INTRODUCTION - Once again let us remind ourselves of the principles we are using in the interpretation of Revelation. First, we are endeavoring to read the book through first century Christian eyes. We do not bring our present world conditions and wars to this book and try to fit them in. The early church would understand its message as Revelation deals with the judgment of apostate Israel of the first century. Secondly, we want to always keep our Old Testaments close at hand. This will be especially helpful this morning, for so much of Revelation uses pictures from the Old Testament to illustrate principles and events. With these two methods of interpretation in mind, let us look at John's next picture in Revelation 11.

1) THE TWO WITNESSES OF GOD - Revelation 11:3-6 - All sorts of fantastic interpretations have been given for these witnesses, but we are going to take the view that these witnesses are not literal men, but figuratively represent what was happening during the first century in the nation of Israel. We should note here that these witnesses are testifying in the city of Jerusalem (Revelation 11:8), a city which John now describes as apostate and pagan. First, let us consider -

A) THE WORK OF THE TWO WITNESSES - As in the last passage, there is a figurative number of days given for their ministry of witnessing (equal to three and a half years). This is a figurative time of judgment where God will pour His wrath upon apostate Israel. Yet even during this time of judgment, the Lord will still send a witness of His Word to Israel. Their message is one of condemnation, but also grace, for at the end of the passage we do see some of the Jews repenting of their rebellion. Yet their work is to basically testify of the coming judgment of God upon the Jews.

B) THE IDENTITY OF THE TWO WITNESSES - The first thing we should realize in John's vision is that he is describing two very familiar people in the Old Testament - Moses and Elijah (Revelation 11:6). These are the two witnesses. However we obviously realize that Moses and Elijah did not literally visit first century Israel. Next, we are told that they are dressed in sackcloth. Here is the clothing of a mourner or a prophet who had to deliver a message of doom. These prophets are in mourning for their message is one of wrath against the people of Israel. Next, we are told in verse 4 that they are "two lampstands and two olive trees." To understand this imagery, one must be familiar with the book of Zechariah, for this is what John is quoting from. In Zechariah 4, the Lord is showing Zechariah that He has two anointed ones who will rebuild His Temple and people - Zerubbabel the king and Joshua the priest. They are "two olive trees who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth," a direct quotation found in Revelation 11. The message of the olive trees is given in Zechariah 4:4, that God would accomplish the rebuilding of the Temple, "not by might nor by power, but by His Spirit." This is how the witnesses of Revelation 11 are being described - their work will not be their own, but God's. Their ministry of witnessing will be empowered by the Lord God Almighty. Finally, we see in Revelation 11:5 that these witnesses have "fire proceeding from their mouths." Again, this is not literal, but a figurative description of the power of the Word of God. It is a fire which consumes all who oppose it (Jeremiah 5:14).

C) THE WITNESS OF GOD'S WORD AGAINST FIRST CENTURY ISRAEL - What then is this entire picture portraying to us? It is actually a portrait of God's first century witness against the nation of Israel. Moses and Elijah represent the two key elements of the Old Testament, the Law and the Prophets. Here we are seeing the testimony of the Law and Prophets against first century Israel. In Acts 28:23-29, we have a vivid description of God's first century witness to Israel. Here Paul is reasoning with the Jews, and what does he use? "The Law of Moses and the Prophets" are his means of witness. This is what John is portraying in Revelation 11.

2) THE DEATH OF THE TWO WITNESSES OF GOD AND THE REJOICING OF THE PEOPLE - Revelation 11:7-10 - After their witness, the beast rises up (we will study him in greater detail later in the book) and kills these prophets. Their bodies are thrown into the city of Jerusalem which has become as immoral and pagan as Sodom and Egypt. Then the people of the land are filled with rejoicing because of their deaths. Why do they celebrate? No longer do they have to hear the Word of God! The testimony of God has been destroyed. This was certainly the state of first century Israel. They had killed the Old Testament prophets, they had killed the Son of God, and they were endeavoring to do away with the Christian witness. Though they said they believed the Old testament, they had in fact turned from it, substituting their own traditions and regulations. How many men today think they have done the same thing with God's Word! Yet there is a surprise in store for those who think they have silenced the testimony of God, even though they may have killed some of His witnesses.

3) THE RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION OF THE TWO WITNESSES AND THE JUDGMENT OF GOD - Revelation 11:11-14 - Men think they have destroyed Christianity and God by doing away with its witnesses, yet this is impossible to do. No matter how many prophets the Jews killed, no matter how many Christians died in the first century, the witness of God would always rise again. This resurrected witness will throw fear into the hearts of those who first rejected it. What happened to Israel? Yes, there were those who believed, and found grace and forgiveness through repentance and faith. Yet there were others who still rejected and they fell with the fall of Jerusalem. Such is the judgment of God upon all men who will try to trample and destroy His testimony. The witness of God is still strong today. It is alive and preached in the church. No matter how many men may die testifying of Christ, the witness will always be strong. There is Christ and His sacrifice at Calvary. There is God calling you to repentance and faith. What will you do with the witness of God? Will you fight it and try to destroy it? If you do, you will face the wrath and judgment of God. Yet if you surrender to it, the mercy of God extended to sinners seeking forgiveness is yours!