This pic is from our first holiday season in Texas, 2002.

Revelation 11:1-14

The seven seals have been opened with the seventh seal unleashing the seven trumpets. We have seen the increasing terror of each trumpet. We are now at a pause after the sixth trumpet to provide some “behind the scenes” information and background. The sequential flow of this section of Revelation describing the tribulation are the seals, trumpets and bowls of judgement. Periodically, such as here in 10.1 – 11.14, John provides context and other information. I refer to it as a ‘parenthesis’ in the middle of the storyline.

In 10 we read about John eating the book or the Word of God. It was sweet and then bitter. The grace of God extended to His elect is sweet but His wrath extended to the unsaved is bitter. Here in 11, we are introduced to two witnesses who are called to prophecy for God for 1260 days (3 1/2 years. This is the seconds half of the tribulation). They are described as two olive trees and two lamp stands, (Zechariah 4:2-14). They have powers like prophets of old to perform miracles and preach with great fervency. However, the world hates them. For those who are hard-hearted, the wrath of the tribulation makes them more and more angry and these two witnesses make it worst.  They proclaim the God of judgement and they call the world to repent. I’m sure the biased media doesn’t present them in a favorable light :). God protects them and no one can kill them for 3 1/2 years, although many, I’m sure attempted. After the 3 1/2 years, God allows the beast, the antichrist, to arise and successfully martyr the two witnesses. This, no doubt, brings much notoriety to the antichrist and people celebrate while the bodies of the two witnesses are left in the street for all to see for 3 1/2 days. Then, after 3 1/2 days, God breathes life into them and the whole world sees them come to life (thanks to TV, Internet or whatever new technology we have at the time) and God says, “come up here” and they ascend to heaven. Terrifying earthquakes follow and this time, rather than everyone hardening their hearts further, many “give glory to God in heaven.” Lord, I’m struggling to find personal application in this section, (I’m just being honest). But this is a very cool and amazing story. All Glory be to God! For you will accomplish and fulfill your plan!

Zechariah teaches us about Revelation

Zechariah 4 – the two witnesses of Revelation 11 are “the two olive trees and the two lamp stands that stand before the Lord of the earth,” vs4. This description of the two witnesses in Revelation 4 is derived from Zechariah 4. The temple had been torn down and Israel downtrodden. Zechariah is given a vision of two olive trees supplying unlimited oil to the burning lamps. When he asked, “what are these two olive trees and lamp stand” he is told “these are the two anointed ones who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.” This is a prophetic statement of Joshua (representing the high priest of Israel) and Zerubbabel, a descendent of King David and the rebuilder of the destroyed temple. In the time of Zerubbabel, God uses two anointed ones to restore Israel. In Revelation 11, God uses the two witnesses, who are stationed in Jerusalem, to restore the greatness of Israel and prophecy of God’s glory and the world despises them. It always amazes me how the OT gives light to the NT.