REVELATION
LESSON 20
ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?
Revelation 11:11-12
11 And after three days and an half the
spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and
great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from
heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a
cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
At the end of
chapter ten, people throughout the world were enjoying a Christmas like
celebration, giving and receiving gifts, because these two witnesses,
preachers, of righteousness and holiness are now dead.
Vs. 11 Then suddenly the spirit of life from God
entered into them and they stood upon their feet. A great fear fell upon them
who saw this. Then when God called to them the people saw the cloud receive them
out of sight in the face of their enemies. The resurrection of these men will
be the final confirmation that they were men of God. Another illustration that
God does not forget his own.
This is
really an incredible scene that goes beyond human comprehension. These two
witnesses are killed, lay in the street for three and a half days
television
cameras or something similar will broadcast pictures around the world. No one
will dare to interfere with the cameras that are focused on the bodies while
the whole world celebrates.
The party of
celebration continues for three days and when God steps in the party will stop.
The whole world will watch in terror as
the two witnesses stand to their feet.
Vs. 13 13 And the same hour
was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the
earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted,
and gave glory to the God of heaven.
When these
two witnesses stand to their feet world wide panic will spread. They will still
be staring at the sky as the two witness’s ascent toward heaven when the ground
starts to shake. Ten percent of the buildings in Jerusalem will collapse. Killing
seven thousand people, the fear of God will enter the hearts of the survivors,
there will be a large earthquake.
Many will
change their minds about what the two witnesses were teaching, notice how
things like and earthquake can turn things to good. Many Jews will start
praising God right before the antichrist desecrates the temple. This cataclysmic
judgment of God upon the city of Jerusalem could be the event which triggers
the revival that will sweep across Israel during the later half of the tribulation.
As the word
says; this remnant was terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. All these
events take place before the third woe is sounded. This third woe sets the
stage for the events of the latter half of the tribulation period.
This comes
at a time when the world was given to the worship of the world leader or ruler.
Even though God is allowing the terrible events of the great tribulation to
take place, including the catastrophes that will overtake most of the human
race, it is also evident that God is still in control and can provide a
ministry of testimony to the world even under these circumstances.
Revelation 11:14-15 14 The second woe is past; and, behold,
the third woe cometh quickly.
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in
heaven, saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord,
and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
The earthquake in Jerusalem will mark the end of the second woe or
the sixth trumpet. The seventh trumpet will sound soon and bring the third woe.
The blowing of the seventh trumpet which brings us to the third woe does not
initiate anything on earth. It is much like the breaking of the seventh seal of
Revelation 8:1- it merely introduces the next series of Judgments, the seven
bowls, occurring exclusively in Heaven. This scene introduces activities that
project a meaning to the earth to be disclosed later. In order to understand
the chronological events of this passage of scripture one should understand
that immediately after this heavenly introduction to the seventh bowl, there is
another lengthy passage which extends from Revelation 12:1 to 15:4.
This heavenly setting is announcing the great events that will
come upon the earth. This will be awesome beyond description. It is called the “great
tribulation” because it reveals the most fantastic events the world has ever
known.
Revelation 11:15 15 And
the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, the
kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ;
and he shall reign for ever and ever.
At the time of the seventh trumpet the announcement from heaven is
made. The kingdom our Lord and of Christ Jesus and he will reign forever and
ever. The reaction in heaven describes preparation for the tremendous catastrophes
which will be a part of the bowls of the wrath of God.
The seventh trumpet is close to the time of the second coming of
Christ Jesus. the bowls of wrath of revelation lead immediately to the coming
of Jesus. a lot of things will happen before revelation chapter 22. The world will
still have a way to go.
Satan is the head of the rulers, authorities and powers prior to the
seven bowls. They were organized to influence the nations to do evil. Before the
tribulation period ends God and His Son Jesus will do away with them. God will
take over and transform this world into a better place.
Until our next lesson,
Stay in the word, stay ready,
Brother Andy
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