Season 5 Podcast 126 Book of Revelation Chapter 11 “Opening of the Seven Seals, G, “The Seventh Seal, The Two Prophets Slain in Jerusalem.”

Season 5 Podcast 126 Book of Revelation Chapter 11 “Opening of the Seven Seals, G, “The Seventh Seal, The Two Prophets Slain in Jerusalem.”

The Book of Revelation is noted for its high drama and its challenging imagery. Chapter 11 is no exception. It makes it clear that true prophets will once again be on the earth before the Second Coming of Christ. Like many prophets before them, they become martyrs. The hatred toward them is shown by the fact that their dead bodies are allowed to lie on the streets for over three days at which time they are resurrected, and Christ appears. The language of John is so explicit, it is difficult to understand how anyone could not recognize the scene as it unfolds. But Satan is cunning. Only those who look for the signs of the times will see them unfold no matter how clearly they are shown. Let’s examine John’s wording.

Revelation 11:1

“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 first thing that is remarkably clear is that prior to the Second Coming of Christ the Temple at Jerusalem will be completely rebuilt. Furthermore, it will be an active temple for people are ‘worshiping therein.’ Clearly, even before the two prophets are slain, those who are looking for the fulfilment of the signs of the times already know that the end is near. The next verse is very specific.

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.”

First of all, the gentiles will be allowed in the outer courtyard. Second of all Jerusalem, or the Holy City, will be overrun by soldiers for three and a half years. That is a very long time to be under siege, enough for anyone to read the signs of the times. Looking behind the scenes, one can imagine that those who are looking for the Second Coming of the Messiah are preparing themselves spiritually; whereas those who are invading Jerusalem are rejoicing in their success and have a false sense of security. They are going to see everything in temporal terms for clearly they do not believe in Christ or in his return. They don’t see themselves as fulfilling prophesy. The events in Jerusalem will be covered in the world news as any other war is covered by traveling reporters, blinded by their own bias, coloring their stories according to their own political views and the political views of their sponsors. As with politics today truth will be irrelevant. Facts will be irrelevant. The world will judge the war not through the eyes of faith or scripture, but through the eyes of their prejudice, much as it is today. The world view will be divided between those who support Israel and those who don’t. One can even imagine the world of anti-Semitism rejoicing when the two prophets are killed.

Prior to their death the prophets polarized the people.

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.”

“Clothed in sackcloth” symbolizes their humility. ‘A thousand two hundred and threescore days’ also equals 3 1/2 years. Why weren’t the prophets killed earlier for they were certainly hated by the enemy? John makes it clear above. God said, “And I will give power unto my two witnesses.” They could not be killed before they had finished their message. Rather than see that as a miracle, it merely increased the enemy’s hatred. When the three and a half years are up, and the prophets have finished their mission, the two prophets become vulnerable to the enemy. They are not recognized as true prophets by the enemy. They would claim that God could not protect them.