Two Witnesses

689.  "Two Witnesses"
February 11, 2013
Revelation 11-Part 13
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.  Revelation 11:11

LET IT GLOW

I have only served on a jury once, but I recall listening very closely to the witnesses in the matter. What they had to say was extremely important to the case. Now in chapter 11, we read about two witnesses. They aren't ones in a case against someone, but they are proclaiming a case for someone-God.

These are two chosen witnesses prophesying in Jerusalem. The scene culminates in their tragic execution and triumphant resurrection (verses 1-14). These two end-time prophets take a stand in the midst of the worst generation in human history. (Swindoll)

Who these two witnesses are is not told to us. Some think they are Moses and Elijah, Enoch and Elijah, Elijah and Elisha, Moses and Joshua, Peter and Paul, or James and John.We are not told.. They are sent to sum up the kind of miraculous and prophetic ministry.

What do we know about these two witnesses?

• They will prophesy 3 1/2 years.
• No one can harm them; if attempted, fire will destroy them.
• They are given power to stop rain, to turn water into blood, to strike the earth with every plague.
• They are killed by the beast of the abyss, martyred.
• People will look upon their dead bodies for 3 1/2 days.
• Their death will cause people to rejoice and celebrate by sending gifts to one another because their message tormented the unsaved.
• God resurrects them and takes the two witnesses into heaven.
• Afterwards, an earthquake caused 1/10 of Jerusalem to fall and 7,000 killed. The survivors gave glory to the God of heaven. God's mission was accomplished.

Swindoll gives us some truths from all this:
*God transforms tragic situations into triumphant events.
*Underdogs become overcomers.
*Weakness is changed to strength.
*Overwhelming obstacles lead to magnificent opportunities.
*Great things are accomplished for God by His power, so all the glory is God's, not ours.

Am I trusting God for His victory, strength, overcoming the odds, so He receives the glory for His work?

LET IT GROW

At the sounding of the seventh trumpet, John sees the 24 elders fall on their faces and worship God:

• They give thanks to our Almighty God who are and who were;
• They recognize His great power and reigning on the earth;
• He judges the dead and rewards His bond-servants the prophets and saints, and those who fear His name;
• He will destroy those who destroy the earth.

No matter what the world looks like today, or how out of control things appear, in the end, God wins!

Do I trust in the sovereign God who reigns?

LET IT GO

Let go of my fears, anxieties, unknowns, and let God reign in my life and the world according to His will.

Your will,
Your way,
Today,
I pray.