January 15, 2017
Evening Service

We have heard 6 of the 7 trumpets blow through Chapter 10.  The trumpets are the second set of 3 judgments that are being brought upon the world by its Creator.  The 7 seals were first, followed by these 7 trumpets, and it will end with the 7 bowl judgments.  In chapter 10 John was instructed not to write the words spoken from a voice and by 7 thunders.  We are not given a full revelation of the complete plan of God, but as we found in Peter, we found out that all that we need has been given unto us.  (2 Pet. 1)  John was also instructed to eat a small book that was given to him by an angel and it was sweet to the taste but bitter in his stomach.  The salvation offered to us by God is indeed sweet to taste, but His wrath has a very bitter taste to it.

Revelation 11:1-2  And a reed like a rod was given to me. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise up and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and those who worship in it.  (2)  But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it was given to the Gentiles.  And they will trample the holy city forty-two months.”

·         The commentators seem to agree that the “temple of God” here is referring to the church.  It is where God now abides, His presence.  The act of measuring something is a way of preserving it.  The point here is that the church would be preserved and protected.

·         The opposite is then true for those outside the temple (church).  There would be no protection for those who are not believers for the next 42 months (3 ½ years).

 

Revelation 11:3-6  And I will give power to My two witnesses, and they will prophesy a thousand, two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.  (4)  These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.  (5)  And if anyone will hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone will hurt them, so it is right for him to be killed.  (6)  These have authority to shut up the heaven that it may not rain in the days of their prophecy. And they have authority over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.

·         Here are two of the most intriguing people we are introduced to in this book.  The two witnesses, which we will see resemble two of God’s mightiest prophets, Moses and Elijah.

·         The wear sackcloth which stands for mourning.  The message they are proclaiming will be calling out the sins of the people and the soon coming of God’s indignation.  That message is not one of celebration, but of mourning.

·         They are referred to as “olive trees and lampstands,” which means they are filled the spirit (oil) and they will testify with the light of God to a dark world.  (Zech. 4)

·         We also see their similarities to Elijah and Moses.  Like Elijah called down fire, they are able to have fire proceed from their mouth and kill anyone who tries to harm them, as well as stop the rain from falling.  They also have powers, as Moses did, to change water to blood and bring plagues upon the earth.

·         They will prophesy and use their powers for 1,260 days, which is 42 months or 3 ½ years.  You can see where they are not going to be very popular with their unwanted message or their harmful powers.

 

 Revelation 11:7-10  And when they complete their testimony, the beast coming up out of the abyss will make war against them and will overcome them and kill them.  (8)  And their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.  (9)  And many of the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will see their dead bodies three days and a half, and they will not allow their dead bodies to be put in tombs.  (10)  And the ones who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, and will make merry, and will send one another gifts, because these two prophets tormented those living on the earth.

·         This is the first of many references we will have to “the beast.”  He is an agent of Satan, if not Satan himself.  Here he comes “up out of the abyss” and kills the two witnesses when they have completed their task.

·         Their bodies will be left on the street and many will rejoice and even celebrate over their death.  Those who heard the message of God’s coming wrath and saw the mighty power given to these men chose to ignore the warnings and rejoice when it ended.  They rejoice the victory in the moment, not knowing that it will not last into eternity.

·           It is like that even with people we try to share with today.  They do not want to hear God’s word at all and are quick to shut you down when you try to testify to them.  We must be able to discern when you come up against them.

·         Isaiah spoke woe to anyone who calls evil good and good evil.  The mentality of the world is slowly turning to calling the message that comes from Christ and the church “evil” instead of right and good.  Timothy says they have “itching ears” and only want to hear the things they want to hear.  We must continue to hold God’s Word as truth and strive to obey even if it is unpleasant or even “bitter to our stomach.”

 

Revelation 11:11-14  And after three days and a half, a spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood on their feet. And great fear fell on those seeing them.  (12)  And they heard a great voice from Heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to Heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them.  (13)  And in that hour a great earthquake occurred, and the tenth part of the city fell. And seven thousand names of men were slain in the earthquake. And the rest were frightened and gave glory to the God of Heaven.  (14)  The second woe passed away. Behold, the third woe comes quickly.

·         God certainly has a flair for the dramatic.  The two witnesses are brought back to life and are called to heaven as their enemies stand and watch the entire scene.  That is followed by an earthquake that kills 7,000 more people.

·         Notice it is then that the people are afraid and do give glory to God, but not in the true spirit of worship.  This is still not the repentance God is looking for.

 

Revelation 11:15-19  And the seventh angel sounded. And there were great voices in Heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ. And He will reign forever and ever.”

 

  (16)  And the twenty-four elders sitting before God on their thrones, fell on their faces and worshiped God,  (17)  saying, “We thank You, O Lord God Almighty, who are, and who was, and who is coming, because You took Your great power and reigned.  (18)  And the nations were full of wrath, and Your wrath came, and the time of the judging of the dead, and to give the reward to Your servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to the ones fearing Your name, to the small and to the great, and to destroy those destroying the earth.”  (19)  And the temple of God was opened in Heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His covenant, and there occurred lightning and voices, and thunders and an earthquake, and a great hail.

·         The seventh trumpet sounds to announce the arrival of the King.  There is no turning back now.  All coming judgements are no longer partial but complete in their destruction.  God is in full control and there will be escaping His wrath now.

·         The elders praise God for His judging of the world.  Wrath will be given to those who have chosen to reject God’s Son and a reward will be given to those who serve and fear the Lord.

·         John is also given a vision into Heaven where he sees the lightning, voices, thunders, earthquakes, and hail storms along with the Ark of the Covenant.

 

I believe at this point it could be the end of the tribulation period (7 years).  In chapter 12 we will move on to almost an overview of the conflict of evil and good.  Certainly these things are difficult to understand, yet do not wrestle them to your destruction.

 

Lord may Your will be done and may we be found among those who fear Your Name and serve You with our full heart, mind, body and soul.