Gods People must Prophesy in the Power of the Holy Spirit
Intro: Good morning friends and visitors. My name is Matt Johnson and today we are continuing to think about the spiritual battle between good and evil that takes place in Revelation – in the last days…
PRAYER: Well one of my FAVOURITE PREACHERS of all time was a man named Charles Haddon Spurgeon. In the 1800’s Spurgeon preached on Sunday in a Baptist Church in London AND on the Monday his sermon was printed in full in newspapers across America. 1) Spurgeon was a great teacher. 2) He helped run a Bible college and 3) he published a monthly magazine called THE SWORD AND THE TROWEL. I want to speak to you about his magazine the Sword and the Trowel.
(Slide 1 – READ). Like many Christian newspapers the Sword and the Trowel addressed current issues in the Christian church. At first, SPURGEON was a sharp critic of the Church of England (also called the Anglican Church). In the 1800’s academics at OXFORD UNIVERSITY started pushing the Church of England to return to more Roman Catholic practices, traditions and liturgies. Sadly, being religious was more important than relationship with Jesus. So in the Sword & the Trowel Spurgeon published the true gospel message of Jesus and he attacked all the stupidity of the Oxford Movement.
Now shortly after this, Spurgeon had to face all the stupidity of the Enlightenment coming out of Europe. This was the beginning of humanism, scientific rationalism and Darwinianism. So all of a sudden there were lots of ANGLICAN and BAPTIST ministers trying to give natural explanations for all the miracles in the Bible. INSTEAD of accepting the miracles were real miracles; pastors started teaching the miracles were parables and myths. This INFURIATED Spurgeon. So again, He came out all guns blazing. A) He preached the gospel AND B)He did everything he could to show the stupidity of the Enlightenment. Spurgeon could see – the Enlightenment was not bringing more light. It was actually humanism attempting to put out Gods light.
About the same time – KARL MARX said that religion is the drug of the people and humanism/socialism was intent on taking away that drug. Particularly Christianity. And in some ways this is the battle of Revelation. Jesus is the true light of the world and his true light shines most brightly in the seven churches of Revelation 2-3 (who represent the universal Christian church). But Satan working with the kings of the earth and the harlot of religion – to put out the true light of Jesus.
So Spurgeon wrote the Sword and the Trowel – to emphasize the importance of both 1) fighting for truth (the sword) and continuing to 2) build the church (the trowel). But can anyone tell me where Spurgeon got this idea of the Sword and the Trowel? (ENTER). It’s this image in the middle? But what’s it a picture of? (PAUSE) Its worth a chocolate – if anyone can tell me? (PAUSE) That’s right it comes from NEHEMIAH.
In the days of Nehemiah as they were rebuilding Jerusalem – it kind of says they had to lay bricks with A TROWEL in one hand and hold A SWORD in the other hand (to fight off everyone who was attacking them). And that’s the book of Revelation. Revelation 11 is about both building Gods temple with the trowel and fighting off Gods enemies with the sword.
Point 1: The Two Witnesses are Temple Builders
Show: Rev.11:3-4 (READ)
Explain: Well now we meet two witnesses – who are both builders and soldiers. Last week, we heard that GODS TEMPLE, (most probably Gods third temple – the church) is being trampled on by the nations. So I showed you – the same thing happened to the first and second temples. The first temple was trampled by Babylon. The second temple trampled by Greece and Rome. In the last days as Gods third temple (the church) becomes more and more apostate it too will be trampled by the nations. Now for Gods faithful witnesses – like Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel this involved suffering. But nonetheless God allowed this trampling by Babylon (and then Rome) – to happen in the hope that some Jews would wake up and repent of their sins. SOMETHING SIMILAR is happening in the lasts days to the church. An increasingly apostate temple (the church) is being trampled for 42 months.
Now in this context – we hear about TWO WITNESSES who are prophesying in sackcloth for 1260 days. Same time period. THE SACKCLOTH is a sign of both mourning and repentance. This seems to imply they themselves are penitent and they are grieving the flagrant sin they witness in the temple and the world. THEN the two witnesses – are likened to two olive trees and two lampstands. This reference comes straight out of Zechariah 4. But the STRANGE THING is that there are two lampstands. What the… There should ONLY be ONE MENORAH LAMP STAND in the temple. So let’s just put PIN in that thought as we look at Zechariah 4, to get the context. (Slide 3; Zech.4).
Well the date of this vision is about 500BC. THE JEWS have just come back from BABYLON and they are rebuilding the 2nd Temple. Now in Zechariah 3 we meet a high priest named JOSHUA who is anointed to lead the priestly side of rebuilding the temple. Then, in Zechariah 4, we meet a man named ZERUBBABEL (the governor of Israel) who has to lead the practical side of rebuilding the temple. TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE playing key roles in rebuilding the 2nd temple.
But Zechariah’s vision begins with the SEVENFOLD MENORAH LAMP (Slide 6). The Menorah lamp stood in the temple AND it symbolically represented that the God of the Bible (Yahweh) is the true light of the world. The Jews had to keep this light burning (Ex.27:20-21). But then the Babylonians came and in 586BC they trampled the Jewish temple and the light went out (at least physically). So Zechariah is having a vision of the Menorah light burning in the temple again. But this time the Menorah Lamp is plugged into TWO OLIVE TREES – so that it has a constant supply of olive oil. So the light can’t go out anymore. But Zechariah is still confused. So he asks “what are these?” Unfortunately, he doesn’t get a straight answer.
INSTEAD Zechariah is told that Zerubabbel has laid the foundation stone AND he will soon lay the capstone of the temple. So, the temple will be finished. The Menorah lamp will burn again. But the temple will be finished (verse 6) not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit says the LORD Almighty. So the Holy Spirit is the POWER that will ensure the 2nd temple is completed. BUT AGAIN, Zechariah is confused and he asks (verse 12) but what are THE TWO OLIVES TREES. Then, he is told “these are the two anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth”. Now in the context of Zechariah – the two that are anointed are JOSHUA the priest and ZERUBBABEL the governor. They are anointed by God to complete the 2nd temple.
Apply: Now when we read the book of NEHEMIAH – we know that – the Jews faced so much OPPOSITION to the re-building of Jerusalem in 500BC – that they had to build with 1) a bricklayers trowel in one hand and 2) a sword in the other hand. Imagine that? THE NATIONS are literally trying to trample the temple underfoot, even as you’re trying to lay the bricks. So Revelation 11 is saying that (just as in the days of Zechariah) – THE 3RD TEMPLE (the church) will also be finished as two witnesses build with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other hand. Two witnesses like Joshua and Zerubbabel will complete Gods 3rd temple (the church) because they are anointed with Gods Spirit. But…
Point 2: The Two Witnesses are also like Moses and Elijah
Show: Rev.11:5-6 (READ)
Explain: Now as we read on the TWO WITNESSES sound more and more like MOSES and ELIJAH. On several occasions Elijah made FIRE come down from heaven. On one occassion Elijah prayed for DROUGHT and it did not rain for 3.5 years (Jam.5:17-18) – which is the same time period these witnesses are prophesying.
Moses also made fire come down from heaven – in the plague of hail on Egypt (See Ex.9:23 – KJV or ESV). Moses turned the Nile to blood and he struck Egypt with every type of plague (Ex.5-11). So the two witnesses now sound like ELIJAH AND MOSES – who are working signs and wonders. Now SIGNS AND WONDERS happened when Israel was freed from Egypt. SIGNS AND WONDERS accompanied Jesus first coming. And the two witnesses working miracles for 42 months – suggests – signs and wonders may also precede Jesus second coming.
In Revelation 13 we are told during this period of time the antichrist will also perform false miracles to deceive. In Revelation 11 we are told two witnesses are performing real signs and wonders to convict. So like Moses faced off against the sorcerors in Egypt, so the two witnesses may face off with the beast and false prophets in the last days… This text seems to suggest that the two faithful witnesses are performing real signs and wonders during the 3.5 years of tribulation.
But what of the fire coming out of their mouths? This is something we have never ever seen literally take place in the Bible. But when we allow Scripture to interpret Scripture we know fire is often symbolic for God’s Word. Let me show you just a few passages (Slide 9 & 10). We also know fire was coming out of the mouths of the demons in Revelation 9. In Revelation – there is actually a battle of the mouths or a battle of words taking place. Thirteen times things come “out of the mouth” of different people and things. What is coming out of the mouth of Satan and his cohorts is evil.
What is coming out of the mouth of Jesus and his faithful witnesses is Gods Word. So I believe 1) THE FIRE coming out of the witnesses mouth is the same as 2) THE SWORD coming out Jesus’ mouth. It’s the word of God. Faithful witnesses overcome the enemy with the word of God which is both the sword and the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Now many pastors (especially of the more dispensational kind) often claim the two witnesses are actually Moses and Elijah back from the other side. They say Moses and Elijah come back and witness to the Jews about Jesus as they rebuild a fourth Jewish temple. (Now as I’ve explained – I think there are some fundamental problems with some of this teaching). So are we meant conclude A) it is Moses and Elijah OR that B) it is faithful witnesses like Moses and Elijah.
Apply: Well in Revelation – the church is encouraged at least 15 times to be faithful witnesses for Jesus. The key word of Revelation is probably testimony or witness. If we remain faithful witnesses (even to the point of death) Jesus will give us the crown of life. So likening the two witnesses to Joshua and Zerubabbel AND Moses and Elijah makes sense because they were all faithful witnesses for God in very hostile circumstances. But actually sending back Moses and Elijah doesn’t ring true to me (See Lk.16:31). It would mean Moses has to die outside the promised land not once, but twice. And it means Elijah who escaped death, now has to come back and die. Of course, it may be possible. But, I believe the clear point, is the two faithful witnesses are like Joshua and Zerrubabbel. They are like Moses and Elijah.
Point 3: The Two Witnesses are Killed by the Beast from the Abyss
Show: Rev.11:7-8 (READ)
Explain: Well the TWO WITNESSES FINISH THEIR TESTIMONY – they are killed by the beast (out of the Abyss) and the world rejoices. Remember Jesus said in Matthew 10 – the whole world will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved (Matt.10:22). So the world hates the witnesses because they are prophesying – that Jesus is the only way to be saved from the coming wrath. This is the gospel message. This is the spirit of true prophecy. But in the last days – the world will no longer want to hear this gospel message.
(GOSPEL) JESUS SAYS that if you continue in your sinful behaviour – you will one day be judged by God and cast into hell. Judgment Day is coming for us all. The Bible says (Slide 11-12; 1Cor.6). Now remember how much the world hated Israel Folau when he posted this biblical quote on social media? (PAUSE) Well it is biblical truth. Telling people they are IN DANGER OF HELL is not hate speech. It’s loving. It’s not misinformation or disinformation. Everyone in this world faces Gods judgment. But the good news is that YOU CAN BE WASHED….
When Jesus died on the cross – he was taking the punishment for all your sins. He was paying the penalty for all your crimes. So the Bible says A) that if you believe in Jesus as your Saviour, B) agree to follow Jesus as your Lord and C) you ask God to forgive you – you will get a FREE PASS to heaven. This is Gods grace. Now have you personally done that? Have you accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour? (PAUSE). THE GOOD NEWS is you can be saved from hell – by faith in Jesus and repentance from sin. But this is a message that sinful people (who want to continue being sinful people) do not want to hear. What’s more, it is also a message that Satan does not want people to hear – because they may then believe in Jesus, repent of their sin and be saved. So, in the last days A) the beast will kill the two witnesses and B) the world will rejoice. The big question is – who are these two witnesses?
Well in Revelation INDIVIDUALS can represent groups of people. For instance, everyone agrees THE WOMAN clothed with the sun, moon and the stars in Revelation 12 – represents Gods original people the Jews. As Gods first bride (clothed with the sun, moon and stars) Israel brought King Jesus into the world. We also know THE GREAT HARLOT on the beast in Revelation 17 is also a corporate figure – most probably representing the apostate church. So, what groups of people might the two witnesses working together represent?
Well we know from Revelation 9 – that THE BEAST who comes up out of the Abyss was named Apollyon and Abaddon. That’s interesting. Why were we told his Jewish name and then his Gentile name? Anyway, this BEAST was called the king of the Abyss. Now as we read through Revelation we’ll hear MORE and MORE about this beast. The more we read – the more clear it becomes that Abaddon or Apollyon is what Daniel calls the fourth beast. I want to show you what Daniel 7 says about the fourth beast (Slide 13 & 14). As read on in Revelation – you will see these are the same beasts….
So Daniel 7 (written 500BC) tells us that in all the jostling of the different world super-powers eventually one will reign supreme. Then this superpower beast will begin to wage war against Gods holy people. Now in the context of Daniel 7 (we know) Gods holy people are more than just the Jews. In Daniel 7 – Gods holy people come from all peoples, nations and men of every language who worship the one like a Son of Man. So its Jews and Gentiles. But then another king (an antichrist King) from this new world superpower begins to OPPRESS Gods people, CHANGING the set times (probably referring to Christian and Jewish holy days) and he ABOLISHES Gods law – on things like sexuality, the sanctity of life etc etc…
So letting Scripture interpret Scripture we see that THE BEAST in Daniel 7 – who is the same beast as Revelation 11 (they both have ten horns and all the same attributes) is not waging war on two specific individuals, but on all Gods holy people – which includes Jews and Gentiles who worship the one like a Son of Man.
Now in Zechariah 4 we were told THE SECOND TEMPLE would be completed – not by might or by power; but by my Spirit (says the Lord). Now again, letting Scripture interpret Scripture – we know Jesus said to his disciples in Acts 1:8; “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” So we know Gods FAITHFUL WITNESSES in the Bible – are Jewish and Gentile Christians who have been anointed by the Holy Spirit. So we have confidence the third temple (the church) – (will be completed) by the power of the Holy Spirit. Despite the opposition of the beast in the last days – THE THIRD TEMPLE (built upon Jesus and the apostles) will be completed – AND when 1) every last Gentile brick and 2) every last Jewish brick is laid; then Jesus will return and the capstone will be put in place.
So I believe the TWO WITNESSES are actually A) Gentile Christians and B) Jewish Christians who continue to build up the church with trowel in on hand and sword in the other hand. Further, in support of THIS THESIS, please notice that we meet the two witnesses – in THE PARENTHESIS between the 6th and 7th trumpet. And the two people groups we meet in THE PARENTHESIS between the 6th and 7th seals (in Revelation 7) we meet 144,000 Jews sealed by God and then a great multitude of Gentiles washed by the blood of Jesus. And, in Revelation 7 – the quote from Isaiah 49 supported the idea that these were still two distinct groups of people because Jesus is the light, first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. So my thesis is that the two witnesses are Jewish and Gentile Christians super-empowered by the Holy Spirit to finish building the 3rd temple (the church) and perhaps even work a few miracles in the last days. But then…
Point 4: The Two Witnesses are Resurrected and Raptured to Heaven
Show: Rev.11:11-12 (READ)
Explain: Now whether you accept my THESIS that the two witnesses are most probably Jewish and Gentile believers is up to you. But however, you interpret Revelation 11 – it is impossible to deny that RESURRECTION and RAPTURE is being spoken of in this chapter.
First the two witnesses rise. This is what Paul said in 1Thessalonians 4 would happen first. First, the dead in Christ will rise. Now the language is almost identical to Ezekiel 37 – where Gods breath enters the valley of dry bones and they stand on their feet as a mighty army. Then, the two witnesses are taken to heaven, while the world watches on. This is similar to Jesus words one is taken and another is left behind (Matt.24). Then the two witnesses go up to meet Jesus in the air and are hidden by the clouds. (This is reminiscent of Jesus’ own rapture and Pauls words in 1 Thessalonians 4). So if you want to ask me – where is the church’s rapture in Revelation – all the language suggests its right here. I’ve just given a very plausible explanation (using Scripture to interpret Scripture) where this could be the rapture of the church. It’s a much more plausible explanation than claiming it happens in Revelation 4. Here all the elements pertaining to the rapture are present – resurrection, rising to meet God in the air, hidden in the clouds, some left behind and being consumed by terror of what comes next. The only difficulty for some is that occurs after the 6th trumpet; after the archangels call AND after the 3.5 years of great tribulation.
Apply: Now I know one of the IMPLICATIONS OF MY THESIS is that if the two witnesses both die; does that mean all Christians, both Jewish and Gentile believers will be martyred before Jesus returns? (PAUSE) Obviously, I’d want to say no – because 1 Thessalonians 4 – tells us that some people will still be alive when the rapture takes place. Paul writes; “The dead in Christ will rise first. After that we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air”. (1Thess.4:16-17).
So the fact that the two witnesses both die – may be a negative for my particular thesis that the two witnesses are Jewish and Gentile Christians. But I don’t think it is a deal breaker for my thesis. I know Revelation is teaching the church to make peace with death. In the last days and in the great tribulation (if you are a faithful witness) you’re more likely to die, than live. The alternative seems to be apostasy. Jesus tells the church in Smyrna – be faithful, even to the point of death (Rev.2:10). In Revelation 12 we are told the saints did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death (Rev.12:11).
As Christians we MUST make peace with death if we want to remain faithful witnesses in the last days. In other words, you will need to believe in resurrection life – to remain faithful in the last days. But whether you live or die – Jesus will soon say to his people “Come up here!” and at that point the only thing that will matter is have you been faithful or have you been apostate?
