AM Bible Study Group; July 15, 2009
Revelation 11:1-14
Theme: This section of Revelation outlines the ministry of the Lord’s “two witnesses” that precedes His return.
This is a part of the ‘intermission’ that occurs between the second and third “woe” (or the sixth and the seventh trumpet). God, in the most intense time of the outpouring of His wrath on this earth, will not leave Himself without a witness!
This section tells us the story of two powerful witnesses that will minister in His name on the earth during this time.
I. THEIR TIMES (vv. 1-2, 14).
A. It is at a time when the temple is rebuilt. There have been three temples: the first built by Solomon, the second built by Zerubabbel, and the third built by Herod. This passage describes a fourth—probably built as a result of a covenant that the antichrist makes with the Jews. Though it is built under a diabolical covenant, it is still in existence by God’s plan (see Ezekiel 40-48, Amos 9:11; Micah 4:1; Haggai 2:9; Zechariah 6:12-13).
B. John is given the task of measuring it. But note that he even measures people! This is not a measuring in order to get numbers. It’s a measuring in order to establish ownership (see Revelation 21:15-17) and protection (see Zechariah 2:1-5). Note that the outer court is left “unclaimed”. It is given to the Gentiles to tread upon. They will tread on the holy city (Jerusalem) for forty-two months (i.e., three and a half years). This time period corresponds with the diabolical persecutions of the antichrist against God’s people (Revelation 13:5-7).
C. Note in verse fourteen that the events described occur before the blowing of the last trumpet.
II. THEIR MINISTRY (v. 3).
A. During this time, God will give power to His two witnesses. Note that the voice speaking claims the two as His own. They will “prophecy” in their witness.
B. They wear the garb of prophets; and the duration of their ministry is the same as that of the times that the Gentiles will be treading the holy city. Their time is spoken of as 1,260 days—suggesting that they minister daily during the time of the antichrist’s activities.
III. THEIR IDENTITY (v. 4).
A. They are identified as the two olive trees and the two lampstands—the reference to which is taken from Zechariah 4:2-3, 11-14. This identifies them as God’s long-appointed servants.
B. They are often speculated to be Elijah and Moses, because both of them were present at the Lord’s transfiguration (Matthew 17:3); and because of the similarities of their miracles to those of Moses (Exodus 7:17-21) and Elijah (1 Kings 17:1 with James 5:17; 2 Kings 1:10-12). But though Moses’ body was protected from the devil by God burying it in secret (Deuteronomy 34:5-6; also Jude 9), it’s more likely that they are Elijah and Enoch; because Moses died, but neither of those two died but were transported into God’s immediate presence (Genesis 5:23; 2 Kings 2:11).
IV. THEIR AUTHORITY (vv. 5-6).
A. They are protected in their ministry from a hostile world by fire that proceeds out of their mouths and devours their enemies.
B. In addition, they have power to shut the heavens so no rain falls, to turn the water into blood, and to strike the earth as often as they desire. They will be a dreadful threat to the unbelieving world! They will fulfill Jesus’ promise in Matthew 24:14; that the gospel will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end would come.
V. THEIR DEATH (vv. 7-10).
A. Here, we’re introduced to “the beast”, whose career is described for us in greater detail in chapter 13. He ascends out of the pit and makes war with them and kills them. His ascension from the pit is meant to identify him as having a diabolical origin.
B. The dead bodies of the prophets will be permitted to lay open in public in Jerusalem as an act of public disgrace (Deuteronomy 21:22-23). Jerusalem is here figuratively called Sodom because of its sin and Egypt because of its persecution of God’s people.
C. The wicked world rejoices over their death—celebrating with a holiday from hell. They will think that, in their death, they have defeated God.
VI. THEIR RESURRECTION (vv. 11-12).
A. After three and a half days of laying in the open, God will give life to these two prophets. What horror will grip the world as they see these two slain prophets rise up alive!
B. They will hear a voice from heaven and they will ascend “and their enemies” will see it.
VII. THEIR IMPACT (v. 13).
A A great earthquake occurs in the same hour. There will be no mistaking the connection between the two events. A tenth of the city will be destroyed, and 7,000 lives will be lost. The word used to describe the lives is “names”; which suggest the possibility that it is particular people of note at that time who will be killed.
B. Men will fear greatly and give glory to God—but sadly, not in a way of repentance. The heart will remain hard and unyielding toward the God who had just borne witness of Himself through these two prophets.