Chapter 11

God’s Two Witnesses -3

v.5-7 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. Now when they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them and kill them.

God will make these two men invincible. Throughout the entire three and a half years of their ministry, nothing or no one will be able to harm or hinder them. They’ll be able to roam freely throughout all of Israel (or throughout the world for that matter) without fear of reprisal from terrorists, assassins, or any other enemy (including Antichrist himself). They’ll have the ability to draw fire from heaven and devour anyone who attempts to harm them. They’ll possess a supernatural power that enables them to stop the rain, turn water into blood, and otherwise to strike the earth with plagues as often as they feel it’s required to enforce the credibility of their message. Plus, they’re guaranteed to finish their ministry before God allows Antichrist to overcome and kill them.

v.8-13 And their bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three and a half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. Now after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand men were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

The world will become insanely ecstatic when these two prophets are murdered. After being tormented by their message for three and a half years, when the world sees their bodies openly displayed in the streets of Jerusalem people will rejoice, make merry, and exchange gifts. It will become a crowning moment for Antichrist, and undoubtedly sets the stage for his siege of Jerusalem and his desolation of the Jewish temple.

Okay, but there’s more.

Three and a half days after their bodies are put on display, while the whole world watches, God will breathe life into the prophets and resurrect them up into heaven. In the same hour, God will cause a great earthquake in Jerusalem that topples a tenth of the city, kills seven thousand people, and leaves the survivors so fearful that they give glory to God. Though their outcry is probably more in the order of the vain acknowledgment given by the magicians in Pharaoh’s court, and not true repentance (check—Ex. 8:19).