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Monday, March 25, 2013

Benchmarks for the End, the Two Witnesses, the Falling Away, and the Story Numbers Tell


During the tribulation there will be two witnesses that come to earth and wield great powers until the beast comes out of the earth and kills them. This will be an interesting time as people will believe on Jesus as Lord when these two men show their miraculous power. We will explore who these two men may be, as well as their time on earth, but first we must look at some numbers.  Numbers tell a story, which is why people collect data.  By looking at data we can see a clearer picture of global events rather than our narrow perspective.  I have been fond of pointing out that it is human nature for one to simply think like a three year old toddler and believe the entire world (and the entire Bible) revolves around oneself.  By looking at some simple numbers we can more clearly see humanity; and how the things Jesus said and didn’t say make perfect sense. 

We reviewed the world population as compared to Christianity a few weeks ago, but let’s remind ourselves of our numbers.  There are over 7 billion people in the world, and as we know, that number is troubling when we consider sustainability.  From that, we understand that our world population is on the increase, not decreasing.  Even though we die earlier than the Patriarchs did, the population has grown considerably since that time.  Out of the 7 billion earth inhabitants, there are approximately 2 billion Christians worldwide (at best).  It seems a nondescript number.  From that number, approximately 50% or 1 billion are Catholics.  Again, it would seem a disappointing percentage of the world population.  But as we dig a little deeper we see something else. 

Starting with the United States, we see a total population, from the date of this writing, of approximately 315,508,964.  However, somewhere between 73%-75% claim to be Christians, 51% are Protestants and 24% are Catholics.  When we think of the world population, our numbers look insignificant; we have over 7 billion people in the world and potentially only 2 billion Christians. But when we break this down by country it is absolutely scary. 

For argument’s sake let’s look at round numbers.  What if half of the citizens of the USA are instantly gone? What would happen to the USA? To bring this into perspective, if you look out your front door at your neighbor’s homes, imagine what it would be like if half of the homes you see were empty. Half of the apartments in your complex were empty, half of the people at your school or work were no longer there.  Who would run the city, who would transport the food?  Suffice it to say there will be no shortage of jobs, no unemployment, and no shortage of housing.  Everyone will need to work to keep things running. After a time of confusion, people on earth would realize that their neighbors who are gone probably left food and houses would be broken into. 

The numbers for England are similar, with a population of 62, 641,000, approximately 33.2 million claim to be Christians. In China, the numbers are hard to track; with 1,344,130,000 total people, the estimated number of Christians average between 159 million to 200 million.  Even China will have a little extra elbow room after the harpazo.  Russia has about 141,930,000 people, and about 80,000,000 Christians.  Brazil has 190,732,694 people and 139,000,000 are Christians.  99% of Mexico’s population claim to be Christians. 83% of Germany’s population are Christians. The Philippines claim 93% are Christian, Italy claims 90%, France 98%, and Nigeria 45%.  We should look at a world map to see the big picture.  In this map that I am borrowing from Wikipedia, it expresses the same figures I found elsewhere.  Looking at this data we see a very scary picture of the tribulation. 





Now we know why we don’t find certain nations mentioned in the Bible.  Despite how hard people try to make North America and South America a part of the tribulation times, we can see that even with our conservative look of 50% Christians, this would be the reason the America’s are not mentioned, as well as most of Europe, Australia and Southern Africa.  Looking at the light shaded areas we can see why the Bible is primarily concerned with those regions.  The rest of the nations of the world will be scrambling to keep infrastructure and communications going.  Now we can understand why the Middle East is the primary concern of the Bible. Incidentally, this is the land area Shem was to inherit, as per Noah. If we remember, Noah pronounced a curse on anyone who would live in the land that was not given to him.

Think of this world map and those left on earth after the harpazo as being the first judgment of the tribulation. With the number of people left to run each city and county, there will be no option for retirement or unemployment.  Unless there are systems in place to subdue chaos, things could get messy quickly.  For example, if there are half as many farmers left worldwide, harvesting will be twice as slow; with half the number of drivers, transportation of farmed goods will be slower.  With half the number of gasoline truck drivers, gas stations will only get half as much fuel.  If there are refineries in the middle-east they will prosper, but other countries will only be buying half as much refined oil. In like manner, the middle-east will have an oil glut, but will be short on food.  All commerce and trade will now have to be centered where the population is most dense.  Where will that be? The Middle East. 

Now let’s take our thinking one step further.  We see from the book of Revelation that the tribulation will be a bloody period in time for those who will now confess Jesus as their Lord.  What dominant religions will be left on earth?  Why will these religions kill those who believe on Jesus? One group will probably kill Christians because that is normally what they do today.  For them, nothing will change, except they will have the upper hand in many nations where today they are a minority.  The other religious group will most likely be revealed as supporting the new world order. What earth dwellers will then realize is that there was a pre-planned combining of these two groups to control and dominate the people of the world, a religious system, and a governmental system.  As the harlot is revealed, allegiance will be required.  At first there will be peace agreements for Israel, a temple in Israel, and daily sacrifices. When the beast comes, he gives ten national middle-east leaders’ power, until they discover that their allegiance to the harlot is required, and then they will give back their power not wanting to come under the harlot.  Once the harlot’s group is revealed as “in control” midway through the tribulation, there will be very hard times in the middle-east.

Rev 17:15-18 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.KJV

Simply, by the view of the population after the harpazo, we can also see why the middle-east is the center for the one world government.  We can also see that the other nations will not be in leadership power because of their lack of population and will be vulnerable to this new world order. But we have some benchmarks to look at first.

According to the Book of Daniel, there has to be a peace agreement which will be made for seven years, but broken after three and one half years.  What precedes this peace agreement must be a war involving Israel.  The Psalm 83 war seems to fit these criteria. It will cause Israel to be the world’s dominant power.  (Google The Psalm 83 War, as there are many great teachers who have already taught on this subject) One might question how that can be, but as of today, Israel is a free market society, and will have the population to continue commerce throughout the tribulation. If Israel were to subdue her enemies around the time of the harpazo, she would be feared.   Remember, we see in the second half of the tribulation God calling His people to come out of her.  This would indicate that Israel was buying and selling in Babylon.

Rev 18:3-4 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.KJV

Why are Israelites in Babylon? Because Israel has the infrastructure and the means to capitalize on the opportunity of free market trade.  These people are not being evil; they are simply working in the world system to prosper. Just a side note, capitalism is not God’s best plan for anyone because capitalism breeds greed. The millennial kingdom will be a great place to live.

The peace agreement that comes to pass will bring a new temple in Israel and the daily sacrifice will start again. This is another benchmark that we may or may not see before the harpazo.  One benchmark we have to consider, which we may not see, is the apostasy, the falling away; it gives us another marker in time. Let’s look at this section in context to that verse.  First, Paul tells us that God will punish those who persecute the church during the Day of the Lord, the parousia. 

2 Thess 1:3-12 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.KJV

The next section was not separated by a chapter in Paul’s writing, chapters and verses were added later.  Keeping that in mind, the next sentence is a continuation of Paul’s first thought on Jesus’ coming, his parousia.  Paul is mentioning the Day of the Lord and the above synagogue.

2 Thess 2:1-12 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming [parousia] of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together [episunagoge] unto him,2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

The Day of the Lord, the day of Christ, is not at hand until there is a falling away.  But what is the falling away?  Depending on your theology, there can be several types of falling away.

2 Thess 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away [646] first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Clearly this word falling away, or apostasy, is a revolving door when it comes to definition. It is only used twice, here and in Acts 21:21, (forsake)  Therefore unless there is a derivative of this word, Strong’s #646, we should not assume the text would be the same in meaning as say Hebrews 6:6, which uses a different word altogether for falling away.  The Amplified Bible, in its footnotes, makes this section “the departing of the church”.  We will explore all our options.

2 Thess 2:3 Let no one deceive or beguile you in any way, for that day will not come except the apostasy [646] comes first [unless the predicted great falling away [646] of those who have professed to be Christians has come], and the man of lawlessness (sin) is revealed, who is the son of doom (of perdition), [Dan 7:25; 8:25; 1 Tim 4:1.] AMP
Footnotes C & D 2 Thess 2:3  c A possible rendering of the Greek apostasia is "departure [of the church]." d  A possible rendering of the Greek apostasia is "departure [of the church]."AMP

Clearly, the theology of the Amplified Bible is that the church will first depart, and then the Antichrist will be revealed. While the Textus Receptus and the NA 27 both agree, there are a couple of different Aramaic translations.

From Victor Alexander
2 Thes 2:3 Let no human being mislead you with one of these schemes, because the desolation has to come first, when the man of sin is revealed by the son of perdition, (Aramaic New Testament, Victor Alexander pg 411)

The nations with high numbers of Christians who are gathered will cause desolation to those nations.

From Janet Magiera
2 Thes 2:3 Will anyone deceive you in any way? (2) Because [it will not come] except a rebellion (3) should come first and the man of sin should be revealed, the son of destruction (4)
(2) Fig erotesis , lema question, obvious answer “no”
(3)Var (WSLP): ‘discipline’ or ‘instruction’
(4) Or “the destructive [one]”
Aramaic Peshitta New Testament Translation , Janet M Magiera, Light of the Word Ministry LWM Pubilcations, 2nd edition Copyright 2005, 2006, pg488)

We will explore this idea of a rebellion in two different ways shortly.

Murdock Translation
01 But we entreat of you, my brethren, in regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, and in respect to our being congregated unto him,  
  02 that ye be not soon agitated in your mind, nor be troubled, neither by word, nor by spirit, nor by letter, as coming from us, that lo, the day of our Lord is at hand.
  03 Let no one deceive you in any way; because [that day will not come], unless there previously come a defection, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

The gathering could be considered a defection, but there may be a different defection we should look at.

Etheridge Translation
But we beseech of you, my brethren, as it regards the coming of our Lord Jeshu Meshiha, and our assemblage with him, that you be not soon moved in your minds, nor perturbed, nor by word, nor by spirit, nor by letter, which (may be) as (if it were) from us, that, Behold, the day of our Lord cometh! Let no one deceive you by any one of the methods,3 because unless there shall come first the rebellion,4 and there be revealed the man of sin, the son of…

There are some things we can observe here. Firstly, Paul is talking about the Day of the Lord in chapter 1, and it would seem that this letter is in response to people saying the Day of the Lord is here.  As we studied that in detail, we know that that has not happened yet. But as it was back in Paul’s day, just as it is today, every time something bad happens, no matter if is only happening in one city, the “Chicken Little’s” cry out that it’s the Day of the Lord. It is not, because things have to happen in chronological order; first, a falling away.  Some may look at this as a falling away from Christianity, which it could also be. However, people have been falling away from Christianity since the time of Paul. There will always be people whose faith grows cold, or who are seduced away by false teachers and hireling pastors.  Nothing has changed in 2,000 years.  So while this is truly a possibility, it is improbable that this slide away from Christianity is what Paul is talking about.  Could there be a fast slide just before Jesus calls the church from the clouds? Possibly, but again there has been deception, persecutions, and false teachers for many years, so if this were the case, it would probably take place during the tribulation when strong delusion is sent.  Not before the tribulation. Could one religion rise up and look like such a wonderful answer to our world problems that people would change their confession of Jesus as Lord to something else? Maybe so.

There is another possibility where there could be a falling away.  Once the harpazo happens, there will be people left on earth who thought they were Christians.  Those people will be mad and angry at God for not gathering them along with everyone else.  These people may rebel from God, intentionally falling away, while at the same time many other people will recognize they did not know Him and confess Jesus as Lord, suffering martyrdom in the tribulation. The reason this could be plausible is that there are large religious groups that do not teach the confession of Jesus as Lord.  It will be easy for the Antichrist to then turn these people against Jesus, as the context of this section states because people did not receive the love of the truth, God will send strong delusion so that they will believe a lie. There seems to be a “lie” being prepared now for the gathering.  It would seem that some groups have already put into place a story that claims that the resistant and rebellious ones will be taken away in space ships to be reprogrammed.  I know it sounds silly, but that lie has already been rooted, and is ready for the time of the harpazo. This could easily be believed because God is sending strong delusion during the time of the Antichrist.

Keeping these three options of interpretation in mind, lets read the rest of this section and see if we can understand it better.  The falling away could be:
1. The gathering of the church, the harpazo.  
2. People leaving Christianity due to false teachings before the harpazo.  
3. People who thought they knew Christ and are mad that they were left behind after the harpazo.

2 Thes 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.KJV

So, before the Day of the Lord, there has to be 1) a falling away, and 2) a revealing of the man of perdition. Paul says he already told the Thessalonians about this. He told them; he didn’t write them about this.  Therefore, we don’t have what he “said” in writing, or in scripture.  There is a mystery of lawlessness that is already working.  The mystery is still working 2,000 years later, which is the intentional evil that exists in the world.  Once the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way along with the church (those in which the Holy Spirit resides internally), there will be no faith found on earth. That is when the wicked one will be revealed, once the one who holds the Antichrist back, leaves. Then the wicked one can and will be revealed.  The Antichrist may be demonically in-filled now, yet later will be inspired by the beast, when the beast comes out of the abyss. Then, later, on the Day of the Lord, Jesus will consume him with the spirit of his mouth and the brightness of His coming. It will be easy for a religious organization to have a “revealing” or “unveiling” to its true intentions, and show their connection with a one world governmental organization because there will be no faith here on earth.  Those left behind did not receive the love of the truth. Those left behind had pleasure in unrighteousness, rather than disgust in unrighteousness.

Now, looking backward to the entire context we see Paul talking about the Day of the Lord. He gives us two options for context, 1) the parousia, the Day of the Lord, and 2) the episunagoge, the above congregation. What comes first is the falling away.  Then, the wicked man can be revealed, and then the Lord will destroy him with the spirit of his mouth.   Verses 5 through 7 are parenthetical, “Remember I told you… and you know…the mystery is already at work”.  The predominant context is that the Day of the Lord is not here yet, and before it can come there is a falling away, and the Antichrist revealed.  After looking at the two options for the context, the parousia and the episunagoge, it seems the answer is that the episunagoge is a preceeding event (the falling away), to the man of sin being revealed, and then the Day of the Lord. 

Therefore we can rule out the continued backsliding and typical turning away from God which leaves us with either the falling away is the harpazo or it is the result of those left behind after the harpazo.  Either way, the harpazo precedes the Antichrist’s reveal or the Day of the Lord.  This is another benchmark for us.  The Antichrist is not ruling now, not until the church is gathered up. He may be alive, but not ruling over the saints.  We should remember that, “greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world”, from 1 John 4:4, we are greater than the Antichrist because of the Holy Spirit within us.

Paul talked about the “out resurrection” from the dead, the only time we see an out resurrection is the harpazo, when the dead in Christ rise. Philippians is the only place this word is used, but it tells us something.  Paul was not expecting to be alive on earth at the harpazo, but striving to attain to the out resurrection. To add this thought to Thessalonians 2:1 the gathering, the episunagoge, it is a gathering of the dead and alive in Christ. The dead are not in the above congregation yet as we have studied, therefore to have an “above congregation”, people have to go above. That is the need for the harpazo.

Phil 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection [1815] of the dead.KJV
Phil 3:11 though I hope to experience the resurrection from the dead.ISV
Phil 3:11 if anyhow I may attain to the rising again of the dead.YLT

NT:1815 exanastasis (ex-an-as'-tas-is); from NT:1817; a rising from death: KJV - resurrection.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:1817 exanistemi (ex-an-is'-tay-mee); from NT:1537 and NT:450; objectively, to produce, i.e. (figuratively) beget; subjectively, to arise, i.e. (figuratively) object: KJV - raise (rise) up.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:1537 ek (ek) or ex (ex); a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

NT:450 anistemi (an-is'-tay-mee); from NT:303 and NT:2476; to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive):KJV - arise, lift up, raise up (again), rise (again), stand up (-right).(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

So, likewise, the out resurrection of the dead along with “the alive in Christ rising”, forming the “above congregation”, precedes the revealing of the Antichrist, and later in time, the Day of the Lord. But we can look a little deeper into the Book of Revelation to find a more specific time of the revealing of the Antichrist.

The two witnesses are another benchmark for us, and we should explore their role on earth.  I’ve heard people say they are on earth now, they are not. The beast comes up out of the pit to kill the witnesses, which is when the beast starts his time on earth. This gives us a clue, the beast comes after the witnesses come to earth. First come the witnesses, then the beast.

 Rev 11:1-2 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.KJV

John is told to measure the temple; there will have to be a temple built before the witnesses come.  The court outside the temple is given to the Gentiles.  There was a court of the Gentiles in the old temples but the next phrase is that the holy city (Jerusalem) will be tread under the feet of the Gentiles for 42 months.  That is three and one half years.  So now we know that once the temple is built, somehow Gentiles will be occupying Jerusalem for 3 1/2 years.  If Jerusalem becomes a world power, it would be understandable that many Gentiles will come to the city to conduct commerce, especially if the other nations of the world are struggling after the gathering of the saints.

Rev 11:3-4 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.KJV

One thousand two hundred and sixty days is also three and one half years.  The witnesses will wear sackcloth which is like burlap, and is a symbol for repentance and mourning.  We have a clue to these witnesses; the word for witnesses is #3144, martyr.  That is interesting as martyrs have their bodies killed.  There are two people in the Bible who never had their bodies killed, Enoch and Elijah.  Both, as we saw from the acts of Pontius Pilate, were in paradise with their bodies while no one else just coming into paradise had their bodies.

 

The Acts of Pontius Pilate written by Nicodemus CHAP. XX.

1 Christ delivers Adam to Michael the archangel. 3. They meet Enoch and Elijah in heaven, 5 and also the blessed thief, who relates how he cares to Paradise. THEN the Lord holding Adam by the hand, delivered him to Michael the archangel; and he led them into Paradise, filled with mercy and glory;2 And two very ancient men met them, and were asked by the saints, Who are ye, who have not yet been with us in hell, and have had your bodies placed in Paradise?3 One of them answering, said, I am Enoch, who was translated by the word of God:  and this man who is with me, is Elijah the Tishbite, who was translated in a fiery chariot.  4 Here we have hitherto been, and have not tasted death, but are now about to return at the coming of Antichrist, being armed with divine signs and miracles, to engage with him in battle, and to be slain by him at Jerusalem, and to be taken up alive again into the clouds, after three days and a half. 
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/lbob/lbob10.htm

What we can understand from these two witnesses is that they will be martyred; that would be one reason Enoch and Elijah would be candidates.  The only one at this point in time who has a new body is Jesus.  The rest of the dead do not have new bodies, they have no bodies at all.  Everyone’s bodies have corrupted in the grave.  We have to wait until corruption puts on incorruption, as Corinthians 15 tells us.  The only two people that kept their bodies were Enoch and Elijah.  Something else to consider is that the Holy Spirit indwells the believer, yet once the believer is gone there won’t be anyone for the Holy Spirit to indwell.  Before the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit did not indwell people; after the church is gone, the Holy Spirit may be upon some, but not in them.  Here however, with Enoch and Elijah, we see something else, the symbolism of the candlesticks and the olive trees would say that there is an unending supply of oil for the lamp, or for the two martyrs. 

Zech 4:1-6 AND THE angel who talked with me came again and awakened me, like a man who is wakened out of his sleep. 2 And said to me, What do you see? I said, I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with its bowl [for oil] on the top of it and its seven lamps on it, and [there are] seven pipes to each of the seven lamps which are upon the top of it. [Matt 5:14,16; Luke 12:35; Phil 2:15; Rev 1:20.] 3 And there are two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl and the other upon the left side of it [feeding it continuously with oil]. [Rev 11:4-13.] 4 So I asked the angel who talked with me, What are these, my lord? 5 Then the angel who talked with me answered me, Do you not know what these are? And I said, No, my lord. 6 Then he said to me, This [addition of the bowl to the candlestick, causing it to yield a ceaseless supply of oil from the olive trees] is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of Whom the oil is a symbol], says the Lord of hosts. AMP

In other words, there is an endless supply of Holy Spirit power on these two witnesses.  It won’t be by might, an army with physical strength, or power, or force, but by the Holy Spirit that these men perform miraculous feats. Let’s see what they can do.

Rev 11:5-6 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.KJV

They send fire on their enemies, they keep it from raining, and they turn the waters red and hit the earth with plagues.  These guys will be fearsome.  They will be witnessing to the whole earth, social media will carry video clips and YouTube videos to the world, and people will believe on Jesus.  If some who thought they were Christians were left behind, they could be angry and may try to stop the witnesses. If the mystery religion tries to quiet the witnesses, they will kill them.  In the meantime, many will believe and then be beheaded for their belief in Jesus.  The power of the Holy Spirit will be strong on Enoch and Elijah, but the beast will be allowed to overcome them after three and one half years.

Rev 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. KJV

First thing we notice is that they will have finished their testimony.  This is a scheduled time, not a random coincidence that they are killed.  It is not by the devil’s timing, but by God’s timing.  Secondly, this beast comes out of the abyss, a spiritual beast.  He was not on earth but under the earth.  Now the beast comes out to make war against them.  Will this look like an Avengers movie?  Two super heroes fighting the evil spirit from the abyss?  Will there be lots of super powers used by Enoch and Elijah?  Thirdly, we have to notice that they are killed, martyred.  One has to have a physical body to be martyred, or killed.  The beast could not kill an incorruptible body like Jesus has.  The beast could only kill a physical body like we have.  Some people speculate that the witnesses will be Moses, or John the Baptist, but both of them died and their bodies corrupted. Of all the men who have walked the face of the earth, only Jesus rose from the dead; no one else has ever risen and stayed that way, only Jesus.  Therefore, the only ones left in the Bible that did not lose their bodies were Enoch and Elijah. 

Rev 11:8-9 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. KJV

The two dead bodies will lie in the street in Jerusalem for three and one half days.  The whole world will see their bodies. 

Rev 11:10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.KJV

The earth dwellers will rejoice and give presents, kind of like Christmas… The beast will show himself to be god if we remember Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians.  The wicked one will sit in the temple of God.  Let’s keep in mind some parallel events. While the witnesses are on earth, the seals are being opened and six of the seven trumpets are being sounded.  All 13 events are happening while the witnesses are on earth.  With each new event taking place during the wrath of the lamb, the witnesses will, in conjunction, be drawing attention to Jesus.  They will not be able to be stopped until the end of the three and one half years.

Rev 11:11-12 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. KJV

Again the whole world will see the two witnesses get up.  It might be that the whole world will think that the “bad times” are over once the witnesses are dead.  They will quickly change their minds when the witnesses rise up. People will hear the voice of God saying “Come up here”. As they go up, the world sees them. Because there will be great fear, many will believe on Jesus.  The witnesses go up to heaven at the time Jesus is announced as the kingdoms of the world belonging to Him. This time is like a coronation, while today we look ahead to that day, Revelation 11 tells us after the witnesses go up, the ceremony begins.

Rev 11:13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.KJV

Now, exclusive to Jerusalem, there will be an earthquake and seven thousand people will die. Because of this, more people will believe on Jesus. These witnesses die, but many people will see and hear and become concerned about what is taking place. We should remember that God has always had someone to witness for him; Adam, Seth, Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, the Prophets, Jesus, the Church, the Witnesses, and lastly three Angels (Rev 14:6-11).

The beast receives his power from the dragon (Rev 13:2). The beast comes out of the abyss; the dragon comes down being thrown out of heaven by Michael and his angels. There will be 10 leaders and one of them will receive a fatal wound and be brought back to life, the beast will in-dwell this person who is an Antichrist . That is when the world will worship the dragon, satan, and the beast. Before all of this there will be another benchmark to look at.  At the second half of the tribulation, God’s holy people, the Jews, will be crushed.  But before that happens there has to be a daily sacrifice in the temple. 

Dan 12:7-13 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right and his left hand toward the heavens and swore by Him Who lives forever that it shall be for a time, times, and a half a time [or three and one-half years]; and when they have made an end of shattering and crushing the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. 8 And I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, O my lord, what shall be the issue and final end of these things? 9 And he [the angel] said, Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be tried, smelted, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but the teachers and those who are wise shall understand. [Dan 11:33-35.] 11 And from the time that the continual burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. [Dan 11:31.] 12 Blessed, happy, fortunate, spiritually prosperous, and to be envied is he who waits expectantly and earnestly [who endures without wavering beyond the period of tribulation] and comes to the 1,335 days! 13 But you [Daniel, who was now over ninety years of age], go your way until the end; for you shall rest and shall stand [fast] in your allotted place at the end of the days. [Heb 11:32-40.] AMP

Dan 12:7-13 "The man dressed in linen, who straddled the river, raised both hands to the skies. I heard him solemnly swear by the Eternal One that it would be a time, two times, and half a time, that when the oppressor of the holy people was brought down the story would be complete. 8 "I heard all this plainly enough, but I didn't understand it. So I asked, 'Master, can you explain this to me?' 9 "'Go on about your business, Daniel,' he said. 'The message is confidential and under lock and key until the end, until things are about to be wrapped up. 10 The populace will be washed clean and made like new. But the wicked will just keep on being wicked, without a clue about what is happening. Those who live wisely and well will understand what's going on.'11 "From the time that the daily worship is banished from the Temple and the obscene desecration is set up in its place, there will be 1,290 days. 12 "Blessed are those who patiently make it through the 1,335 days. 13 "And you? Go about your business without fretting or worrying. Relax. When it's all over, you will be on your feet to receive your reward." (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

From the time of the daily sacrifice to the time of the next abomination (there have been several already in history) there will be just over three and one half years.  This gives us another base in time to understand that there is no sacrifice in a temple in Jerusalem today.  First, the temple has to be built, and then they can start a daily sacrifice.  Some people think that thirty days after the stopping of the sacrifice, the beast sits on the throne. The abomination of desolation may be the beast sitting on the throne in the temple, three and one half years and one month after temple sacrifice is abolished, or it could be the destruction of the temple as it has been in the past.  Jerusalem has been abominated five times and desolated twice already. This may be the total destruction of the temple by the beast and dragon. If the destruction of the temple is the desolation, it will happen at the end of the second half of the tribulation.  In either case, the beast will sit on the throne in the temple at 1290 days, as Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 2:4. If one can make it for 75 more days, they will be blessed.  We are not sure what happens at 1335 days. We can see that it will either be about two and one half months into the second half of the tribulation, called the wrath of God, or at the end of the second half of the tribulation, after the Day of the Lord. If one who doesn’t believe in Jesus now believes in Jesus after the harpazo, they will have to stand for Jesus until they die or until the end of the tribulation.  We looked at the role of the martyred saints last week.

Some of our markers or benchmarks for time include the Psalm 83 war, the falling away (the harpazo and the out resurrection resulting in the episunagoge), the peace agreement, the temple being rebuilt, the daily sacrifice taking place, the witnesses coming to earth, and the beast coming out of the pit. While the exact order is not completely known, we do know that the harpazo comes before the seals are opened.  Whether the Psalm 83 war happens first or is a result of the harpazo, we don’t know. We do know that once the believers who have the Holy Spirit in them are taken off of the earth, the two witnesses will come with the Holy Spirit’s power, and the power of the Holy Spirit will flow through them like oil from the olive tree, feeding the lamp stands. There doesn’t seem to be any indication that the people who get saved during the tribulation will have the Holy Spirit in them, hence we understand 1 John 4:4 as greater is he in us than in the world. After the believers are gone from the earth, the Holy Spirit does not indwell anyone but the two witnesses, yet people will be receiving Jesus as Lord throughout the tribulation and martyred for their confession.  They will overcome the dragon.

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.KJV
Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.KJV

Another mystery regarding the book of Revelation are “the three woes” and the “seven thunders”.  We will have to explore that next.