? Two reasons... One, to showcase my incredible writing skill, Ha! Two, to emphasize the importance of "Two!"

 

Verse 2 mentions a forty two month period of time in which the Gentiles will tread the holy city of Jerusalem under foot. Forty two months, or three and one half years is the same period of time as mentioned in verse 3, one thousand two hundred and sixty days, or three and one half years. The translation of forty two months, or one thousand two hundred and sixty days into three and one half years only works when applied to the early Jewish calendar where one year is three hundred and sixty days long.

 

God's two witnesses are given power as we shall see. They are set on a preaching mission, probably stationed at the new temple location, where they will prophesy to the Nation of Israel and the world for what I believe will be the first three and one half years of Tribulation. Some disagreement exists as to which half of the Tribulation period this event will take place. However, I believe it will be during the first half of the Tribulation period. That they will be wearing sackcloth must certainly represent humility and patience during their time of ministry.

 

Revelation 11:4-6
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.

 

Three questions come to mind;

 

1) Who are these two witnesses?

 

2) What do the olive trees represent?

 

3) What do the lampstands represent?

 

As to the who, there is no shortage of commentaries and articles available which speak to the many possibilities of just who these two witnesses are! However, I believe that the most probable identity of these two is Moses and Elijah.

My reasoning:

These two witnesses will strike the earth with plagues much like Mosses did. Just as Elijah did (as recorded in James 5:17, they will cause the rain to stop for three and one half years. Both Mosses and Elijah were seen with Jesus in the transfiguration as recorded in Luke 9:28-31. There was a belief by the Jewish people that both Mosses (Deuteronomy 18:15-18) and Elijah (Malachi 4:5-6) would one day return. Elijah never died, but was taken up into heaven. God buried Moses' body where it could never be found.

 

As stated earlier, there are many theories as to who these two will be. Some believe that they will be two men who may even be alive today, but may yet be unaware of this calling on their lives!

The reference to the two olive trees and to the two lampstands is a clear reference to Zechariah 4:1-6,11-14;

 

Zechariah 4:1-6

Now the angel who talked with me came back and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. 2 And he said to me, "What do you see?" So I said, "I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. 3 Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left." 4 So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, "What are these, my lord?" 5 Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, "Do you not know what these are?" And I said, "No, my lord." 6 So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.

Zechariah 4:11-14

11 Then I answered and said to him, "What are these two olive trees — at the right of the lampstand and at its left?" 12 And I further answered and said to him, "What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?"
13 Then he answered me and said, "Do you not know what these are?" And I said, "No, my lord." 14 So he said, "These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth."

This incredible imagery reveals so much about the ministry of the Holy Spirit as it relates to these two witnesses! As olive trees provide a supply of oil needed to keep the lamps illuminated, so also is the Holy Spirit referred to as oil and the illuminated lamps are the knowledge of the Word of God! I think it is particularly interesting in this context that there are seven pipes in which the oil flows to the lamps, insuring an abundant supply! Could it be that the seven pipes may be referring to the complete seven-fold ministry of the Holy Spirit as recorded in Isaiah 11:2? The fullness of His ministry is represented in these two witnesses that they may prophesy and evoke repentance from the Nation of Israel, as well as the whole world?

 

Revelation 11:7-8
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.

 

At the mid point of tribulation, Satan will come out of the bottomless pit, or hell, and he will indwell the popular new world leader who will be revealed as the Antichrist! His first order of business will be to destroy these witnesses and then he will defile the Holy of Holies within the Jewish Temple! He will leave the dead bodies in the street and will not allow that they should be buried.

 

Revelation 11:9-10
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.

 

The peoples of the world, who have not yet recognized the evil within this popular world leader, will rejoice and celebrate the death of the two witnesses because they have plagued and accused their "wonderful" world leader! They will soon know the truth, yet many will continue to follow him!

 

Revelation 11:11-12
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.

 

I am reminded why this is known as one of the "woes!" Three and one half years of prophesying the Word of God, but this event will have the greatest impact on the world! It will be the exclamation point at the end of the message and will strike fear into the hearts of all who have rejected them and hated their words. to those who have believed, it will bring great joy and confirmation!

 

Revelation 11:13
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.

 

Included in God's exclamation point, He shakes up the earth and leaves seven thousand bodies in His wake! Those that are giving glory to God are more than likely Jews, who have to this point rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Suddenly their eyes are opened and with great fear and repentance, they glorify Jesus as King. There will no doubt be people all over the world watching these unfolding events on television and the internet that will hate God and curse Him, as well as embrace Him as Lord and Savior!

 

Revelation 11:14
The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

 

He's not done yet!

 

Revelation 11:15
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!"

 

The real significance of the seventh trumpet blast is that it marks the end of Satan's rule of the earth!

 

The seventh trumpet also introduces the final seven judgments, or the "Bowl Judgments!" This trumpet blast is the third woe! There has never been a judgment like this before, nor will there ever be again. We are getting closer to Jesus' return and the Millennial Kingdom!

 

Revelation 11:16-18

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."

 

I am simply reminded of David's words in Psalms 46 as the twenty four elders, the church in heaven praise God and give thanks to Him for His amazing covering and protection!

 

Psalms 46:1-11
1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.

Selah

4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her,  just at the break of dawn.

6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

7 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.

Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has made desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire.

10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.

Revelation 11:19
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.

 

This is just a beautiful way to end this incredible chapter! Refer to Temples! Temples! Temples! in part 1 of this chapter to read about this incredible verse!

 

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