The book of Revelation is the only book in the whole Bible that specifically tells us there is an important Blessing imparted to any person who reads or hears the book and HEEDS the WARNINGS that are contained in the book, because “the time is near”.
Revelation 1:3: Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
The only problem is that the book of Revelation was written in apocalyptic language and can be difficult to understand, especially when one is new to reading the Bible. To assist, we’re sharing our interpretations of these end time Prophecies, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, because the time FOR ALL TO BE FULFILLED is now VERY NEAR.
To briefly summarize, we posted an overview of the BASIC structure of Revelation, so we could get a better understanding of the order of end-time events. This FINAL BOOK of the Bible is truly the “Grand Finale” to God’s Great Plan of Restoration. What began as God’s PERFECT CREATION in Genesis, marred by sin, moved through both Old and New Testaments all pointing to REDEMPTION through the Messiah (Savior) Jesus Christ), and having it’s COMPLETE ENDING that will result in the FULL RESTORATION of God’s CREATION (mankind AND the earth)... in the Kingdom of God. The word “Revelation ” (A·po·kaʹly·psis) means the UNVEILING or UNCOVERING. The Book of Revelation REVEALS or UNVEILS the TRUE and COMPLETE NATURE of our REDEEMER and KING, Jesus Christ. Jesus is NOT just a “good man”, HE IS GOD IN THE FLESH, the I AM, and the ONLY ONE CAPABLE of SAVING MANKIND. Like a symphony, the judgments in the book of Revelation BUILD in intensity, severity, and magnitude until they reach a POWERFUL crescendo, the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ.
After sharing the overview/structure of the book of Revelation, we dug down deeper into some details, starting with the 6 Seals of Revelation, including the 4 horses of the apocalypse.
The 7 year Tribulation will begin when a Covenant (contract…probably having to do with Jerusalem, God’s land) is confirmed with “the many” (possibly the International Community, could also be the “Arab League”) for “1 week”, where “1 week” = 7 years. (Daniel 9:27). This will be the “kick off event” to the final 7 years of mankind’s self-rule on earth and is the reason why Bible prophecy experts watch Israel’s “peace proposals” with so much interest. Donald Trump’s “Deal of the Century” appears to be the next “proposal” for Jerusalem coming down the pike. Could this proposal be THE proposal or “covenant” that kicks off the final 7 years? It is certainly possible, especially since Israel completed her 70th year on May 14, 2019. The number 70 is a very important number in Bible Prophecy. (Jeremiah 25/Jeremiah 29). The economic portion of the “deal of the century” was introduced in Bahrain in late June, 2019, a little over 40 days after Israel completed her 70th year. In the Bible, the number 40 stands for trial, testing, or judgment. The Jewish Temple was burnt to the ground 40 YEARS after the Jewish Sanhedrin crucified THEIR MESSIAH.
- Does there HAVE TO be a SIGNED PEACE TREATY to KICK OFF the final 7 years?
- No, the Bible says NOTHING about a SIGNED PEACE TREATY (only a Covenant that is CONFIRMED or MADE FIRM), so it IS POSSIBLE that Trump’s PROPOSAL could be “THE COVENANT, but only time will tell.
- Since the economic portion of the “deal of the century” was put out there in July, 2019, could the final 7 years of TRIBULATION have already begun?
- Things in the world have certainly heated up dramatically since June 25, 2019, so time will tell. We tend to think that the final 7 years have not yet begun, especially since the political portion has not been presented. At this point, we don’t even know for certain that the Trump proposal is THE Covenant from Daniel 9:27. Even if it is, there has been one delay after another, as Israel has not been able to put together a Government since last Spring (2019). THE SITUATION IN ISRAEL IS ACTUALLY UNPRECEDENTED. Israel will hold new elections in the Spring, around the Passover season. WE SEE THIS AS GOD CONTROLLING THE TIMING. GOD’S TIMING IS PERFECT.
- What about the Rapture, I thought that the Rapture had to happen BEFORE the 7 year Tribulation?
- As discussed in a previous post, it APPEARS that the Dead in Christ will RISE FIRST just prior to the opening of the 1st seal of Revelation which is ANOTHER REASON why we do not think that the 7 year Tribulation has started yet.
Returning to our quick summary. We’ve also shared our thoughts on the identity of the 144,000 from Revelation 7 AND Revelation 14. We’ve talked a bit about the verses in Revelation 12 that detail the “stars falling from the sky”, which is symbolic of satan and his fallen angels being kicked to earth. We need to keep in mind that Revelation is NOT a “stand-alone” book, but rather, incorporates other texts from the Old and New Testament that also point to the End of days. When combined, these give us a much clearer picture of end-time events. For instance, the stars falling from the sky in the 6th seal of Revelation is another description of the same event that Jesus speaks about in Matthew 24. Notice the similarities in the verses below. They ALL speak of the same event, the ‘kickoff event’ to the final 1260 days of GREAT TRIBULATION. This has DEFINITELY not happened yet.
Matthew 24:29: “But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Revelation 6:12: I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood; 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, as a fig tree casts its unripe figs when shaken by a great wind.
Revelation 12: 3: Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon (satan) having seven heads and ten horns (New World Order), and on his heads were seven diadems(crowns/leaders). 4: And his tail *swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth.
Revelation 12: 9: And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
Joel 2: “I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire and columns of smoke. 31 “The sun will be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood Before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 32 “And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord Will be delivered; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem There will be those who escape, As the Lord has said, Even among the survivors whom the Lord calls.
In Matthew 24, very shortly after the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION (ANTICHRIST) stands in the Holy Place (Jerusalem/human body), there will be an “event” (6th seal) that will cause the sun and moon to darken (could be because of a single nuke dropped, could be a supervolcano), the sky will roll up like a scroll, and the stars from the Heaven will fall from the sky (meaning that the fallen angels will be kicked to the earth). Jesus warns His Jewish people to RUN and SHELTER in the MOUNTAINS because the 7th seal is about to open, the 1st Trumpet of Revelation. The “kings of the earth” will have already sheltered in the Mountain caves, in preparation for what they KNOW is to come. The AOD (abomination of desolation) “event” and the opening of the 6th seal will occur around the middle of the Tribulation, JUST PRIOR to the opening of the 7th seal, the 1st Trumpet, and the final 1260 days of GREAT TRIBULATION.
Daniel 9:27: ... in the middle of the “week” (1 week = 7 year Tribulation) he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering (our daily walk with Christ); and on the wing of abominations will come one (antichrist) who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”
Revelation 12 is a very ACTION PACKED chapter that details events that occur JUST prior to MID-TRIBULATION. In Revelation 12, we see satan and the fallen angels being kicked to the earth, we see the MANCHILD (body of Christ) being CAUGHT UP (RAPTURE) to God and to His Throne, AND we see the 144,000 Jewish remnant, 12,000 from the 12 Tribes of Israel (minus Dan and Ephraim) being SEALED by God and carried away to the “wilderness” (many think the mountains of Petra Jordan) where they will be hand-fed the TRUTH about their MESSIAH..JESUS. Although the word “Harpazo” (Greek for catching away) shows up in Revelation 12, which is primarily about mid-Tribulation events, we believe that the Catching away will happen PRIOR TO the start of the final 1260 days. As we’ve said, the dead in Christ should RISE FIRST before the 1st Seal is opened. The Catching away will occur after that, but perhaps not immediately, as most prophecy experts expect, but definitely before the 5th Seal, when we see the Raptured Saints around the Throne of God. Although the Dead in Christ who RISE FIRST may REMAIN on earth for a short period of time (“we who are alive and remain” – 1st Thess 4:17), for the purpose of helping with the End-Time Harvest, they will be TRANSFORMED into Heavenly Bodies, and completely protected from any of the “Seal Destruction”.
1 Thessalonians 4:16: For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
Revelation 12:5: And she (Israel) gave birth to a son, a male child (Jesus Christ…also includes the BODY of Christ or Church), who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child (Church) was caught up (Harpazo/Rapture) to God and to His throne.
Revelation 12:6: Then the woman (Israel/Jews) fled into the wilderness (Petra Jordan and other locations) where she *had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished (FED THE TRUTH ABOUT JESUS) for one thousand two hundred and sixty days. (1260 DAYS GREAT TRIBULATION)
Revelation 12:9: And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him
There is one other very important thing that we’ve not yet discussed that seems to happen in the middle of the 7 year Tribulation...
the introduction of God’s TWO witnesses.
Revelation 11:3: And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
The two witnesses will be granted authority to prophecy during the final 3.5 years of the 7 year Tribulation. This time period is also known by many people as the GREAT TRIBULATION. When God names this time period in Rev. 11:3 as 1260 days, this is significant. First, God is telling us that this is a very DEFINED amount of time. Second, by calling this 3.5 YEAR period “1260 days”, God is also telling us that the JEWISH PEOPLE will be HIS FOCUS. There are 365 days in a year on the Gregorian calendar, so three and a half years is more like “1277.5” days. There are 360 days in a Jewish year, so exactly 1260 days in 3.5 JEWISH years. God’s Focus is no longer the Gentile Church, He is turning HIS FACE back to the JEWS. This is okay because by this time the Church will have been Raptured and is seen standing around the Throne of God in Revelation 7, the Great Multitude around the Throne. However, for those Gentiles who did not make the Rapture, they can still come to Christ during the Tribulation period. Just because God’s focus is primarily on the Jewish people does NOT mean that Gentiles who come to Christ will be turned away. God is calling as many people to His Son as will listen, both Jew and Gentile.
The second thing we see in Revelation 11:3 is that the Two witnesses will be clothed in SACKCLOTH. This does not necessarily mean that they will literally be wearing SACKCLOTH (although they could be). Sackcloth is pretty much what it sounds like, but is also symbolic of MOURNING and HUMILITY.
SACKCLOTH: A coarse cloth, usually made of goats’ hair and black in color (Rev. 6:12). It is generally a poor quality material or a garment of goat hair usually worn as a symbol of mourning, but also worn by some prophets and captives. John the Baptist was wore a similar type of garment, although his garment was made of camel’s hair and not goat hair. John the Baptist came in the Spirit and power of the Old Testament prophet Elijah to prepare the way for the Lord.
Revelation 6:12: I looked when He broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake (shaking); and the sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became like blood;
Matthew 3:4: Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.
The two witnesses will be granted authority by God to prophesy for 1260 days. What else will does Revelation Chapter 11 tell us about these two individuals?
Revelation 11:4: These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.
We again see the metaphor of TREES symbolizing PEOPLE in these verses. The Two witnesses ARE the two Olive Trees AND the two Lampstands (Menorahs). What comes from an Olive Tree? Olive Oil! And what is used to FUEL the LIGHT that burns in the LAMPSTAND? OLIVE OIL. In the Bible, Olive Oil represents the HOLY SPIRIT.
We also see this same metaphor used in Zechariah 4 (Old Testament). In the book of Zechariah, the prophet Zechariah is prophesying a Word from the Lord to encourage Zerubbabel, the Governor of Judah. After the destruction of the 2nd Temple by the Babylonians c587BC, Zerubbabel, a descendant of David and another “type” of Messiah Jesus, was leading the charge to RETURN and rebuild the Jewish Temple. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah revolve around the rebuilding of Solomon’s Temple. Zechariah was a prophet during this time period. Zerubbabel returned to Jerusalem from the exile in Babylon. He was VERY DISCOURAGED when he saw the burnt out condition of the city and the Temple. How in the world was his small group of people going to be able to REbuild Solomon’s Temple? What a MESS! To make matters worse, Israel’s neighbors were none too friendly, AND they were NOT HAPPY to see the Jewish people (as they were now known) RETURN. Israel’s neighbors have NEVER liked them! Zerubbabel saw the massive building project as a GIANT MOUNTAIN too difficult to climb. But along comes the prophet Zechariah, who described to Zerubbabel a MYSTERIOUS vision that the Lord had given him about two Olive Trees, Two Lampstands, and the continuing flow of the oil that KEPT the lamps burning. The word of the Lord to Zerubbabel was this…
Zechariah 4: 5: Then he (the angel) said to me (Zechariah), “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. 7 ‘What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’”
Through the prophet Zechariah, the Lord was telling Zerubbabel that the great mountain that stood before him would become a PLAIN, meaning that the LORD was going to FLATTEN that mountain. Translation: With God’s help, Zerubbabel would EASILY be able to complete the MOUNTAINOUS building project of the Temple. How could he accomplish such a difficult feat? Not by Zerubbabel’s human might nor by any human power, but by the SPIRIT of the LORD. The OIL that would CONTINUALLY FLOW into the two Lampstands would light the way.
Zechariah then asks the angel another question about the two lampstands and the two olive trees, one that ALL of us are probably curious about. He asks the angel, “what are you showing me? What am I seeing?” What are the Two Olive Trees THAT STAND BESIDE THE LAMPSTANDS? Obviously they are symbolic for SOMETHING! Now, we’re going to see something very interesting. The Old Testament Prophet Zechariah is NOT the only one who saw these two Olive Trees and Two Lampstands. The Apostle John, writing the book of REVELATION, sees the SAME THING…but now as an END TIME VISION. The OT Vision of Zechariah is VERY SIMILAR to the END TIME vision of the Apostle JOHN.
Zechariah 4:11: Then I said to him (angel), “What are these two olive trees on the right of the lampstand and on its left?” 12 And I answered the second time and said to him, “What are the two olive branches which are beside the two golden pipes, which empty the golden oil from themselves?” 13 So he answered me, saying, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.” 14 Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.”
Revelation 11:4: These ARE THE TWO OLIVE TREES and THE TWO LAMPSTANDS that stand before the Lord of the earth.
Did you notice the wording in Zechariah 4:14? The angel’s words to Zechariah EXACTLY MIRROR what is told to the Apostle John in Revelation 11? The Two Olive Trees and the two Lamp Stands are the Two ANOINTED ONES who stand before the Lord of the whole earth. Isn’t it interesting that the Old Testament Prophet Zechariah, who lived during the time of the REBUILDING OF THE 2ND TEMPLE, was shown pretty much the same thing that the Apostle John was shown in Revelation 11? It is also interesting to note that the first few verses in Revelation 11 (The chapter about the 2 witnesses) concern the REBUILT 3rd TEMPLE, and seems very similar to Zechariah 4, where the OT Prophet Zechariah was prophesying about the REBUILT 2ND TEMPLE. This does not seem like a coincidence. Two Witnesses, 2 “anointed ones standing before the Lord of the earth” …two rebuilt Temples. There are no “coincidences” with God.
Just a quick note, we have mentioned that the human body is NOW the Temple of God, but we do believe that the verses in Revelation 11 pertain to the 3rd Temple (building) that will be built in Jerusalem. The Temple Institute already has the plans, all of the furniture, and they are even raising some red heifers in order to build and cleanse the Temple.
Revelation 11: 1: Then there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, “Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it. 2 Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city (jerusalem) for forty-two months.(3.5 years)
The Angel told Zechariah that the two witnesses are the two anointed ones who stand before the Lord of the whole earth. The word anointed usually refers to a person who has a special calling from God. This word carries with it the understanding that the Holy Spirit is involved. Jesus Christ is THE ANOINTED ONE, where the word “CHRIST” actually mans ANOINTED. However, this word has also been used to describe ordinary people in the Bible, like King David.
We see these MYSTERIOUS passages in Zechariah and Revelation 11, speaking of two anointed people who stand before the Lord of the earth, set apart for a very Holy purpose and powered by the Holy Spirit who continuously flows through them. They are also called two LAMPSTANDS, meaning that they carry the light. They are NOT the light, but they are LAMPSTANDS who carry the light. Jesus IS the Light of the world. Actually, in a sense, every Christian is a LAMPSTAND because the Holy Spirit dwells inside of us.
What else does Revelation 11 tell us about the Two Witnesses?
Revelation 11:3: And I WILL GRANT AUTHORITY TO MY TWO WITNESSES, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire flows out of their mouth and devours their enemies; so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way. 6 These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not 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 plague, as often as they desire.
So far, it sounds like the LORD will be displaying some of His AWESOME POWER THROUGH the two witnesses! They have fire that flows out of their mouth to kill their enemies! They have the ability to cause a drought, and to turn the waters to blood! They can even strike the earth with plagues. Plagues bring to mind the Old Testament prophet Moses, and the ten plagues of Egypt. The Two Witnesses will testify for 1260 days with GOD’S AUTHORITY. It sounds like their message will be very unpopular because people will want to harm them. The antichrist will NOT want these people prophesying to the Jews about the IDENTITY of their TRUE MESSIAH…YESHUA (JESUS!) The antichrist will pretend to be the Jewish Messiah; HOWEVER, he is a DECEIVER! The Two Witnesses KNOW THE TRUTH and will be prophesying TRUTH to the Jewish people! Praises to God for sending His 2 Witnesses because Jesus warned us that His people (Jews) would be DECEIVED and RECEIVE the false messiah, the antichrist.
John 5:43: I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. (prophesy about the antichrist).
As it is today, many people do not WANT the truth. In-fact, the TRUTH upsets them and makes them very angry! God has granted the TWO WITNESSES significant POWER so that they will SURVIVE for 1260 days to complete their testimony. Fire flows out of their mouths and devours their enemies. At first, I thought that this was a metaphor; however, Holy Spirit just brought Ananias and Sapphira to mind. In the book of Acts, this married couple LIED to the HOLY SPIRIT, and they were immediately killed. It is NOT a good idea to disrespect the Holy Spirit. Annanias and Sapphira were not in trouble for holding back some money for themselves, but they LIED to the Holy Spirit, which is NOT a good idea!
Acts 5:1: But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” 5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it. 6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.
7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” 10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.
The two witnesses have a VERY SPECIAL ANOINTING by God. They will be POWERED by the HOLY SPIRIT who continually flows through them, and Nobody, not even the antichrist, will be able to STOP THEM...UNTIL their testimony is COMPLETE.
Revelation 11:7: When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss (antichrist) will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt (Jerusalem), where also their Lord (YESHUA/JESUS) was crucified. 9 Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
11: But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them. 13 And in 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 is past; behold, the third woe is coming quickly.
Not too much explanation is needed for what we just read. What we’re seeing is that there are going to be some MAJORLY SUPERNATURAL occurrences that happen during the GREAT TRIBULATION. It will be a time of massive destruction and desolation, people losing their souls for eternity for taking the mark of the beast. It will also be a time of MIRACLES, of SUPERNATURAL OCCURRENCES, SIGNS, WONDERS, things that none of us have ever seen before. These Two Witnesses are going to do a very important job, one that will help to save the souls of many of God’s people, God’s JEWISH REMNANT.
2 Corinthians 13:1: This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”
Sadly, it sounds like many, many people (Jews and Gentiles) will align themselves with the antichrist AGAINST the two witnesses, and even REJOICE when they are finally killed. But the RESURRECTION of the two witnesses will be the REAL DEAL, will be VISIBLE for all to see, and will terrify the Jewish REMNANT into believing what the 2 witnesses had been PREACHING! Jesus CHRIST is GOD! God always has a remnant, in every generation.
The last thing we will do is talk about THE POTENTIAL IDENTITY of the two witnesses. If you’ve heard of these guys before, you’ve probably heard many THEORIES about who they may be. The most popular theory is that they are Elijah and Moses. The Jews are definitely expecting Elijah to return, so Elijah is a very high possibility. Also, the plagues that they will be performing include drought (performed by the Prophet Elijah during his earthly ministry), and water turning to blood (performed by Moses as he led the Israelites out of Egypt). Also, three of Jesus’ Disciples (John, James, and Peter) saw a glorified version of JESUS, ELIJAH, and MOSES at the MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION. I think these are EXCELLENT possibilities, and they COULD BE the Two witnesses. There is only one small problem with this theory…
Hebrews 9:27: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Deuteronomy 34:5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, as the LORD had said. And He (God) buried him (Moses) in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor; but no man knows his burial place to this day.
Moses died and his bones were buried in the valley in the land of Moab. Could he be one of the two witnesses if he died once? We’re not too sure about that because the Two Witnesses are going to die in the Streets of Jerusalem, and then be resurrected 3 and a half days later. God’s Word says that it is appointed for man to die once, and then comes judgment.
In contrast, Elijah never died. He was “taken up in a whirlwind” (A Rapture type event), and never seen again.
2 Kings 2:11: As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.
It seems that Elijah is almost certainly one of the Two witnesses. He’s never tasted death. Is he standing before the Lord of the earth, anointed by God for the special end time purpose of speaking TRUTH to the Jewish Remnant, for the final 1260 days of mankind’s self-rule on earth? This seems very likely. Although many think that Moses is the 2nd Witness, could there be any other possibilities? Is there anyone else who NEVER DIED..similar to Elijah? YES! In the antediluvian days (pre-flood), there was a man who was very close to God. Although the account in Genesis is a little vague, Hebrews 11 definitely shows that Enoch was also translated into Heaven, similar to Elijah.
Genesis 5:24: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Hebrews 11:5: By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Enoch was also translated into Heaven without seeing death. Hmm…so two people, Enoch and Elijah, one before the flood and one after the flood, were translated into Heaven without seeing death. Why? Could it be that they have a special anointing,a special “job” to do in the final 1260 days of Great Tribulation?
It is our OPINION that Enoch and Elijah are the two witnesses, and that they will arrive on the scene on or around the time that the antichrist gets his fake deadly headwound. They will prophesy IN JERUSALEM during the final 1260 days of Great Tribulation. Some people think that the two witnesses will prophesy during the first half of the 7 year Tribulation, but that’s not really Biblical. Every single time that the “1260 days”, “42 months”,”time/times/half a time” is spoken of, it is referring to the same time-period of GREAT TRIBULATION. Also, Revelation 11 makes it CLEAR that the TWO WITNESSES are RESURRECTED in the “2nd woe”.
The 1ST WOE IS THE 5TH TRUMPET
Revelation 9: Then the fifth angel sounded (5th Trumpet), and I saw a star from heaven (satan) which had fallen to the earth; and the key of the bottomless pit was given to him. 2 He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit.
Revelation 9:12: The first woe is past; behold, two woes are still coming after these things.
The 2nd woe is THE 6th Trumpet….and The 2 Witnesses Resurrect during the 2nd woe.
Revelation 9: Then the sixth angel sounded,(6th Trumpet) and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.”
Revelation 11:11: But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them. 13 And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city (jerusalem) 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 is past; behold, the third woe is coming quickly
The 3RD WOE IS the 7th TRUMPET!
The first 3 woes are the 5th, 6th, and 7th Trumpets. There is no way that the 2 Witnesses could be here prophesying during the first half of the 7 year Tribulation and then DIE and RESURRECT in the 2nd woe JUST PRIOR to the 7TH TRUMPET. That is NOT possible since they resurrect 3.5 DAYS after their death. The Two witnesses will somehow APPEAR and prophesy for 1260 days of GREAT TRIBULATION.
Also, we can add to this that when Jesus ascended into Heaven, two mysterious men dressed in White showed up and told the Disciples that Jesus would RETURN in exactly the same way that He went up. In what way did He go up? Two men in white showed up AS He was going up. When the two witnesses are resurrected, and stand on their feet, Jesus will return. The Two Witnesses RISE at the 2nd woe, just prior to the 3rd woe and the sounding of the 7th Trumpet, when God pours out His 7 Bowls of Wrath. The two men dressed in White who spoke to the Disciples were PROBABLY the two witnesses, Enoch and Elijah who were present at Jesus’ ascension and will be present when HE returns. It seems that these two men in white linen also SHOW UP in the Old Testament book of Daniel. All of these accounts are probably describing the same two men, the two witnesses.
Acts 1:9: And after He had said these things, He (jesus) was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come (return) in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
Daniel 12: 5: Then I, Daniel, looked and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the river and the other on that bank of the river.
Although some people believe that the TWO WITNESSES are “metaphorical”, or even stand for “Christians and Jews”, this also is not Biblical because Christians did NOT exist at the time that the Old Testament prophet Zechariah walked the earth..AND Christians will NOT BE HERE during the GREAT TRIBULATION.
We firmly believe that two witnesses are two literal people, and we believe that they are Enoch and Elijah; however..time will tell. As we’ve said before, much of prophecy remains a MYSTERY until God REVEALS ALL. For now, we see in a mirror dimly.
Maranatha!
