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Past Ponderings

Saturday, April 9, 2022

How Will The Gospel Be Spread? (Revelation 11:1-14)

VIDEO 

How Will The Gospel Be Spread? (Revelation 11:1-14)

GIST: Jesus’ gospel spreads when His people in His strength willingly face even death while trusting His hope! 

Today we’re coming to one of the more debated passages in Revelation. This imagery of the “two witnesses” who can breathe fire and die and come back to life has been interpreted many ways. If you’ve studied this before, you might not 100% agree with the nuances of how I walk through this passage. That’s ok. The core truths being presented here, however, are something we can all agree on. 

Before we dive in, let’s not forget the context of this passage. Like in chapter 7, we have an interlude of sorts between the 6th and 7th trumpet designed to remind us who God is and what He’s doing amongst His people. At the end of chapter 10, John was told to eat the bitter-sweet gospel—the life-giving hope of Jesus that won’t always be readily received and will call us to serious life transformation— and then to prophesy these truths to many people. Chapter 11 picks up there. So, what we have here especially, and what we’ll end up seeing in much of the chapters that follow as well, is a picture of what that prophesying, or sharing of the gospel, will be like until Jesus returns. 

We’re going to walk through a lot here today, so I’ll give us our gist first, then we’ll dive straight into the passage and break down the implications for us→ Jesus’ gospel spreads when His people in His strength willingly face even death while trusting His hope! 


I. Jesus’ Gospel Spreads When His People In His Strength

Ok, let’s break down the opening portions of this passage. 

“1 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, "Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, 2 but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. 3 And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” 

Measured. Before we even get to the more discussed portion of this chapter, these three verses lay a solid foundation. First, notice there is measurement happening here. If you remember the interlude between the sixth and seventh seals, you’ll recall that it talked about “sealing” the believers. This was a reminder in the midst of the chaos of the security of Christians in Heaven. Like I said, chapters 10-11 are the same kind of interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpet. So chapter 7, the saved were sealed, marked as God’s. The temple being measured is the same kind of picture. There is no physical temple in Heaven. Instead, believers have become the temple of God because He has chosen to dwell not in houses made by men, but within us. 

So what’s the measuring about then? He’s cataloging as His possession! We’re in the process of trying to build a privacy fence around our yard, so our dogs (and kids) can have a safe place to run free ☺️. What we didn’t know when we started this process, was what doing that in town required. We had to get a permit and call the digrite people and have our neighbors sign off on it… and do a lot of measuring. Why? Because we needed to mark what belonged to us and what didn’t. That’s the kind of measuring being done here as well. The people of God are being marked as His possession. This is the position of safety and belonging for which we all long. 

Trampled. BUT, placed right next to this image is a picture of the holy city being… trampled. Now, the holy city is where God’s people dwell, so why are we being first told we’re safe and then told we’ll be trampled by the nations? Because that’s the reality of life. This is a paradox with which we should be pretty familiar. If we are God’s, we will be forever under His provision and looking forward to eternity in His arms. Yet, until Jesus returns, we will face persecution and attacks from the sinful world because our hearts are at odds. Verse three introduces the two witnesses that will be the focus of the rest of this picture, and we see the same paradox here.

Given Authority. As these witnesses are introduced, we’re told their authority has been given to them by God. Let’s pause for just a second. John is told to prophesy to many people until Jesus returns. He then turns to show us a picture of what that will look like, and we’re given this language. In the context of sharing the gospel, does this ring any bells? “18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:18-20) As we go out sharing the gospel, we don’t do it in our own strength. It is His authority that saves souls. We have to remember that. Before we see them doing anything, we’re told any power they have comes straight from Jesus. But, they’re→ 

Clothed in Sackcloth. If you’ve read much of the Bible, this picture should be a pretty familiar one. People exercising authority didn’t wear sackcloth. That garb was reserved for people, well, with broken hearts. When something bad happened, especially in the context of repenting of sin, clothes would be torn and sackcloth would be donned. I think that speaks powerfully to the nature of their message. We have authority from God, but our task won’t be an easy one. It should break our hearts as we strive to share this hope with a world in desperate need, and it should call the world to repentance!

Now, before moving on to the next point, let’s address the numbers here, which happen to be a set of numbers repeated several times over the following chapters. 

42 Months & 1,260 days. Let’s first start by pointing out these—and later references to times, times, and half a time—are all referring to the same amount of time. This also happens to be a number we see coming up in the Old Testament, especially in the prophetic portions of Daniel. Tons of speculation surrounds these numbers. But here’s what we know, this time seems always to allude to a time of tribulation. Now, since time in Revelation is almost always being used figuratively, I do think that’s what’s going on here, as well. Looking at how it is used throughout the book, it seems to represent the period of time before Jesus returns. The switch between 42 Months and 1,260 days is used like that too. It signifies a switch in perspective. When persecution is the focus, we see it referred to as 42 months, to emphasize the bigger picture. This can be endured; it won’t last forever! When the perspective shifts to witnessing, 1,260 days are used. The emphasis here is on the individual days for probably two reasons. First, this points to the daily nature of sharing the gospel. It’s a lifestyle. We don’t take days off from being His witnesses! It also makes it seem like a much longer period of time to probably emphasize how much can be accomplished!

Alright, so that’s the first three verses ☺️, but like I said, it lays the foundation for the rest of the chapter. So, the gospel is spread by the authority of Jesus, when the people who He has secured and sent, go out and→ 


II. Willingly Face Even Death

Ok, now, let’s look at the more recognizable portion of this chapter. 

“3 And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5 And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. 6 They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. 7 And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, 8 and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, 10 and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth.”

There is a lot to digest here, but I want to try and guide us through this with three questions. In an attempt at clarity, I’m even going to start here with three big picture answers before we do any kind of walk through, as well. (Honestly, this is as much to help me not miss the forest for the trees as it is to help you☺️). 

  1. Who are these two witnesses? The Church

  2. What are they doing? Carrying God’s Word in the midst of persecution, even persecution that seems to destroy them completely.

  3. Why does this matter? Because the gospel is spread when our hearts reflect Jesus’, and we love enough to face even death. 

Now, let’s dive into that a bit more.

Who Are These Two Witnesses? Yes, this is kind of a loaded question. Of all the points in this chapter, this is by far the most debated. Here’s why I’d say these two witnesses are representatives of the whole Church.

Olive Trees & Lampstands. First, the passage technically tells us who these witnesses are ☺ ️. “4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.” But… what does that mean? Again, there is a direct Old Testament reference here to Zechariah. “11 Then I said to him, "What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?" 12 And a second time I answered and said to him, "What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil is poured out?" 13 He said to me, "Do you not know what these are?" I said, "No, my lord." 14 Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth."”  (Zechariah 4:11-14)

In this reference, we have two anointed ones standing by or serving the Lord. Now, we have two witnesses depicted using the same language. Now, interpret that with what John has already said about lampstands throughout the entire letter. Look back at chapter 1. The first time we see lampstands, we’re told they are… the churches (Revelation 1:20)! So you have olive trees, which is where anointing oil would come from, but it’s also where oil that fuels lamps came from, next to the lampstands. That would have meant a renewable supply of oil! So what is this a picture of? The Church, in its ministry, being continuously provided for by the Holy Spirit. 

Second reason→ 

Elijah & Moses. Many of you probably immediately picked up are references here to Moses and Elijah. The powers they’re given (no rain, water being turned to blood) are both recognizable miracles worked by God through these two faithful followers. Now, for the first century audience steeped in the Old Testament, this would have rang “Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah)”, which was the shorthand way of referring to the message of the entire Scripture. All of Scripture, of course, has been pointing to Jesus and His gospel, which is what His witnesses, believers, carry.

Third reason→ 

The Required 2 Witnesses. There are likely two witnesses because this was the number required to verify a testimony in the Old Testament. So we have a picture of the scripture speaking and being verified amongst its hearers. 

Last reason→

13:5-7 Parallel. In chapter 13, we’ll see similar imagery coming up. One similarity is that we’ll revisit this beast persecuting people. In this passage, it says the beast makes war on and conquers the two witnesses. In chapter 13, it says, “5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them…” Which leads me to believe these two witnesses are meant to represent Christians as a whole. So→ 

What Are They Doing? At the end of chapter 10, John is told he is going to share the truth of the little scroll. Here we see this in action. From my understanding, this is the Church sharing Jesus throughout time… and facing death because of it. 

Dragon Christians? Now, before I hit the death portion, let’s address the fire breathing part ☺️. People like to go crazy with this one, and, hey, if I’m wrong and Christians actually become part dragon someday, I’m 100% game for it! However, since we’ve seen devastation symbolically coming from the mouths of enemies of the gospel leading up to this passage, I feel like we have the same kind of picture here. Christians aren’t defenseless. This is symbolic of God’s judgment which accompanies the gospel we share. The fire will come from our mouths (God’s Word) which will point them to His truth. If they reject Him, though, the result is Hell, the lake of fire. We carry hope, but not everyone will receive this. By rejecting Him, they are bringing judgment down upon themselves.

Persecution & Rejoicing Over Their Deaths. So, they are boldly proclaiming the life-giving and condemning truth of Jesus…and they’re killed for it. More than that though, persecution will get to the point where it seems to completely wipe them out, and when that happens, the enemies of Jesus will party. Stopping here would be heartbreaking because this is a super somber moment. But, before we hit the rest of the passage, let’s pause and revisit that third question→ 

Why Does This Matter? Because this is the kind of love we’re called to have. We’re called to carry the message of Jesus boldly and compassionately and unashamedly… even if it costs us everything. Even if people rejoice to see us die. Guys, that’s heavy. 

So, these are God’s people, going out sharing the gospel at all cost→ 


III. While Trusting His Hope! 

And there is hope here. As we celebrate Palm Sunday next week, we’ll see even more of this hope.  

“11 But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here!" And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. 13 And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is soon to come.”

Ok, this is getting long, so let me try to hit these and quickly as possible. First→ 

They will seem to be defeated by Satan. I’m not sure I need to break this down any further. Satan will attack God’s people, and seem to overcome them. 

But not until God is finished with them. This. Is. Huge. “when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them,” There is not some cosmic battle between equally powerful goods (God) and evils (Satan). God is infinitely more powerful than Satan—who cannot act until allowed, and no Christian life is lost until Jesus is done working His perfect purpose and plan in his or her life. 

And, when death does come, there is still no defeat! The end of this passage is the end. Literally, the seventh trumpet is sounded immediately afterwards. We have earthquakes and destruction we’ve seen in all the other “end” references. But we also have God’s people being revealed as God’s people, gloriously resurrected, and scoffers being saved! Notice also that the time between when they seem dead and when they come back is referred to as three and a ½ days which is much shorter than 3 ½ years!

2-Fold Picture. Now, I believe we have a two-fold image here. This is a now and later scenario. I believe this does point to a final “seeming defeat” followed by the ultimate victory of the church at the return of Jesus. However, it is also pointing to the cycles we’ve seen throughout history. Anytime the church seems to be stomped out, what happens? God breathes life! Oh, let’s hold on to that truth!

Ok, that’s a lot for one Sunday, so let’s hit some quick→ 


TAKEAWAYS

  1. Trust in His security.

  2. Rely on His authority.

  3. Expect persecution and care enough to face it.

  4. Look forward to the reality of your resurrection… which is only made possible by His.


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