Today, Friday May 13
The Two Witnesses Martyred
Revelation 11:7-10
“When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.”
Today, we are talking about what will happen in the city of Jerusalem in the middle of the Tribulation as we look at the middle chapter of the Book of Revelation. Up to this point the seven seals have been opened and six trumpets have sounded, and one woe has taken place. We believe that these two witnesses are miraculously sent by God at the very beginning of the first half of the Tribulation to prophesy and warn of the coming judgments that will happen on earth. Through their preaching the 144,000 Jews are saved and sealed and then sent to the nations preaching the Gospel, so that millions more repent and trust Christ from every nation, every tribe, every kindred and every tongue. This will fulfill Matthew 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
You can imagine how these two witnesses will be seen by everyone in the world with today’s media and technology, and with a television in every home and village. The cameras of CNN will no doubt be on them 24/7 as they are miraculously protected by God. If anyone opposes them and tries to kill them, fire comes from the mouths of these two witnesses and destroys their enemies. As millions are heeding their messages and warnings, and receiving Christ, the majority of the earth dwellers hate them, oppose them and reject their message. This live scene from the streets in the city of Jerusalem is the center of attention of the whole world for the first three and half years of the Tribulation.
But then, exactly right in the middle of the Tribulation (after one thousand two hundred and sixty days), God determines that their testimony is finished and the beast will overcome them and kill them. God's obedient servants are immortal until their work is done. "The beast" (Antichrist) is now in power and wants to take over the temple; but he cannot succeed until the two witnesses are out of the way. God will permit him to slay them, for no one will be able to make war against "the beast" and win (Rev. 13:4).
These two witnesses will not even be permitted decent burial (see Ps. 79:1-3). But even this indecency will be used by God to bear witness to mankind. No doubt the TV cameras in Jerusalem will transmit the scene to people around the world, and the news analysts will discuss its significance. The earth-dwellers will rejoice at their enemies' removal and will celebrate a "satanic Christmas" by sending gifts to one another. It thus would appear that the power of the two witnesses will not be limited to Jerusalem, but that they will be able to cause things to happen in other parts of the world.
These two prophets will definitely have a relationship with Israel; but remember that the world, for the most part, has not approved of the nation Israel. In the middle of the Tribulation, "the beast" will turn against Israel and begin to persecute the Jews. The two witnesses will not be around to protect the nation and a frightening anti-Semitic movement will ensue.
Jerusalem is called a "great city" (Rev. 11:8); and from a human viewpoint, this is a true statement. But God looks at men and nations from a spiritual viewpoint. To Him, Jerusalem will be considered as polluted and worldly as Sodom and as rebellious and proud as Egypt. But at the same time, God reminds us this is the city where “our Lord was crucified” (v. 8). Almost always, in the midst of God’s wrath and judgments, His grace and mercy are on display giving us an opportunity to repent and be saved!
Even today we are already seeing the satanic opposition to the truth, and hatred to those who are willing to be bold and courageous enough to stand up for it. The mainstream media and many in high political positions are calling us extremist and attempting to silence us. May God give us grace to continue, knowing that we are under His protection until our “testimony is finished”!
God bless!