THE TWO WITNESSES AND SEVENTH TRUMPET

REVELATION 11

Lesson 14

Intro:  Chapter 11 of the Revelation of Jesus Christ has been considered by most teachers of the Word of God the most difficult of the Apocalypse.  The main reason driving these differences is that many spiritualize this portion of God’s Word.  I believe in the literal truth as revealed by God through His servant John.  The great city of chapter 11 verse 8 is the literal city Jerusalem.  The two witnesses are two individuals. The 3 ½ days are just that, and the earthquake is a literal earthquake. I also believe that seven thousand men literally die in the earthquake.  What takes place here happens in the framework of the last 3 1/2 years as the Great Tribulation.

         I.      Measuring the temple (Vs 1,2)

a.       John is called on to measure the temple.

1.       This makes it clear we are on Jewish ground.

2.       In our present church age, our Lord dwells in a temple not made with hands. (I Cor 3:9, Eph 2:19-22, I Peter 2:5)

3.       The temple on earth has the Jew in mind, and the place is Jerusalem.

b.       John is told to measure the temple, the alter, and those that worship.

1.       First of all, notice that this has only to do with the place of inner worship.

2.       Also of interest is the fact that those who worship are to be measured.

3.       This reminds us that God, in the final analysis, is the judge of the accountability of man’s worship.

c.       The court is not to be measured (Vs. 2)

1.       The reason is that the gentiles are in control of Jerusalem the last 42 months.

a)       In Daniel 9:27, this is predicted.

b)       Jesus refers to this in Luke 21:24.

       II.      The two witnesses (Vs. 3-14)

a.       God’s two great witnesses

1.       Special power will be given to them.

2.       Special protection will be given them.

3.       The great question is “who are these men?”

a)       Some believe Elijah and Moses.

b)       Others believe Elijah and Enoch.

4.       Those who feel Elijah and Enoch

a)       (Hebrews 9:27) Both of these men translated directly to heaven.

b)       Let us remember a whole group will one day go to heaven without physical death.  (I Thess 4:13-18)

c)       For Elijah and Moses notice the judgments are related to both their ministries.

1)       Elijah will be one. (Mal. 4:5)

2)       Moses and Elijah (Matt. 17:18 and Jude 4)

b.       The ministry of the two witnesses will cover 3 ½ years.  (Vs. 3) (Probably the last 3 ½ years known as the great tribulation)

c.       These two witnesses are raised up by God and will execute a prophetic office.  (Vs. 4)

1.       From Zechariah 4:1-7 light is shed

2.       Empowerment is olive oil representing the power of the Holy Spirit.

3.       In Zachariah as Joshua and Zerubbabel were to witness so were Elijah and Moses in Rev. 11

d.       The power and authority given (Vs. 5,6)

1.       God makes provision for self protection.  (Fire and death to those who try to hurt them)

2.       Stop and think about it, when working for God, we are under His protection.

3.       As did Elijah they could pray and have power to command nature.

e.       The death of the two witnesses (Vs. 7-10)

1.       Satan is allowed to kill them.

a)       As in the case with many of God’s servants, when their ministries were finished, God permitted them to be overcome.

2.       The place of death is clearly defined as being Jerusalem.

3.       For 3 ½ days their bodies are made a spectacle. (Vs. 9) (The world with T.V. and satellite see their dead bodies.)

4.       The people of the earth rejoice and send gifts. (Vs. 10) (People don’t like to hear the message of God and reject His prophets.)

f.         The Resurrection of the two witnesses (Vs. 11-14)

1.       God brings them forth from the dead. (Vs. 11)

a)       Fear upon the earth as God’s power witnessed

b)       Like Daniel and Belshazzar in Daniel 5

2.       All see them go to heaven (Vs. 12)

a)       Not like the rapture

b)       More like Jesus at His translation (Acts 1:9-11)

3.       The great earthquake and seven thousand are killed. (Vs. 14, 15)

a)       Tenth part of the city destroyed

b)       Seven thousand are killed.

c)       Second woe is past, and the third comes quickly.

      III.      The seventh trumpet sounds (Vs. 15-19)

a.       The angel announces event. (Vs. 15)

1.       The great voice from heaven

2.       Again the ministries of angels occupy a place of prominence in Rev.

3.       Christ eternal character is ever before us.

b.       The effect on the heavenly scene of the seventh trumpet (Vs. 16)

1.       A scene of worship as for the seventh time, the group of elders appears.

2.       Ps 2:6-8 is about to be fulfilled.

c.       An occasion for giving of thanks and attributing to Christ His rightful place, a ruler over all    (Vs. 17) (The power of God is seen as the Son is given rulership and leadership over all the earth.)

d.       Reaction of the world (Vs.18)

1.       The nations and people of the world are angry at the time of God’s wrath.

a)       Though rejected by mankind as Jesus walked on this earth

b)       One day all will bow the knee to Him.

2.       Rewards to the family of God (Vs. 18b) (Judgment seat of Christ) (I Cor. 3, Rom. 29:11) (Rev. 10:11)

e.       The temple of God opened in Heaven. (Vs. 18)

1.       The temple of God in Heaven brings before us the righteousness and majesty of God.

a)       The ark containing the law which speaks of God’s righteousness 

b)       Aaron’s rod which speaks of resurrection

c)       Golden pot of manna represents Christ as the basis of the shed blood of the sacrifice.

2.       The lightnings, voices and thundering and earthquakes with great hail

a)       God is now ready to step out in final judgment.

b)       Ungodliness is about to finish its course.