Book of Revelation – Chapter 11
What about the future facing the unrepentant? It was the worst of times. Foolishness reigns in the heart of evil men. A terrible season of darkness plagues the sturdiest of souls, but nothing except judgment awaits those deluded (lied to or deceived) by the Beast. But there is a bright side to this very dark picture.
Taking a rod or reed, the apostle John proceeds to measure the temple of God (erected during the Tribulation hour, this is the 3rd temple), the altar, and those that worship therein. It’s a measurement of their spirituality. The Jews’ spirituality falls short. The Gentiles trample the Holy City of Jerusalem under their feet for 42 months or 3.5 years (the last half of the Tribulation period). So, now God sends two witnesses before the people in Jerusalem. Given great power, these two men prophesy, telling them what will happen to them in the future and to repent.
The scene is Jerusalem and the rebuilt Tribulation temple. You will notice that this temple has nothing to do with the Church, which is already in heaven. Somehow the Jews regained possession of the Temple site and the right to do something with it. We can assume that the Masque of Omar is rubble with a beautiful new Temple to God in its place. Israel had entered a seven-year pact with the Beast. With his encouragement and support, defying the Arabs, they rebuilt this temple. We are at the mid-point of the seven-year Tribulation period. Unfortunately for the Jews, they have entered into a covenant with death and an agreement with hell (Isaiah 28:15). The Beast honors his commitments in the beginning of this seven-month contract because that works in his interest. However, “halfway through the period, there will be a change of policy, possibly connected with the downfall of Russia and possibly connected with the emergence of the Beast in his new character as ‘the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit” of verse 7, John Phillips commentary, page 146.
Two witnesses make their appearance at this time. Their witness lasts for 1,260 days or 3.5 years. Given great power or authority, they proclaimed God’s message of doom upon the unrepentant. Both men wear sackcloth, a coarse, rough fabric woven from flax or hemp, acting both as a token of mourning for Israel and a call to repentance. Their ministry runs through much of the period covered by the trumpet judgments, then they are slain during the second woe of the sixth trumpet.
Who are these two witnesses? Unknown, since John does not mention them specifically by name. Some scholars guess them to be Elijah, Enoch, Moses, or John the Baptist, with many reasons given for each one. It is not important who they are, or John would have written their names down for us to know. What can be said is that these witnesses are human beings, and there are two of them; that is what we know for sure. These two possess supernatural weapons such as the power to shut heaven and bring drought, turn water to blood, and bring disease or plagues, including calling down fire from heaven. Invincible, the world detests and fears them. Untouchable by man, the Beast finally kills them at the end of the 1,260 days. Left in the streets of Jerusalem with no burial or grave for them, a worldwide holiday is declared. People celebrate their death by presenting gifts to each other. With their lights snuffed out, the world is truly in darkness. It is a wonderfully comforting thought that all of God’s people are immortal until God is through with them. And when you have completed your mission, He will remove you from the earth to heaven.
The location of their death is called “spiritually Sodom and Egypt, where our Lord was crucified” from verse 8. Known as Jerusalem, the name Sodom emphasizes vice, and Egypt points out the vanity that has now enthroned itself in the city of violence. So for 3.5 days, the entire world watches their dead bodies left in the dirty streets with celebrations all around, shown on all television networks, internet, smartphones, and computers.
Then, the unthinkable happens! God puts the spirit of life back into their broken bodies, making them whole again. They stand upright on their feet. No wonder fear grips the heart of those watching at the scene and on media. In front of everyone, up goes the two witnesses in a cloud away from their enemies below. With a great voice, God called them home. As this occurred, a great earthquake shook Jerusalem. One-tenth of the city lies in rubble. Seven thousand men died that day, not counting women and children. Those that survived grudgingly acknowledged that there was a living God, but that impression did not last. No salvation, just a bunch of scared folks! With the second woe completed, the third and final woe comes quickly.
Seventh Trumpet – Crowning of the King
Immediately, the seventh trumpet blasts (verse 15). Heaven is the scene, but earth finds out about the crowning of Jesus, enraging the earth’s inhabitants.
NOTE:
Remember that chapters 6 through 11 run concurrently with chapters 12 through 19:15 or side by side during the Tribulation period, explaining why the King returns in chapter 11, verse 15, and chapter 19, verse 16.
As the King returns, praise and worship services begin in heaven as an act of gratitude. Satan’s reign has finally ended because the King has come to earth! Verse 17 is a prayer to Christ. Yet the wicked are upset over the King’s return. They want things to remain as they are, but a lot of things start to happen with His return.
(1) In their anger, the nations gather their armies to make war against Christ, the returning King, and His army of saints. You can guess who wins this conflict. What were they thinking?
(2) God’s wrath comes as the King returns. Christ kills or severely injures the nations gathered, rules over them with a rod of iron, and treads the winepress of God’s wrath.
(3) The wicked are judged at the end of the King’s 1,000-year reign (chapter 20, verses 11 to 15).
(4) The faithful prophets and saints, small and significant, are rewarded at the end of the 1,000-year reign. Do not confuse this with the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). Rewards presented here are for those faithful during the Kingdom Age for those who did not rebel and follow Satan at his release from the pit. The promise to destroy those who destroyed the earth is a referral to those spirit beings who followed the destroyer, Satan. Their destruction is separate from that of the nations of man. Lastly, amid lightning, voices, thundering, an earthquake, and great hail, God spares His covenant people (Israel).
Next is chapter 12 – the woman clothed with the sun, crowned with stars, and the red dragon.
Agents of Blessing – Proverbs 11:10-11
“Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted.”
~~~ Proverbs 11:11, NIV
YOU ARE STRATEGICALLY PLACED in this world to make a difference. You probably know this by now, even if, at times, you struggle to see how. Perhaps you spend much of your mental energy focusing on the problems you face or on the people who created those problems and the ways you wish you could fix them. Or maybe you’ve had seasons of seeing your life as your own, wondering how to find fulfillment or manage the tasks at hand. Perhaps there are times when you exist—moment by moment, day by day. Even so, you’re aware of bigger things. You recognize a calling from the Spirit within you. You want to live with a sense of destiny.
On the one hand, we can sometimes be so focused on the big picture that we miss the opportunities in front of us. On the other, we can become so focused on the details of daily life that we miss pursuing the more significant relationships we have already been given. In between those two points of focus, the macro and the micro, we live and work among people who could be influenced in one way or another by a godly attitude. We have many opportunities to pray blessings on those around us—people at the office, in a classroom, standing in line, commenting on social media, passing by on the street—all of whom need, as we do, regular touches from God.
We have platforms from which to improve lives, encourage hearts, and demonstrate Kingdom values and ways. Our calling is to impart grace, and we have open doors to do so—through prayers, words, favors, and acts of kindness and compassion. We are living, breathing, walking agents of blessing.
Listen to the voice that reminds you of all the people placed in your path who need a priestly touch from a son or daughter of God. Be an advocate before God’s throne on their behalf. Ask him to meet their needs. Let your city—or office or neighborhood or school—be exalted through the blessings you bring.
Ask God to show you your potential. How can I bless the lives that cross my path? What words can I speak and pray? What deeds can I do? May every circle of my relationships be lifted up by whatever blessings I bring. All God’s people said, “AMEN”.
~~~ copied from The One Year Salt and Light Devotional by Chris Tiegreen
Real or Fake? You Must Decide.
Have you heard, “There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!” We all have over the last few years. Instead of a lion, you can insert whatever keeps you afraid.
Are you one to dodge your duties and responsibilities with lame and crazy excuses? Matthew Henry stated (my paraphrase) something like this, “It’s foolish to frighten ourselves from reality by imagining false dangers.” It was true in ancient times and even today. Some folks will not leave their houses to work or buy groceries. They are afraid because someone told them to be frightened. Listening to “experts” who pretend to know anything is now problematic. We see people fearful of catching a virus, cold, the flu, etc., which are all invisible because sickness or even death may occur. All types of masks are worn (however incorrectly). Some keep a six-foot distance between themselves and others. Every shot and booster containing unknown and untested substances is injected into their bodies. All this to keep from getting sick or dying. Yet, in all their vain attempts, they still get ill and die…usually alone.
God has not called us to a life of fear. Even this Christmas season, we remember the angelic voice saying, “Listen! Do not fear. For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people.” Luke 2:10 MEV
Whispherers of Lies and Half-Truths
A gossip or bearer of tales does no good. You don’t want to be one. Watch for those who act as a friend but are enemies. Let’s be honest, we all are prone to listen to those who have dainty morsels to share about others. Don’t do that. You might repeat what you hear and further the strife that the whisperer or gossip has started.
Discontent and strife spread among brethren and neighbors, both. It is a contentious man or woman who is hard to please. They are apt to find fault in everyone and everything. They love a good argument and seek to spread the damage as far as possible.
Journalists today primarily act as tale-bearers or whisperers of lies or half-truths. Some know what they say is a lie, while others get instructions on teleprompters from their bosses higher up the chain of command. Seldom are the facts told or shared with the public. If they were, we would likely come to different conclusions. Therefore, strife gets spread among the citizens of this country. What can we do? Research what is said as thoroughly as possible, and turn off the TV and not read their posts.
Boasting of Tomorrow
Death is unquestionable to all men as the fruit of sin or by the appointment of God. It has a fixed specific time, which cannot be exceeded, but no man knows of that day and hour. Therefore, he cannot boast of a moment of future time, tomorrow, or what he shall enjoy on a particular day. He has only today.
He cannot be sure he shall have the next. He cannot assure himself of health, honor, pleasures, riches, and friends. He may have health today and sickness tomorrow; be in honor today, and in disgrace the next. He may bid his soul to eat, drink, and be merry. After all, he has had much wealth and provisions for many years. But vainly, he says that each day will be the same with much more abundance. Yet this night, his soul may be required of him. Today, he may have his wife, children, friends, and relations about him. However, before another day comes, they may be stripped from him.
Riches are uncertain things; they may take wings and fly away. Nor should a man boast of what he will do on the morrow, either in civil matters, trade and business, or acts of charity. Whatever a man finds his duty to do, he should do it at once while he has an opportunity.
In things religious, a man should repent of his sins, amend his life, and hear the Gospel, the voice of Christ. All these things should be done today and not put off until tomorrow. Nor should true believers procrastinate the profession of their faith, nor should any duty or exercise of religion be postponed to another season. Men should work today and always abound in the work of the Lord and found so doing.
You don’t know what a day may bring. Time is like a pregnant woman. She knows not what she shall bring forth till the time comes. Will it be a son or a daughter, a dead or a living child? So are the events of time. They are the secret things that belong to God. The passage of time and seasons of things are in his power. We don’t know what the present day will bring forth. We still know less about what tomorrow will do. What changes will tomorrow produce in our circumstances, in our bodies, and in our minds? Therefore, we cannot be sure what we shall be, what we shall have, or what we shall do tomorrow, even provided we have one.
~~~ John Gill (1696-1771)
Bill Wyler
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