Session 21 | Revelation 11:1-13 | The Two Witnesses
Rev. 10:1-11:14 continue as part of the 2nd woe (which is the 6th trumpet).
THE MIGHTY ANGEL WITH A LITTLE BOOK | REV. 10:1-11 • •
A mighty angel proclaims a message of the immanency of judgment. This judgment is both sweet and bitter.
THE TWO WITNESSES | REV. 11:1-13 THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES | REV. 11:1-2 • •
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Do not fail to connect 11:1 with 10:11. This is a continuation of the scene of chapter 10. The measurement is part of the prophecy of 10:11. The Measurement of the Temple o The word was used of a reed that, depending on size, was used for a number of purposes. § The smallest were filled with ink and made into pens, thus the word can, in context, mean pen. § The size variation is the reason John clarifies that this reed is "like a rod." § The English word calamari comes from calamus, because types of calamari are hollow and contain natural ink. o We would first expect this to be the Temple in heaven. However, the information of verse 2 forces us to consider this to be a future, Tribulation era Temple. § The fact that this Tribulation era Temple is called, "of God" gives indication that the Tribulation temple could be the Millennial Temple. § 2 Thes. 2:1-4 also refers to the "Temple of God" in reference to the Tribulation Temple. § The New Jerusalem, after the millennium, will not have a Temple (Rev. 21:22). § More likely, however, the Millennial Temple will be built by Christ Himself, after His return, and will match the description of Ezekiel 4045. See Zechariah 6:13. The Meaning of the measurement o The measurements are never actually given.
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The meaning of the measurements must be in the allotment of time in which “the holy city” is given to the gentiles. § The city is eternally holy, regardless of the events taking place within its gates. The time-period is 42 months. § One-half of the Tribulation period. My interpretation is that the reference is to the last half of the Tribulation. (1,260 days, v. 3) § Other passages that refer to a “time of the Gentiles” - Luke 21:24, Romans 11:25.
THE TWO WITNESSES | REV. 11:3-12 •
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Because these are presented as a "known fact," the student of the Word should search the Scriptures for information. o Zechariah 4:11-14 is the only other mention (with the assumption that they are the same). o Note the reference to two olive trees in v. 4, which make a strong case that these witnesses match that of Zechariah. Their purpose: o Stand before the God of the earth (v. 4) o Destroy their enemies (v. 5) § “if any man will hurt them” – • The Greek adikeo is the opposite of dike, which is justice. o If someone studies theodicy (theo dike), they are studying the "justness of God." • Therefore, "if anyone treats them unjustly” is a good interpretation. § Fire out of their mouth. Compare 2 Kings 1:10-12. o Control judgments upon the earth (v. 6) § While identity of the two witnesses is mere speculation, this verse has led many to ponder whether Elijah and Moses are in view. § Elijah shut up the rains for 3 1/2 years (James 5:17, Luke 4:25) § Moses turned the waters to blood and smote the earth with plagues. Their pain: o Their purpose comes to an end when they have “finished their testimony,” (v. 7). o They are then killed by the beast (v. 7) § Because the beast does not ascend out of the bottomless pit until Revelation 17, where is given authority for "one hour" (17:12), when he will then "make war" with the Lamb and His followers (19:19), this verse must be a foreshadow of that which is to later occur, at the end of the 42 months. o Their bodies are mocked (vv. 8-9) § Their bodies lie in the streets of Jerusalem • Verse 8 is yet another great example of how John writes clearly, not in obscurity. o If he has figurative language, he always defines it. o In Isaiah 1 Israel is referred to, figuratively, as Sodom, and as Egypt in Ezekiel 23.
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A burial is not allowed (v. 9) – • Failure to bury a criminal put to death brings a curse upon the land, according to Deut. 21:22-23. • Jewish teaching: " It is considered a matter of great shame and discourtesy to leave the deceased unburied--his soul has returned to God, but his body is left to linger in the land of the living. Even a Priest, on his way to enter the sanctuary on Yom Kippur, was commanded to render this honor of immediate burial even to a strange corpse, although he is normally forbidden to handle the remains. This is the proper honor that Jewish tradition accords those who die." (http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/281551/jewish /Timing-the-Funeral-Service.htm) The people of the earth celebrate their death, until they are resurrected and raptured. (vv. 10-12) § Their rapture (v. 12) is unlike the rapture, which is "in the twinkling of an eye." §
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THE COMPLETION OF THE SECOND WOE | REV. 11:13-14 • •
These are the two witnesses of the second woe. o The woe begins in Rev. 9:13, is interrupted in 10:1, and picks up in 11:13. The second woe concludes with a great earthquake. o This also helps us with timing, since there is a great earthquake in 16:18-19, which is at the conclusion of the Battle of Armageddon. o 7,000 “names of men” are slain in the earthquake. o The rest or the remnant? § Remnant (v. 13) is more literally translated "the rest/remainder," as in Rev. 19:21. § However, the timing would be appropriate for a mass conversion of Jews, and thus "remnant" could be a valid interpretation, but not solidly verifiable. § In Rev. 19:7, there is a multitude that gives God glory "because the bride has made herself ready." Is this a foreshadow of that remnant? § The challenge to this is that the Greek uses a different word for the remnant of Israel.
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