REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 11.3

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

                                                                           

Chapter Eleven:

The Great Tribulation

(Parenthesis)

Two Witnesses

 

 

(Verse 3)

 

And I will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

 

From Verse 3 to the end of Verse 13, the content is not given to John in a vision but described to him by the glorious mighty angel of Revelation 10:1.  

 

I will give power unto My two witnesses

Speaking on behalf of the Triune Godhead, the voice describes to John that power (not translated in many manuscripts, but is meant to empower, give authority, or commission) will enable My (possessive pronoun) two witnesses. Literally: "I will grant authority to two witnesses of Me."

 

Two witnesses

Witnesses (martus) permanently refer to persons (plural). By analogy the word means martyrs. Literally, throughout Scripture two witnesses were constantly needed to verify the truth, two signifying the number for testimony. For instance:

Deuteronomy 19:15 - One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

 

2 Corinthians 13:1b – In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Witnesses always give evidence concerning matters regarding the Law, religion, judicial, or in truthful dealings with men.

As such:

1.  At Jesus' ordaining of the Twelve, He sent and empowered them two by two

Mark 6:7 - And He called unto Him the Twelve, and [He] began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits.

 

2.  At Jesus' Resurrection, two angels gave testimony to Mary Magdalene of the empty tomb

John 20:12 - And [Mary] seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

 

3.  At Jesus' Ascension two angelic beings informed the men of Galilee that Jesus would return in the same manner He arose

Acts 1:10 - And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel.

 

So, in the context of verse 3, God will send out and embolden two witnesses with the power to prophesy. Primarily directed to Israel, their message is to give testimony of Christ, their true Messiah, by preaching:

1.  Wickedness

2.  Judgment

3.  The Gospel

4.  Repentance

5.  Deliverance

6.  Salvation

7.  The King is coming

 

They shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days

To prophesy means to speak forth, proclaim, preach, or foretell divine events. Their prophetic message, namely preaching a call to repentance, will extend for the complete last half of Tribulation called the Great Tribulation – 1,260 days – No more, no less. Repentance continuously has been the communication of God's prophets upon the Jewish nation.

You recall:

1.  Ezekiel

Ezekiel 18:30 - O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

 

2.  John the Baptist

Matthew 3:2 - Repent ye: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

 

3.  Jesus Christ

Matthew 4:17 - From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Significantly, as repentance was preached at the First Coming of Christ, so too, the witnesses will do likewise before the Second Coming.

 

Two witnesses…clothed in sackcloth

Their garb is one of sackcloth. It is a thick coarse rough cloth used for sacks made from brown or black goat's hair. A sackcloth is a symbolic garment of mourning, sorrow, and repentance, often worn by prophets to show their brokenness in the face of their terrible message of judgment and doom. [Nelson's Bible Dictionary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1986.] Truly repentant Jews would wear sackcloth and put ashes on their heads as an expression of humility.

 

Question:

Who are these guys?

Answer:

Over the centuries, one of the most queried topics in Revelation captivating the curiosity of its readers is the identities of God's two prophetic witnesses. They do have a profound global impact because Verse 9 tells us the whole earth rejoices when they are killed.

 

Even though the evidence is not 100 percent conclusive, three major theorems are proposed as to their identities:

1.  Zerubbabel and Joshua

2.  Enoch and Elijah

3.  Moses and Elijah

 

By examining each pair separately, a most probable answer may be better surmised:

1. Zerubbabel and Joshua

Both were important in rebuilding the Temple after 70 years of captivity. They are pictured in Zachariah Chapter 4 as two olive trees that supplied the oil (the Holy Spirit) to the two lampstands (Israel). That they will be instrumental in Israel's national conversion attributes them to the building of the future Millennial Temple. Therefore, it is purported they will also lead Israel's spiritual revival in the Tribulation.

a.  Zerubbabel

An heir to the throne of David and listed in the ancestral line of Jesus (cf. Matthew 1:12-13; Luke 3:27), Zerubbabel led the first wave of exiles and succeeded in rebuilding the Temple.

 

Cyrus appointed him to govern Judea, and he also acted as a priest. Some identified him as the coming Messiah (cf. Zechariah 3:1).

 

b.  Joshua

Joshua, the son of Josedech was the high priest during the rebuilding and dedication of the Temple after the captivity (cf. Zechariah 3; 6:11; Haggai 1:1; 2:4). He clothed himself in filthy garments, symbolizing the sinfulness of the people. When the clothing was removed, it meant the people's sins were forgiven. Joshua was viewed as the coming Branch in David's house. (cf. Zachariah 6:12; Haggai 2:23).

 

2.   Enoch and Elijah

A significant reason for the choice is both never tasted death and were the only ones translated by God; a prefigurement of the Rapture.

a.  Enoch

Six verses in the Bible encapsulate his entire 365-year lifespan. Translated (raptured) by God, Enoch predates the Jewish race and was found faithful in God's eyes during the pre-Noahic flood Era. And as a man of faith, his great-grandson Noah followed in his footsteps.

Genesis 5:24 - And Enoch walked with God: and he was not [there]; for God took him.

 

The Faith Hall of Fame clearly illustrates his biography:

Hebrews 11:5 - By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

 

Living in earth's darkest hour before the flood, Enoch serves as a type of rapture before the first judgment. Besides, no prophecy demands the return of Enoch.

 

b.  Elijah

Notorious for winning the contest with 450 prophets of Baal (cf. 1 Kings 18), Elijah (the Prophet of Fire) delivered Israel from spiritual bondage during the reign of Ahab and Jezebel. He was taken up in a whirlwind by God and typifies the saints that had been translated out of spiritual bondage.

2 Kings 2:11 - And it came to pass…behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire…and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

 

3. Moses and Elijah

Representing both, the Law and the prophets, Moses and Elijah were seen at the Mount of Transfiguration with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mark 9:4 - And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.

 

a.  Moses

Wrought with signs and wonders from God, Israel's deliverance from physical bondage was led by Moses. God gave the Law to Moses. Interestingly, one of the most curious recorded burials in the Bible was that of Moses insofar as he was the only person buried by God.

Deuteronomy 34:5 - So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulcher unto this day.

 

He also may likely be raised from the dead similar to the account of Lazarus (cf. John 11:43). Moses, therefore, represents the dead saints who shall rise up from the grave.

 

b.  Elijah (Elias)

Leaving no doubt as being one of the witnesses, Elijah was prophesied to return. Hence, Elijah would be representative of all saints who shall be found alive at His Second Advent.    

Malachi 4:5 - Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

 

To date, this prophecy has not been fulfilled except for John the Baptist who only came in the spirit of Elijah (cf. Luke 1:17).

 

God gave the Law to Moses, and Elijah was known as the chief of the prophets, so to identify them as being the two witnesses would be most suitable. Since they appeared in glory and spoke of Jesus' departure, i.e., His death, burial, and Resurrection – The ultimate end to which the Law and the Prophets pointed. And also be mindful, Jesus said:

Matthew 5:17 - Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

 

While profane worship by Antichrist is taking place in the Temple, the Law, and the prophets are seated outside, as it were, proclaiming the truth of his identity. Hatred by Antichrist intensifies as the two witnesses have the ability and power to perform miraculous signs and wonders. However, they will be immortal until God has accomplished His purpose through them (discussed in the following studies).

 

 

(Verse 4)

 

These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

 

Taken from the prophet Zechariah's vision:

Zechariah 4:14 - Then said he (the angel), These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

 

The voice then further identifies the two witnesses to John as being:

a.  The two olive trees

Olive trees exude olive oil (symbolizing the Holy Spirit) necessary to fill the candlesticks or lampstands

 

b.  The two candlesticks

God's spirit-filled anointed witnesses for Israel

So, their purpose is to be light-bearers of God's truth before the powers of darkness.

 

Standing before the God of the earth

Being instrumental in Israel's national conversion, both are seen standing before the God of the earth; another title attributed to God.

Joshua 3:11 – Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan.

 

Zechariah 4:14 - These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.   Why are two witnesses always needed?

2.   What is the purpose of God's two witnesses?

3.   Make an argument for one of the three pairs of witnesses.

4.   Describe their appearance.

5.   What message will they deliver during the Great Tribulation?

6.   To whom will their message primarily be intended?

7.   Why are the witnesses referred to as olive trees?

 

 

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REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 11.2

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

                                                                           

Chapter Eleven:

The Great Tribulation

(Parenthesis)

 

 

The Seven Temples

Continuing the study of Seven Temples in Scripture, discussed thus far:

1. The Tabernacle

The moveable tent where God dwelt amongst Israel after Sinai

2. Solomon's Temple

The first Temple building King Solomon constructed

3. Zerubbabel's Temple

The rebuilt Temple after seventy years of captivity

4. Herod's Temple

Herod the Great's magnificent expansion of Zerubbabel's Temple

5. Jesus the Temple (The Chief Cornerstone)

1. The physical Body of a Believer as a Temple

2. The community of believers (the Church) as a Temple

3. The cooperate body of believing churches – a Temple 

Simply, these will be the total of all true churches throughout the world whose belief is in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Descriptive of their character is the Seven Churches of Chapters 2 and 3.

 

The corporate association of churches will also include the Messianic body of Jewish believers, Jesus Christ being the Chief Cornerstone:

Ephesians 2:19-21 – Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone; In Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord.

 

Arriving at Chapter 11 and Verse 1, John is instructed to measure a Temple called:

6. The Tribulation Temple

A peace treaty is signed with Israel and the surrounding neighbors. Antichrist at this point will permit the construction of the Tribulation Temple in the first half of Tribulation. In an attempt to keep the Mosaic Covenant, the Jewish People who adhere to Judaism have long desired and asserted this Temple be built to reinstitute their traditional practices essential to Jewish worship.

 

Many believe it will co-exist on Mount Moriah alongside Islam's shrine, the Dome of the Rock. Advertently God is preserving His remnant. But the reawakening of Messiah's expectation will only provoke Antichrist's hatred and wrath.

 

7. The Millennial Temple

Ezekiel Chapters 40-48 speak of a future Temple. Although vague, the Millennial Temple and the eternal state are both in view of having slight modifications. Its specifications are detailed in Ezekiel Chapters 40:1 through 43:27.

 

However, when the Kingdom Age officially begins, Jesus will thus occupy two offices, that of Priest and King. Israel shall behold a sanctuary and priesthood in the Kingdom Age. And the city of Jerusalem will be the capital of the world.  Significantly, Jesus will make a grandiose entrance through the Eastern Gate, and the glory of Jehovah fills this Temple (cf. Ezekiel 43:5).

Ezekiel 43:4-5 – And the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east. So the spirit took me (Ezekiel) up, and brought me into the inner court; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house.

 

Temple Summary

After the Great White Throne Judgment, the world will have come full circle. There will be a new heaven and new earth as revealed in Revelation Chapters 21 through 22. Hence, no Temple exists in the eternal state. Conversely, God will once again dwell with mankind similar to the Eden experience.

Revelation 21:22 - And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it.

 

 

(Verse 1)

 

And there was given me (John) a reed like unto a rod: and the (mighty) angel stood, saying, Rise (stand up), and measure the Temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

 

Review

Measure the Temple of God and the altar, and them that worship therein.

In keeping His promise to Israel, God will always seal and preserve a remnant unto Himself (cf. 1 Kings 19:18: Romans 9:27). John is instructed to measure out the Temple's parameters by doing three things with a measuring reed:

1. Measure the Holy Place (naos) in the Tribulation Temple

As a participant in his vision, the Apostle sets apart the inner sanctuary of the Holy of Holies. This will be necessary for the redeemed of Israel to continue the old sacrificial system practice and honor the Jewish feasts.

 

2. Measure the altar in the Tribulation Temple.

The altar, of course, will be the brazen altar of the inner courtyard where sacrifices will be reinstituted.

 

3. Measure those worshipping in the Tribulation Temple

God will distinguish between converted Jews who are faithful during Tribulation to those who are unredeemed and just keeping their traditions alive. Understand, this practice only takes place during the first 3 ½ years of Tribulation; up until the Antichrist (the Abomination of Desolation) sacrifices a sow and causes its desecration.

 

 

(Verse 2)

 

But the court which is without (outside) 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.

 

The court John is told not to measure is called the Court of the Gentiles situated outside the surrounding area of the inner courtyard. In New Testament Times Gentiles were forbidden to enter beyond its walls. So, the Temple proper was exclusively reserved for God's chosen people.

 

Temple Courts

Herod's Temple consisted of a complex system of walls, levels, gates, steps, chambers, and several courts all converging upon the Holy of Holies. The index below encapsulates its structure: 

1.  The Court of the Gentiles – The lowest outermost area for non-Israelites, sometimes called the Great Outer Court

a.  The Soreg (the balustrade) – A partition wall to prevent Gentile access into Israel's worship complex (cf. Numbers 1:51; Ephesians 2:14)

2.  The Court of the Women – Exclusive to women's worship

3.  The Israel Court – For Israelite men under the colonnade

4.  The Court of the Priests – For Priestly duties

a.  The Altar of Burnt Offering- For sacrifices

b.  The Laver – For cleansing

c.  The (golden) Altar of Incense – Inside the Holy Place where incense burned night and day symbolizing prayers

d.  The Veil – The Great Curtain of Separation

e.  The Holy of Holies – The highest level is the Inner Sanctuary containing the Ark of the Covenant (a chest where the tablets of stone were contained) – Above was God's presence

 

For it (the court) is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months

The Holy City

Several passages in Scripture substantiate the holy city is Jerusalem. For example:

Nehemiah 11:18 – All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four (284).

 

Isaiah 52:1 – Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

 

Matthew 27:53 - And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

 

Other names of the holy city include:

1.  Jerusalem, the City of Peace

2.  Zion (cf. Psalm 2:6)

3.  The Holy Hill (cf. Psalm 2:6)

4.  The City of David (cf. 2 Samuel 5:7)

5.  The City of our God (cf. Psalm 48:1)

6.  The City of the Lord (cf. Isaiah 60:14)

7.  The City of the Living God (cf. Hebrews 12:22)

 

Shall they tread under foot [for] forty and two months

For 1260 days Gentiles will tread down the inhabitants of Jerusalem as mire in the streets.

Isaiah 10:6 - I (Jehovah) will send him [in context, the king of Assyria (including his army)] against an hypocritical nation (a profane nation of Israel), and against the people of My wrath will I give him a charge (command), to take the spoil (booty), and to take the prey (plunder), and to tread them down (trample) like the mire (earth, clay) of the streets.

 

From the time Antichrist desecrates the Temple at mid-tribulation, the holy city of Jerusalem will be overrun and destroyed by Gentile nations:

Luke 21:24 - And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

 

Forty and two months

Prophetic Overview

 (cf. Daniel 7:25; 12:7)

After seventy years of Babylonian captivity, from the time King of Persia Artaxerxes I (Longimanus) issued the decree to rebuild the Temple in 445 B.C., a 490-year (70 weeks of years – Daniel's seventy weeks) countdown began. When the Jews rejected their Messiah, the interim of the unexpected Church Age (inclusive are the seven Church periods) interrupted the prophecy. Hence, seven years (the Tribulation) are yet to be fulfilled. 

 

The commencement of building the Tribulation Temple launches the Tribulation. This period will complete the remaining week (a heptad; 2520 days) of Daniel's prophecy. One-half of that is 1260 days (42 months), exactly when the Antichrist (the Abomination of Desolation) enters the Tribulation Temple and proclaims to be a god. So, the Tribulation is split in half. And the last forty-two months is the time frame for the length of terror called the Great Tribulation.

 

Old Testament Prophecy

Daniel's prophecy addresses the Temple and Antichrist in specific terms:

Daniel 9:27 - And he (Antichrist) shall confirm the covenant (a peace treaty) with many for one week (70^th Week of Daniel): and in the midst (middle) of the week (3 ½ years; 42 months) he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation (offering) [in the Temple] to cease (stop or end)…

 

In the middle of Tribulation, similar to history's Antichocus (Epiphanes) IV*, Antichrist will enter this rebuilt Temple and proclaim himself as a god. *[December 15, 167 B.C.].

Daniel 11:37 - Neither shall he (Antichrist) regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.

 

New Testament Prophecy

Jesus attests to this Temple:

Matthew 24:15–16 - When ye therefore shall see the Abomination of Desolation (Antichrist), spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (the Tribulation Temple), (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains.

 

Paul's letter to the Thessalonians also substantiates Daniel's foresight:

2 Thessalonians 2:4 – [Antichrist] Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he (Antichrist) as God sitteth in the [Tribulation] Temple of God, shewing himself that he is God [emphasis mine].

 

So in the middle of the final week of Daniel, Antichrist will initiate the GREAT TRIBULATION from the Tribulation Temple that John is told to measure out in Verse 1.

 

Two witnesses or messengers who have the task of prophesying and preaching repentance before the final trumpet is sounded are introduced in the following study. 

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.   What is the purpose of the Tribulation Temple?

2.   How long does the Tribulation Period last?

3.   Why is John told not to measure the Court of the Gentiles?

4.   Why were Gentiles not allowed to worship in the Temple?

5.   Identify the holy city.

6.   Describe the floor plan of the Temple.

7.   What causes the Great Tribulation Period?

 

 

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