Two Witnesses With Super Powers
Revelation 11:3-14
Now that we’ve been given a tour of the temple, (The Temple, Revelation 11:1-2)
it’s time to meet a couple of fire breathing powerful witnesses.
And I will give power to my
two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred
and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two
olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.
Revelation 11:3-4.
1. Walk in their shoes
This verse reminds us of Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power
when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in
Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
That was spoken by Jesus, to His disciples; which includes, you and me. Like the two witnesses, we're also given Power, and we're also called to be witnesses.
They wear sackcloth, signifying repentance, and mourning, over the sinful state of mankind. Are we grieved over the sinful state of our world?
These two prophets are called two olive trees, two lampstands; representing
kingly and priestly offices.
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| Photo Credit: Tammy Graham, Pintrest |
Olive oil was used to anoint a new king or priest. The priest used oil to light and keep the lampstands burning. This resembles the vision in Zechariah 4:12-14; where two olive trees feed an endless supply of oil to a lampstand.
In these two witnesses we see a representation of, prophet, priest
and king; which points directly to the fulfillment and embodiment of none other
than our, Perfect, Prophet, Priest, and King—Jesus Christ.
These men stand before God, rooted and grounded in
Him (like olive trees) and shine (like lampstands) to a dark
world.
Which is exactly what we, too, should do.
I Am the vine; you are the branches John 15:5
Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is
in heaven. Matthew 5:16
And if anyone wants to
harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their
enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this
manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no
rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to
turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they
desire. Revelation 11:5-6.
2. Tap into their power
There’s much speculation about who these two prophets are.
Due to Zechariah’s vision mentioned above, some point to Zerubbabel
and Joshua, (not the Joshua that was with Moses, the one that was high priest
in Zechariah’s day). Remember, many prophecies have a near and far
interpretation. A natural and spiritual fulfillment. Well, Zerubbabel (a
descendant of king David) and Joshua (the high priest) were the
near and natural fulfillment of Zechariah’s vision. Thus, some say, “See, this vision in Revelation
refers to them.”
Others say Moses and Elijah, because the powers they possess are
similar to the ones these men displayed when they walked this earth.
And still there are others, who point to Elijah and Enoch, because
they were translated, and never died.
So, who are they?
We could argue each idea convincingly, but ultimately, we must be
satisfied to know that we just don’t know. The Bible doesn’t say. If He wanted
us to know, they’d have been wearing name tags.
Personally, I was leaning toward Elijah and Enoch; however, when I
asked the Author, I instantly had a question. Why do you think they’re
someone you know? Don’t you think God has more to choose from than just what
you see? Could there be others prepared for the honor of this hour?
Although we don’t know who these prophets are, I’m thoroughly
(almost) convinced, who they are not.
Anyone with a driver’s license.
Because nobody with a driver’s license could handle this kind of
super hero power. They’d blow up every stu— idi— mor— who cut them off in
traffic, and the slow moving knucklehea— snowb— in the fast lane.
Seriously. The only way they can handle their super-hero power
gifts, is by another gift, a greater gift; a gift we, too, should tap into,
desire always, and possess.
And now abide faith,
hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1
Corinthians 13:13.
When they finish
their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will
make war against them, overcome them, and kill
them. Revelation 11:7.
3. We’re in a war
Let’s get one thing straight,
right here, and now.
The devil is not stronger or smarter than God. Never does the devil,
have the upper hand with God. Ever. Never. Period.
The beast from the bottomless pit does not overcome them, until they have finished their testimony.
Therefore, many preachers
and commentaries use this verse to say, that you are bullet proof until you finish
your testimony. Nothing can stop you until you finish the plan God has for you.
It’ll all work out until you’re done. And then, you’re gone. But, not before.
On the coattails of that
school of thought come sayings like, “everything happens for a reason” and “if
it’s meant to be, it’ll happen…”
That all sounds well and
good; right?
Well, it does, until you
try to explain it, to the parents of a precious teenage girl, who just got, beat,
raped, and murdered.
She had plans. She felt called
by God, to ministry. She dreamed of getting married, having kids, and traveling
as a missionary. Was she wrong? Out of sync with God’s plan?
If, you can’t die until you’ve
finished your testimony, and, “everything happens for a reason” and, “if it’s
meant to happen, it’ll happen,” then, does that mean the demon driven thug, rapist,
murderer, was part of God’s plan—even more in sync than the girl and her dreams?
God forbid.
We need to tell the unsugar-coated,
Truth.
Jesus tells the Truth
and He says we have an enemy that comes to steal, kill and destroy. John 10:10.
We are in a battle. A
war. In a war there are casualties. We must be wise, vigilant, wary. 1 Peter 5:8.
Notice how many war-words,
are in this one short verse: beast, pit, war, against, overcome, kill. Revelation 11:7.
This isn’t a walk in the
park for the two witnesses, and then, one day they say, “Okay, we’re done, you
can kill us now”. The war-words, indicate a war.
Just because we know what will happen, doesn’t mean it’s not a battle.
It's like watching a rerun of a football game. You already know what's going to happen; but that doesn't mean it had to happen.
God saw the end from the beginning, and gave us the Script.
Jesus knew what would happen after His three-year ministry—IF He showed up, stayed the course, resisted temptation, said, Thy will be done, endured the cross…
He could have called ten thousand angels to destroy the world and set Him free.
He didn’t. He stayed. He fought. He
won. For you and me.
It was a battle for Jesus.
It is for us.
The devil tried to kill
His body, before He was even born—tempting Joseph to divorce Mary, which could
easily lead to her death, by stoning. Thus, aborting the Babe. Mary would’ve
been a casualty of war.
The same temptation, the
same demonic horror continues today. Abortion, not only slaughters a baby, but steals,
kills and destroys, the plan and purpose for a life, Divinely designed, before
the foundation of the world. The life of the mother—and all involved are
casualties of this war; so are the bloody hands of the murderous baby slaughtering
doctors and staff.
Thank God the supreme
court finally had the courage to reverse the heinous evil they imposed
on US over sixty-million precious babies ago.
Sidenote: Those are strong words, against evil. Not against you.
If you’re stained with sin, (abortion, or any other) if you desire, you can be
washed and cleansed, and made pure as the white of snow.
Joseph chose Life. He
chose to trust God over his natural inclination; over what the facts, seemed to
tell him. He chose to see the invisible, believe the impossible.
Jesus chose to resist
the devil, used the Word, as His weapon, and caused the devil to flee.
We can, and must, do the
same.
Now, to be clear, these two witnesses are the exception, not the rule.
They have an unusual, and specific,
call to martyrdom; like Jesus. Therefore, to complete this Divine call and timing, they are given super powers of protection, like real live super heroes. (Only they wear sackcloth...not tights and a cape.)
Most of us have a much different calling and role, even though we're engaged in the very same war.
My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you. Proverbs 3:1-2.
With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.” Psalm 91:16.
First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers,
intercession, and thanksgiving be made in behalf of all people, for
kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet
life in all godliness and dignity. This is
good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 1 Timothy 2:1-3.
We are in a war. In a war, there are casualties. The devil (not God) comes to steal, kill, destroy. Don’t blame God for the devil’s doings.
The thief comes to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10.
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. Revelation 11:8.
This is Jerusalem, where our Lord was crucified. Spiritually
called Sodom, due to the depravity and wickedness, of being in bed with
the antichrist. And Egypt for the bondage and oppression against God’s
people, the Jews.
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. Revelation 11:9-10.
Did you notice how, dead bodies, is repeated three times in
verses eight and nine? The Lord makes it abundantly clear, these two had
natural bodies, that can be killed, dead. They are human beings; not angels, or some other beings in glorified
bodies.
Only recently, with modern media, has it become possible for all peoples,
tribes, tongues and nations, to see their dead bodies simultaneously,
constantly, for three and a half days.
The depravity of the people is reflected in what makes them happy.
They rejoice over death. They make merry, (get drunk; a cheap imitation
of joy by numbing the senses), and send gifts, (counterfeit Christmas),
to overcompensate for their fear.
The torment they feel from the two witnesses, is actually
conviction—from the nonstop knocking of Jesus, in His ongoing effort to deliver
them, from eternal, torment.
The Witnesses Resurrected
Now after the
three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they
stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Revelation
11:11.
4. It ain’t over ‘til it’s
over
Jesus body was dead three days, Lazarus, was four, these guys land
in the middle. No matter how many days, no matter what body, or situation,
death can’t hold a candle to the breath of life from God. It was
breathed into Adam his first day on the planet and has been giving life, from
that day to this.
All eyes will be on these two. News crews, sightseers, instagram,
facebook, twitter, vloggers, social media—everybody, watching live…the dead.
Image it.
There will probably be guards, like those around the tomb of
Jesus. Undoubtedly, some folks will know this scripture. So, the eyes of the
world will be watching two dead bodies, to see if they move—guarded to make
sure they don’t.
Wait—was that the wind?
Did you see that?
Their sackcloth just moved.
You’re just seeing things.
No, I saw it too.
Murmurings rumble through the crowd like distant thunder drawing
near.
Look! his toe twitched.
Yeah! I saw it too.
“Shoot him! Kill him!” comes a voice from the crowd.
The soldier’s rifle swings toward the person who said it. “He’s
already dead. Shut up, or you’ll join him.”
But then, others join in. “No look. They’re moving.”
The soldiers circle the bodies, and push back the crowd.
The cameras draw near, hovering over.
First a toe twitch, then a finger.
The soldiers’ knees grow weak. Rifles fall to the ground.
Lips part, chests move up and down, drawing in the breath of
life.
A collective gasp is heard around the globe.
One of the prophets, stands to his feet, scans the crowd, until his eyes lock on the one who had shouted, to shoot them. He opens his mouth.
Everyone, including the soldiers, dive for cover.
Instead of shooting fire, he simply
yawns.
The other jumps up beside him, smiles at the cameras, waves...“WE’RE BACK.”
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. Revelation 11:12.
I don’t know, if that’s how it’ll go, but if it does; this verse
may be God’s way of saying, “Knock it off you two. Get up here.”
No matter how it happens, you can be sure, when they see them go, words
similar to those spoken at the foot of the cross, will be echoed through
quivering lips, “Surely, these were men of God.”
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. Revelation 11:13.
Sound familiar?
Jesus cried with a loud
voice and yielded up His spirit. The veil in the temple rent in twain from top
to the bottom; the earth quaked, the rocks split, and after His
resurrection the graves of saints were opened; and they were seen by
many in the holy city.
And the guard, seeing these things, said, “Surely, this is the Son of God.”
And the remnant that remained, feared God and gave Him glory.
The battles not over, until it’s over. Keep planting. Don’t stop.
Much of the harvest we plant in our lifetime, may not bear fruit until after we’re long gone.
Most assuredly, I say to
you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone;
but if it dies, it produces much grain. John 12:24.
The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is
coming quickly. Revelation 11:14.
NEXT:
The
Seventh Trumpet, Revelation 11:15-19
Handel’s,
Messiah & Harrison Ford’s Air Force One
The kingdoms
of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His
Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!
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