The Two Witnesses
There will be two categories of saints when Jesus returns: the resurrected and the living. Moses, who died and was resurrected (Jude 1:9), is a symbol of the large class of people who will awake from their dusty graves when the Lord calls them “The dead in Christ shall rise.” Elijah represents the other class of people who will be alive when Jesus returns. Like Elijah, who was caught up into heaven by a fiery chariot, and Enoch, who walked with God until he walked right into heaven, they will be translated with new, glorious bodies without ever tasting death.
The two witnesses will also have offensive power. Revelation prophesies they will “have power to shut heaven that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues as often as they will.” This prophecy states the two witnesses will be able to miraculously intervene in the weather and elements of the earth to plague an unrepentant mankind as often as they will. This kind of power has two biblical precedents.
A famous “twosome,” Moses and Aaron, had very similar power to plague the world’s dominant power at that time: Pharaoh’s Egypt. Exodus 7-12 describe the famous smiting of Egypt with a series of plagues which turned water into blood, and used a variety of natural plagues to afflict Egypt. The plagues climaxed with the killing of Egypt’s firstborn all across that nation. Also, Elijah plagued the sinful kingdom of Israel with a deadly drought for three and ½ years. Revelation 11 prophesies that the two witnesses will have the power to plague the world with droughts and it is noteworthy that notes that Elijah’s power to do this lasted for three and ½ years, the same period of time prophesied for the ministry of the two witnesses.
Revelation foretells the dead bodies of the two witnesses will not be buried, but will be displayed publicly for three and ½ days. It is apparent they will die in the city of Jerusalem as it is the city where “our Lord was crucified.” Since most people will not be aware of biblical prophecy, the beast and false prophet will surely proclaim the death of the two witnesses affirms that they, the beast and false prophet, now rule supreme on the earth.
When the two witnesses are resurrected in the full view of their enemies and the world, their worldly mission will be over.
Revelation Chapter 11
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure (count) the temple of God (living saints), and the altar (dead saints), and them that worship therein.
- 1 Corinthian 3:16-17-Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
- I Corinthian 6:19 - Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.
- Ephesians 2:19-22 - So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
- 2 Corinthians 6:16 - What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 But the court which is without the temple (unbelievers, earth dwellers) 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. (3.5 yrs )
(Do not count the unholy people)
- Daniel 7:25 - …and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time. (3.5 yrs)
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
- Daniel 12:3 - Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousnesswill shine like the stars forever.
- Acts 1:8 - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnessesunto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
- Daniel 12:7- And the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by Him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been shattered, all these things will be completed."
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
- Zechariah 4:12-14- And a second time I answered and said to him, “What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil is poured out?” 13 He said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my Lord.” 14 Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones (Christ and Holy Spirit) who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”
(They "stand," a position of dignity; "stand," a position of waiting - waiting to receive infallable instructions, ready to execute the Divine behests.)
- Romans 11:17- But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, (Gentiles) were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree.
- John 15:16- You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire (powerful word of God) proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
- (Parallel) Jeremiah 5:14 - Therefore this is what the LORD God of Hosts says: “Because you have spoken this word, I will make My words a fire in your mouth and this people the wood it consumes.
- Luke 10:19 - Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
- 1 Kings 17 - Now Elijah, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”
- Exodus 7:20 - So Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD commanded them. As Pharaoh and all of his officials watched, Aaron raised his staff and struck the water of the Nile. Suddenly, the whole river turned to blood!
(The plagues that Moses inflicted on Egypt are: water turning to blood, frogs, lice, flies, livestock pestilence, boils, hail, locusts, darkness and the killing of firstborn children.)
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.
- Rev 13:7 - Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.
- Daniel 12:7 - And the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by Him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been shattered, all these things will be completed." (Great persecution begins after their deaths)
- Matthew 24:14 - And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
- Daniel 7:21 - As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and prevailing against them.
- Daniel 11:33 - Those with insight will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by sword or flame, or be captured or plundered.
- Psalms 79:2.3 - The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.
9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and a half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. (3 1/2 years)
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.
- Matthew 10:22 - And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
11 And after three days and a 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.
- Romans 8:2,11 - For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death…
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16 - For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.
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.
- Matthew 5:25 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
- Rev 4:1 - …Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
- 1 Corinthians 15:42, 50 - So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.
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.
Daniel 12:1 - At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
The Woman and the Dragon
In this chapter, we have an account of the contest between the church and antichrist, the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent. Here we see that early prophecy eminently fulfilled in which God said he would put enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent, Genesis 3:15.
The woman is not the church, since the church did not bring forth Christ, but rather He brought forth the church. Her identification as the persecuted Jewish saints clearly proves that the church is not on earth during the Tribulation period. The “sun” depicts her as God’s chosen nation. The “birth” pains refer to the period before the birth of Christ when Israel was waiting for redemption by the Messiah (compare Rom. 8:22-23). The woman represents Israel, and her child is Christ; the Messiah (12:5; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 66:7.8; Micah 5:2; Romans 9:4-5).
The twelve stars represent the twelve tribes of Israel. When Israel gives birth to the male child, who will "rule all the nations with a rod of iron" and who was "caught up to God and to his throne" (Rev 12:5) we can be sure that the child in question is Jesus Christ. Jesus ascended to God's throne in Heaven (Acts 1:9-11); He will one day rule the nations of the earth with a rod of iron (Psalm 2:7-9), and Isaiah describes him as being the child born to us, the son that is given to us, the Prince of Peace and our Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6).
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him,”
This passage defines who the dragon is. The Devil is not just an evil force or influence as some might think. A specific being was cast out into the earth and the angels that fought with him were also cast out with him-a third of all the stars (angels). At this point, however, he will be entirely evicted and thrown down to earth. This results in rejoicing in heaven, but also a dire warning. Now that Satan is running out of time, and confined to the earth, his rage will be taken out on mankind, especially Israel.
John also sees the serpent attempt to wash the woman away with a flood of water from his mouth. This would symbolize an armed invasion. God, again, protects the woman with what Ezekiel says is a tremendous earthquake (Ezekiel 38:19–22). This enrages Satan, who commits to attacking the offspring of the woman.
Revelation Chapter 11
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.
- Daniel 2:44 - In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, and this kingdom will not be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever.
- Daniel 7:14 - And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, so that every people, nation, and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
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.
- Daniel 12:2 - And many (not all) who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.
- Daniel 12:13 - But as for you, go on your way until the end. You will rest and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days."
- Isaiah 26:19-21- Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead…
- Matthew 5:12- Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
- Rev 19:5- And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fearHim, both small and great.
- Luke 21:25-28- There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
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 lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Views of the Events and Prophecies of the End Times:
Christ returns before the thousand years.
- Several powerful empires and nations will rise and fall, culminating with the rule of the whole world by the Antichrist.
- The Gospel of Christ would have been preached in the whole world by then, but there would also be a great falling away from the faith by the church at large.
- The Antichrist will make a peace treaty with the nation of Israel at first but then he will suddenly break this treaty, oppress Israel, and demand to be worshipped as a god.
- God will send plagues of judgement to punish the whole world.
- The False Prophet, together with the Antichrist will respond with miracles of their own.
- The greatest military offensive in history will be launched against Israel, but Christ will return to save Israel.
- The Antichrist and the False Prophet will be cast into the lake of fire.
- Satan will be bound for a thousand years in the bottomless pit.
- During that time Jesus will rule on earth with all the raptured and resurrected saints.
- All Israel will be saved and will worship Christ in a glorious temple.
- At the end, Satan will be released to stir up one final rebellion against God.
- He will be defeated and cast into the Lake of Fire and brimstone to burn forever.
- All the unsaved dead who shall be resurrected, judged and cast into the same lake.
- The old heaven and old earth will be destroyed with fervent heat.
- A new heaven and new earth will appear together with the new Jerusalem.