Coachlight Bible Study – Revelation Chapter 11

The Things That Shall Be Hereafter – Part VIII – My Two Witnesses

 

In this parenthesis between the sixth and seventh trumpet judgments, we read about John measuring a future temple of God.  He is not to measure the court of the Gentiles, because Jerusalem is to be trodden down by Gentiles until the Battle of Armageddon. 

While the Antichrist is performing his abomination of desolation spoken by Daniel, the Lord has two witnesses with power given to them that resembles the times of Moses and Elijah. These two witnesses, antitypes of Zerubbabel & Joshua the priest, prophesy for 3 and one-half years. When their ministry is complete, they are killed by the Antichrist’s wars.  The people of Jerusalem party for 3 and one-half days with the bodies of God’s two witnesses in the streets of Jerusalem.

Their party is crashed, however, when the dead prophets rise from the dead and ascend into heaven.

 

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.

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.

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.

Revelation 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

Revelation 11:5 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.

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.

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.

Revelation 11:8 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.

Revelation 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.

Revelation 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.

Revelation 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.


Revelation 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.

Revelation 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.

Revelation 11:14 ¶ The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

 

I. The Mighty Angel Gives John A Reed To Measure The Temple

 

A. The Same Mighty Angel That Gave John The Little Book

B. John & The Mighty Angel Still On Earth

C. John Was At The Temple Of God At Jerusalem

1. This Was Not The Temple Of Herod

a. Herod’s Temple Was Destroyed More Than 25 Years Before Revelation

b. Herod’s Temple Was Destroyed By Titus 70 AD

2. This Temple Is Still A Future Temple

a. There Will Be A Temple In Jerusalem During The Tribulation

1. The Antichrist Will Sit In The Temple And Proclaim Himself God

 

II Thessalonians 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;

II Thessalonians 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.

 

2. The Antichrist Will Cause The Abomination Of Desolation

 

Daniel 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.

 

3. The Antichrist Will Probably Set Up The Image Of The Beast There

 

Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

 

b. This Temple Is Not The Millennial Temple Seen By Ezekiel

 

Ezekiel 42:20 He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred reeds long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.


 

1. That Temple To Be Built In Shiloh – In The Middle Of The Holy Oblation

 

Ezekiel 48:8 And by the border of Judah, from the east side unto the west side, shall be the offering which ye shall offer of five and twenty thousand reeds in breadth, and  in length as one of the other parts, from the east side unto the west side: and the sanctuary shall be in the midst of it.

 

Ezekiel 48:21 And the residue shall be for the prince, on the one side and on the other of the holy oblation, and of the possession of the city, over against the five and twenty thousand of the oblation toward the east border, and westward over against the five and twenty thousand toward the west border, over against the portions for the prince: and it shall be the holy oblation; and the sanctuary of the house shall be in the midst thereof.

 

2. That Temple To Be Built After The Return Of Christ – And Earth Changes

 

Zechariah 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

 

c. The Tribulation Temple Probably Destroyed By Earthquake

     Revelation 8:5; Revelation 11:19; Revelation 16:18

1. Synchronizing The Breaking Of The 7th Seal

2. Synchronizing The Sounding Of The 7th Trumpet

3. Synchronizing The Pouring Out Of The 7th Vial

 

D. John Was To Measure The Temple Of God At Jerusalem

1. John Told To Only Measure The Temple Proper

2. The Temple Had Courts Like Other Jerusalem Temples

a. The Temple The Herod Built Had 4 Courts

1. The Court Of The Priests

2. The Court Of Israel

3. The Court Of The Women

4. The Court Of The Gentiles

b. The Temple That Solomon Built

1. The Court Of The Priests

2. The Court Of The Gentiles

3. John Was Told Not To Measure The Court That Surrounded The Temple

a. The Court That Surrounds The Temple Is The Court Of The Gentiles

b. Jerusalem Is To Be Trodden Down By The Gentiles – 40 Months – 3 ½ Years


1. Until The Times Of The Gentiles Is 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.

 

2. This Is The Last Half Of Daniel’s 70th Week

3. This Is After The Antichrist Breaks His Covenant With Israel

4. This Is After The Antichrist Desecrates The Temple

5. This Will Not End Until The Battle Of Armageddon

 

II. The Mighty Angel Gives: “Power Unto My Two Witnesses”

 

A. The 2 Witnesses Shall Prophesy A Thousand 2 Hundred & Three Score Days

1.  1260 Days = 42 Months = 3 ½ Years

2. This Corresponds To The Last Half Of The Tribulation – Great Tribulation

B. Who Are The 2 Witnesses

1.  They Are 2 Men

a. They Prophesy

b. They Are Clothed In Sackcloth

c. They Have Power To Shut Heaven That It Doesn’t Rain

d. They Have Power Over Water To Turn Them To Blood

2.  It Was Prophesied That Elijah Would Be Sent Before The Day Of The Lord

 

Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

Malachi 4:6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

 

a. Elijah Had Power To Shut Up Heaven For 3 ½ Years

 

I Kings 17:1¶ And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

 

Luke 4: 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;

 

James 5:17 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.

 

1. Elijah Was Then Translated And Did Not See Death

2. Elijah Is To Come Back Before The Great & Dreadful Day Of The Lord

3. Elijah Will – “Turning The Heart Of The Children To Their Fathers


b. Elijah’s Return Was Not Completely Fulfilled In John The Baptist

1. John Paved The Way For Christ On His 1st Coming

2. No Great & Dreadful Day Of The Lord Followed

3.  John Said He Was Not Elijah

a. The Jews Sent Priests & Levites To John – “Who Art Thou?”

1. John Said – “I Am Not The Christ.”

2. Priests & Levites – “Art Thou Elijah?”

3. John Said – “I Am Not.”

b. John Definitely Was Not Elijah

4.  John Did Come Before Christ

a. Gabriel Announced The Birth Of John To Zacharias

b. John Would Come In The Spirit & Power Of Elijah

5.  Christ Said John Would Have Been Elijah

a. Christ To The Multitude Of Jews - “If Ye Will Receive It”

 

Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Matthew 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

Matthew 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

 

b. What Were The Jews To Accept?

1. We Need To Look At The Context

2. The Context Is The Kingdom Of Heaven

c. If They Would Have Received The Kingdom – John Would Have Been Elijah

d. God Foreknew The Rejection Of Christ – Sent The Spirit & Power Of Elijah

6.  Moses & Elijah Appeared In The Transfiguration

 

Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Matthew 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Matthew 17:1 ¶ And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

Matthew 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Matthew 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Matthew 17:4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Matthew 17:6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.


Matthew 17:7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

Matthew 17:8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

Matthew 17:9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

Matthew 17:10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?

Matthew 17:11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

Matthew 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

Matthew 17:13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

 

7.  Some Say The Witnesses Will Be Enoch & Elijah – Neither Saw Death

a. Use The Verse:

 

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

 

b. This Verse Doesn’t Mean That Men Only Die Once

1. Christ Raised Lazarus From Death – He Evidently Died Again

2. The Wicked Dead Go To The Great White Throne – Second Death

8. Remember What The Two Witnesses Will Have Power To Do?

a. They Have Power To Shut Heaven That It Doesn’t Rain

b. They Have Power Over Water To Turn Them To Blood

9. Remember Moses Had Power To Turn Water Into Blood

 

Exodus 7:19 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone.

 

10. The Coming Vial Judgments Imitate The Judgment On Pharaoh – 4 Similar

11. Comparison Between Mount Carmel Contest And 2 Witnesses Ministry

a. The Contest At Mount Carmel – Who Is God? – Jehovah Or Baal

b. The Contest In Revelation – Who Is God? – Jehovah Or Antichrist

c. The False Prophet In Revelation Will Be Able To Do What Baal Couldn’t Do

1. The False Prophet Will Imitate Elijah - Bring Down Fire

 

Revelation 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,


 

2. True Israel Will Know The God Of Their Fathers

3. The Followers Of The Beast Will Continue Worshipping The Beast

 

C. There Are 2 Witnesses Elsewhere In The Bible – All Had Shining Garments

1. Transfiguration – 2 Witnesses – Matthew 17:3

2. Christ Risen – 2 Witnesses To The Women – Luke 24:4-7

3. Christ’s Ascension – 2 Witnesses – Acts 1:10-11

D. The 2 Witnesses Called The 2 Olive Trees & 2 Candlesticks

 

Zechariah 4: 1 ¶ And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep,

Zechariah 4:2 And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:

Zechariah 4:3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.

Zechariah 4:4 So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?

Zechariah 4:5 Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

Zechariah 4:6 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.

Zechariah 4:7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

Zechariah 4:8 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Zechariah 4:9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.

Zechariah 4:10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

Zechariah 4:11¶ Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?

Zechariah 4:12 And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?

Zechariah 4:13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

Zechariah 4:14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.


 

1. These Two Were Zerubbabel & Joshua – Types Of Revelation 2 Witnesses

a. Haggai Prophesied When The House Of The Lord Was To Be Rebuilt

 

Haggai 1:14  And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,

 

b. They Were Anointed To Rebuild Jerusalem & Temple With Satan Resisting

 

Zechariah 3:1 ¶ And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

Zechariah 3:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

Zechariah 3:3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.

Zechariah 3:4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

Zechariah 3:5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.

Zechariah 3:6 And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,

Zechariah 3:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

 

2. It Will Happen Like It Did For Zerubbabel

 

Zechariah 4:6 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.

 

III. The Ministry Of The 2 Witnesses

 

A. The 2 Witnesses Will Prophecy 3 ½ Years

1. For That Length Of Time They Are Immune From Death

2. If Anyone Tries To Hurt Them – They Will Be Devoured By Fire

B. When The 2 Witnesses Finish Their Testimony

1. The 2 Witnesses Will Be Overcome By The Beast

2. The Beast Will Make War & Kill The 2 Witnesses

3. Their Dead Bodies Will Lie In The Streets Of Jerusalem 3 ½ Days


a. The Character Of The People Then Will Resemble Sodom’s Time

b. The Character Of The People Then Will Resemble Pharaoh’s Time

c. Ezekiel 23:1-19

d. The Inhabitants Will Rejoice Over Their Dead Bodies

e. The Inhabitants Will Party

f. The Inhabitants Will Give Each Other Gifts

4. The 2 Witnesses Will Rise From Death After 3 ½ Days

5. The 2 Witnesses Will Ascend Into Heaven Like Christ Did

C. In The Same Hour Of The 2 Whiteness’s Ascension

1. There Will Be A Great Earthquake

2. The Earthquake Will Destroy 1/10 Of Jerusalem

3. The Earthquake Will Destroy 7000 Of Jerusalem’s Inhabitants

4. The Remainder Will Turn To God For A Short Period – Like Pharaoh

 

IV. The 7th Trumpet – 3rd Woe – Covers The Balance Of The Week

 

Revelation 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 11:16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

Revelation 11:17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

Revelation 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Revelation 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

 

A. The 7th Trumpet Sounds – Includes Everything Until Chapter 20 Verse 3

B. John Heard Great Voices – Christ Will Possess His Eternal Kingdom

C. John Is Now In Heaven

D. John Sees The Temple Of God

E. John Sees From Heaven The Devastation Of The Earthquake & Hail

F. The 3rd Woe Includes All The Vial Judgments To Come