After the body of Christ is raptured, the Great Tribulation period begins. However, this truth isn’t believed or accepted by all Christians. In relation to the Great Tribulation, there are varying theories on when the Rapture of the Church will occur. Some hold a mid-tribulation or “mid-trib” view, in which the church is raptured half-way through the Great Tribulation. Those with a post-tribulation or “post trib” view believe that the body of Christ, the corporate church, will go through the entire Great Tribulation and will not be raptured until it ends. A pre-tribulation rapture is the most widely held belief. It is supported by scripture and aligns perfectly with God’s amazing mercy and grace. And indeed, His mercy and grace run through the entire book of Revelation, from beginning to end.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) tells us, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Through Christ, God has saved us from death, destruction, and hell. If we lived ten million lifetimes and used them all for His glory, it still would not be enough to repay the debt that was paid by the death of Christ on the cross. 1 John 4:9-10 (NLT) says, “God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” Our Heavenly Father demonstrates the depth and unconditional nature of His unfailing love for us. He gave the life of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrifice for our sins, so that we could have the precious gift of eternal life. God doesn’t ever want to be separated from us, and in His great love, He made a way for us to be with Him forever through Christ.
Throughout human history, most have turned their backs on God and denied Christ. They are captivated by the world, and they are spiritually asleep; the devil has them in his clutches. The call of Christ is for them to awaken from their slumber. He commands us in Revelation 3:2 (NLT), “Wake up and strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead.” Sadly, a gentle touch or even a quick shake will not rouse them from their stupor. For many in our modern world, they will not wake up until every crevice of their existence is dismantled. And even then, for most, the terror of God’s righteous wrath will not awaken them. They will align themselves with satan and face the same judgment that he will has received.
The seven seal judgments revealed in Revelation 6 will wield a devastating blow to those that have chosen to worship sin. But even within these judgments, God offers mercy to those who see the light and come to Christ. In God’s prophecy given to the Apostle John in Revelation 11, we can really see the pattern of our Heavenly Father’s mercy emerging. This Chapter introduces the two witnesses and the seven trumpet judgments. As with the seal judgments in preceding chapters, in Revelation 11, we see both a sign of hope and a reminder of God’s final judgment.
As Revelation 11 opens, John is given a measuring rod and instructed to measure the temple of God, the altar, and the worshipers inside. The temple symbolizes something profoundly significant to our Heavenly Father: His ownership and protection over His people, even in the midst of the Great Tribulation. In this, we are reminded of His unbreakable and incomparable sovereignty. No matter the foolishness and chaos of the world, His plans for the universe will move forward and prevail.
Then, in Revelation 11:3 (NLT), the two witnesses are introduced: “And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy during those 1,260 days. They will be clothed in burlap.” For 1,260 days, which equals three and a half years, these two men will be given authority by God to prophesy mightily. According to God’s Word, the Great Tribulation will last seven years, so this marks the first half of that period. These two witnesses are greatly empowered by God, and they will stand boldly in the face of overwhelming opposition, proclaiming God's truth. Their message is one of repentance and judgment, and they will urge people to turn to God while there is still time.
Revelation 11:5-6 (NLT) tells us, “5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire flashes from their mouths and consumes their enemies. This is how anyone who tries to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall for as long as they prophesy. And they have the power to turn the rivers and oceans into blood, and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.” These witnesses are protected by God, and their testimony is so powerful that anyone who opposes them will be met with judgment. Their work is likened to that of Elijah and Moses, because they have the authority to bring plagues and close the heavens. Their power demonstrates God’s ability to protect His servants as they carry out His Will. These two will be unstoppable, no matter the opposition.
They will not hold their tongues but speak the truth sharply, convicting the world of its sin. But after their testimony is complete, the two witnesses are killed by the anti-christ, “the beast that comes up from the Abyss”, Revelation 11:7 tells us. The world will rejoice at their deaths, and even celebrate that God’s messengers have been silenced. For three and a half days, their bodies will lie in the streets, and people from every nation gloat over their demise. But then something incredible happens—God raises them from the dead. Those who hated and opposed them watch as they ascend to heaven in a cloud.
Despite the intense opposition and evil of the world, the two witnesses in Revelation 11 stand as an unwavering testament to God’s sovereignty and protection. Even though they are momentarily silenced by the Antichrist, God’s authority cannot be challenged. When they are resurrected and ascend to heaven, it is a powerful declaration that no force can stand against God's Will. This incredible act of resurrection is a vivid reminder that God's purposes will always prevail, no matter the chaos or the wickedness of the world. The world may momentarily rejoice over their deaths, but our Heavenly Father’s justice and power are eternal, and His servants will always be vindicated. The two witnesses' testimony will never be silenced, and God’s plan for the universe will continue to unfold, no matter the opposition. ■
Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
“Revelation 11: The Two Witnesses”, written by Vince Mack. Blessing Beads and More© 2024. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
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