Mystery of Two

We are studying Revelation 11 in the Rock Group, and I mentioned to the class that it contains one of the greatest mysteries of the bible—who are the two witnesses?

They can turn water to blood and stop rain from falling. That sounds like Moses and Elijah (remember them talking to Jesus on the Mt. of Transfiguration), but are they the two witnesses? Or, will they be two modern men speaking in the spirit of the two heroes? Or could it be Israel and Judah? Or could they be representatives of believers? Or could they be you and me?

For 3½ years, the two witnesses testify to the sovereignty of God (like Jesus). The world hates them but is powerless to stop the message (like Jesus). However, after 3½ years, the eternal plan says “Enough!” (like Jesus). Then, the world kills them (like Jesus).

The nations rejoice about their great victory over God, not recognizing it is instead their great defeat (like Jesus). The two are not buried (unlike Jesus) but rather lie in full view of a celebrating world. After 3½ days, the two return to life (like Jesus) and are taken up to heaven in a cloud (like Jesus).

Then, literally, all hell breaks loose on the earth starting with a huge earthquake, which I’m sure people will arrogantly call “An act of God.” It’s time for the 7th trumpet blast accompanied by the third woe on the earth.

There is a far different scene in heaven. LOUD voices begin singing Handel’s Messiah—the Hallelujah Chorus.

♫ “Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our God,
And of His Christ;
And He shall reign for ever and ever” ♫

Then the 24 elders around the throne join in as they fall on their faces and worship God. Why don’t I just let the rest of Chapter 11 speak for itself?

“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.
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.”

Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.”

If any of you are still here when that happens, would you tell Indiana Jones—the ark is not lost.