Revelation 11:1-18 NIV
[1] I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. [2] But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. [3] And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” [4] They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.” [5] If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. [6] They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want. [7] Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. [8] Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. [9] For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. [10] The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth. [11] But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. [12] Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on. [13] At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. [14] The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon. [15] The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” [16] And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, [17] saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. [18] The nations were angry, and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small—and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”
In the book of Revelation, numbers are likely to have symbolic rather than literal meanings. The 42 months or 1,260 days equal 3½ years. As half of the perfect number 7, 3½ can indicate in-completion, imperfection, or even evil. Notice the events predicted for this time period: there is trouble (Daniel 12:7), the holy city is trampled (Revelation 11:2), the woman takes refuge in the wilderness (Revelation 12:6), and the devil-inspired beast exercises his authority (Revelation 13:5). Some commentators link the 3½ years with the period of famine in the days of Elijah (Luke 4:25; James 5:17). Since Malachi predicted the return of Elijah before the Last Judgment (Malachi 4:5), and since the events in Daniel and Revelation pave the way for the Second Coming, perhaps John was making this connection. It is possible, of course, that the 3½ years are literal. If so, we will clearly recognize when the 3½ years are over! Whether symbolic or literal, however, they indicate that evil’s reign will have a definite end.
In verse 3, these two witnesses bear strong resemblance to Moses and Elijah, two of God’s mighty prophets. With God’s power, Moses called plagues down upon the nation of Egypt (Exodus 7-11). Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Both of these men appeared with Christ at his transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-7).
Revelation 11:18 NIV
[18] The nations were angry, and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small—and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”
Viewed from space, planet Earth looks small and fragile. An infinitesimal fragment in the vastness, it is apparently an idyllic planet, the scene of peace and tranquility. But we know that its history is one of unending tension and hostility, fragmentation and conflict, both petty and cataclysmic. How could something so small and beautiful be so full of ugly dissension and huge heartbreak? And where will it all end? Will the fragile planet itself become a victim of its inhabitants’ unruliness?
Speculation on such questions has gone on down through the centuries. But in more recent times, as man’s penchant for self-destructive behavior has been matched by his technological expertise, predictions of the planet’s demise at man’s intentional or inadvertent hand have grown in volume and intensity. But while speculations say one thing, revelation says another.
The book of Revelation, John’s vision of heaven, included insights into the future. At one point he describes “loud voices shouting in heaven,;
Revelation 11:15 NIV
[15] The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
The Lord is further identified.
Revelation 11:17 NIV
[17] saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.
This designation, which speaks of God’s almightiness and his eternalness, suggests that during the unruly history of planet Earth, the all-powerful Lord has not been exercising his power and authority as he might have—otherwise, he would have put down all insurrection and banished all dissension and fragmentation. But things are not always as they appear. John sees into heaven and into the future, where it is said of the Lord.
Revelation 11:17 NIV
[17] saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.
God’s people have prayed for centuries.
Matthew 6:9-10 NIV
[9] “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, [10] your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
This grand universal kingdom will come, and “He will reign forever and ever.”
But what of the unruly powers that be? John says, “The nations were angry with you, but now the time of your wrath has come” (Revelation 11:18). The Lord God Almighty will execute judgment and “will destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth.” But the message for God’s people is positive and encouraging: “Lord God Almighty, . . . you will reward your prophets and your holy people, all who fear your name, from the least to the greatest.”
Matthew 6:19-21,24 NIV
[19] “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. [20] But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. [24] “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
God is in control. While at times that does not seem to be the case, he truly is the “Lord God Almighty.” When he is ready, he will assume his great power and bring judgment and reward. Be sure you know which will be in your future.
From an Unworthy servant,
Chris Chloupek
Lead Evangelist