The Book of Revelation

 Chapter 11

The Two Witnesses

I.            THE MEASURING ROD OF GOD 11:1‑2

A.        A reed compared to a rod.

1.         Measuring rod, about 10 ft.

2.         Measuring shows possession. Christ is taking possession.

B.         He is to measure the temple of God.

1.         The Holy place and the Holy of Holies.

2.         This act of measuring seems to signify that the area belongs to God.

                                    a. Zech. 2 ‑ The measuring of Jerusalem.

                                    b. Ezk. 10 ‑ The temple of the future is measured.

                                    C. Rev. 21 ‑ The new Jerusalem is measured.

3.         The Temple is that one in existence during the great       tribulation.

NOTE: "the word of God tells us that when the millennial kingdom is set up‑and some believe that during the tribulation period ‑ there is to be a temple on the site of the old Temple of Solomon."

a.         The Mosque of Omar now stands on the site.

b.         There is already a movement underway to rebuild

            the temple.

4.         The altar seems to be the altar of incense since it is within. God is showing the short comings of those who do not worship according to His standard.

C.        Gentile rule has not ended. v.2 Luke 21:24

1.         Zechariah 12:2; 14:2‑3 says this will not happen until the second advent.

2.         The time of Gentile reign began in the Babylonian captivity and will go through the tribulation period.

II.            THE TWO WITNESSES 11:3‑6

A.        The length of their prophesy 1,260 days. (3½ years)

(The witnesses come in the last 3½ years.)

B.         The identity of the two witnesses.

1.         Those who say one is Elijah.

            a.  Predicted in Mal. 2:1‑3; 4:5‑6

                                    b.  He did not experience physical death. II Kings  2:9‑11

                                    C.  The signs in Revelation are the same as I Kings 17:1

            d.  The time of their ministry is the same amount of time it did not                                   rain in Elijah's day.

                                    e.  He appeared at the transfiguration of Christ.

                        2. Those who say one is Moses.

a.       Appeared with Elijah at the  Transfiguration.

b.      The water turning to blood sounds like the days of Moses. Ex. 7:19‑20.

                        3. Those who say it is Enoch. a. He was translated without seeing death.

                                    b. Enoch was a prophet of judgment like Elijah. Jude 14 & 15

            C.        A description of the two witnesses. vv. 3‑4

1.      They are clothed in sackcloth. "A coarse cloth, a dark coarse stuff made especially of the hair of animals. cf. Elijah and John the Baptist.

2.      They are said to be the two olive trees, the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

NOTE: V. 4 is found in Zech. 4. oil represented the power of the          Holy Spirit. The lamp stand stood as a witness empowered by the         oil. Thus, "their ministry does not rise in human ability, but in the power of God.

            D.        The power of the two witnesses. 5‑6

1.      Anyone attempting to harm them will be destroyed by fire. II Kings 1; Numbers 16:35.

2.      They have power to shut up heaven so it will not rain.

3.      They have power to turn water to blood and bring plagues upon the earth.

4.      They have the power to finish the work God gave them to do.

 

III.       THE TWO WITNESSES ARE KILLED 11:7‑10

A.     Satan is allowed to take their lives.

1.      Seems like a great victory for the enemy.

2.      Their bodies kept in the streets 31‑2 days.

a.       The city is Jerusalem.

b.      Great crowds see them. v.9

c.       They have a good time rejoicing over the death of the ones they feared, worldwide.

B.     The prophet may be destroyed, but the truth still remains.

 

IV. THE TWO WITNESSES ARE BROUGHT TO LIFE. 11:11‑12

A.     God is the one who brought them to life. v.11

B.     Now the enemies have a different expression.

 

V.           THE SECOND WOE PASSES AND NOW COMES THE THIRD 11:13‑14.

            A.        The Second Woe is the final phase of the 6th trumpet.

                        1.         One‑tenth part of Jerusalem falls.

                        2.         7,000 men are slain.

                        3.         Those who remain are frightened and give glory to God.

C.     The Third Woe is contained in the 7th trumpet.

D.      

VI.       THE SOUNDING OF THE SEVENTH TRUMPET. 11:15‑19.

            A.        A great voice from heaven.

                        1.         Announces that man's rule has ended. Zech. 14:9

                        2.         Christ shall reign forever.

            B.         The worship of the 24 elders 11:10‑17.

                        1.         They are giving praise for the fulfillment of what Psalm 2.9 says.

                        2.         They give praise for His authority.

            C.        The events that mark the reign of Christ. 11:18

                        1.         This passage of scripture refers to the judgment day.

                                    a. Dead are to be judged.

                                    b. Saints, Christians get their reward.

                        2.         Time will come when God will destroy those who destroy the                                        earth.

            D.        Temple of God opened in heaven. 11:19.

                        1.         It reflects the righteousness and majesty of God in Heaven.

                        2.         The following chapter (12) seems to come as a result of the                                                       opening of the temple