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Home , Revelation 11

- Part 28 Revelation 11:1-14

Revelation 11:1-14, “I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will appoint my , and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.” 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want. 7 Now when they have finished their testimony, that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial.10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth. 11 But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on. 13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.” • First, John is told to measure the Temple but leave out the Outer Court which was given to the Gentiles - As we looked at the Biblical History of Measuring the Temple, it was God’s way of saying: - Pay attention to what’s going on in the Temple, at the Altar and the Worshippers - And, God is about to pour out a blessing on them that will not be able to be measured! - Excluding the Gentiles (which are Unbelievers collectively) was God’s way of saying: - Don’t worry about what they are doing (as they trample the Holy City) - And, no blessing is coming their way

• The Timeline (it is mentioned, so it is important): - The Gentiles trample the holy city for 42 months (3½ years) - 2 Witnesses prophesy for 1,260 days (3½ years) - Our studies have shown the first 3½ years to be full of human conflict (1st 5 Seals); this matches the “Gentiles Trampling” - Our studies have shown the last 3½ years to be full of Acts of God (Disasters from Heaven); this matches the activities of the 2 Witnesses (no rain; water to blood; plagues) * So, the 2 Witnesses may be after the Gentiles Trampling - The Beast come out of the Abyss and kills them: - Their dead bodies lay in the public square of for 3½ days - This is most likely a literal 3½ days and not symbolic of weeks or years because of the earlier reference to 1,260 days - Note: 365 x 7 = 2556 (with one leap year); (a Jewish month is 29.5 days x 42) 1239 + 1260 = 2499 A difference of 57 days * Due to the Gregorian and Lunar calendars, it is difficult to say how long 7 years is to the day

• The Beast comes out of the Abyss and kills them - Some say this is the Antichrist: - The Beast in is commonly known as the Antichrist (because one of his horns dies, comes to life, does miracles, blasphemes God and His Temple and enforces worship upon himself) - But this Beast comes out of the Sea - He has 7 heads; 10 horns and 10 crowns on the horns - The Beast in comes out of the Abyss: - He is similar to the Beast out of the Sea: 7 heads; 10 horns (but no crowns) - He has blasphemies written all over him (Rev 17:3) Revelation 17:12, “The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.” Revelation 17:9, “The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. 11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.” * So the Beast seems to be a historical line of Kings; this 8th King which is not currently on the Beast out of the Abyss may be the Beast out of the Sea

• The Timeline Continues: - People celebrate their death for the 3½ days - Lazarus was dead for 4 days: - They noted to that “by this time there is a bad odour” - Remember what Jesus said the purpose of Lazarus’ death was: John 11:4, “When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”” * Both of these are relevant here: - They refused to bury them. They were rotting under the Jerusalem sun. - God used it to glorify His Name through the death and the resurrection! - Vs. 8, “Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified.” - Sodom = sin - Egypt = slavery * This is what Jerusalem is called during this time - God resurrects them and everyone is afraid! - So they should be, they dishonoured the 2 Witnesses - Vs. 11, “But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them.” - Reminiscent of the first Adam, this is the Last Resurrection to happen in God’s Story and it’s a deliberate reminder that our Life is God’s Breath and we exist by His Decision - Then they are raptured into heaven - The same way Jesus Ascended after His Resurrection: Acts 1:10-11, “They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”” (Could it have been the 2 Witnesses?) - Then a severe earthquake destroys 1/10 of Jerusalem. 7000 killed. - Not total destruction, but enough to send out the warning in the hopes that some will repent (God’s Heart!) - Vs. 13, “the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.” - This is a new reaction! Everyone else has shook their fist at God * This may speak of Israel. Remember the context is to pay attention to “the temple, the altar and the worshippers” Israel worshipped in the Temple while believers worship through * And through prophecy, we know Israel will repent and recognize Jesus as the Messiah in the End Times: Zechariah 12:10, “And I will pour out on the house of and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” (The possible identity of the 2 Witnesses may confirm this…)

The Two Witnesses: • Some believe it is Enoch and Elijah because they both were raptured and never died Genesis 5:24, “Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” 2 Kings 2:11, “As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.”

• Some believe one was John because of what Jesus said to Peter: John 21:23, “When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumour spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?””

• Clues from the Text (Revelation 11) - Vs. 4, “They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands and “they stand before the Lord of the earth” - Notice the quotations. John is quoting an Old Testament prophecy: Zechariah 4:1-5, “Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep. 2 He asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps. 3 Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” 4 I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5 He answered, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my lord,” I replied.” Zechariah 4:11-14, “Then I asked the angel, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” 12 Again I asked him, “What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?” 13 He replied, “Do you not know what these are?” “No, my lord,” I said. 14 So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”” - Lampstands: - :20, “the seven lampstands are the seven churches.” = Churches = Body of Christ - Olive Trees: - Olive Oil was used to Anoint the Priests - The Olive Tree is the source of the Anointing! - Anointed Ones (“to serve the Lord of all the earth”) - “Don’t you know?” said twice indicates it should have been obvious

• More clues from the text: Their Powers! - No Rain = Elijah 1 Kings 17:1, “Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.”” James 5:17, “Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.” - 3 ½ years - Water to Blood = Moses Exodus 7:20, “Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded. He raised his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was changed into blood. ” - Call Down Fire = Elijah 2 Kings 1:9-10, “Then he sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. The captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king says, ‘Come down!’” 10 Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men.” - Note: To expose False gods. This matches the context of the 2 Witnesses. They are Witnessing about Jesus being the Messiah in a setting where many are claiming to be Jesus - Call Down Fire = Moses Numbers 26:8-10, “ The same Dathan and Abiram were the community officials who rebelled against Moses and Aaron and were among Korah’s followers when they rebelled against the Lord. 10 The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them along with Korah, whose followers died when the fire devoured the 250 men. And they served as a warning sign. ” - Note: To expose False leaders (Korah)

- As noted, Elijah also was Raptured and didn’t die - Moses died, but… Deuteronomy 34:5-6, “And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said. 6 He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is.” - Moses died a natural death - No one knows where Moses’ body is - Jude 1:9, “But even the archangel , when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”” - It seems that Satan is trying to keep Michael from taking the body of Moses from the grave (What was the purpose?)

- Note this Prophecy: :4-5, ““Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. 5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.” - Note: To this day, Jews who are waiting for the Messiah leave an empty chair at their table in anticipation that Elijah will return to announce the Messiah in fulfillment of this prophecy - Moses is mentioned just before the announcement of Elijah coming to precede the Messiah - When Jesus came to earth the first time, Elijah announced his coming: Matthew 11:7-14, “As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. ”

Luke 1:17, “And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Mark 9:11-13, “And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.””

• Why does Elijah have to appear again? Because Israel didn’t except Jesus as Messiah - God’s Purpose, though, was to include the Gentiles: Romans 11:11-16, “Again I ask: Did they (Israel) stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring! 13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.” Romans 11:25 & 30-31, “ I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in… 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience”

• Mount of Transfiguration Matthew 17:1-13, “After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” 10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.” - Note: Moses’ face also shone like the sun when he was alive: Exodus 34:29, “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.” - Note: Peter wanted to put up Tabernacles - The Feast of Tabernacles in Numbers 29 is a “dress rehearsal” celebrating when God will set up His Kingdom on earth and believers will move from Temporary to Eternal Dwellings = Second Coming ushers this in * At this point, Elijah (John the Baptist) announced the coming Messiah; Jesus came and was rejected by the Religious System. It’s almost like Moses and Elijah appear to plan the next attempt with Jesus…the 2 Witnesses who precede the Second Coming of Jesus - Note the combination of the 2: - Moses represents the Law - Elijah represents the Prophets * Together they represent the “Law and the Prophets” * 1 Raptured; 1 Resurrected. Now together, they are Raptured and Resurrected Note: Until this time, NO ONE but JESUS Died, Resurrected and then Raptured (Ascended) - 2 Witnesses - The Jews need a sign 1 Corinthians 1:22, “Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom” - The 2 Witnesses seem to be here for the Jews. Who better to do this than Elijah and Moses to tell them about Jesus. The Jews would receive them! * And they do! Vs. 13, “At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.”