THE TWO WITNESSES

PROCLAMATION

“And I will appoint My two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth … If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies …”  Revelation 11:3-5 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION 

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this eleventh chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit (Revelation 4:2), John was shown a vision. (Revelation 5:1, 6:1-17, 7:1, 8:1-2, 9:1, and 10:1)  After he ate the little scroll, John was given a measuring rod type of reed and told to go measure the temple of God and the altar. (Revelation 11:1)  Then the voice of God told him that He would appoint two witnesses to prophesy to the people.  The witnesses, names not specified, would have the power to breathe fire out of their mouths and devour anyone who tried to harm them.  They would also have the power to stop the rain, to turn water to blood, and to strike the earth with plagues. (Revelation 11:3-6)  When they had finished their testimony the beast from the Abyss would attack them, overpower them, and kill them.  Their bodies will lie in the public square for three and a half days.  Then the breath of life would return to them and they would rise to their feet, striking terror in all who saw them.  They would ascend to heaven in a cloud while their enemies watched. (Revelation 11:7-12)  After this there would be a severe earthquake which will destroy a tenth of the city and kill seven thousand people.  The survivors would be terrified and give glory to God.  This is the end of the second woe.  Then the seventh angel would sound his trumpet, and the Millennial reign of Christ begins. (Revelation 11:15-19)

 

APPLICATION

It is very reassuring to know that no matter what happens, as the witnesses for The Lord God that we will be kept, preserved, and protected until we have done all that He has assigned for us to do before we are called home.  The “great commission” to “Go ye therefore and teach all nations …” (Matthew 28:19) was given to the apostles.  While all of us cannot preach, teach, or baptize people, all of us can be witnesses and tell our personal story.   Here the witnesses are killed, and then they are brought back to life.  It is not over until The Lord God says that it is over.  If bad things happen to us while we are witnessing for The Lord, rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great will be our reward in heaven. (Matthew 5:11-12)