Podcast Episode 23 (Condensed)
Welcome back to Wytinsea Writes. We’re back with a new blog for Revelation 11. If you’d prefer to listen to the audio podcast of Revelation 11, click here. This one actually happens to be one of my very favorite chapters. Not because it is the most exciting but because it really tugs on my heart string. I find this chapter to very powerful if you take it all into account of what occurs. If you haven’t already, read my previous blog on Revelation 10 or listen to it here. If you’re new to my page, start here with Revelation 1.
So, let’s begin. Revelation 11:1 NLT states, “Then I was given a measuring stick, and I was told, “Go and measure the Temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers.” In this sense, measure equals possession or ownership. I am reminded of Zechariah 1:16 NLT mentioning a measuring line, “Therefore, this is what the Lord says: I have returned to show mercy to Jerusalem. My Temple will be rebuilt, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and measurements will be taken for the reconstruction of Jerusalem.”
As the scripture continues for Revelation 11:2-4 NLT, it says, “But do not measure the outer courtyard, for it has been turned over to the nations. They will trample the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will be clothed in burlap and will prophesy during those 1,260 days.”
Throughout the bible, God has revealed His witnesses regardless of how evil the times are.
-Remember, Noah was His witness in pre-flood days (Genesis 7-9).
-Abraham was His witness in Canaan Centuries before the Hebrews occupied Canaan. (Genesis 12)
-Joseph was His witness when the people of Israel did evil works and served Baal (Judges 2:11).
-Elijah was His witness and stood for the Lord against Ahab and His wife Jezebel. (1 King 18-19)
-Daniel was God’s faithful witness in Babylon. (Daniel 1)
-During the tribulation period, the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel will witness for God by leading souls to Christ (Rev 7:1-10).
So, under God’s might power and authority, these two witnesses (which are prophets), will prophesy for 1,260 days in the latter part of the tribulation period. Let’s continue with the next verses with Revelation 11:4. It states, “These two prophets are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands that stand before the Lord of all the earth.”
Remember, the prophet Zechariah received a vision about gold lamp stands and two olive trees as well. It was one on each side. Zechariah 4:2-4 describes the two lamp stands and two olive trees. Olive oil was used throughout the bible to use with lamps. In Zechariah, the two olive trees represented two authoritative figures from the Hebrews exile after the Babylonian captivity. But in Revelation 11, the two olive trees aka lampstands are the two witnesses that will prophesy. They will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 11:5-6 says, “If anyone tries to harm them, fire flashes from their mouths and consumes their enemies. This is how anyone who tries to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall for as long as they prophesy. And they have the power to turn the rivers and oceans into blood, and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.”
Remember, the tribulation period is a very dark and hard time in the world for those who rejected God. It is a time of great warfare, famine, disaster, and chaos. So, those who try to harm these two witnesses (aka prophets) will be killed. It is almost as if when they come against these two witnesses, they are literally coming against God because God is the one who sent the witnesses here to prophesy. Now, we don’t know who exactly the two witnesses are. But what we do know is that they’ve been given Godly authority to go forth. Some say, it possible the witnesses could be at least two of these biblical figures: Elijah and Moses, Enoch and Elijah, Joshua and Zerubbabel, or even Moses and Elijah. We have no proof of this. These are only theories from scholars and other bible teachers around the world.
Revelation 11:7 continues the chapter, “When they complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit will declare war against them, and he will conquer them and kill them.”
Keep in mind, up until verse 7, the two witnesses have been unharmed. It wasn’t until God allowed (not caused), the beast to rise up and conquer them. God ensured that the two witnesses finished their assignment that He set out for them to do before anything could happen to them. They ministered and prophesied for 1,260 days. God felt that their work was finished now. This means that God may not cause bad things to happen even in our lives, but the enemy surely cannot do anything without God’s permission.
Sometimes, we don’t understand why God would allow something terrible to happen to good people (like the two witnesses). But what we do know is that God is sovereign and mighty. He loves His creations, but we’re not promised to live forever. Death is guaranteed and how death come about is solely out of our control. Sometimes, we lose loved ones that were good people in horrific ways. But think about it, Jesus experienced death in a cruel way. Yet, He was the best man that ever-touched earth. But His cruel death glorified God and now He sits on the right-hand side of God forever in a beautiful eternity.
Philippians 1:21 NIV, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Also, Romans 14:7-9, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, and James 1:12 provides comforting scriptures about dying in Christ that I encourage you to read. In the case of the two witnesses, you will later discover how their death glorified God.
Revelation 11:8-10 states, “And their bodies will lie in the main street of Jerusalem, the city that is figuratively called “Sodom” and “Egypt,” the city where their Lord was crucified. And for three and a half days, all peoples, tribes, languages, and nations will stare at their bodies. No one will be allowed to bury them. 10 All the people who belong to this world will gloat over them and give presents to each other to celebrate the death of the two prophets who had tormented them.”
It is no surprise that the two prophets are being treated like this. Think about how they did Jesus. But in this case, they didn’t even bury the witnesses. Just left them in the streets to rot like roadkill. The “street” in reference is called the “great city of Jerusalem”. Remember, Jesus died on a cross outside of Jerusalem. So, we know that during the tribulation period that Jerusalem will be wicked, crashing out, and doing all sorts of evil deeds like the people of Sodom back in the Old Testament.
Jeremiah 17:9 tells us how the heart is so deceitful and extremely wicked. These people watched the two witnesses lie there dead because their hearts are wicked. Yet, society loves to say, “follow your heart”. But that is neither here nor there.
Think back to what people said when Jesus died, “He saved others, let Him save himself if He is the ‘chosen’ one.” (Luke 23:35). So, all these people watched the witnesses’ dead bodies lay there while they laughed, gloated, celebrated, and gave gifts to one another. Why? Because they were deeply offended by the truth the prophets were speaking. Sounds very similar to today’s prophets, right? Light can never tolerate darkness. In Genesis, God separated the light from darkness. Meaning, when you walk in light, people cannot stand you or walk alongside you. They can’t figure you out. They’re jealous, angry, offended, and threatened by the light in you. John 1:5 ESV tells us that the “light shines in the darkness”. You are the light. The two witnesses were the light. Jesus is the light.
People of darkness demonstrated they’re hate for Jesus by crucifying Him. People of darkness demonstrated their hate for the two witnesses by rejoicing and watching them lie dead in the road after the beast killed them. John 3:19-20 ESV says, “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.”
Back to Revelation 11 verses 11-12 says, “But after three and a half days, God breathed life into them, and they stood up! Terror struck all who were staring at them. Then a loud voice from heaven called to the two prophets, “Come up here!” And they rose to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched.”
Just like God resurrected Jesus on the 3rd day… after 3 ½ days of rotting in the street, the two witnesses were resurrected in plain sight! In Ezekiel 37:4-5, God spoke through Him concerning a valley of dry bones, saying, “Then He said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again!” That was prophetic. So, what does dry bones have to do with the two witnesses? God breathed life into the dry bones of the two witnesses. They shall live! God made this a public event for every hater, enemy, demon, and opp to see. God shows who was truly victorious by doing this publicly to the naked eyes. While heaven is rejoicing at this divine act, these demons are in trouble.
Revelation 11:13-14 NLT says, “At the same time there was a terrible earthquake that destroyed a tenth of the city. Seven thousand people died in that earthquake, and everyone else was terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second terror is past, but look, the third terror is coming quickly.” Just so that we’re clear, God never let sin and evilness go unchecked. Whether He deal with the evil people on earth or for their fate, they will be dealt with. They will be checked. He may prolong it, but surely, He will render judgement and justice in the way He sees fit.
The first terror was when the 5th trumpet blew. The second terror was when the 6th trumpet blew. The third terror is now upon the world in the following verses when the 7th trumpet blows. We will read verses 15-19 which ends the chapter.
Revelation 11:15-19 NLT states, “15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven:“The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.” 16 The twenty-four elders sitting on their thrones before God fell with their faces to the ground and worshiped him. 17 And they said, “We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was, for now you have assumed your great power and have begun to reign.18 The nations were filled with wrath, but now the time of your wrath has come. It is time to judge the dead and reward your servants the prophets, as well as your holy people, and all who fear your name, from the least to the greatest. It is time to destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth.”19 Then, in heaven, the Temple of God was opened, and the Ark of his covenant could be seen inside the Temple. Lightning flashed, thunder crashed and roared, and there was an earthquake and a terrible hailstorm.”
Just to recap, a great sound of worship breaks out after the 7th trumpet sounds. People are praising and glorifying God. Jesus has not returned yet, but it is a prophetic praise among these people. Our worship matters. On the other hand, God is nothing to play with. When you hurt His people, He’s going to step for His people. Psalm 2:45 NLT reminds us that the Lord laughs at evildoers, rebuking them, and terrifying them in his fierce anger. Revelation 11:18 lets us know that He will repay them with destruction (which is not good).
As for the ark, it is mentioned in the Old Testament. The ark symbolizes God’s presence. It contained the tablets of the law (Hebrews 9:14). It did disappear during the Exile, but it never lost its importance. The appearance of the ark represents God’s continued protection for His people. No chaos, disaster, or destruction can destroy the significance of God’s ark. Hebrews 13:5 is a beautiful reminder that God will never leave nor forsake us. Not only that, but reading the book of Revelation can be difficult and make many emotions arise. But those of us in Christ have nothing to fear. We have confidence in God. And if you’re not saved, repent right now. Give your life to God right now. Don’t delay. Time is drawing nigh for Jesus to return. Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready! So, I leave you with this, “So we can say with confidence, the Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” Moral of the story is this, no one can curse who God has anointed and appointed. Walk in your divine calling, despite the enemies that surround you. God has your back. Your life will glorify God if you stay in alignment with Him. Not only that, but God will deal with every enemy that is fighting against you. His judgement is righteous. Be encouraged to keep fighting the good fight of faith.
Thank you so much for reading my blog on Revelation 11 bible study. It was a long one, but worth the read. Share this with someone you love. Until next time with, Wytinsea Writes.