Revelation 11:1-19
Q.1. How much longer will the tribulation last? Why is the court precluded from the measure of the temple? How will God display His mercy in these days? – (Rev.11:1-3)
John clearly identified exactly how much longer the tribulation will last, according to Jewish reckoning – 2 … for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread underfoot the holy city for forty-two months. 3 And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth (Rev.11:2-3). Three and a half years remain (i.e. forty-two months). Only the temple is measured because the court will be defiled by the nations. Though believers do not know the exact timing of these events, the measuring rod declares that God has determined the time. In mercy, God will raise up two powerful witnesses to proclaim the truth, for three and a half years of the tribulation period (i.e. 1,260 days).
Q.2. Why two olive trees and lampstands? How does the rest of the Bible help us identify the witnesses? – (Rev.11:4-6 c.f. Dt.18:15-18; Mal.4:5-6; Lk.9:28-31; Jms.5:17)
These witnesses are described as – … two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth (Rev.11:4). The oil of the olive was used to fuel the lampstands (c.f. Mt.5:14-16). The strongest New Testament clue to their identity is the Transfiguration of Jesus where – 30 … two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, 31 who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem (Lk.9:30-31). Their supernatural signs also line up with Moses and Elijah – These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire (Rev.11:6). They minister for three and a half years, like Elijah – … he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months (Jms.5:17). The Old Testament suggests that ones like them will minister again at some future time (Dt.18:15-18; Mal.4:5-6).
Q.3. Where do the witnesses testify? What happens to them? How will the world react? How does God respond? – (Rev.11:7-13 c.f. Jn.15:18-21)
The two witnesses will operate primarily from faithless Jerusalem – … the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified (Rev.11:8). This will likely coincide with the 144,000 witnesses, detailed in Revelation 7:4-10. However, their witness has a time limit – When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them and overcome them and kill them (Rev.11:7 c.f. Rev.9:1-2). The world population will be huge, and though many respond, many more will rejoice at their murder – and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth (Rev.11:10). Such hard-heartedness is unbelievable. However, God has other plans – 11 after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them (Rev.11:11-12). Simultaneously – in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven (Rev.11:13). Some of these events will make the tragedy of September 2011 look tame in comparison.
Q.4. What is the significance of the declaration after the seventh angel sounds? Does God ever lose control? When will the saints of God be rewarded? – (Rev.11:15-19)
This marks the point of no return. Loud voices proclaim – The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever (Rev.11:15). The heavenly elders underscore this truth – We give You thanks, O Lord God the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign (Rev.11:17). Though people go blissfully on their way, God has never lost control, and has unlimited power – the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm (Rev.11:19). In this world the wicked may often prevail. However, a day of reckoning is coming – And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bondservants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth (Rev.11:18 c.f. 2 Thes.1:6-9).