Brief introduction...

 

We are still in the 2nd interlude (that is, a pause in proceedings or a breather) between the sounding of the 6th and 7th trumpet.

 

In chapter 10 we met the mighty angel... with the little open book.

 

In this chapter we meet the two witnesses who prophesy 42 months. 

And, we also have the 7th trumpet.

 

Time wise, the seventh trumpet brings us to the return of Christ at the end of the Great Tribulation Period.

 

☆  Revelation 11:1-2...

"And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 

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."

 

We are dealing here with a period that the Lord Jesus spoke of in 

☆ Luke 21:24... 

"...and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled."

 

Many people thought that when Israel captured Jerusalem that that was the end of the time of the Gentiles.

Sorry, but Jerusalem is still trodden down of the Gentiles.

 

When we get into the last half of the Great Tribulation Period, the Time of the Gentiles will run out in forty-two months. Forty-two months is one-half of the Great Tribulation Period.

 

[Times of the Gentiles will end with the second coming of Christ.]

 

John is given a reed like a rod and is told by the angel to measure...

▪ the temple of God,

▪ the altar,

▪ those worshipping within.

 

Every time you see the beginning of measurements, in either the Old or New Testament, it indicates that God is beginning to deal with the nation Israel. ☆  Jeremiah 31:38-39... ☆ Zechariah chapter 2...

 

This reed is like a rod... a rod is used by a shepherd.

In ☆ Psalm 2:9 we see that a rod is used for both chastisement and judgement.

 

What we are looking at here... is a "measurement of time" given for the Time of the Gentiles. 

After this... judgment will come upon them. 

Note... the rod is also for comfort... ☆ Psalm 23:4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The temple of God" is limited to the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies.

The temple of God places us back on Old Testament ground, for there is no temple given to the church.

The church is a temple of the Holy Spirit today... that is, believers (not a building) are the temple of the Holy Spirit. ☆ Ephesians 2:22-23...

 

"The altar" refers to the golden altar of prayer since the altar for burnt offering was not inside the temple but in the outer court.

 

"And the court which is without the temple... leave out and measure it not."

This excludes all that does not belong to the temple proper.

The altar of burnt offering (and also the brazen laver) would be outside the temple. 

 

Since the altar of burnt offering was a picture of the Cross of Christ, it would seem that the implication is that the gospel of the Cross of Christ will still be available to all mankind during the intensity of this brief crisis.

It is not to be measured, and it will still be available.

 

"For it is given to the Gentiles."

Although this period still belongs to the Gentiles, their dominion is limited to forty-two months.

 

"Forty and two months" is the three and one-half year

period identified with the last half of the Great Tribulation Period.

 

☆  Revelation 11:3...

"And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. "

 

Two witnesses appear. 

 

That they are human witnesses seems certain from the description given of them.

They are given power to prophesy for three and a half years. 

 

Why two witnesses?

 

Two is the required number of witnesses according to the Law... "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death." ☆ Deuteronomy 17:6...

 

Scripture has always required two witnesses to bear testimony to anything before it was to be heard. 

Therefore, we can definitely say that these witnesses are human beings and that there are two of them. These are the two things we know for sure.

 

I believe Elijah is one of them, since it was predicted that he would return... "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD."  ☆ Malachi 4:5...

 

It is said in verse 4 that these two witnesses are two lampstands standing before "the God of the earth."

This was a favourite expression of Elijah, saying, "As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand..."

☆ 1 Kings 17:1...

 

The other witness I believe to be Moses. Wait till we get to verse 6.

 

"And they shall prophecy a thousand, two hundred and threescore days." 

The significant feature about the two witnesses is not their identity but the time they appear.

Is this during the first half or the last half of the Great Tribulation? 

The first half seems to fit the text more accurately because they testify until the Beast appears, and then they are martyred. 

 

"Clothed in sackcloth" is the garb better suited to the period of the Law than of grace. The clothing and sackcloth suggests that the witnessing includes the Preaching of Repentance.

☆ Isaiah 37:1-2; ☆ Daniel 9:3-5...

 

☆  Revelation 11:4...

"These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth."

 

Both represent the two witnesses, and are linked to the vision given by the Lord to the Prophet Zechariah. ☆ Zechariah Chapter 4...

 

There the lampstands are two individuals, Joshua and Zerubbabel, who were enabled by the Holy Spirit to stand against insurmountable difficulties.

The explanation is found in the words... "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts." 

 

The Holy Spirit will be present during the Great Tribulation Period. These two witnesses are lights before the powers of darkness. These men have been endued with miraculous power.

 

☆  Revelation 11:5...

"And if any man will hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouth, and devours their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed."

 

These two witnesses are "immortal" and immune to all attacks until their mission is completed.

 

Literal fire from their mouth? I don't think so.

The fire I believe refers to the Word of God (prophecies) proceeding out of their mouth.

The Word is often likened to fire... so is the Holy Spirit for that matter.

Their words will be like burning coals or flames.

 

"Devours their enemies"... "So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." ☆ Isaiah 55:11...

 

Woe betide anyone who decides to hurt these guys who are on God's business.

 

☆  Revelation 11:6...

"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."

 

Here's another clue... as to who these witnesses are. 

Elijah was responsible for shutting the heavens that it rain not.

Moses was responsible for turning waters to blood and smiting the earth with plagues. 

These two witnesses are granted unlimited authority.

 

Some Bible teachers say that the two witnesses are Elijah and Enoch because neither experienced physical death. 

They have to die physically before they can be resurrected. 

Other's say they are Elijah and John the Baptist.

Both were prophets... one in the OT, the other NT.

 

So... who's right? Who's wrong?

Does it really matter?

 

☆  Revelation 11:7...

"And when they shall have finished their testimony, the Beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them."

 

The two witnesses finish their testimony... complete their mission for God.

 

The Beast that ascends from the bottomless pit makes war against these two witnesses... overcomes them and destroys them.

 

This is the temporary victory of darkness over light, evil over righteousness, hell over heaven, and Satan over God, because God is going to let Satan loose during this period.

 

☆  Revelation 11:8...

"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."

 

The dead bodies of the two witnesses are left to rot in the streets of the great city, Jerusalem.

They are not given a decent burial showing the crude, cold barbarism of the last days which will be covered with but a thin veneer of culture. 

 

The word used for bodies (carcasses) denotes the contempt and hatred the world will have for the two witnesses.

They are treated as dead animals.

 

Jerusalem is called Egypt because the ways of the corrupt world (spiritual, social and political) have totally entered into every fabric of its life.

It is beyond doubt identified as Jerusalem by the sad naming, "where also their Lord was crucified."

 

☆  Revelation 11:9...

"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."

 

The bodies are goulishly displayed for 3 and 1/2  days for the whole world (people, kindreds, tongues and nations) to see. 

Television, internet and satellites (modern technology) make this possible. The people refuse... deny the proper burial of the two witnesses.

This is the worst indignity that a depraved world could vent upon the men who denounced them and their wicked ways.

 

☆  Revelation 11:10...

"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."

 

The world has adopted the hedonistic philosophy of, "Let us eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die."

It's a very I couldn't care less attitude. 

 

The earth dwellers rejoice over and celebrate the death of the two prophets to the point... they send gifts to one another. It's like Christmas in reverse. Some call it the Devil's christmas.

 

The source of earth dwellers torment has finally been disposed of.

Their immoral and wicked ways are now safe to pursue.

But...

 

☆  Revelation 11:11...

"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."

 

Satan might be charge... but God is in total control.

 

After 3 and 1/2 days, the Spirit of life from the Living God entered into the dead bodies... and they stood upon their feet.

The result?

Great fear fell upon the people who witnessed the resurrection of the two prophets.

 

These witnesses are among the Tribulation saints who will have part in the first resurrection. ☆ Revelation 20:4-6...

 

☆  Revelation 11:12...

"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."

 

The two witnesses hear a loud voice from heaven saying...

"Come up here!" 

They ascended to heaven in a cloud.

 

Do you notice a similarity in the language used here compared to...

☆ Revelation 5:1 and even ☆ 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17?

 

And who sees this all happening... their enemies... 

What might they be thinking now?

 

☆  Revelation 11:13...

"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 terrified, and gave glory to the God of heaven."

 

At the same time there was a massive earthquake. A tenth part of the city of Jerusalem was flattened... killing 7 000 men.

The remnant... those still alive were frightened out of their wits.

I would imagine that the remnant being spoken of here is the number of people still alive in Jerusalem.

The remnant gave glory to God. Amen.

 

☆  Revelation 11:14...

"The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe comes quickly."

 

The second woe is past with the third woe is on its way.

 

Quick summary of the timing of the woes:

□  first woe is revealed after 5th trumpet...

□  second woe is revealed after 6th trumpet...

□  third woe is revealed after 7th trumpet.

 

☆  Revelation 11:15...

7 "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."

 

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet. 

The 7th trumpet opens up to us the other 5 personalities of chapters 12 and 13. 

The third woe begins when Satan, one of the personalities, is cast down to earth. 

We will come to that in chapter 12, verse 12.

 

The blowing of the seventh trumpet is of utmost importance.

It is of special relevance in the understanding of the remainder of this book. 

In the program of God, it brings us time-wise to the breathtaking entrance of eternity where the mystery of God is finally unraveled. 

It brings us in God's program as far as chapter 21 where Eternity begins.

 

The broad outline of events which are significant to God is given to us here by the Holy Spirit.

This section is a summary of events up to the "door of Eternity." 

The following list will help focus these events in our minds:

 

"Great voices in heaven"... at the opening of the 7th seal there was silence in heaven. 

With the sounding of the 7th trumpet we have jubilation, great joy... because the blowing of the seventh trumpet reveals God's program and clears up the mystery of God. 

 

ALL of God's creation can see the end now and are jubilant in anticipation of the termination of evil being so close at hand.

 

"All the trees of the fields shall clap their hands?" ☆ Isaiah 55:12...

 

"The kingdom of the world (cosmos) is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign unto the ages of the ages (for ever and ever)."

 

Actually, all of the kingdoms of this world are Satan's. It is therefore called the kingdom... not kingdoms... of the world.

 

It is going to become the kingdom "of our Lord, and of His Christ."

It is going to be delivered to the Lord Jesus Christ, and He is going to rule. Hallelujah!

The Lord Jesus is coming to put down rebellion... ALL rebellion! 

 

The seventh trumpet is moving along, step by step, toward Eternity.

 

☆  Revelation 11:16-17...

"And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God...

Saying, We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which is, and was, and is to come; because You have taken to You Your great power, and have reigned."

 

This revelation causes the church in heaven to worship and celebrate the coming of Christ to the earth.

 

This will be the answer to our prayer, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." 

☆ Matthew 6:10...

 

☆  Revelation 11:18...

"And the nations were angry, and Your wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should give reward unto Your servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear Your name, small and great; and should destroy them which destroy the earth."

 

"And the nations were angry"...

 

The stubborn rebelliousness of man continues right to the very last moment.

This old nature, this carnal nature that we all have, is not obedient to God. We cannot make this old nature obey God. 

 

Paul tells us in... ☆ Romans 8:7...

"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."

 

The human family can not bring this old nature under control; that is the reason God is going to get rid of it someday.

 

The nations were angry because, "Your wrath came..."

We hear a lot said today about the fact that God never intends to punish sin and that man is getting better and better every day—while, actually, all the time he is getting worse and worse.

 

"And the time (period) of the dead to be judged" brings us to the Great White Throne judgment of the lost dead.

☆ Revelation 20:11-15...

 

"... and that You should give reward unto Your servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear Your name, small and great; and should destroy them which destroy the earth."

 

The church has already gone into His presence, and the believers there have already been rewarded as indicated by the crowns we have seen on the heads of the Elders. This refers now to Old Testament saints and Tribulation saints, who are included in the first resurrection, but at a different time. 

They are now going to be rewarded as the Kingdom begins.

 

"And to destroy those who destroy (corrupt, the destroyers of) the earth."

 

I believe that this refers to both man and Satan. 

The Scriptures tell  us that the Devil is a thief, a liar and is a destroyer.

Man is as destructive and evil as Satan. 

Mankind is responsible for all kinds of environmental disasters on our planet. 

As custodian of the earth, man has failed dismally.

 

What does verse 18 say?

God will destroy those who destroy the earth. Ouch!!

 

☆  Revelation 11:19...

"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."

 

"And the sanctuary (temple) of God in heaven was opened" means that God is dealing now with Israel. God has not forgotten Israel... the apple of His eye. 

All the promises made and dealings of God with Israel in the OT come to fruition in the book of Revelation. 

 

"Was opened" indicates worship and access to God.

All of this points to the nation Israel, for the church has no temple. The measuring of the temple on earth and the opening of the temple in heaven declare the prominence of Israel in this section

 

"And the ark of His covenant was seen in His sanctuary (temple)" reminds us that we are dealing with a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God. 

God does not lie... God does not change His mind.

God is going to keep the covenant He has made with Israel, and He will make a New Covenant with them at this time... that is, the Law will be written in their hearts instead of on cold tablets of stone.

☆ Jeremiah 31:31-34... ☆ Hebrews 8:8-13...

 

"Lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and great hail" speak of judgment yet to come.

 

Selah!