The Two Witnesses
Verse 1
I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar and count the worshipers there.
A few other verses speak of measuring; Zechariah 2, Revelation 21, & Habakkuk 3:6 are a few examples. Ezekiel 40-43 is an extended passage where the temple is measured. The temple in Ez. is best understood as the temple of the millennial earth, and the temple of Rev. 11 seems to be before the temple of Ez. But they are similar.
Sometimes in the Old Testament, measuring communicates ownership, protection, and preservation. When this temple is measured, it shows that God knows its every dimension, and He is in charge.
One of the main themes of Revelation is that God is in charge. This temple will be the scene of great horror and great glory, but God is in control, working through man’s good and bad actions.
Rev. 11:17 again uses the title Almighty for God. The Greek word for Almighty is Pantokrator, and it describes “the One who has His hand on everything.” Nine out of the ten times this word is used in the New Testament are in Revelation.
The Temple Of God
The identity of this temple is an essential matter of interpretation. Many see it as a symbol of the church. In Ephesians 2:19-21, Paul described the church as a temple. 1 Peter 2:5 says, “You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house.”
If we interpret this temple as a symbolic representation of the church, why should it be measured? What is the significance of the altar and the courts? If the church itself is the temple, who are the worshippers? There is a lot of specific detail here that doesn’t match the generalized picture of the church as a temple unto God.
It’s more likely that this is the temple that must be on the earth to fulfill what Daniel, Paul, and Jesus said regarding the abomination of desolation.
Daniel tells us the Antichrist will break his covenant with the Jewish people, bringing sacrifice and offerings to an end and defile the temple, placing something abominable there. (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11)
Paul tells us that the Antichrist will sit in the temple as God. (2 Thess. 2:3-4)
Jesus tells us that when the abomination is standing in the holy place, it’s a sign for those still here that His wrath is upon the earth. (Matt. 24:15-16, 24:21)
This temple of God will be an actual Jewish temple on the temple mount in Jerusalem, yet to be built-but coming soon.
There is a group of dedicated Jews whose sole intent is to rebuild the temple. The organization is called Faithful of the Temple Mount. Students are being trained for the priesthood, learning how to conduct animal sacrifices in the rebuilt temple.
Christians get excited when we see efforts to rebuild the temple. But, at the same time, we should understand that the primary impulse- the desire to have a place to sacrifice for sin-behind rebuilding does not come from God. The need for sacrifice for sin was done away with at the cross, and any further sacrifice is an offense to God because it denies the finished work Jesus did on the cross.
Orthodox Jews consider that the Messiah will rebuild the temple; however, the man they embrace as the Messiah will be the Antichrist. John 5:43: I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.
The Outer Court
Verse 2
But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.
When the Romans conquered Jerusalem in a.d. 70, they annihilated the city so that the foundations of the old temple aren’t so easily found. So most have long assumed the Dome of the Rock shrine stands on the spot of the ancient Jewish temple. But new research gives some evidence that the temple may have stood to the north where the Dome of the Rock shrine is today and that if the temple were to be rebuilt at its old place, the Dome of the Rock shrine would be in its outer courts. If this is the case (research is not settled), it would explain why the angel told John to “leave out the court outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles.”
Tread The Holy City Underfoot
Tread underfoot means to trample with contempt. Jerusalem will be tread underfoot for 42 months, 1260 days, 3.5 years. This trampling probably takes place in the last half of the final seven-year period described by Daniel 11:26-27 – when the Antichrist pours out his fury on the people of Israel.
The Two Witnesses
Verses 3-6
And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. These men have the power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain when they are prophesying, and they have the power to turn the waters into blood and strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
Who Are These Two Witnesses
Before we get a glimpse of who they are, we learn the character of their ministry. We know it’s prophetic; they will prophesy. The two will preach and demonstrate repentance, clothed in sackcloth (a token of mourning, submission, grief, and self-humiliation worn by the Israelites and occasionally the Prophets). Their ministry will be productive; I will give power. Indeed they will serve in power, 1,260 days unharmed despite the opposition of the world.
Olive Trees & Lampstands
Zechariah’s Vision
Zechariah 4:2-3: And he said to me, “What do you see?” So I said, “I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.
Zechariah 4:14: So he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.”
In the passage from Zechariah, oil lamps were filled directly from olive trees, which piped oil right to the lamps. It’s a picture of continual, abundant supply. If we are to be witnesses, we must first have something to witness – our own personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Next, we must have the power of the Holy Spirit to bring forth the story of what we have witnessed effectively.
The passage from Zechariah had its first application to two men in Zechariah’s day: Joshua and Zerubbabel.
Just as these two witnesses were raised up to be lampstands or witnesses for God and were empowered by olive oil representing the power of the Holy Spirit, so the two witnesses of Revelation 11 will likewise execute their prophetic office.
Walvoord
In this book of the Revelation the Holy Ghost borrows all the elegancies and flowers in the story of the Old Testament, thereby to set out the story of the New in succeedig ages.
Trapp
Who they are must not be all that important, or we would have been told exactly who they are. Generally, if the two witnesses are identified with any two people from the past, most votes go for Moses, Enoch, or Elijah. But, for all we know, it could be Joshua & Zerubbabel. Or it could be two unknown believers ministering in the spirit and power of these great men as John the Baptist ministered in the spirit of Elijah (Luke 1:17 & Matt. 7:12-13).
The plainest and most straightforward interpretation sees them as two real men, not symbolic representations. They will have special protection; fire proceeds from their mouth. They will bring forth drought and plague. But who we believe they are should hold little merit as to whether they will fulfill the Biblical prophecy.
Something to think about: Could the Bible be telling us “global warming” is truly happening (droughts)? Could we already be seeing the beginning plagues (as often as they desire)?
If you would like to dig deeper into scripture as to who these two could be, here are a few to help you with that journey. Gen. 5:25; Ex. 7:20-21; Num. 16:35; Jude 9; Malachi 4:5-6; 2 Kings 1 & 2:11; James 5:17-18 ; Matt. 17:1-6
Death Of The Two Witnesses
Verses 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.
This beast was first introduced to us in Rev. 9:11 and is most likely Satan. He will overtake and kill the two witnesses. But not before they fully accomplish the task the Lord set before them (when they finish their testimony).
I praise God, knowing He will not take me from this earth until I finish my testimony. The devil does not have power over my life. I am a witness of my Lord, and He will protect me until my testimony is finished.
This passage illustrates the difference between being a witness and giving testimony. “Witness” is not something we do; it’s something we are. Giving testimony is what a witness does.
Their Dead Bodies
The two witnesses are killed in Jerusalem, which is described in three illustrative terms: Sodom, speaking of immorality; Egypt: speaking of oppression & slavery; The great city: a term often applied to Babylon, the headquarters of the Antichrist (Rev. 16:19; 17:18; 18: 10, 16, 18, 19, & 21).
If, during the first 3.5 years of tribulation, Jerusalem’s leadership is in league with the Antichrist, it is easy to see how these titles apply. Any city in love with the Antichrist or entering into a covenant with him could be called Sodom, Egypt, or Babylon.
Those Who Dwell On Earth
The whole world will rejoice over the deaths of these two witnesses. It will be seen by ALL people, tribes, tongues, and nations. Perhaps, this is an oblique prophecy of modern mass media. Nevertheless, it’s not a far-fetched idea to think of a live, worldwide broadcast on news channels and over the internet.
Also, the idea is that the world treats these two in a humiliating manner by laying their dead bodies in view of all. This was the worst a person could suffer from his enemies in Biblical times. The scriptures laid down quite firmly that no dead body was to be left unburied – even that of one’s worst enemy.
Make Merry And Send Gifts
The preaching of these two and their call to repentance was a torment for many because they could not stand to hear the truth while they loved their lie. This is very much happening in our current times. People can not stand the truth and they want it shut down. If you are living outside of the truth, hearing it makes you feel guilty or bad about your actions. It’s a lie to believe you can shut the truth out and live your life however you want, free of consequences. In this life, one may very well achieve that but in the end, they will pay the ultimate consequence. Therefore, the death of the two witnesses brought much joy.
Doesn’t this sound like a Christmas celebration? Donald Grey Barnhouse told of a Christmas card with Rev. 11: 10 on its cover and called it a terrible misquoting of Scripture. But maybe it wasn’t—something else for us to consider and discuss another time.
God Revives The Witnesses
Verses 11-14
Now, after the 3.5 days, the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. In the same hour, there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake, seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.
This will happen as all the eyes of the world watch, and it will horrify and astonish the enemies of God. When the two are revived, God calls them home; their task is finished. There will be an earthquake that kills a tenth of the city (7,000). This earthquake brings judgment and moves those that don’t perish to give glory to God. But it remains to be seen if this will become true repentance that brings salvation.
The Seventh Trumpet
Verse 15
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!
The seventh seal brought forth a profound silence (Rev. 8:1); the seventh trumpet initiates joy at the inevitable resolution. The kingdoms of this world will become God’s kingdoms, where He will reign forever and ever. I can not think of a more glorious proclamation.
In ancient Greek grammar, the verb tense of “have become” indicates an absolute certainty about Jesus’ coming and reigning, even before the fact is accomplished. Thus, even though it will be a while before He reigns completely, the joy anticipates a certain result.
The Twenty-Four Elders Worship
Verses 16-18
And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”
The thanks given to God here isn’t to thank Him for what He has already done but for what is to take place and that these things are permanently set in motion. The nations are angry with God and He responds with wrath.
Those that destroy the earth are themselves destroyed. Could this be another indication that global warming is happening and it’s happening because there are those who live here that are destroying it? The world will be destroyed by those living here, the Bible has made that plain. Just because we may not like the wording used doesn’t mean it’s not happening.
The world is angry because God comes to rule. They want anything but the reign of God. As it says in a parable of Jesus in Luke 19:14, We will not have this man to reign over us.
The Temple Of God Is Opened
Verse 19:
Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
In the Old Testament, the ark of His covenant was the earthly representation of God’s throne. It emphasized God’s faithfulness. In Rev. 11:19, the ark of His covenant refers to His throne, where He now sits, the place where the previously mentioned resolution will come from.
At the opening of the temple and the revelation of the ark, there will be lightning, thunder, an earthquake, and great hail. This shows that the presence of the Lord is there. It is similar to God’s manifested presence at Mount Sinai (Ex. 19:16-19).