THE TWO WITNESSES, THE BEAST AND THE SECOND COMING

 

The two witnesses, the beast and the second coming

 

Hi good friends out there in internet land. I have reviewed the first eight chapters in the book of Revelation in a very detailed way giving the readers many cross references to each verse but due to time and the fact that I must move on to other writing projects in the Bible the remaining chapters (Revelation chapters 9-22) will be completely quoted with some comments at the end of the chapter. I really do desire to cross reference every verse in these chapters but this would take me way to long thus leaving out other vital biblical studies that are also needed and desired to people that are very hungry for the word of God. There will still be many interesting insights after the chapter is quoted so please enjoy the rest of the study in this fascinating last book of the Bible.

 

 

(1) "And there was given me a reed and like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. (2) But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. (3) And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophecy a thousand and two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. (4) These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. (5) And if any man hurt them, fire proceeded out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. (6) These have the power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. (7) And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. (8) And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. (9) And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. (10) And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. (11) And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. (12) And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. (13) And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. (14) The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. (15) And the seventh angel sounded: and there were great voices in heaven saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever. (16) And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God. (17) Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. (18) And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.(19) And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of His testament: and there were lightings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail." Revelation 11: 1 - 19.

 

 

The city that the apostle John is talking about is obviously Jerusalem. What has happened in this city is a prelude of what will come to fulfill Revelation chapter eleven.

 

The apostle John wrote the book of Revelation late in the first century. The Romans destroyed the temple in 70 A.D. Verses 1 - 2 are saying that there will be a future temple built in Jerusalem. Daniel 9:27 tells us the antichrist will break a covenant with the Jewish people during the future seven year tribulation period which will involve the temple this country will build. We are seeing Israel start the project now so this is a sign that we are close to the day of the Lord. During the tribulation many Gentile armies will invade the city of Jerusalem. "And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Je - ru'sa - lem shall be trodden down of the Gen'tiles, until the times of the Gen'tiles be fulfilled." Luke 21:24. Then Jesus Christ will return in the second advent/coming and rule for 1000 years from Jerusalem.

 

 

These two witnesses that God will send to earth will preach so good that nobody will be able to plead ignorance regarding the facts of salvation through Jesus Christ. One of the truths these witnesses will preach is the temple has already been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. They will preach for 1260 days in the first three and one half years. Another truth these witnesses will preach is the antichrist is just an evil world dictator. Revelation 11:7 says the antichrist will kill the witnesses.

 

 

Elijah is one of the witnesses. (5) "Behold, I will send you E - li'jah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: (6) And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." Malachi 4: 5 - 6. I believe the two witnesses will be very successful in converting Jewish people to Jesus Christ.

 

Notice this passage is saying that he will come before the great and dreadful day of the Lord (the last three and one half years). I think it is interesting that Malachi 4:4 (the verse right before this passage) talks about Moses and the law. Revelation 11:6 tells us two miracles will come to pass (withholding of rain and the earth's waters turning to blood). In the Old Testament Elijah was the human vessel to withholding rain. In the Old Testament Moses was the human vessel of turning water to blood. The Bible says Elijah is one of the witnesses but the second witness is conjecture. I have heard Enoch will be the second witness and I also heard the Apostle John will be the second witness. Since the Apostle John wrote the book of Revelation don't you think he would have said, "Hay that is me."

 

 

I have heard people say since Moses died he could not be the second witness but if we look at Revelation chapter eleven the witnesses are killed but as the whole world looks at their dead bodies they are being raised from the dead and then they are raptured into heaven. I believe the two witnesses will embody the prophets and the law. Enoch represents the church. He even lived 365 years (A Gentile time span for one year) and was raptured into heaven before the flood (A symbolic proof for the pre tribulation rapture). I reviewed that after Revelation chapter three the wise virgins will be raptured before the seven year tribulation period.

 

 

In verse seven the antichrist is introduced as the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit and this is the man that kills the two witnesses. If the whole world is looking at the dead bodies in Jerusalem this is a prophecy regarding television. When the witnesses are raised from the dead and are raptured into heaven a great earthquake takes place immediately and kills seven thousand people. Those in the area that survive are extremely fearful and turn to Jesus Christ. The fear of God is missing in this world.

 

 

As this chapter progresses the seventh angel sounds his trumpet so obviously terrible judgments are about to begin at this point in the day of the Lord. The praise in heaven that we see in this passage is not because of the judgments but the righteous know that Jesus Christ is about to reign and rule.

 

 

The apostles understood the Old Testament and asked Jesus, "When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Is'ra - el?" Acts 1:6. At the time they did not understand that the will of God was to build a mysterious body called the "Church." These are the people that throughout the last two centuries have accepted Jesus Christ into their hearts for an abiding relationship in Him.

 

 

In verse nineteen a temple is described so we have to go to a cross reference to see what the purpose is for this replica. "Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Mo'ses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith He, that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount." Hebrews 8:5. When the earthy tabernacle was built it was made according to the pattern of the heavenly. There is either a temple in heaven or this planet (heaven is a planet) is shaped in the form of a temple (the otter court, the inner court and the holy of holies).

 

 

The ark of the covenant is also written in this verse. This was the main piece of furniture in the holy of holies. There was a golden throne on the top. This was the place where the blood of a spotless lamb was sprinkled on the Day of Atonement by the high priest. At that point this changed from judgment to mercy. This was the place in the Old Testament when people could be forgiven. In this verse God is opening up the temple of heaven and showing the Jewish people the ark. This will be a reminder that God will be faithful to His covenant of forgiveness that He makes through His Son Jesus Christ. This message does not come without a warning because lightning and thunder is at the very end of the last verse in the chapter. This is a warning to those who reject the true Messiah who is Jesus Christ. Remember there are still more judgments to come upon the earth.

 

 

If we can learn anything from this chapter it is to accept the forgiveness of God through our repentance which is far better than hardening our hearts. God will always give us a chance but if we just go our way and do our thing we have a choice to engage in this folly. If you do not feel your sins are forgiven it would be best if you accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord by repenting of your sins and inviting the Son of God into your life. The Bible never says this is an easy thing to do especially the part where we have to be obedient to God by faith. I can tell you that this is much easier than hardening our hearts and suffering the consequences of the judgment of God.      God bless you    Bob D.