Ch 1                                       Rapture                            Return of

         7 Churches  Ch 2-3            4:1                               Christ ch 19                      New Heaven

                                                             Trib ch 6-19                     Millenium ch 20     & New Earth

                                               Vision of                                     Reign of Christ

                                              Throne ch 4-5                                                            ch 21-22 

 

 

                                                    Revelation Chapter 11                                       Lesson 29

The Temple; The Two Witnesses;  And the Trumpet!           

 

Outline:

>  The first focus is on the Temple, 11:1-2.

Next: the 2 witnesses; special role; communicating truth; 11:3-13

Last: The 7th Trumpet and Christ's coming reign is foreseen.

 

> The Temple; 11:1-2

- At this point he is not just seeing a vision of what is to come; here he becomes  a participant!

 

- John is given a measuring rod like a staff;  reed;  ka,lamoj =  surveyors rule;

 

What is he to measure??   Three things are identified!

 

 

 

What is the implication of the measuring rod?

- have a standard of evaluation; marks out something of value.

 

 

 

So God not only claims ownership of the Temple; and the altar but is demonstrating the shortcomings of the worshipers, not measuring up to the divine standard.

 

 

In verse 2 we find an exclusion; a very strong one! 

 

- The nations/the gentile peoples who are in rebellion against God will have dominion over Jerusalem, the holy city for 42 months or 3 1/2 years under the GWD.

 

- This is the last period of the time known as the "time of the Gentiles"

 

à 11:3-13   My Two Witnesses!

- The phrase "my two witnesses" is preceded by a def. art. which says  this refers to 2 specific individuals; vs:10 these two prophets;

 

Their ministry is accompanied by signs to substantiate the divine origin of their message consistent with the OT prophetic use of signs

 

 

 

- The fact that the message announced is one of judgment, repentance, and preparation for the coming of the King indicates that the church must no longer be  present since no such message is given to the church.

 

    Truth is so despised that you cannot tell the truth openly and live!

 

 

Their character is seen in vs:4;  is related to olive trees and lamp stands.  

    - olive tree = indicates their commission is an anointed one.

 

    - lamp stands is a symbol of the witness of the light of the Word of God to that generation.

 

The conduct of their ministry is seen in vs:5-6

- vs:5 protected

- vs:6 their activity

#1  to kill their enemies with fire.

#2  to stop rainfall.

#3  to turn water into blood.

#4  to bring plagues on the earth.

 

- These demonstrate the great power these 2 will have; that it is divinely given;             As it was with Elijah  2 Kg 1:10-11;  1 Kg 18:36-38

* Time of ministry = first half of Trib; must be eliminated before A/JC establishes his own witness in the Temple.

* Can we identify these Two Witnesses?  Is it necessary to do so?

 

  Coming of Elijah;  Real or Just in the Spirit or Power of Elijah

1. The prophecy: Mal 4:5-6  (key here; "great and terrible day of the Lord" sets the time; vs:6 says its related to repentance re. Messiah)

 

- Jews in their observance of the Passover meal even today, leave an empty chair at a place setting at the table for the coming Elijah.