The Two Witnesses - Revelation 11:1-14
John is commanded to measure the temple, altar and the worshippers.
This must be speaking of the rebuilt, earthly temple in Jerusalem.
This means it must be there before or during the first 3½
years.
The worshippers are Jews.
They will believe that they are right with God.
The 144,000 will still be preaching the Word.
The Court of the Gentiles proves the earthly location.
There is no such distinction in Heaven.
Israel will be under Gentile rule for 3½ years.
Israel will be totally given back to the Jews.
The Two Witnesses are prophets of God.
Moses and Elijah?
Elijah and Enoch?
Most commentators believe they are Moses and Elijah.
Their actions point to this suggestion.
They will dampen the Jews' celebrations.
They are God's voice in a spiritually bankrupt society.
They are untouchable for 3½ years.
Whoever tries to hinder them will be instantly destroyed.
They will stop the rain (Elijah did this).
They will turn water into blood (Moses did this).
They will bring infectious diseases on man (Moses did this).
Their deaths will be at God's timing.
According to His permissive will.
The Antichrist will think he has overcome them.
Their bodies will be on public display in Jerusalem.
Notice that Jerusalem's true spiritual condition is revealed.
God calls it Sodom and Egypt.
The Jews will be rejoicing that:
* They have found their Messiah.
* They have their temple.
* They have God's blessing.
The dead bodies will make the international news.
There will be great celebration throughout the world.
But the unthinkable happens ... they come back to life.
3½ days into the merriment and the world see a resurrection.
Fear grips the heart of all who watch this happening.
God calls them back into Heaven.
Will this cause the Jews to think of Jesus' ascension?
Immediately a massive earthquake rocks Jerusalem.
A 10th of the city is destroyed.
7,000 people lose their lives.
Through fear a few will look unto the true God.
But ... the 7th Trumpet is about to be sounded!
The Seven Trumpets (part 3) - Revelation 11:15-19
Here we find the seventh angel sounding the seventh trumpet.
As the trumpet blasts there is a proclamation in Heaven.
Now is the time for God to take what is rightfully His.
He must reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
The twenty four elders worship God.
He is almighty, glorious, the true God.
The nations have always been angered at the Gospel Truth.
They hate preachers of righteousness.
They hate the God who inspires them.
But now they will be judged for this.
Those without Christ will be eternally punished.
Those who are saved will be eternally blessed.
The godless destroy everything around them.
The godless are filled with destruction and death.
Now they will reap what they have sown.
They will experience eternal death and destruction.
John sees the Heavenly Temple.
He can see the Ark of the Covenant inside the Temple.
This is the Mercy Seat for the saved.
It is the Judgement Seat for the lost.
The full weight of the Law will come upon the earth.
Remember that the Ark contained the Stone Tablets.
The Ark is not lost or hidden in Ethiopia.
The copy may be lost, but the original alone matters.
God's wrath is announced with:-
Lightening, thunders, voices, earthquake, and hail.
Symbolic of His wrath about to be outpoured.