SCRIPTURE: REVELATION 11
BIBLE VERSES:
“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.” (Revelation 11:15)
“And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 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. 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.” (Revelation 11:16-18)
THE TWO WITNESSES (vs. 1-14)
John was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told to measure the temple of God, the altar and count the worshipers there. There were two witnesses clothed in sackcloth who prophesied for 1260 days. Those represented the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stood before the Lord of the earth. Fire came from their mouth and devoured their enemies. They had the power to shut up the sky, to turn the water into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague.
Then the beast from the Abyss came up to attack and killed them. Their bodies laid in the streets of Jerusalem figuratively called Sodom and Egypt where the Lord was crucified. They were refuse buried for 3-1/2 years by the inhabitants of the earth because these two prophets had tormented those who live o n the earth. But after 3-1/2 years, he raised up and terror struck those who saw them. They were ascended into heaven while their enemies looked on. At that very hour, there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. The men were killed by the earthquake. The survivors were terrified and gave glory to God of heaven (v. 13)
THE SEVENTH TRUMPET (vs. 15-19)
When the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, the hosts of heaven proclaim the sovereign reign of Jesus Christ. And the 24 elders gave tanks for the time has come for judging the evil and rewarding the prophets and saints. They fell down to worship God. Then God’s temple in heave with the ark of his covenant was opened. And there came flashes of lighting, rumblings, peals of thunder and earthquake and a great hailstorm.
THOUGHTS:
The whole world rejoices at the death of the two witnesses because they told them about their sins, their need of repentance and the coming judgment. Sinful men hate Christ and their followers. So be prepared to expect the world’s hatred because you obey God. But remember that the great reward in heaven outweighs any suffering that you are facing now.