Chapter 11
As we move further into the details of events unfolding, we come across one of the most spectacular events that will unfold somewhere in the seven-year tribulation, and that is the ministry of the two witnesses.
John is told to measure the temple, the altar and those who worship there but is told not to measure the outside as it belongs to the gentiles (11:2). However, there is power given to two witnesses who preach the Kingdom and give testimony of Jesus (11:3,7). Throughout this time of bold deceleration and prophecy, they are not only supernaturally protected but also pronounce judgements themselves. They declare a three and a half year drought; they turn water into blood and speak plagues into being.
If anyone comes to try and hurt them or kill them, fire comes and destroys their enemies. After their allotted time of ministry, the beast kills them and gains what looks like a victory over those who are preaching Jesus, and their bodies lie in the street of Jerusalem. Interestingly, John describes Jerusalem as a spiritual Sodom, a type of Egypt and aligns those images with the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus. It would be clear then that the ministry is taking place in Jerusalem but not only to the Jews; it is a worldwide ministry that, for the most part looks like taking a similar shape to His first coming, a rejection ending in death. Physical death for those who bear witness and spiritual death to those who reject.
When the beast does kill them though, there are worldwide celebrations that take place. World leaders congratulate each other for ridding the world of these prophetic menaces and people all over the world send gifts to one another in festivity. This will carry on a longstanding human tradition of killing prophets that bring the good news of the Father’s Kingdom and self-congratulatory grandiosement of being able to carry on their own selfish wickedness.
But who are these two witnesses? Well, God says they are His witnesses as alludes to Zechariah 4:2 when He describes them as the two olive trees and two lampstands. Putting all of that together we can see that the two witnesses are men and not angels. Furthermore, they are known by God and have performed ministry for Him. This has led to conjecture around who these two witnesses are which is an interesting study but for the purposes of brevity, it seems likely the two witnesses are Elijah and Moses.
The reasons for this are that they both appear on the Mount Transfiguration with Jesus which previews the second coming (Mat 16:27-17:5). They both appear in Malachi which is often the proof text for Elijah being one of the witnesses (Mal 4:4-5). The miracles the two witnesses perform are in the same nature as the miracles Moses and Elijah performed while here on earth. But even more noteworthy, they together both represent the law and the prophets. This would make the most appropriate sense of everything else we have seen so far in the book of Revelation. God is literally sparing no expense in His invitation to join the Kingdom in the last moments before final judgment. If the saving of Israel is a main focus in the book, and it is, who better to send than Moses and Elijah? Who better than the chief lawyer and the chief prophet? It would very much be like God to send His best in to bring about the greatest opportunity of salvation.
After they die, their bodies lie there in the streets for three and a half days. The celebrations were that large and dripping in evil that the people of the world literally wanted to dance on their graves and watch at the same time. This was short-lived though as the Spirit of God breathed on them once more and they came back to life. As soon as they did, a loud voice from heaven called them home and their enemies watched as they were taken up into heaven.
This marks the end of the second woe with one more to go. The judgments get increasingly bigger because the seventh trumpet is about to be blasted and in the seventh trumpet are seven bowls of God’s wrath. Alongside the blast of the trumpet is a proclamation.
“The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (11:15)
This is almost a summation statement of the whole book of Revelation. This is creating the depth of field that helps us see as we collate all the colourful and sometimes horrific details. Each event that has unfolded and will unfold from here on in, is because the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. This causes a mass praise party in heaven by the church. All the twenty-four elders fall on their faces and start worshipping and giving thanks for the eternal God who has acted in power and might to judge all and remove everything and everyone who was destroying the earth.
In conjunction with the earth being cleansed, we see the temple open and the appearance of God’s ark. Not only is the earth being cleansed in these judgments, but it is also being prepared for it to be reunited with heaven. God really will restore all things including heaven on earth once more.
Here’s what we can live from these verses:
- God has a plan for Israel and Nations to Hear the Gospel. God will spare no expense to get His gospel out. He even sent His own son as the original missionary and the price tag was none less than the blood of His beloved. In the throes of God’s outpoured wrath, He sends His best in to preach, prophecy and proclaim the coming King and the invitation to be a part of His Kingdom. Today let’s place a high price on the gospel and spare no expense to get it out.
- The Kingdoms of This World Will Become Christ’s. We can rest easy in the knowledge of the fact that He shall reign forever. When the prophets are being slain and it looks like evil is winning we know who has already won and who has brought the victory. Christ will take power and reign and it doesn’t matter how angry the nations get, he will judge those who destroy the earth. Today, have trust in His Kingship and authority.
- Heaven’s Temple Will Be Opened Once More To Earth. We see in the last verse (19) that the temple opens and the ark of God’s covenant is seen. One of the things that God has restored to humanity is the temple. We are now the temple of God through Christ Jesus (1 Cor 3:16). The Spirit of God now resides in my spirit. The complete restoration of that will take place in the future when heaven and earth will be knitted back together like it was in the beginning. All of heaven and earth will be His dwelling place again (Rev 21:22) Today, let’s ensure the temple of our hearts are open to His heaven being established in our lives.
