Understanding Revelation: Insights from Grace Bible Church

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

A reminder to consider others Please: Silence your cell phone & all electronic devices Use the nursery or cry room if your child is fussy Get up during the preaching only if absolutely necessary (please sit in back if you must leave early) Refrain from eating & drinking during worship service (except medical needs)

The Two Witnesses Revelation 11:1-13 Revelation is more difficult (impossible) to understand when it is forced into a system instead of letting the text speak

Review Revelation 10 The strong angel has one foot on the sea and one foot on the land and he cries out in a loud voice The seven peals of thunder answer him, but John is not allowed to write want they say - it remains secret

Review Revelation 10 The strong angel swears by the Creator & gives a prophecy which answers the question of the martyrs No more delay after the 7th trumpet is sounded - the final events will culminate in Christ s kingdom

Review Revelation 10 John eats the scroll - sweet in the mouth but bitter to the stomach: Future prophecy is both sweet & bitter

Measuring the Temple Revelation 11:1-2 Chapter 11 connects directly the renewal of John s commission to prophesy - Rev. 10:11 This reed is lightweight, yet strong, & makes a good measuring rod Regardless of who gave John the reed & command, it eventually traces back to God

Measuring the Temple Revelation 11:1-2 John is to measure the temple, altar & those worshiping - and cast out / do not measure the outer court John is on the earth - this is the future rebuilt temple in Jerusalem

Measuring the Temple Revelation 11:1-2 The outer court was to be the area where anyone could approach God - it was often used for other purposes The holy city is Jerusalem - it would be trampled for 42 months. That matches the prophecy of Daniel 9

Measuring the Temple Revelation 11:1-2 John records no measurements - the purpose was not the physical size, but marking God s favor & disfavor No contextual factors for the 42 months require or suggest a non-literal interpretation The context puts these 42 months in the later part of the Tribulation period

The Two Witnesses Their Ministry Revelation 11:3 Connects to measuring the temple with a simple conjunction - and The speaker not specifically identified - either God the Father of Christ for they are my two witnesses To prophesy is to speak under divine inspiration with or without reference to the future: Forth-tell & Foretell

The Two Witnesses Their Ministry Revelation 11:3 God faithfully provides prophets to correct & warn His people while offering hope if they will repent Jeremiah 25:1-6 - an example

The Two Witnesses Their Identification Revelation 11:4 Much speculation, some absurd. Best suggestions are Moses & Elijah - but specific identity not important Symbolic identity - olive trees & lampstands - point to Zechariah 3 & 4 & example of Zerubbabel & Joshua

The Two Witnesses Their Identification Revelation 11:4 Symbolic of a future purified land, people dwelling in peace, and empowerment by the Holy Spirit

The Two Witnesses Their Protection Revelation 11:5 Fire devours / kills their enemies desiring to harm them - reminiscent of Elijah (2 Kings 1:1-14) Emphasis on they must be killed in the manner shows this is real, not figurative / symbolic

The Two Witnesses Their Protection Revelation 11:5 God is not limited by your ability to understand Him - or even the laws of physics - He does true miracles

The Two Witnesses Their Powers Revelation 11:6 Elijah had the ability to shut up the sky & prevent rain via prayer (1 Kings 17; James 5:17) Moses was also given the ability to turn water to blood & many miracles - but not every plague at will

The Two Witnesses Their Deaths Revelation 11:7-8 The beast from the abyss is demonical empowered, but it is not Satan (who is the red dragon - Rev. 12) The beast is able to wage war, overcome & kill the two witnesses after they completed their 1,260 days

The Two Witnesses Their Deaths Revelation 11:7-8 Their corpses are left in the street. Burial was done quickly except for criminals and public enemies The location is Jerusalem. Sodom reflects their immorality, Egypt their idolatry, oppression & slavery

The Celebration By the World Revelation 11:9-10 The four groups: peoples, tribes, tongues & nations are a comprehensive expression for all mankind The two witnesses had tormented the wicked world by their miraculous abilities & preaching

The Celebration By the World Revelation 11:9-10 The world rejoices and celebrates their deaths even giving gifts to one another - and watching their bodies

The Two Witnesses Their Resurrection Revelation 11:11 The world is shocked & caused great (mega) fear when the two witnesses come back to life & stand up

The Two Witnesses Their Ascension Revelation 11:12 Called by a voice from heaven (Jesus - Rev. 4:1) to come up there, they ascend like Jesus did (Acts 1)

The Earthquake Revelation 11:13 A strong earthquake collapses a tenth of the future rebuilt city of Jerusalem & kills 7,000 (names of men) The reaction of those remaining alive in Jerusalem is extreme fear - and giving glory to God

The Earthquake Revelation 11:13 This is the opposite reaction of the unrepentant - and points to true repentance. This fits with the prophecy of a Jewish remnant being saved in the time period of the Lord s 2nd advent

Conclusions God is faithful & merciful to sinners even when He pours out His wrath on the unrepentant Don t give up on the unsaved - continue to pray and witness to them. God is still at work

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ