SEARCH THE SCRIPTURE
VOLUME 76
LESSON 985
TOPIC: MINISTRY OF THE TWO WITNESSES
TEXT: Revelation 11:1-19
Memory Verse: "And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth" (Revelation 11:3, 4).
This chapter is the continuation of the seventh seal that is being opened by Christ the Lamb from chapter six. It is interesting to know that the seventh seal is made up of seven trumpets in which six has been blown. The execution of the sixth trumpet which is referred to as second woe in Revelation 11:14, and the third woe referred to as the seventh trumpet in verse 15 is our focus in this study.
THE MEASURING OF GOD'S TEMPLE BY JOHN (Revelation 11:1,2; 21:15; Ezekiel 40:3,4; Amos 7:7-9; Daniel 9:27; Jeremiah 31:38-40; 2 Corinthians 13:5)
"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" (Revelation 11:1). John the beloved was given a measuring instrument, a reed like a rod to measure the temple, the altar and the people that worship in it. The temple to be measured is the one that will be built at the beginning of the great tribulation with the support of the Antichrist in the same place where it was previously built when the Antichrist will introduce false peace (Daniel 9:27). After three and a half years, the Antichrist will make the oblation sacrifice to cease and subsequently desecrate the temple as prophesied by Daniel. "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand)" (Matthew 24:15). The temple is called "the great tribulation temple" where the people will worship for three and half years. After this measurement, Jerusalem which is called the holy city of God shall be trampled underfoot for forty-two months. But those who will be found within the temple shall be preserved and protected by God while those who belong to the outer court shall be destroyed representing the enemies of God. "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" (Verse 2).
The Scripture says, "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2 Timothy 2:19). It was stated clearly by Christ in His letter to the seven churches. "I know thy works". It is obvious that Christ is assessing everyone who professes to belong to Him. He wants us to constantly examine ourselves by the standard of His words in order to maintain a life of holiness. The Bible says, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" (2 Corinthians 13:5). As Christian youths, we must remember that Christ is taking record of all our open and secret actions. We are to keep both the physical and spiritual temple of God holy at all times.
THE MINISTRY OF THE TWO WITNESSES (Revelation 11:3-13; Daniel 7:25; Mark 16:16-20; Act 5:20; 2 Timothy 4:5-8)
We are here introduced to two witnesses, special evangelists sent by God. They will arrive at the same time as the Antichrist. The period of their prophetic ministry is one thousand two hundred and sixty days, or forty-two months or three and a half years. This falls to the second half of the great tribulation. They will be "clothed in sackcloth" because it will be a time of woe, lamentation, wrath and mourning on the earth as a result of multitudes that will not respond to the gospel.
"These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth" (verse 4). Olive tree produces oil used for light. It keep the lamp burning. This signifies the oil of the Spirit's anointing to brighten the world. They will show the people the way to salvation even at that critical time.
"And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed" (verse 5). The people will attempt to hurt them, persecute and shut their mouth, but fire will come out of their mouth to destroy the people. God is still protecting every faithful minister of His, today. "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you" (Luke 10:19).
"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" (verse 6). The two evangelists have the power to perform miracles as they wish while their ministry lasted. "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth" (Matthew 28:18). The same power is given to every believing youth, today.
"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" (verse 7). These two evangelists shall be killed because they have finished their assignments. We need not fear what the enemies will do because God will not allow any of His faithful servants to die until they have fulfilled their ministry (2 Timothy 4:5-8). They shall be killed by the Antichrist and will not allow their bodies to be buried. The people on the earth will rejoice over the death of the two evangelists, and shall exchange gifts in celebration. "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" (verse 10).
"And after three days and 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" (verse 11). To the amazement of the people and the Antichrist, the two evangelists will rise after three and half days when the Spirit of God enters into them as He raised Jesus from the dead. (Roman 8:11). "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" (verse12). As the two witnesses ascended into heaven, so shall it be with dead and living saints when the trumpet shall sound (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17).
Sudden destruction and punishment in form of earthquake will come upon the tenth part of the city. It will claim seven thousand lives and send great terror into the hearts of the people (verse13). Youths are to watch and pray not to be a partaker of these terrible days.
THE SOUNDING OF THE SEVENTH ANGEL (Revelation 11:14-19; Isaiah 9:6,7; Philippians 2:10)
The vision of the great tribulation which began in chapter six is gradually approaching its climax with the sounding of the seventh trumpet. "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" (verse15).The events that will unfold at the sounding of this trumpet will not happen in a moment but will span a period of time when all aspects of the whole "mystery of God" will be finished.
At the sound of this concluding trumpet, John heard "great voices" of acclamation of the King and announcement of His kingdom. This proclamation reveals that the coronation of the King will not be long as the final divine acts which will bring the reign of Satan to an end are underway. The grand consummation is now certain to come quickly; the period so long anticipated and desired when the Lord will reign on the earth has arrived and these voices of exaltation and praise break forth with joy and thanksgiving in heaven (verse17,18).
Every sinning boy and girl should surrender their lives to Christ, while those who have turned away from the Lord should retrace their steps to the Lord before it is too late. Saved youths should hold fast because the day of our redemption draws near.
In conclusion, all these things teach us two major lessons. One, the things that are happening now are to warn the world that the end is near. Two, you have to be born again to escape the calamity that would soon befall the world. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" (Revelation 3:22).
QUESTIONS
Question 1: What message does the measuring of the temple send to the church today?
Question 2: What is the scope of the power Christ gave to every faithful Christian youth?
Question 3: In view of what will befall the world at the end of the age, what should be the reaction of (a) sinning youths (b) backslidden youths (c) born again youths?