REVELATION 11 - EMPOWERED TO PROPHESY AGAIN
Revelation 11 is a prophecy that extends to the close of mercy/probation for all who are called out of Babylon. The two witnesses prophesy in sackcloth and the beast from the bottomless pit ultimately makes war against them. The trumpets are blowing. The warnings are given. The seven last plagues will fall on the impenitent after the seventh trumpet begins to sound. God's wrath will be poured out (Revelation 11:18) Are you ready to join God's witnesses at this time?
Verse 1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
The grand judgment is taking place, and has been going on for some time. Now the Lord says, Measure the temple and the worshipers thereof. Remember when you are walking the streets about your business, God is measuring you; when you are attending your household duties, when you engage in conversation, God is measuring you. Remember that your words and actions are being daguerreotyped [photographed] in the books of heaven, as the face is reproduced by the artist on the polished plate.... 7BC 972.1f According to the above quote the "grand judgment is taking place, and has been going on for some time." Adventists know that the judgment being referred to, began in 1844 (Daniel 8:14).
Ellen White clearly states in the above quote that the judgment has been going on for some time. THIS MUST IDENTIFY THAT VERSE ONE OF REVELATION ELEVEN IS REFERRING TO A TIME PERIOD AFTER THE JUDGMENT HAS BEGUN. The instruction is given: "Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein."
Here is the work going on, measuring the temple and its worshipers to see who will stand in the last day. Those who stand fast shall have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. When we are doing our work remember there is One that is watching the spirit in which we are doing it. Shall we not bring the Saviour into our everyday lives, into our secular work and domestic duties? Then in the name of God we want to leave behind everything that is not necessary, all gossiping or unprofitable visiting, and present ourselves as servants of the living God (Manuscript 4, 1888). 7BC 972.2
And to all who have received Christ, the Holy Spirit says, “Ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” Every provision has been made that his possession, purchased at such infinite cost to heaven, should grow into a holy temple unto the Lord, complete in him. RH June 20 1893 1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
Have you, dear youth, your lamps trimmed and burning? The work is going on in the heavenly court. In vision on the Isle of Patmos John said: “And there was given me a reed like unto a rod, and the angel stood, saying, Arise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.” This solemn work is to be done upon the earth. Look and see how stands your measurement of character as compared with God’s standard of righteousness, his holy law. The worshipers are to pass under the measuring line of God. Who will bear the test? Christ says, “I know thy works.” Nothing is hid from him of whom John says, “His head and his hair were white like wool, white as snow, and his eyes were as a flame of fire.” How many are purifying their souls by obeying the truth? How many are now in this time wholly on the Lord’s side? How many are seeking to be a blessing to those around them? Many need help, kind words, thoughtful attentions; and if you pray with such, you may be a blessing to them.
The command given to measure the worshipers therein is "a solemn work TO be done". The worshipers are actively engaged in worship. This is the judgment of the LIVING. Note that this judgment begins "at the house of God".
1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Angels of God are sent to measure the temple and the worshipers therein. The Lord looks with sadness upon those who are serving their idols, with no care for the souls perishing in darkness and error. He cannot bless the church who feel it no part of their duty to be laborers together with God. What a terrible thing it is to exclude Christ from His own temple! What a loss to the church! 1NL 99.6
Revelation chapter 11 begins with John being given a reed and he is then given the instruction to 'Rise and measure the temple, the altar and the worshippers therein'. The word measure in this context means: Thayer Definition to measure, metaphorically to judge according to any rule or standard, to estimate.
So the question arises - When does God measure or judge the temple, the altar and the worshippers therein? The judgement began in 1844 when in Daniel 7 (verses 9 and 10) we are given the description of the heavenly father moving from the holy place in the sanctuary to the most holy. It is the Day of Atonement and the judgment has begun - the books are opened. The first verse of Revelation 11 sets the scene for theremainder of this chapter. Whatever occurs in the proceeding verses is happening POST 1844 - the judgment is taking place. It is interesting to note that not only are the worshippers being measured but so is the temple and the altar. On the day of atonement it was not only the sin of God's people that was cleansed, the sanctuary itself and the altar were all subject to cleansing :
Leviticus 16:16 And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.
18 And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about.
19 And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.
Revelation 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Christ himself referred to the "times of the Gentiles" being fulfilled in Luke 21 : 24. The literal holy city of Jerusalem was to be trodden down of the Gentiles UNTIL THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES BE FULFILLED
Luke 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
In Revelation 11:2 the holy city will be trodden down by the Gentiles for a period of forty two months.
In Isaiah 62 God's people are referred to as "A city not forsaken".
Isaiah 62:11 Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
12 And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.
During this period of forty two months or "a thousand two hundred and threescore days" God's holy people referred to as the "holy city" will be trodden down. But despite persecution and adversity they will be given power to prophesy. This power is the outpouring of the latter rain. God's holy people are the "two witnesses".
It is interesting to note that the time period from when the ancient city of Jerusalem was "compassed with armies" till its total destruction occurred was approximately three and a half years or 1260 literal days. In Revelation 11 we have a literal 1260 day period happening again in which God's people or spiritual Jerusalem will be trodden down.
"In history and prophecy the Word of God portrays the long continued conflict between truth and error. That conflict is yet in progress. Those things which have been, will be repeated." 2SM 109.2
Joel chapter three specifically refers to this time period:
Joel 3:1 For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,...
Joel 3:9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:
10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.
12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.
14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
The times of the Gentiles are about to be fulfilled. Will they heed the powerful message of the two witnesses who are prophesying in sackcloth? This message is powerful and lightens the earth with its glory.
Revelation 18
1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
The Revelation 18 message is the final call to come out of Babylon (verse 4). Revelation 11 describes this loud cry message as prophesying in sackcloth. Ellen White specifically wrote about the time when God's people would give this message. It will be a time of persecution and trial even to the point of death in order to keep the commandments of God.
Religious powers, allied to heaven by profession, and claiming to have the characteristics of a lamb, will show by their acts that they have the heart of a dragon, and that they are instigated and controlled by Satan. The time is coming when God’s people will feel the hand of persecution because they keep holy the seventh day.... But God’s people are to stand firm for Him. And the Lord will work in their behalf, showing plainly that He is the God of gods.—Testimonies for the Church 9:229, 230. ChS 156.2
Every indignity, reproach, and cruelty that Satan could instigate human hearts to devise, has been visited upon the followers of Jesus. And it will be again fulfilled in a marked manner; for the carnal heart is still at enmity with the law of God, and will not be subject to its commands. The world is no more in harmony with the principles of Christ today than it was in the days of the apostles. The same hatred that prompted the cry. “Crucify Him! crucify Him!” the same hatred that led to the persecution of the disciples, still works in the children of dis-obedience. The same spirit which in the Dark Ages consigned men and women to prison, to exile, and to death, which conceived the exquisite torture of the Inquisition, which planned and executed the massacre of St. Bartholomew, and which kindled the fires of Smithfield, is still at work with malignant energy in unregenerate hearts. The history of truth has ever been the record of a struggle between right and wrong. The proclamation of the gospel has ever been carried forward in this world in the face of opposition, peril, loss, and suffering.—The Acts of the Apostles, 84, 85. ChS 156.
The remnant church will be brought into great trial and distress. Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, will feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the world as his subjects; he has gained control of the apostate churches; but here is a little company that are resisting his supremacy. If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph would be complete. As he influenced the heathen nations to destroy Israel, so in the near future he will stir up the wicked powers of earth to destroy the people of God. All will be required to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the divine law. Those who will be true to God and to duty will be betrayed “both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends.”—Testimonies for the Church 9:231. ChS 157.1
There is a prospect before us of a continued struggle at the risk of imprisonment, loss of property, and even of life itself, to defend the law of God, which is made void by the laws of men.--Testimonies for the Church 5:712. ChS 157.3
So the followers of Christ are to shed light into the darkness of the world. Through the Holy Spirit, God’s word is a light as it becomes a transforming power in the life of the receiver. By implanting in their hearts the principles of His word, the Holy Spirit develops in men the attributes of God. The light of His glory—His character—is to shine forth in His followers. Thus they are to glorify God, to lighten the path to the Bridegroom’s home, to the city of God, to the marriage supper of the Lamb. COL 414.2
Until Christ shall appear in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, men will become perverse in spirit and turn from the truth to fables. The church will yet see troublous times. She will prophesy in sackcloth. But although she must meet heresies and persecutions, although she must battle with the infidel and the apostate, yet by the help of God she is bruising the head of Satan. The Lord will have a people as true as steel, and with faith as firm as the granite rock. They are to be His witnesses in the world, His instrumentalities to do a special, a glorious work in the day of His preparation. PM 386.2
Those who wait for the Bridegroom’s coming are to say to the people, “Behold your God.” The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them. COL 415.5
We have identified the two witnesses as God's people witnessing and prophesying to the Gentiles but need to explore further how the scriptures reveal who they are.
Revelation 11: 3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
In Revelation 11 they are described as the "two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth." To determine what a candlestick represents we can use Revelation 1: 20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Jesus Christ is pictured in chapter 2:1 as walking in the midst of the candlesticks. The stark difference between the beginning of Revelation where there are seven candlesticks and Revelation 11 is that there are only two candlesticks that remain. Five of the churches are not included. Five of the churches are not prophesying. They have not overcome as Christ specifically admonished them to in his messages to them in chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation.
In Revelation chapter 2 we read of the church of Smyrna who is given great encouragement and even though suffering tribulation is told not to fear and to have courage:
Verse 8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Cast into prison and tried. Some members of the church of Smyrna will die for their implicit faith in God and obedience to his commandments. Nevertheless they will gain a crown of life and be rescued from the second death. They will become martyrs and not fear those who can kill the body but gain their own soul ( Matthew 10:28).
In Revelation chapter 3 we read about the church of Philadelphia:
Verse 7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
The Philadelphians have "kept the word of Christ's patience". As a reward they are kept from "the hour of temptation" which will come upon all the world. It is interesting to note that both Smyrna and Philadelphia have to contend with those who call themselves Jews but are in reality the "synagogue of Satan".
The two witnesses are referred to in Revelation 11:5:
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
Obviously at this time the two witnesses are bearing a message to the world. They are prophesying in sackcloth or in other words their message aggravates the majority of people who hear the message to the point of persecution or "hurt" which is inflicted on the two witnesses. Verse five describes fire coming out of their mouths that devours their enemies. Using scripture to help us understand what this 'fire' is we refer to Jeremiah 5:14 -
Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. Note that it was the words that Jeremiah spoke at that time that are symbolised as 'fire' and that those words would devour the people that heard them, the people that are described as wood.
In Revelation 11:5 we behold a similar situation. The message of the two witnesses will be like 'fire' to those that hear it. And any response from the hearers that is intended to 'hurt' or counteract the message of the two witnesses cannot withstand the words of fire that they speak. Jer 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? God's word is a force to be reckoned with and has no comparison. The word of God is truth and sharper than a two edged sword. (Heb 4:12)
With faith in God as their armor, and with His word as their weapon of warfare, they would be supplied with an inner power that would enable them to turn aside the attacks of the enemy. AA 307.1
All who in that evil day would fearlessly serve God according to the dictates of conscience, will need courage, firmness, and a knowledge of God and His word; for those who are true to God will be persecuted, their motives will be impugned, their best efforts misinterpreted, and their names cast out as evil. Satan will work with all his deceptive power to influence the heart and becloud the understanding, to make evil appear good, and good evil. The stronger and purer the faith of God’s people, and the firmer their determination to obey Him, the more fiercely will Satan strive to stir up against them the rage of those who, while claiming to be righteous, trample upon the law of God. It will require the firmest trust, the most heroic purpose, to hold fast the faith once delivered to the saints. AA 431.1
The last part of Revelation 11: 5 states : and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. Obviously the 'hurt' referred to in this part of the verse involves death as the last part of the verse states that whoever the killer is, must, in this manner be killed. Whilst prophesying in sackcloth those in the church of Smyrna are encouraged to be faithful unto death and in doing so they will receive a crown of life. There will be intense persecution and even death.
Revelation 6 : 9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
When the fifth seal was opened, John the Revelator in vision saw beneath the altar the company that were slain for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. After this came the scenes described in the eighteenth of Revelation, when those who are faithful and true are called out from Babylon. [Revelation 18:1-5, quoted.] 20MR 14.3
Ellen White relates the martyrs in the fifth seal and their cry for vengeance as happening just prior to this period. The martyrs are told to wait until their fellowservants and brethren are also killed and to rest for a little season. This instruction to the souls under the altar is given just before the loud cry in Revelation 18. Revelation 11:5 refers to the fulfillment of the fifth seal.
To love not your life to death may be the path you or I are called to tread. May we be truly ready to follow our saviour wherever he leads.
The reference in Revelation 11:5 :"if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed." alludes to the outcome of divine justice. Christ himself when on this earth referred to the same principle.
Mat 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Mat 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. The God of heaven is a God of justice and any 'hurt' inflicted on others will be measured and applied to those that commit the 'hurt'.
Revelation 11:6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
The two witnesses according to verse five have power to prevent rain from falling in the days of their prophecy. The strong reference to Elijah, a prophet who stood up against the worship of Baal in Samaria at the time of Ahab and Jezebel is undoubtedly connected to this vision of the two witnesses. According to James chapter 5:
Verse 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
Elijah had a close connection with God through prayer. The two witnesses will also have direct communication with God through prayer. At the time the witnesses are prophesying to the Gentiles in the outer court. The loud cry is given to those who need to hear the call to 'Come out of Babylon' and escape the clutches of Babylon, or for Elijah, he, had to escape the clutches of Jezebel. Jezebel introduced Baal worship to Israel. The whore of Babylon worships the trinity. The prophesying time period is exactly the same - 'the days of the prophecy' are a thousand, two hundred and three score days or three years and six months. This is a literal time period.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
Viewing this apostasy from his mountain retreat, Elijah was overwhelmed with sorrow. In anguish of soul he besought God to arrest the once-favored people in their wicked course, to visit them with judgments, if need be, that they might be led to see in its true light their departure from Heaven. He longed to see them brought to repentance before they should go to such lengths in evil-doing as to provoke the Lord to destroy them utterly. PK 119.2
Elijah’s prayer was answered. Oft-repeated appeals, remonstrances, and warnings had failed to bring Israel to repentance. The time had come when God must speak to them by means of judgments.
The two witnesses will be fervent in prayer and like Elijah will pray that God uses judgments or plagues in order to bring them to a knowledge of God and his commandments. The rain will cease in order to awake the Gentiles in the valley of decision. Joel writes of this time in chapter One:
Verse 17 The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered. note
18 How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.
19 O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.
At this time the professed church of God are worshipping Satan. Remember they are referred to in the messages to the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia as those who say they are Jews and are not. Their worship of the trinity is idolatry as verily as it was in the days of Elijah when Jezebel promulgated Baal worship. They have become the synagogue of Satan.
Christ himself referred to the state of God's people in the days of Elijah:
Luke 4: 24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.
25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
Now this widow was a heathen woman. God did not send Elijah to those who were in Samaria. Why? Because they had great light, blessings, and privileges, and did not live up to them. And because they had had this great light and had not lived up to it, they were the most hardhearted people in the world, the hardest to impress with the truth. They were not susceptible to the influences of the Spirit of God. There were many lepers in Israel, and none of them were cleansed save Naaman, the Syrian. What was the matter? He who had lived up to the light that he had was in a more favorable position before God than those on whom He had bestowed great light, power, and spiritual advantages, and yet their lives did not correspond to their advantages and privileges. 1888 123.3...Here I want to tell you what a terrible thing it is if God gives light, and it is impressed on your heart and spirit, for you to do as they did. God will withdraw His Spirit unless His truth is accepted. But Christ was accepted by some; the witness was there that He was God. 1888 123.4
During Elijah's time and in Christ's time the people of privilege and knowledge whose lives did not correspond to the power, light and spiritual advantage that God had bestowed upon them were resistant to the spirit of God and it was the heathen that received the healing and companionship of God. So too in the time of the loud cry it is the Gentiles or heathen and those who are receptive to God's holy spirit that respond to the messages of God's two witnesses. The Synagogue of Satan or the Jews that say they are but in reality are not will also be filled with wrath. In Christ's time they tried to cast him off a hill. In the time of the two witnesses Christ's advice is pertinent:
“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.” With what zeal will the workers of iniquity pursue their Satanic purpose! They will put light for darkness, and darkness for light, until they will sincerely believe they are servants of God, and doing him service by persecuting his children. It has been so in the conflicts of the past; and in the closing work of God the same spirit will be manifested. Says the prophet, “The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Jesus was treated as the worst of malefactors, and the servant is not greater than his Lord. Said the Saviour, “These things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them.” May 8, 1888 — “Some Shall Depart From the Faith”
Revelation 11:5 - "and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will." This reference in the second half of the verse obviously refers to Moses who was a mighty witness for God in polytheistic and pagan Egypt. It is interesting to note a definition of paganism :
"In general Pagan religions have more than one deity, or many gods which are aspects of one (an idea similar to that of the Christian trinity). Another quite common feature of Pagan religions are that they tend to be nature oriented. Pagan can also be used as a derogatory word for any non-Judeo/Christian/Islamic religion."
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Pagan
Just like Moses, God's two witnesses, at the time of the loud cry, will be preaching the three angels messages with power and drawing the attention of the whole world to the worship of the one and only true and living creator God : Revelation 14 : 7 "Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."
The Lord God of Israel is to execute judgment upon the Gods of this world as upon the Gods of Egypt. With fire and flood, plagues and earthquakes, He will spoil the whole land. Then His redeemed people will exalt His named make it glorious in the earth. Shall not those who are living in the last remnant of this earth’s history become intelligent in regard to God’s lessons?—Manuscript Releases 10:240, 241 (1899).
Moses, after spending 40 years absent from Egypt was approached by the Lord in a burning bush and informed of the rescue mission God had planned for his people. Moses was very concerned about his ability to speak : Exodus 4: 10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?
12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say
Revelation 11:5 refers to the power that the two witnesses will have to shut heaven, to turn water into blood and to smite the earth with plagues as often as they will. In direct communication with God, like Elijah and Moses, God is with the two witnesses mouth's as he was with Moses's mouth and they will be taught what to say. The plagues which Moses and Aaron declared would take place to the Pharoah of Egypt were a very real testament against those who worshipped nature and revealed the true and living God who MADE nature. The plagues were literal and real. God's true witnesses will declare the sounding of the seven trumpets or warnings and that the first plagues clearly spoken of by John the Revelator in Revelation chapter eight and nine are about to begin.
Before the infliction of each plague, Moses was to describe its nature and effects, that the king might save himself from it if he chose. Every punishment rejected would be followed by one more severe, until his proud heart would be humbled, and he would acknowledge the Maker of heaven and earth as the true and living God. PP 263. God's two witnesses will be declaring the imminent trumpets or plagues that are truly God's warnings or final call to a perishing world.
When the children of Israel were in bondage to the Egyptians, God revealed himself as a God above all human authority, all human greatness. The signs and miracles he wrought in behalf of his people show his power over nature, and over the greatest among those who worshiped nature, who ignored the power that made nature. God went through the proud land of Egypt just as he will go through the earth in the last days. With fire and tempest and death the great I AM redeemed his people, to make them glorious as his special representatives. July 10, 1900 — The Lord’s Vineyard Review and Herald.
The time of God’s destructive judgments is the time of mercy for those who have had no opportunity to learn what is truth. Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His heart of mercy is touched; His hand is still stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who would not enter.—Testimonies for the Church 9:97.
The two witnesses prophesying in sackcloth warn of impending judgments or plagues and those who have had no opportunity to learn what is truth are able to decide whom they will serve. At this time mercy's door is still open to those who haven't had the opportunity to hear the truth but because this is the time of the judgment of the living which started at the house of God the door is closed to those who decided not to enter (1 Peter 4: 17).
God describes his people as : Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. The law of God trodden down throughout the history of the world by satanic agencies is to be uplifted by the two witnesses during their prophesying. Moses drew the attention of Israel when enslaved in Egypt to the worship of the true God and this included the sabbath rest instituted in Eden. God's two witnesses will also revive the sabbath truth and draw the attention of the whole world to antichrist and how he has substituted the first day of the week in rebellion against the law of God.
In Egypt :
"The king’s anger was kindled. “Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people from their work?” he said. “Get back to your labor.” Already the kingdom had suffered loss through the interference of these strangers. At the thought of this he added, “Look, the people of the land are many now, and you make them rest from their labor!" Exodus 5:5BOE 124.5
To some extent, during their slavery the Israelites had lost the knowledge of God’s law, and they had generally disregarded the Sabbath. The demands of their taskmasters made keeping it seem impossible, but Moses had shown his people that obedience to God was the condition of their deliverance. The efforts made to restore Sabbath observance had come to the notice of their oppressors. (See Appendix, Note 1.) BOE 124.6
During the bondage in Egypt, the Israelites were forced by their taskmasters to violate the Sabbath, and to a great extent they had lost the knowledge of its sacredness. Rebellion against God's law began in heaven when Lucifer coveted the position of Christ. Ever since jealousy arose in Lucifer's mind at the beginning he has fought against the principles of God's law and seeks to distort the law's requirements. So much so that practically the entire Christian world now worships Satan on his counterfeit day - the first day of the week : Sunday.
The man of sin, who exalted himself above God, and thought to change times and laws, brought about the change of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week. In doing this he made a breach in the law of God. Just prior to the great day of God, a message is sent forth to warn the people to come back to their allegiance to the law of God, which anti-christ has broken down. Attention must be called to the breach in the law, by precept and example. CET 86.2
I was shown that the third angel proclaiming the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, represents the people who receive this message, and raise the voice of warning to the world to keep the commandments of God and His law as the apple of the eye; and that in response to this warning, many would embrace the Sabbath of the Lord. CET 87.2
In the closing work of God in the earth, the standard of His law will be again exalted. False religion may prevail, iniquity may abound, the love of many may wax cold, the cross of Calvary may be lost sight of, and darkness, like the pall of death, may spread over the world; the whole force of the popular current may be turned against the truth; plot after plot may be formed to overthrow the people of God; but in the hour of greatest peril, the God of Elijah will raise up human instrumentalities to bear a message that will not be silenced. In the populous cities of the land, and in the places where men have gone to the greatest lengths in speaking against the Most High, the voice of stern rebuke will be heard. Boldly will men of God’s appointment denounce the union of the church with the world. Earnestly will they call upon men and women to turn from the observance of a man-made institution to the observance of the true Sabbath.—Prophets and Kings, 186, 187. ChS 165.1
Satan knew that Moses was the coming deliverer and had already tried to kill him as a child when the Pharoah at that time commanded the midwives to kill any male children that were born to Hebrew women ( Exodus 1: 16,17). But God's plan to deliver the children of Israel was not to be thwarted. When Moses confonted Pharoah as an old man he also had to contend with Satan and his evil angels who worked with signs and lying wonders. Satan will also use his lying signs snd wonders to counteract the prophesying of God's two witnesses at the end of time
I was pointed back to the time of Moses, and saw the signs and wonders which God wrought through him before Pharaoh, most of which were imitated by the magicians of Egypt; and that just before the final deliverance of the saints, God would work powerfully for His people, and these modern magicians would be permitted to imitate the work of God. CET 168.2
Just before us is the closing struggle of the great controversy when, with “all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness,” Satan is to work to misrepresent the character of God, that he may “seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.”
Persecution will again be kindled against those who are true to God; their motives will be impugned, their best efforts misinterpreted, their names cast out as evil. Then will it come to pass, as foretold by Christ, that whoever shall seek to destroy the faithful, will think that he is doing God service. Then Satan will work with all his fascinating power, to influence the heart and becloud the understanding, to make evil appear good, and good evil. Then it is that he is through his agents to “show great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” LP 251.1
Many will be ensnared through the belief that spiritualism is a merely human imposture; when brought face to face with manifestations which they cannot but regard as supernatural, they will be deceived, and will be led to accept them as the great power of God. DD 19.3 These persons overlook the testimony of the Scriptures concerning the wonders wrought by Satan and his agents. It was by satanic aid that Pharaoh’s magicians were enabled to counterfeit the work of God. Paul testifies that before the second advent of Christ there will be similar manifestations of satanic power. The coming of the Lord is to be preceded by “the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10. And the apostle John, describing the miracle-working power that will be manifested in the last days, declares: “He doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do.” Revelation 13:13, 14. No mere impostures are here foretold. Men are deceived by the miracles which Satan’s agents have power to do, not which they pretend to do. DD 19.4
Satan's lying wonders will include the personation of people that were deceased but have returned to share with you and me stories of how wonderful heaven is. These are people that you and I have loved - they could be your children, your parents, your husband or wife. Will you be deceived? Will you let your emotions and feelings bare sway and give in to the deception. Or will you stand on the solid rock of God's word and state:
Ecclesiastes 9: 5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun. The apostles will also be personated and deny the very words they wrote in the Bible. Christ himself will be personated by Satan who has always desired the worship.that rightfully belongs to God alone. This is truly the time of signs and lying wonders.
Many will be confronted by the spirits of devils personating beloved relatives or friends, and declaring the most dangerous heresies. These visitants will appeal to our tenderest sympathies, and will work miracles to sustain their pretensions. We must be prepared to withstand them with the Bible truth that the dead know not anything, and that they who thus appear are the spirits of devils. GC88 560.1
Just before us is the “hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” [Revelation 3:10.] All whose faith is not firmly established upon the Word of God will be deceived and overcome.
The apostles, as personated by these lying spirits, are made to contradict what they wrote at the dictation of the Holy Spirit when on earth. They deny the divine origin of the Bible, and thus tear away the foundation of the Christian’s hope and put out the light that reveals the way to heaven. Satan is making the world believe that the Bible is a mere fiction, or at least a book suited to the infancy of the race, but now to be lightly regarded, or cast aside as obsolete.GC 88 557.2
As the second appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ draws near, satanic agencies are moved from beneath. Satan will not only appear as a human being, but he will personate Jesus Christ, and the world that has rejected the truth will receive him as the Lord of lords and King of kings.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 5:1105, 1106 (1900).
Men in responsible positions will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but from the sacred desk, will urge upon the people the observance of the first day of the week, pleading tradition and custom in behalf of this man-made institution. They will point to calamities on land and sea—to the storms of wind, the floods, the earthquakes, the destruction by fire—as judgments indicating God’s displeasure because Sunday is not sacredly observed. These calamities will increase more and more, one disaster will follow close upon the heels of another; and those who make void the law of God will point to the few who are keeping the Sabbath of the fourth commandment as the ones who are bringing wrath upon the world. This falsehood is Satan’s device that he may ensnare the unwary. SW June 28, 1904, par. 4
The plagues or trumpet warnings sounding throughout the world are misconstrued by worshippers of Satan. The blame for the catastrophic events is placed on those who have been sounding the warnings - the two witnesses - God's commandment keeping people, are identified as the cause of the upheavals in nature and climactic world events.
Revelation 11: 7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
The testimony of the two witnesses is finished. As already stated in chapter 11: 3 : "they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth". At the end of the 1260 days the beast declares war on the two witnesses and in that process overcomes them and kills them. Scripture in many other places reveals the same actions taking place.
In Revelation 13 the following takes place:
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
During the testimony of the two witnesses the world is in awe of the beast that has arisen from the sea. They worship the beast and the dragon who gives power to the beast saying : "Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" This beast in Revelation 11 is the beast that "ascendeth out of the bottomless pit". The same beast is pictured in Revelation 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is
In Revelation 17 more information is provided to help us identify who the beast from the bottomless pit represents. This beast "was, and is not, and yet is." Revelation 17: 11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
The thirteenth chapter of Revelation presents a power that is to be made prominent in these last days. Let all understand that it is Christ, the Captain of the Lord’s host, who gave these visions to John. Christ came in person to the lonely isle of Patmos, and showed John the things that must be, [things] that were of the highest importance to His people. ([?] Through the person of His highest angels. He had veiled His own glory.) This message is to come to God’s people, straight, sharp, and clean from all mixture of human wisdom and tradition. 18MR 33.2 Manuscript 139, 1903.
The first persecuting power is represented by the dragon itself; in heathenism there was open alliance with Satan, and open defiance of God (Revelation 12:3,4). In the second persecuting power, the dragon is masked; but the spirit of Satan actuates it,—the dragon supplies the motive power (Revelation 13:1,2). In the third persecuting power, all traces of the dragon are absent, and a lamb-like beast appears; but when it speaks, its dragon voice betrays the Satanic power concealed under a fair exterior (Revelation 13:11), and shows it to be of the same family as the two preceding powers. In all the opposition to Christ and his pure religion, “that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan,“—“the God of this world,“—is the moving power; earthly persecuting powers are simply instruments in his hands. GC88 680.3 (Revelation references inserted by study author)
The dragon - Satan in Revelation 13:4 is worshipped. A close relationship exists between the dragon and the beast. The beast is also worshipped and admired Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. This complete devotion to the dragon and the beast by the majority of the worlds inhabitants occurs during a forty two month period - the same time period referred to in Revelation 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
The Gentiles are treading down the 'holy city' (God's true church) and during that time period the two witnesses prophesy in sackcloth. This time in Revelation 13 is described thus :
Verse 5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
The beast (political power) supplied with the dragon's power blasphemes the creator God of heaven and the saints who are prophesying at that time truly witness in sackcloth - they are persecuted for taking a stand for the true creator God and his everlasting law. According to Revelation 11: 7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. This is also recorded in Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. In both chapters the beast makes war with the saints. This war occurs once the witnesses have finished their testimony.
The book of Daniel also highlights this declaration of war against God's true people : Daniel 11:44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.The king of the North or the ruling political power (beast) at the time of the end is troubled by 'tidings' or the report and announcements made by the two witnesses - those that have the faith of Jesus and keep the commandments of God. Infuriated, the king declares war against them or makes a decision to destroy and utterly take away many. The books of Daniel and Revelation complement each other because Revelation helps us understand the once sealed book of Daniel. In Daniel further explanation is given about this decision to make war: Daniel 12:7 : And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. Once again the time period of the witnesses testimony is highlighted in scripture and in this chapter is described as 'for a time, times and an half'. This time period is equivalent to the 1260 days and 42 months of Revelation 13 and 11. It is at the end of this period that the King of the North accomplishes to 'scatter the power of the holy people'. In all these interconnected passages the same sentiment is expressed:
- 'war is declared' against God's witnesses'
- the king of the North 'goes forth with great fury to destroy and utterly take away many'
- the king of the North' scatters the power of the holy people'
This declaration of war occurs at the end of their testimony or the end of the 1260 days.
God has graciously provided a clear and consistent picture of end time events through his servants - the prophets : John the Revelator, Daniel and Ellen White. The 1260 days or forty two months is a literal time period of three and a half years. Just as Elijah prayed that the rain would be withheld in the time when the wicked queen Jezebel's worship of Baal held her husband King Ahab and almost the whole of Israel captive for three years and six months; so God's witnesses, in the spirit of Elijah will testify in sackcloth for 1260 days/forty two months when practically the whole world is held captive by the whore sitting upon the scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns (Revelation 17: 1 - 5). The nations are drunk with the wine of her fornication - her false doctrines. The nations worship a trinity God and have substituted Sunday, as the counterfeit sabbath instead of the seventh day - Saturday as spelt out clearly in the fourth commandment in God's holy law. Angered by the testimony of God's witnesses about the creator God and his true sabbath the beast from the bottomless pit declares war on God's people just as Jezebel sought the life of Elijah (1 Kings 19:2) after he had proven that Baal was a lifeless idol and that the invisible God of the universe was Lord of all (1Kings 18:39).
The grand judgment is taking place, and has been going on for some time. Now the Lord says, Measure the temple and the worshipers thereof. Remember when you are walking the streets about your business, God is measuring you; when you are attending your household duties, when you engage in conversation, God is measuring you. Remember that your words and actions are being daguerreotyped [photographed] in the books of heaven, as the face is reproduced by the artist on the polished plate.... 7BC 972.1f According to the above quote the "grand judgment is taking place, and has been going on for some time." Adventists know that the judgment being referred to, began in 1844 (Daniel 8:14).
Ellen White clearly states in the above quote that the judgment has been going on for some time. THIS MUST IDENTIFY THAT VERSE ONE OF REVELATION ELEVEN IS REFERRING TO A TIME PERIOD AFTER THE JUDGMENT HAS BEGUN. The instruction is given: "Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein."
Here is the work going on, measuring the temple and its worshipers to see who will stand in the last day. Those who stand fast shall have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. When we are doing our work remember there is One that is watching the spirit in which we are doing it. Shall we not bring the Saviour into our everyday lives, into our secular work and domestic duties? Then in the name of God we want to leave behind everything that is not necessary, all gossiping or unprofitable visiting, and present ourselves as servants of the living God (Manuscript 4, 1888). 7BC 972.2
And to all who have received Christ, the Holy Spirit says, “Ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” Every provision has been made that his possession, purchased at such infinite cost to heaven, should grow into a holy temple unto the Lord, complete in him. RH June 20 1893 1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
Have you, dear youth, your lamps trimmed and burning? The work is going on in the heavenly court. In vision on the Isle of Patmos John said: “And there was given me a reed like unto a rod, and the angel stood, saying, Arise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.” This solemn work is to be done upon the earth. Look and see how stands your measurement of character as compared with God’s standard of righteousness, his holy law. The worshipers are to pass under the measuring line of God. Who will bear the test? Christ says, “I know thy works.” Nothing is hid from him of whom John says, “His head and his hair were white like wool, white as snow, and his eyes were as a flame of fire.” How many are purifying their souls by obeying the truth? How many are now in this time wholly on the Lord’s side? How many are seeking to be a blessing to those around them? Many need help, kind words, thoughtful attentions; and if you pray with such, you may be a blessing to them.
The command given to measure the worshipers therein is "a solemn work TO be done". The worshipers are actively engaged in worship. This is the judgment of the LIVING. Note that this judgment begins "at the house of God".
1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Angels of God are sent to measure the temple and the worshipers therein. The Lord looks with sadness upon those who are serving their idols, with no care for the souls perishing in darkness and error. He cannot bless the church who feel it no part of their duty to be laborers together with God. What a terrible thing it is to exclude Christ from His own temple! What a loss to the church! 1NL 99.6
Revelation chapter 11 begins with John being given a reed and he is then given the instruction to 'Rise and measure the temple, the altar and the worshippers therein'. The word measure in this context means: Thayer Definition to measure, metaphorically to judge according to any rule or standard, to estimate.
So the question arises - When does God measure or judge the temple, the altar and the worshippers therein? The judgement began in 1844 when in Daniel 7 (verses 9 and 10) we are given the description of the heavenly father moving from the holy place in the sanctuary to the most holy. It is the Day of Atonement and the judgment has begun - the books are opened. The first verse of Revelation 11 sets the scene for theremainder of this chapter. Whatever occurs in the proceeding verses is happening POST 1844 - the judgment is taking place. It is interesting to note that not only are the worshippers being measured but so is the temple and the altar. On the day of atonement it was not only the sin of God's people that was cleansed, the sanctuary itself and the altar were all subject to cleansing :
Leviticus 16:16 And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness.
18 And he shall go out unto the altar that is before the LORD, and make an atonement for it; and shall take of the blood of the bullock, and of the blood of the goat, and put it upon the horns of the altar round about.
19 And he shall sprinkle of the blood upon it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and hallow it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.
Revelation 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Christ himself referred to the "times of the Gentiles" being fulfilled in Luke 21 : 24. The literal holy city of Jerusalem was to be trodden down of the Gentiles UNTIL THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES BE FULFILLED
Luke 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
In Revelation 11:2 the holy city will be trodden down by the Gentiles for a period of forty two months.
In Isaiah 62 God's people are referred to as "A city not forsaken".
Isaiah 62:11 Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
12 And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.
During this period of forty two months or "a thousand two hundred and threescore days" God's holy people referred to as the "holy city" will be trodden down. But despite persecution and adversity they will be given power to prophesy. This power is the outpouring of the latter rain. God's holy people are the "two witnesses".
It is interesting to note that the time period from when the ancient city of Jerusalem was "compassed with armies" till its total destruction occurred was approximately three and a half years or 1260 literal days. In Revelation 11 we have a literal 1260 day period happening again in which God's people or spiritual Jerusalem will be trodden down.
"In history and prophecy the Word of God portrays the long continued conflict between truth and error. That conflict is yet in progress. Those things which have been, will be repeated." 2SM 109.2
Joel chapter three specifically refers to this time period:
Joel 3:1 For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,...
Joel 3:9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:
10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.
12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.
14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
The times of the Gentiles are about to be fulfilled. Will they heed the powerful message of the two witnesses who are prophesying in sackcloth? This message is powerful and lightens the earth with its glory.
Revelation 18
1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
The Revelation 18 message is the final call to come out of Babylon (verse 4). Revelation 11 describes this loud cry message as prophesying in sackcloth. Ellen White specifically wrote about the time when God's people would give this message. It will be a time of persecution and trial even to the point of death in order to keep the commandments of God.
Religious powers, allied to heaven by profession, and claiming to have the characteristics of a lamb, will show by their acts that they have the heart of a dragon, and that they are instigated and controlled by Satan. The time is coming when God’s people will feel the hand of persecution because they keep holy the seventh day.... But God’s people are to stand firm for Him. And the Lord will work in their behalf, showing plainly that He is the God of gods.—Testimonies for the Church 9:229, 230. ChS 156.2
Every indignity, reproach, and cruelty that Satan could instigate human hearts to devise, has been visited upon the followers of Jesus. And it will be again fulfilled in a marked manner; for the carnal heart is still at enmity with the law of God, and will not be subject to its commands. The world is no more in harmony with the principles of Christ today than it was in the days of the apostles. The same hatred that prompted the cry. “Crucify Him! crucify Him!” the same hatred that led to the persecution of the disciples, still works in the children of dis-obedience. The same spirit which in the Dark Ages consigned men and women to prison, to exile, and to death, which conceived the exquisite torture of the Inquisition, which planned and executed the massacre of St. Bartholomew, and which kindled the fires of Smithfield, is still at work with malignant energy in unregenerate hearts. The history of truth has ever been the record of a struggle between right and wrong. The proclamation of the gospel has ever been carried forward in this world in the face of opposition, peril, loss, and suffering.—The Acts of the Apostles, 84, 85. ChS 156.
The remnant church will be brought into great trial and distress. Those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, will feel the ire of the dragon and his hosts. Satan numbers the world as his subjects; he has gained control of the apostate churches; but here is a little company that are resisting his supremacy. If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph would be complete. As he influenced the heathen nations to destroy Israel, so in the near future he will stir up the wicked powers of earth to destroy the people of God. All will be required to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the divine law. Those who will be true to God and to duty will be betrayed “both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends.”—Testimonies for the Church 9:231. ChS 157.1
There is a prospect before us of a continued struggle at the risk of imprisonment, loss of property, and even of life itself, to defend the law of God, which is made void by the laws of men.--Testimonies for the Church 5:712. ChS 157.3
So the followers of Christ are to shed light into the darkness of the world. Through the Holy Spirit, God’s word is a light as it becomes a transforming power in the life of the receiver. By implanting in their hearts the principles of His word, the Holy Spirit develops in men the attributes of God. The light of His glory—His character—is to shine forth in His followers. Thus they are to glorify God, to lighten the path to the Bridegroom’s home, to the city of God, to the marriage supper of the Lamb. COL 414.2
Until Christ shall appear in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, men will become perverse in spirit and turn from the truth to fables. The church will yet see troublous times. She will prophesy in sackcloth. But although she must meet heresies and persecutions, although she must battle with the infidel and the apostate, yet by the help of God she is bruising the head of Satan. The Lord will have a people as true as steel, and with faith as firm as the granite rock. They are to be His witnesses in the world, His instrumentalities to do a special, a glorious work in the day of His preparation. PM 386.2
Those who wait for the Bridegroom’s coming are to say to the people, “Behold your God.” The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them. COL 415.5
We have identified the two witnesses as God's people witnessing and prophesying to the Gentiles but need to explore further how the scriptures reveal who they are.
Revelation 11: 3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
In Revelation 11 they are described as the "two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth." To determine what a candlestick represents we can use Revelation 1: 20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Jesus Christ is pictured in chapter 2:1 as walking in the midst of the candlesticks. The stark difference between the beginning of Revelation where there are seven candlesticks and Revelation 11 is that there are only two candlesticks that remain. Five of the churches are not included. Five of the churches are not prophesying. They have not overcome as Christ specifically admonished them to in his messages to them in chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation.
In Revelation chapter 2 we read of the church of Smyrna who is given great encouragement and even though suffering tribulation is told not to fear and to have courage:
Verse 8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Cast into prison and tried. Some members of the church of Smyrna will die for their implicit faith in God and obedience to his commandments. Nevertheless they will gain a crown of life and be rescued from the second death. They will become martyrs and not fear those who can kill the body but gain their own soul ( Matthew 10:28).
In Revelation chapter 3 we read about the church of Philadelphia:
Verse 7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
The Philadelphians have "kept the word of Christ's patience". As a reward they are kept from "the hour of temptation" which will come upon all the world. It is interesting to note that both Smyrna and Philadelphia have to contend with those who call themselves Jews but are in reality the "synagogue of Satan".
The two witnesses are referred to in Revelation 11:5:
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
Obviously at this time the two witnesses are bearing a message to the world. They are prophesying in sackcloth or in other words their message aggravates the majority of people who hear the message to the point of persecution or "hurt" which is inflicted on the two witnesses. Verse five describes fire coming out of their mouths that devours their enemies. Using scripture to help us understand what this 'fire' is we refer to Jeremiah 5:14 -
Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. Note that it was the words that Jeremiah spoke at that time that are symbolised as 'fire' and that those words would devour the people that heard them, the people that are described as wood.
In Revelation 11:5 we behold a similar situation. The message of the two witnesses will be like 'fire' to those that hear it. And any response from the hearers that is intended to 'hurt' or counteract the message of the two witnesses cannot withstand the words of fire that they speak. Jer 23:29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? God's word is a force to be reckoned with and has no comparison. The word of God is truth and sharper than a two edged sword. (Heb 4:12)
With faith in God as their armor, and with His word as their weapon of warfare, they would be supplied with an inner power that would enable them to turn aside the attacks of the enemy. AA 307.1
All who in that evil day would fearlessly serve God according to the dictates of conscience, will need courage, firmness, and a knowledge of God and His word; for those who are true to God will be persecuted, their motives will be impugned, their best efforts misinterpreted, and their names cast out as evil. Satan will work with all his deceptive power to influence the heart and becloud the understanding, to make evil appear good, and good evil. The stronger and purer the faith of God’s people, and the firmer their determination to obey Him, the more fiercely will Satan strive to stir up against them the rage of those who, while claiming to be righteous, trample upon the law of God. It will require the firmest trust, the most heroic purpose, to hold fast the faith once delivered to the saints. AA 431.1
The last part of Revelation 11: 5 states : and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. Obviously the 'hurt' referred to in this part of the verse involves death as the last part of the verse states that whoever the killer is, must, in this manner be killed. Whilst prophesying in sackcloth those in the church of Smyrna are encouraged to be faithful unto death and in doing so they will receive a crown of life. There will be intense persecution and even death.
Revelation 6 : 9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
When the fifth seal was opened, John the Revelator in vision saw beneath the altar the company that were slain for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. After this came the scenes described in the eighteenth of Revelation, when those who are faithful and true are called out from Babylon. [Revelation 18:1-5, quoted.] 20MR 14.3
Ellen White relates the martyrs in the fifth seal and their cry for vengeance as happening just prior to this period. The martyrs are told to wait until their fellowservants and brethren are also killed and to rest for a little season. This instruction to the souls under the altar is given just before the loud cry in Revelation 18. Revelation 11:5 refers to the fulfillment of the fifth seal.
To love not your life to death may be the path you or I are called to tread. May we be truly ready to follow our saviour wherever he leads.
The reference in Revelation 11:5 :"if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed." alludes to the outcome of divine justice. Christ himself when on this earth referred to the same principle.
Mat 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Mat 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. The God of heaven is a God of justice and any 'hurt' inflicted on others will be measured and applied to those that commit the 'hurt'.
Revelation 11:6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
The two witnesses according to verse five have power to prevent rain from falling in the days of their prophecy. The strong reference to Elijah, a prophet who stood up against the worship of Baal in Samaria at the time of Ahab and Jezebel is undoubtedly connected to this vision of the two witnesses. According to James chapter 5:
Verse 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
Elijah had a close connection with God through prayer. The two witnesses will also have direct communication with God through prayer. At the time the witnesses are prophesying to the Gentiles in the outer court. The loud cry is given to those who need to hear the call to 'Come out of Babylon' and escape the clutches of Babylon, or for Elijah, he, had to escape the clutches of Jezebel. Jezebel introduced Baal worship to Israel. The whore of Babylon worships the trinity. The prophesying time period is exactly the same - 'the days of the prophecy' are a thousand, two hundred and three score days or three years and six months. This is a literal time period.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
Viewing this apostasy from his mountain retreat, Elijah was overwhelmed with sorrow. In anguish of soul he besought God to arrest the once-favored people in their wicked course, to visit them with judgments, if need be, that they might be led to see in its true light their departure from Heaven. He longed to see them brought to repentance before they should go to such lengths in evil-doing as to provoke the Lord to destroy them utterly. PK 119.2
Elijah’s prayer was answered. Oft-repeated appeals, remonstrances, and warnings had failed to bring Israel to repentance. The time had come when God must speak to them by means of judgments.
The two witnesses will be fervent in prayer and like Elijah will pray that God uses judgments or plagues in order to bring them to a knowledge of God and his commandments. The rain will cease in order to awake the Gentiles in the valley of decision. Joel writes of this time in chapter One:
Verse 17 The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered. note
18 How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.
19 O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.
At this time the professed church of God are worshipping Satan. Remember they are referred to in the messages to the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia as those who say they are Jews and are not. Their worship of the trinity is idolatry as verily as it was in the days of Elijah when Jezebel promulgated Baal worship. They have become the synagogue of Satan.
Christ himself referred to the state of God's people in the days of Elijah:
Luke 4: 24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.
25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
Now this widow was a heathen woman. God did not send Elijah to those who were in Samaria. Why? Because they had great light, blessings, and privileges, and did not live up to them. And because they had had this great light and had not lived up to it, they were the most hardhearted people in the world, the hardest to impress with the truth. They were not susceptible to the influences of the Spirit of God. There were many lepers in Israel, and none of them were cleansed save Naaman, the Syrian. What was the matter? He who had lived up to the light that he had was in a more favorable position before God than those on whom He had bestowed great light, power, and spiritual advantages, and yet their lives did not correspond to their advantages and privileges. 1888 123.3...Here I want to tell you what a terrible thing it is if God gives light, and it is impressed on your heart and spirit, for you to do as they did. God will withdraw His Spirit unless His truth is accepted. But Christ was accepted by some; the witness was there that He was God. 1888 123.4
During Elijah's time and in Christ's time the people of privilege and knowledge whose lives did not correspond to the power, light and spiritual advantage that God had bestowed upon them were resistant to the spirit of God and it was the heathen that received the healing and companionship of God. So too in the time of the loud cry it is the Gentiles or heathen and those who are receptive to God's holy spirit that respond to the messages of God's two witnesses. The Synagogue of Satan or the Jews that say they are but in reality are not will also be filled with wrath. In Christ's time they tried to cast him off a hill. In the time of the two witnesses Christ's advice is pertinent:
“These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.” With what zeal will the workers of iniquity pursue their Satanic purpose! They will put light for darkness, and darkness for light, until they will sincerely believe they are servants of God, and doing him service by persecuting his children. It has been so in the conflicts of the past; and in the closing work of God the same spirit will be manifested. Says the prophet, “The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Jesus was treated as the worst of malefactors, and the servant is not greater than his Lord. Said the Saviour, “These things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them.” May 8, 1888 — “Some Shall Depart From the Faith”
Revelation 11:5 - "and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will." This reference in the second half of the verse obviously refers to Moses who was a mighty witness for God in polytheistic and pagan Egypt. It is interesting to note a definition of paganism :
"In general Pagan religions have more than one deity, or many gods which are aspects of one (an idea similar to that of the Christian trinity). Another quite common feature of Pagan religions are that they tend to be nature oriented. Pagan can also be used as a derogatory word for any non-Judeo/Christian/Islamic religion."
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Pagan
Just like Moses, God's two witnesses, at the time of the loud cry, will be preaching the three angels messages with power and drawing the attention of the whole world to the worship of the one and only true and living creator God : Revelation 14 : 7 "Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."
The Lord God of Israel is to execute judgment upon the Gods of this world as upon the Gods of Egypt. With fire and flood, plagues and earthquakes, He will spoil the whole land. Then His redeemed people will exalt His named make it glorious in the earth. Shall not those who are living in the last remnant of this earth’s history become intelligent in regard to God’s lessons?—Manuscript Releases 10:240, 241 (1899).
Moses, after spending 40 years absent from Egypt was approached by the Lord in a burning bush and informed of the rescue mission God had planned for his people. Moses was very concerned about his ability to speak : Exodus 4: 10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?
12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say
Revelation 11:5 refers to the power that the two witnesses will have to shut heaven, to turn water into blood and to smite the earth with plagues as often as they will. In direct communication with God, like Elijah and Moses, God is with the two witnesses mouth's as he was with Moses's mouth and they will be taught what to say. The plagues which Moses and Aaron declared would take place to the Pharoah of Egypt were a very real testament against those who worshipped nature and revealed the true and living God who MADE nature. The plagues were literal and real. God's true witnesses will declare the sounding of the seven trumpets or warnings and that the first plagues clearly spoken of by John the Revelator in Revelation chapter eight and nine are about to begin.
Before the infliction of each plague, Moses was to describe its nature and effects, that the king might save himself from it if he chose. Every punishment rejected would be followed by one more severe, until his proud heart would be humbled, and he would acknowledge the Maker of heaven and earth as the true and living God. PP 263. God's two witnesses will be declaring the imminent trumpets or plagues that are truly God's warnings or final call to a perishing world.
When the children of Israel were in bondage to the Egyptians, God revealed himself as a God above all human authority, all human greatness. The signs and miracles he wrought in behalf of his people show his power over nature, and over the greatest among those who worshiped nature, who ignored the power that made nature. God went through the proud land of Egypt just as he will go through the earth in the last days. With fire and tempest and death the great I AM redeemed his people, to make them glorious as his special representatives. July 10, 1900 — The Lord’s Vineyard Review and Herald.
The time of God’s destructive judgments is the time of mercy for those who have had no opportunity to learn what is truth. Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His heart of mercy is touched; His hand is still stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who would not enter.—Testimonies for the Church 9:97.
The two witnesses prophesying in sackcloth warn of impending judgments or plagues and those who have had no opportunity to learn what is truth are able to decide whom they will serve. At this time mercy's door is still open to those who haven't had the opportunity to hear the truth but because this is the time of the judgment of the living which started at the house of God the door is closed to those who decided not to enter (1 Peter 4: 17).
God describes his people as : Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. The law of God trodden down throughout the history of the world by satanic agencies is to be uplifted by the two witnesses during their prophesying. Moses drew the attention of Israel when enslaved in Egypt to the worship of the true God and this included the sabbath rest instituted in Eden. God's two witnesses will also revive the sabbath truth and draw the attention of the whole world to antichrist and how he has substituted the first day of the week in rebellion against the law of God.
In Egypt :
"The king’s anger was kindled. “Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people from their work?” he said. “Get back to your labor.” Already the kingdom had suffered loss through the interference of these strangers. At the thought of this he added, “Look, the people of the land are many now, and you make them rest from their labor!" Exodus 5:5BOE 124.5
To some extent, during their slavery the Israelites had lost the knowledge of God’s law, and they had generally disregarded the Sabbath. The demands of their taskmasters made keeping it seem impossible, but Moses had shown his people that obedience to God was the condition of their deliverance. The efforts made to restore Sabbath observance had come to the notice of their oppressors. (See Appendix, Note 1.) BOE 124.6
During the bondage in Egypt, the Israelites were forced by their taskmasters to violate the Sabbath, and to a great extent they had lost the knowledge of its sacredness. Rebellion against God's law began in heaven when Lucifer coveted the position of Christ. Ever since jealousy arose in Lucifer's mind at the beginning he has fought against the principles of God's law and seeks to distort the law's requirements. So much so that practically the entire Christian world now worships Satan on his counterfeit day - the first day of the week : Sunday.
The man of sin, who exalted himself above God, and thought to change times and laws, brought about the change of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week. In doing this he made a breach in the law of God. Just prior to the great day of God, a message is sent forth to warn the people to come back to their allegiance to the law of God, which anti-christ has broken down. Attention must be called to the breach in the law, by precept and example. CET 86.2
I was shown that the third angel proclaiming the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, represents the people who receive this message, and raise the voice of warning to the world to keep the commandments of God and His law as the apple of the eye; and that in response to this warning, many would embrace the Sabbath of the Lord. CET 87.2
In the closing work of God in the earth, the standard of His law will be again exalted. False religion may prevail, iniquity may abound, the love of many may wax cold, the cross of Calvary may be lost sight of, and darkness, like the pall of death, may spread over the world; the whole force of the popular current may be turned against the truth; plot after plot may be formed to overthrow the people of God; but in the hour of greatest peril, the God of Elijah will raise up human instrumentalities to bear a message that will not be silenced. In the populous cities of the land, and in the places where men have gone to the greatest lengths in speaking against the Most High, the voice of stern rebuke will be heard. Boldly will men of God’s appointment denounce the union of the church with the world. Earnestly will they call upon men and women to turn from the observance of a man-made institution to the observance of the true Sabbath.—Prophets and Kings, 186, 187. ChS 165.1
Satan knew that Moses was the coming deliverer and had already tried to kill him as a child when the Pharoah at that time commanded the midwives to kill any male children that were born to Hebrew women ( Exodus 1: 16,17). But God's plan to deliver the children of Israel was not to be thwarted. When Moses confonted Pharoah as an old man he also had to contend with Satan and his evil angels who worked with signs and lying wonders. Satan will also use his lying signs snd wonders to counteract the prophesying of God's two witnesses at the end of time
I was pointed back to the time of Moses, and saw the signs and wonders which God wrought through him before Pharaoh, most of which were imitated by the magicians of Egypt; and that just before the final deliverance of the saints, God would work powerfully for His people, and these modern magicians would be permitted to imitate the work of God. CET 168.2
Just before us is the closing struggle of the great controversy when, with “all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness,” Satan is to work to misrepresent the character of God, that he may “seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.”
Persecution will again be kindled against those who are true to God; their motives will be impugned, their best efforts misinterpreted, their names cast out as evil. Then will it come to pass, as foretold by Christ, that whoever shall seek to destroy the faithful, will think that he is doing God service. Then Satan will work with all his fascinating power, to influence the heart and becloud the understanding, to make evil appear good, and good evil. Then it is that he is through his agents to “show great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” LP 251.1
Many will be ensnared through the belief that spiritualism is a merely human imposture; when brought face to face with manifestations which they cannot but regard as supernatural, they will be deceived, and will be led to accept them as the great power of God. DD 19.3 These persons overlook the testimony of the Scriptures concerning the wonders wrought by Satan and his agents. It was by satanic aid that Pharaoh’s magicians were enabled to counterfeit the work of God. Paul testifies that before the second advent of Christ there will be similar manifestations of satanic power. The coming of the Lord is to be preceded by “the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10. And the apostle John, describing the miracle-working power that will be manifested in the last days, declares: “He doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do.” Revelation 13:13, 14. No mere impostures are here foretold. Men are deceived by the miracles which Satan’s agents have power to do, not which they pretend to do. DD 19.4
Satan's lying wonders will include the personation of people that were deceased but have returned to share with you and me stories of how wonderful heaven is. These are people that you and I have loved - they could be your children, your parents, your husband or wife. Will you be deceived? Will you let your emotions and feelings bare sway and give in to the deception. Or will you stand on the solid rock of God's word and state:
Ecclesiastes 9: 5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun. The apostles will also be personated and deny the very words they wrote in the Bible. Christ himself will be personated by Satan who has always desired the worship.that rightfully belongs to God alone. This is truly the time of signs and lying wonders.
Many will be confronted by the spirits of devils personating beloved relatives or friends, and declaring the most dangerous heresies. These visitants will appeal to our tenderest sympathies, and will work miracles to sustain their pretensions. We must be prepared to withstand them with the Bible truth that the dead know not anything, and that they who thus appear are the spirits of devils. GC88 560.1
Just before us is the “hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” [Revelation 3:10.] All whose faith is not firmly established upon the Word of God will be deceived and overcome.
The apostles, as personated by these lying spirits, are made to contradict what they wrote at the dictation of the Holy Spirit when on earth. They deny the divine origin of the Bible, and thus tear away the foundation of the Christian’s hope and put out the light that reveals the way to heaven. Satan is making the world believe that the Bible is a mere fiction, or at least a book suited to the infancy of the race, but now to be lightly regarded, or cast aside as obsolete.GC 88 557.2
As the second appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ draws near, satanic agencies are moved from beneath. Satan will not only appear as a human being, but he will personate Jesus Christ, and the world that has rejected the truth will receive him as the Lord of lords and King of kings.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 5:1105, 1106 (1900).
Men in responsible positions will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but from the sacred desk, will urge upon the people the observance of the first day of the week, pleading tradition and custom in behalf of this man-made institution. They will point to calamities on land and sea—to the storms of wind, the floods, the earthquakes, the destruction by fire—as judgments indicating God’s displeasure because Sunday is not sacredly observed. These calamities will increase more and more, one disaster will follow close upon the heels of another; and those who make void the law of God will point to the few who are keeping the Sabbath of the fourth commandment as the ones who are bringing wrath upon the world. This falsehood is Satan’s device that he may ensnare the unwary. SW June 28, 1904, par. 4
The plagues or trumpet warnings sounding throughout the world are misconstrued by worshippers of Satan. The blame for the catastrophic events is placed on those who have been sounding the warnings - the two witnesses - God's commandment keeping people, are identified as the cause of the upheavals in nature and climactic world events.
Revelation 11: 7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
The testimony of the two witnesses is finished. As already stated in chapter 11: 3 : "they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth". At the end of the 1260 days the beast declares war on the two witnesses and in that process overcomes them and kills them. Scripture in many other places reveals the same actions taking place.
In Revelation 13 the following takes place:
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
During the testimony of the two witnesses the world is in awe of the beast that has arisen from the sea. They worship the beast and the dragon who gives power to the beast saying : "Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" This beast in Revelation 11 is the beast that "ascendeth out of the bottomless pit". The same beast is pictured in Revelation 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is
In Revelation 17 more information is provided to help us identify who the beast from the bottomless pit represents. This beast "was, and is not, and yet is." Revelation 17: 11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
The thirteenth chapter of Revelation presents a power that is to be made prominent in these last days. Let all understand that it is Christ, the Captain of the Lord’s host, who gave these visions to John. Christ came in person to the lonely isle of Patmos, and showed John the things that must be, [things] that were of the highest importance to His people. ([?] Through the person of His highest angels. He had veiled His own glory.) This message is to come to God’s people, straight, sharp, and clean from all mixture of human wisdom and tradition. 18MR 33.2 Manuscript 139, 1903.
The first persecuting power is represented by the dragon itself; in heathenism there was open alliance with Satan, and open defiance of God (Revelation 12:3,4). In the second persecuting power, the dragon is masked; but the spirit of Satan actuates it,—the dragon supplies the motive power (Revelation 13:1,2). In the third persecuting power, all traces of the dragon are absent, and a lamb-like beast appears; but when it speaks, its dragon voice betrays the Satanic power concealed under a fair exterior (Revelation 13:11), and shows it to be of the same family as the two preceding powers. In all the opposition to Christ and his pure religion, “that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan,“—“the God of this world,“—is the moving power; earthly persecuting powers are simply instruments in his hands. GC88 680.3 (Revelation references inserted by study author)
The dragon - Satan in Revelation 13:4 is worshipped. A close relationship exists between the dragon and the beast. The beast is also worshipped and admired Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. This complete devotion to the dragon and the beast by the majority of the worlds inhabitants occurs during a forty two month period - the same time period referred to in Revelation 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
The Gentiles are treading down the 'holy city' (God's true church) and during that time period the two witnesses prophesy in sackcloth. This time in Revelation 13 is described thus :
Verse 5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
The beast (political power) supplied with the dragon's power blasphemes the creator God of heaven and the saints who are prophesying at that time truly witness in sackcloth - they are persecuted for taking a stand for the true creator God and his everlasting law. According to Revelation 11: 7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. This is also recorded in Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. In both chapters the beast makes war with the saints. This war occurs once the witnesses have finished their testimony.
The book of Daniel also highlights this declaration of war against God's true people : Daniel 11:44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.The king of the North or the ruling political power (beast) at the time of the end is troubled by 'tidings' or the report and announcements made by the two witnesses - those that have the faith of Jesus and keep the commandments of God. Infuriated, the king declares war against them or makes a decision to destroy and utterly take away many. The books of Daniel and Revelation complement each other because Revelation helps us understand the once sealed book of Daniel. In Daniel further explanation is given about this decision to make war: Daniel 12:7 : And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. Once again the time period of the witnesses testimony is highlighted in scripture and in this chapter is described as 'for a time, times and an half'. This time period is equivalent to the 1260 days and 42 months of Revelation 13 and 11. It is at the end of this period that the King of the North accomplishes to 'scatter the power of the holy people'. In all these interconnected passages the same sentiment is expressed:
- 'war is declared' against God's witnesses'
- the king of the North 'goes forth with great fury to destroy and utterly take away many'
- the king of the North' scatters the power of the holy people'
This declaration of war occurs at the end of their testimony or the end of the 1260 days.
God has graciously provided a clear and consistent picture of end time events through his servants - the prophets : John the Revelator, Daniel and Ellen White. The 1260 days or forty two months is a literal time period of three and a half years. Just as Elijah prayed that the rain would be withheld in the time when the wicked queen Jezebel's worship of Baal held her husband King Ahab and almost the whole of Israel captive for three years and six months; so God's witnesses, in the spirit of Elijah will testify in sackcloth for 1260 days/forty two months when practically the whole world is held captive by the whore sitting upon the scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns (Revelation 17: 1 - 5). The nations are drunk with the wine of her fornication - her false doctrines. The nations worship a trinity God and have substituted Sunday, as the counterfeit sabbath instead of the seventh day - Saturday as spelt out clearly in the fourth commandment in God's holy law. Angered by the testimony of God's witnesses about the creator God and his true sabbath the beast from the bottomless pit declares war on God's people just as Jezebel sought the life of Elijah (1 Kings 19:2) after he had proven that Baal was a lifeless idol and that the invisible God of the universe was Lord of all (1Kings 18:39).
:*[[Rev 11:8]] KJV* And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
War has been declared on the two witnesses in verse 7. This declaration of war is also discussed in *[[Dan 12:11]] KJV* And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. The abomination of desolation desolates or devestates and ravages God's witnesses. The angel in Daniel 12 has expounded another time that we need to note - the period of the 1290 days.
Daniel himself describes a test he personally had to pass through and it mirrors what will happen to God's witnesses at the end of time. In Daniel 6 we discover that Daniel under the rule of Darius is preferred above all the other presidents and princes in Babylon (verse 3). The princes and presidents answerable to Daniel are not happy! They seek to find fault with him and the only point of distinction they come up with is Daniel's adherence to the law of God : *[[Dan 6:5]] KJV* Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. God's two witnesses and their stand taken for the sabbath of Jehovah or his law at the end of time will also be singled out for special attention as Daniel was. The ruling powers at the end of time will detest the influence of God's witnesses and seek to end their witnessing once and for all.
Daniel chapter 6 continues to describe the cunning way the princes try and bring about Daniel's demise. *[[Dan 6:7]] KJV* All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Appealing to Darius' desire to be recognised as superior to any God or man a royal decree is given his stamp of approval. God's two witnesses at the end of time will also have a decree issued by the political powers at that time that will endeavour to make illegal the worship of God according to His law. The first day of the week - Sunday, will be set up as the day dedicated to the worship of that great apostate parading as Christ himself - SATAN. To be a sabbath keeper at that time may cost you your life. Just as Daniel continued to worship the Creator God of the universe and pray to him so will God's commandment keeping people continue to worship their heavenly father and obey him, even under the threat of death. *[[Dan 6:10]] KJV* Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Daniel's allegiance to his maker did not falter even after the passing of the decree. God's 144,000 in the last remnant of time will also maintain their fidelity to God and his law. (Revelation 14:12)
"I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus’ work was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues. These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous; they thought that we had brought the judgments of God upon them, and that if they could rid the earth of us, the plagues would then be stayed. A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob’s trouble." Mar 268.3
The death decree is set up after the close of probation as a response to the outpouring of the seven plagues. When the two witnesses testimony ends in Revelation 11:7 the beast from the bottomless pit makes war against them and kills them. The warning has been given by Ellen White : "Let all who would understand the meaning of these things read the eleventh chapter of Revelation. Read every verse, and learn the things that are yet to take place in the cities. Read also the scenes portrayed in the eighteenth chapter of the same book."—MR 1518 (May 10, 1906). LDE 95.4 During the 1260 day period of the two witnesses, persecution has been a reality, even to the point of death. This is a fulfillment of the message given to the church of Smyrna:
Verse 8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Reflecting on Christ's message to Smyrna right at the very beginning of the message Christ reassures them that He "was dead and is alive". Christ the resurrection and life is a living reality to those in this church. He warns them of the suffering they will experience. They will be tried, cast into prison, suffer tribulation and even death. Christ encourages them to be faithful unto death and they will gain a crown of life and not be hurt by the second death. A special focus is placed on the martyrdom that this church will experience in Christ's message to them.
There will be martyr's during the 1260 day period and a particular onslaught against God's witnesses when war is declared after the 1260 day period and their testimony has ended. As a result - in the cities you will literally have many dead bodies lying in the street. It is interesting to note that John the Baptist is noted as a representation of those prepared to lay down their lives for their faith and the commandments of God:
John came in the spirit and power of Elijah to proclaim the first advent of Jesus. I was pointed down to the last days and saw that John represented those who should go forth in the spirit and power of Elijah to herald the day of wrath and the second advent of Jesus. EW 155.1
Just like John who warned Herod that his relationship with his brothers wife was unlawful (Matthew 14:4), the church of Smyrna will be warning the world to obey God's commandments, particularly the fourth commandment which will be under special attack during this time. This warning against receiving the mark of the beast and worshipping the beast and his image will cost the church of Smyrna their lives. Just as John was beheaded for standing up for the law of God the witnesses from Smyrna will also be beheaded. The scriptures plainly state:*[[Rev 20:4]] KJV* And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The church of Smyrna will be "beheaded for the witness of Jesus and the word of God". But in doing so they will receive a crown of life and not be hurt by the second death.
Smyrna's impending martyrdom is also referred to in the fifth seal in Revelation 6:
*[[Rev 6:9]] KJV* And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
*[[Rev 6:10]] KJV* And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
*[[Rev 6:11]] KJV* And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
When the fifth seal was opened, John the Revelator in vision saw beneath the altar the company that were slain for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. After this came the scenes described in the eighteenth of Revelation, when those who are faithful and true are called out from Babylon. [Revelation 18:1-5, quoted.] 20MR 14.3
So many people throughout the ages have lost their lives when standing for God's truth. Symbolically their souls cry out from beneath the altar wanting to know when God's vengeance and judgment is going to take place on those that dwell on the earth.They are given white robes representative of the fact that their judgment has taken place. They have been judged worthy to receive the righteousness of Christ. As they rest for a season they are instructed that there are still brethren that are going to be killed or martyred as they were. Ellen White refers to the fifth seal being opened just prior to the loud cry of God's witnesses who prophesy in sackcloth and call people out of Babylon. Marytrdom will be a reality for the church of Smyrna at this time. Smyrna like those who have gone before will be willing to lay down their lives for the truth of God. *[[Rev 12:11]] KJV* And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. There will be dead bodies literally lying in the street of "the great city" (Revelation 11:8)
The great city referred to in Revelation is clearly identified as Babylon when you compare scripture to scripture within the same book:
*[[Rev 17:18]] KJV* And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
*[[Rev 17:4]] KJV* And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
*[[Rev 17:5]] KJV* And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
*[[Rev 14:8]] KJV* And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
*[[Rev 18:21]] KJV* And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
In Revelation 11, verse 8 the great city is described with specific characteristics to help us identify her. Lets look for evidence that supports her identity as Babylon:
Characteristic One: Spiritually called SODOM
To investigate what it means to be spiritually called Sodom we need to go back to the original city of Sodom and discover what spiritual characteristics she demonstrated.
The profusion reigning everywhere gave birth to luxury and pride. Idleness and riches make the heart hard that has never been oppressed by want or burdened by sorrow. The love of pleasure was fostered by wealth and leisure, and the people gave themselves up to sensual indulgence. “Behold,” says the prophet, “this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before Me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.” Ezekiel 16:49, 50. There is nothing more desired among men than riches and leisure, and yet these gave birth to the sins that brought destruction upon the cities of the plain. Their useless, idle life made them a prey to Satan’s temptations, and they defaced the image of God, and became satanic rather than divine. Idleness is the greatest curse that can fall upon man, for vice and crime follow in its train.
In Sodom there was mirth and revelry, feasting and drunkenness. The vilest and most brutal passions were unrestrained. The people openly defied God and His law and delighted in deeds of violence.
The state of corruption and apostasy that in the last days would exist in the religious world, was presented to the prophet John in the vision of Babylon, “that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” Revelation 17:18. Before its destruction the call is to be given from heaven, “Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:4. As in the days of Noah and Lot, there must be a marked separation from sin and sinners. There can be no compromise between God and the world, no turning back to secure earthly treasures. “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24. PP 167.1
Spiritually Babylon in the last days will be in corruption and apostasy. She is in the same spiritual condition as Sodom who in the midst of luxury and abundance became proud and idle. Idleness led into sensual indulgence which transformed the licentious into those who were captive to vile and unrestrained passions and the open defiance of the law of God. Babylon in the last days is spiritually bereft yet she reigns over the kings of the earth.
Characteristic Two: Spiritually called Egypt:
The nation of Egypt was predominantly known in the spiritual sense for its worship of idols. The gods of Egypt were numerous and worshipped by the Egyptians. More information about the gods that influenced the daily life of every Egyptian can be viewed at: http://discoveringegypt.com/ancient-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses/
Babylon, spiritually is full of idolatry. When the living, creator God sought to free Israel from the clutches of Egypt the Pharoah refused to let them go:
*[[Exo 5:2]] KJV* And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.
Pharoah refused to obey the Lord. The worship of other gods and preferred ignorance of God's commandments and therefore disobedience will characterise spiritual Babylon.
The “great city” in whose streets the witnesses are slain, and where their dead bodies lie, “is spiritually Egypt.” Of all nations presented in Bible history, Egypt most boldly denied the existence of the living God, and resisted his commands. No monarch ever ventured upon more open and high-handed rebellion against the authority of Heaven than did the king of Egypt. GC88 269.2
During all the years of servitude in Egypt there had been among the Israelites some who adhered to the worship of Jehovah. These were sorely troubled as they saw their children daily witnessing the abominations of the heathen, and even bowing down to their false gods. In their distress they cried unto the Lord for deliverance from the Egyptian yoke, that they might be freed from the corrupting influence of idolatry. PP 259.2
Again Moses and Aaron entered the lordly halls of the king of Egypt. There, surrounded by lofty columns and glittering adornments, by the rich paintings and sculptured images of heathen gods, before the monarch of the most powerful kingdom then in existence, stood the two representatives of the enslaved race, to repeat the command from God for Israel’s release. PP 263.2
Currently Catholicism and the majority of Protestant denominations worship the trinity - a god that arose from a murky background of paganism and human philosophy and the majority prefer to worship on the first day of the week instead of the seventh as the creator God commands (Exodus 20 :10,11). Spiritual Babylon is in the making at this very moment in time!
Characteristic Three: "Where also our Lord was crucified":
The obvious response is Golgotha, Jerusalem (Mark 15:22). It was a place near to the city (John 19:20). But when we look at this statement from a spiritual perspective we find the real meaning of this characteristic.
When for the truth’s sake the believer is incarcerated in prison walls, Christ manifests Himself to him, and ravishes his heart with his love. When he suffers death for the sake of Christ, Christ says to him, “They may kill the body, but they cannot hurt the soul.” “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” “They crucified Me, and if they put you to death, they crucify Me afresh in the person of My saints.” 3SM 420.5
The martyrs whom have been put to death are in reality Christ crucified. In the great city of spiritual Babylon the witnesses from Smyrna have suffered and been persecuted and though their bodies lie dead in the street - "In Christ their eternal life is secure." DA 356.1
*[[Heb 6:6]] KJV* If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
The Lord is crucifed in spiritual Babylon in the person of his saints.
An analysis of Revelation 11:8 would be incomplete without addressing the symbolic implications of the two witnesses and their death. During the time period of the 1260 days Smyrna and Philadelphia have been witnessing in sackcloth. This has been the final opportunity for those who have not heard the gospel message. The critical test at this time is WHO WILL YOU WORSHIP? The three angels messages have aroused the world and the third angel with the most solemn message against receiving the mark of the beast and worshipping the Beast and his image goes to all.
The question at this time is WILL YOU WORSHIP ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK - SUNDAY - THE DAY THAT HAS REPLACED THE TRUE SEVENTH DAY SABBATH - SATURDAY? (EXODUS 8 - 11) Obedience to the law of God is the critical test for the final generation.
It is on the law of God that the last great struggle of the controversy between Christ and His angels and Satan and his angels will come, and it will be decisive for all the world....CHS 155
Isaiah 59
14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.
15 Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.
16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
When he leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the inhabitants of the earth. In that fearful time the righteous must live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor. GC613
Then the angel repeated these words, and said, “This is the time spoken of in Isaiah. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor. He had no mediator between God and man, and these plagues could be withheld no longer, for Jesus had ceased to plead for Israel, and they were covered with the covering of the Almighty God, and then they could live in the sight of a holy God, and those who were not covered, the plagues fell upon them, for they had nothing to shelter or protect them from the wrath of God.” Dorchester, [Mass.], October 23, 1850. SpM 2.3
At the time when truth is fallen in the street and truth faileth Christ's intercession for mankind finally ceases. There is judgement no more. The two witnesses are symbols of the two tables of stone on which were written with the finger of God. God's law has "fallen in the street" and has no more impact on the hearts of wicked mankind. The two witnesses messages have ceased and rebellion against God's law is fully ripe
God's law in scripture is specifically referred to as "truth" and it is TRUTH that is fallen in the street and the tables of stone are described as "dead bodies" in a symbolic sense in Revelation 11:8.
Psalms 119:151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
Psa 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Exo 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Strong's Definition of H5715: Feminine of H5707; testimony: - testimony, witness.
2Ch 24:6 And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the LORD, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?
The word for testimony is interchangeable with the word witness. God's witnesses are the tables of testimony - His holy ten commandments!
*[[Heb 10:15]] KJV* Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
*[[Heb 10:16]] KJV* This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
The two witnesses - Smyrna and Philadelphia have embedded in their hearts and minds the law of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. Echoes of God's message to Zerubbabel ring true for God's witnesses at the end of time:
*[[Zec 4:6]] KJV* Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
If we would press forward to “the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus,” we must show that we are emptied of all self, and supplied with the golden oil which through the two golden pipes is communicated by the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth. God is dealing with us through His grace and providence. From eternity He has chosen us to be His obedient children....If we, with trust in God, strive for sanctification, we shall receive it. Then as witnesses for Christ, we are to make known what the grace of God has wrought in us. 1SAT 302.
Revelation 11:8 captures a solemn picture of a time when God's witnesses are slain and lie dead or fallen in the street. This graphic portrayal is both literal and symbolic. At the hands of the beast from the bottomless pit and his servants the two witnesses are killed. God's law is made fully void. Probation is about to close for the inhabitants of the world.
(Rev 11:9) And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
When examining the above verse, reference is made to people from “kindreds, tongues and nations”. This scene is not focused on a singular place, but refers to ‘spiritual Babylon’ which is ruled over at the time of the end by the ten kings of the Revelation 13 beast, the false prophet or apostate Protestantism and the papacy. This religio-political power has been formed under the penetrating eye of the dragon-Satan who has arisen from the bottomless pit and is worshipped as Christ who he is deceptively personating. Spiritual Babylon compasses all nations of the world – this is a one world government!
The ‘dead bodies’ of the two witnesses is a reference to the two tables of witness or testimony – the law of God – written by the finger of God that had been hidden thousands of years ago just prior to Nebuchadnezzar’s invasion of Jerusalem in the ninth year of King Zedekiah’s reign:
Among the righteous still in Jerusalem, to whom had been made plain the divine purpose, were some who determined to place beyond the reach of ruthless hands the sacred ark containing the tables of stone on which had been traced the precepts of the Decalogue. This they did. With mourning and sadness they secreted the ark in a cave, where it was to be hidden from the people of Israel and Judah because of their sins, and was to be no more restored to them. That sacred ark is yet hidden. It has never been disturbed since it was secreted. PK 453.2
These tables of stone written by the finger of God will be discovered and brought out of their hiding place during the 1260 day period of the two living witnesses – Smyrna and Philadelphia:
By these words Christ has placed this matter beyond all the sophistry of human conjecture. “And he (Christ) gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.” [Verse 18.] Nothing written on those tables could be blotted out. The precious record of the law was placed in the ark of the testament and is still there, safely hidden from the human family. But in God’s appointed time He will bring forth these tables of stone to be a testimony to all the world against the disregard of His commandments and against the idolatrous worship of a counterfeit Sabbath. Ms122-1901.10
God has kept these ‘tables of stone’ from public view until he ordains that it is time for them to be a final witness to the world during the Sunday law and mark of the beast crisis.
Ezekiel pronounced God’s judgements on Israel when Babylon was soon to invade. He makes special mention of God’s temple and its precious contents:
(Eze 7:20) As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them.
(Eze 7:21) And I will give it into the hands of the strangers for a prey, and to the wicked of the earth for a spoil; and they shall pollute it.
(Eze 7:22) My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret place: for the robbers shall enter into it, and defile it.
Ezekiel’s warnings to the people of Israel are relevant to the spiritual children of Israel today. The temple was ransacked by Babylon’s armies and the precious items not hidden at that time were defiled and polluted as they were placed in Nebuchadnezzar’s treasure house. Even God’s secret or most holy place was subject to defilement. The ark of the covenant containing the tables of stone written by the finger of God was not defiled or polluted and was removed prior to the invasion. They were to be preserved until the latter days when they could be a tangible witness of the truth and verify what the living witnesses of the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia have been teaching in sackcloth during the 1260 days of their witness.
I saw that God had children, who do not see and keep the Sabbath. They had not rejected the light on it. And at the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth [Hosea 6:2, 3.] and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully. This enraged the church, and nominal Adventists, as they could not refute the Sabbath truth. And at this time, God's chosen, all saw clearly that we had the truth, and they came out and endured the persecution with us. And I saw the sword, famine, pestilence, and great confusion in the land. [Ezekiel 7:10-19. 2 Esdras 15:5-27] The wicked thought that we had brought the judgments down on them. They rose up and took counsel to rid the earth of us, thinking that then the evil would be stayed. [2 Esdras 16:68-74.] WLF 18.4
At the end of the 1260 day period or when the testimony of the living witnesses and even the ‘tables of stone’ or the law of God – the most amazing archaeological discovery of all time has also given its testimony the unanimous decision is made to war against the witness they have given and in the process overcome them and kill them.
Rev 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
Jeremiah describing the state of Israel also prior to the invasion of Babylon states:
(Jer 7:28) But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth.
(Jer 7:29) Cut off thine hair, O Jerusalem, and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on high places; for the LORD hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.
The conditions of God’s professed people at the time of the end are described above – they are disobedient, they do not want to be told they are wrong – or ‘receive correction’. But what is worse is the ‘truth’ has perished or is ‘cut off from their mouth’. The law of God – the truth – is dead. The law is now ‘void’.
(Psa 119:126) It is timeH6256 for thee, LORD,H3068 to work:H6213 for they have made voidH6565 thy law.H8451
H6565
פָּרַר
pârar
paw-rar'
A primitive root; to break up (usually figuratively, that is, to violate, frustrate): - X any ways, break (asunder), cast off, cause to cease, X clean, defeat, disannul, disappoint, dissolve, divide, make of none effect, fail, frustrate, bring (come) to nought, X utterly, make void.
Total KJV occurrences: 51
How does Satan make void or ‘break up’ or kill the ‘law of God’?
Satan himself claims to be God:
(2Th 2:3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
(2Th 2:4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Daniel describes Satan’s penultimate act as taking place just before Michael stands up and the time of Jacob’s trouble begins:
(Dan 11:45) And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
Satan stands in Jerusalem and sits in his temple – shewing himself that he is God. Satan is the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place. He is the idol of desolation. Declaring himself to be God he not only stands in defiance of the law of God, he also rallies the nations to pass a law condemning ‘sabbath keepers’ who refuse to accept his mark – the ‘mark of the beast’. It is possible that Satan like Moses could raise the ‘tables of stone’ up in his hands and smash them into the ground declaring that the ‘sabbath’ keepers are the law breakers. Sunday – the first day of the week has been enshrined in Catholic and Protestant worship for centuries – how dare these trouble makers defy tradition and the day Satan parading as Christ desires them to worship on – worship totally given to Satan instead of the Father and his son. The law of God is made void, perishes and lies ‘dead in the street’ (Revelation 11:7) – the shattered ‘bodies’ of the tables of testimony are seen for three and a half days by the world’s inhabitants.
Isaiah envisioned what it would be like when God’s law would be made void – ‘truth is fallen in the street’:
(Isa 59:14) And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.
The three and a half days that the dead witnesses lie in the street brings to an end God’s mercy – the sacrifice and oblation cease. Christ’s earthly ministry ended with his death on the cross in the ‘midst of the week’ and the earthly temple sacrifices were no longer needed as the shedding of Christ’s blood was the sacrifice all the previous rites and ceremonies of the temple had pointed to. Christ’s heavenly ministry as high priest will also end ‘in the midst of the week’ or at the end of the three and a half day period that the witnesses lie ‘dead in the street.’
(Dan 9:27) And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
(Rev 11:10) And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
The actions of all those that dwell upon the earth is very revealing. People rejoice, make merry and even send gifts to each other. The scriptures make plain what will take place at a time like this:
(1Th 5:2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
(1Th 5:3) For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
Spiritual Babylon is soon to be destroyed. Just like Babylon of old prior to the invasion of Cyrus – God’s anointed (Isaiah 45:1). Belshazzar – Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson is the ruler of Babylon and whilst Darius the Median is about to enter Babylon uninvited he is ‘making merry’:
(Dan 5:1) Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand.
(Dan 5:2) Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.
(Dan 5:3) Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
(Dan 5:4) They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.
Just as Belshazzar made merry by ‘throwing’ a party for a thousand of his Lords, so the inhabitants of spiritual Babylon also make merry and rejoice. It is the timing of the ‘party’ and wine drinking that is of great consequence – the demise of Babylon is imminent.
The similarities in both stories are undeniable:
*those involved are celebrating or in ‘party’ mode
*God’s precious items from the temple are defiled and polluted
- The ark of the testament and tables of stone (witnesses) in Revelation 11
- The golden and silver vessels from the ‘temple of the house of God’.
- *False gods are praised or adored:
- Satan parading as Christ on earth at this time in Revelation 11 and Daniel 11.
- The gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. (Daniel 5:4).
The second angel’s message sounded by the two living witnesses – Smyrna and Philadelphia has been ignored by those who preferred to imbibe the wine or ‘doctrines’ of the wrath of her fornication:
(Rev 14:8) And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
It is also interesting to note that the witnesses or ‘tables of stone’ in this instance are referred to as ‘prophets’.
(Mat 22:37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
(Mat 22:38) This is the first and great commandment.
(Mat 22:39) And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
(Mat 22:40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Obedience to God’s law was extolled by the ‘prophets’. The law and the prophets messages contained in the word of God are divinely connected.
(Isa 8:20) To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
The law of God and the testimony of his prophets has been rejected by the inhabitants of spiritual Babylon at the end of time. The event described in Revelation verses 11-12 will awaken them out of their false sense of security:
(Rev 11:11) 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.
(Rev 11:12) 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.
Sudden destruction is about to begin. The revellers celebrating the death of God’s witnesses – his truth – his law, see them raised to life again. Great fear falls on those who witness this event. They then hear a great voice and the witnesses are raised into heaven in a cloud. Their enemies are fixated on what they are seeing.
(Psalms 119:151) Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
(Psalms 119:142) Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
(Psalms 50:6) And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.
(Psa 85:11) Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
(2Th 2:10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
(2Th 2:11) And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
(2Th 2:12) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
While Belshazzar partied with his guests his probation was closing. Darius had penetrated Babylon with his armies unbeknown to himself. While those rejoicing in the ‘death’ of God’s witnesses are celebrating, their probation is also closing.
A fearful event takes place during Belshazzar’s feasting and drunkenness – a hand appears and begins to write on a palace wall strange writing that he cannot interpret.
(Dan 5:6) Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.
Belshazzar’s fear is also experienced by those in Revelation 11 that see the revived witnesses ascend into the clouds.
Daniel’s interpretation of the writing on the wall – particularly the middle phrase – ‘TEKEL’ is of most relevance – ‘Thou art weighed in the balances and found wanting!’ The wicked at the end of time have preferred to believe a lie – they received not the love of the truth – they had pleasure in unrighteousness and they not only hear a great voice from heaven but watch as the once ‘dead’ witnesses are revived and raised up to heaven in a cloud. Probation has closed for humanity – the wicked have been weighed in the balances and found wanting!
(Rev 11:13) 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.
Sudden destruction comes for Belshazzar:
(Dan 5:30) In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain.
In the very same hour a great earthquake occurs and seven thousand men are destroyed as one tenth of the city falls. Sudden destruction also falls on Babylon and its inhabitants. The destruction of the remaining nine tenths of Babylon will partly take place in the seventh plague and finally when Christ himself destroys the beast and the false prophet in the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20).
The remnant give glory to God. Protected in the earthquake from harm they know that God is with them:
(Psa 91:7) A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
(Psa 91:8) Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
(Psa 91:9) Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
(Psa 91:10) There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
(Psa 91:11) For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
The remnant know that probation has closed. Michael has stood up. Christ’s intercession for humanity has ended:
(Isa 59:16) And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
(Isa 59:17) For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.
(Isa 59:18) According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.
(Isa 59:19) So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
(Rev 11:14) The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
The third woe or seventh trumpet heralds the final judgments of God – the seven plagues.
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