Revelation 11:7-14
In verse 7 we see that the two witnesses have come to the end of their testimony. This event would be toward the end of the Tribulation Period based on the number of days they were given for this assignment. For all of this time they have frustrated “the beast” as he is labeled in this passage. We will be discussing this in further detail later.
At the appointed time the beast finally gets his shot and kills these two witnesses. Notice however he could not touch them until the appointed time. This brings to remembrance something Jesus said as well in John 10:18, ‘no man could take His life, He alone has the power to lay it down and to take it again.’
So we see here that even though an evil system is working throughout the Tribulation Period, God is still on the Throne and everything He planned during this event is happening on schedule. Just as satan played into God’s hands by crucifying Jesus, he will once again play into His hands during the Tribulation Period.
In verse 8 the dead bodies of the two witnesses will be left to lie in the street of what is called the great city. Since it is identified as the place the Lord was crucified we know this to be the city of Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is the center of much interest even in today’s current events and it will continue to be the same during this time as the antichrist occupies it sometime about midway into the seven years. It is also being called Sodom and Egypt; this is referring to it spiritually.
In Bible history, these two locations, Sodom and Egypt were known for wickedness and rebellion. God delivered Israel from Egypt and Abraham’s nephew, Lot with part of his family was delivered out of Sodom before its destruction. In Matthew 24 Jesus warned the Jews they will need to flee the city due to the destruction that will come upon them during this time by the hands of the antichrist.
The antichrist will be in control of the city during the “abomination of desolation” described by Jesus in Matthew 24. Due to this control and his assault on the Jewish nation this may be the reason John used this descriptive of Jerusalem.
Verse 9 states all peoples and nations will see the dead bodies of these two witnesses for three and one half days. Surely it must have been perplexing to John to imagine how this would happen. This vision was given centuries before television, satellites, computers, cell phones and every other type of technology we have today. There will probably be a 24 hour newscast replaying the killing of them; most likely there will be some boasting of the beast character and eyewitness accounts ongoing for the entire three and one half days that the bodies will lie there.
Verse 10 demonstrates the misery that the two witnesses will cause the people living throughout this period of time. There will be celebrations and gift exchanges much like we do now at Christmas. The big screen televisions will be ablaze with the pictures and news coverage as the people party indulging in alcohol and drugs.
Apparently the three and one half days are an appointed time for what is about to take place. We see in verse 11 the two prophets begin to stir as the spirit of life from God enters into them. They will most likely sit up at first and look around, and then will rise to their feet. Imagine the faces of the people as they witness these two coming back to life! The world will be aghast and fear will run rampant. There may be panic and pandemonium in the cities throughout the world as the nations fear what these two prophets of God may do in retaliation for their deaths.
Verse 12 tells us “they heard a great voice from Heaven saying unto them, Come up hither.” This great voice will be much like what the Believers will hear on the day of the Rapture! These two witnesses will then ascend up into the clouds just like Jesus did as stated in Acts 1:9. This time I imagine the cameras will follow them until they are out of sight.
We see in verse 13 shortly after their departure, in the same hour, an earthquake hits destroying a tenth of the city and seven thousand people will die as a result. Interesting that several times throughout this book the people are shaking their fists and cursing God, however not this time, they are afraid and even give Him glory.
Verse 14 tells us the second “woe” is now past and the third one is coming! Let’s not lose sight of the fact that we are bouncing through informational chapters and the timeline is all over the board.
We have just finished with an event that takes place toward the end of the Tribulation period, now we are going back to the Seventh Trumpet judgment.
If you find yourself still here during this time of the Tribulation period it would be a good idea to pray and seek God for things are about to get worse!
