The Great Tribulation Begins (Revelation 11)

Chapter 7
Chapter 11 is chronologically the beginning of the great tribulation which is divided into two 3 ½ year periods of time. The first 3 ½ year period is marked by the prophesying of the two witnesses, called the two olive trees (cf. Rev. 11:4 with Zechariah 4:3, 11, 14) and the two lampstands. It seems the temple, as it existed in Solomon’s time, will be “rebuilt” for the second time. It was originally built by Solomon. It was rebuilt the first time by Herod; and it will be rebuilt the second time by the anti-Christ. The two prophets will prophecy from inside the temple itself while the rest of the holy city, the court yard of the temple, will be given to the nations for the 3 ½ years the prophets prophesy; they will be supernaturally protected by God. It is especially interesting to note that when Jesus came for his first visit to this planet, he came in meekness. He came in humility. When he returns, it will not be in humility. He will be coming as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He will be coming as the conquering King of kings and Lord of lords. And, it is essential to note that, while these two prophets will be witnessing to the truth of the gospel, they will not be doing so in humility. Unlike the saints who have been instructed to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them, these two prophets will be slaying their enemies with fire, which will proceed from their mouths to devour them (11:5). Like Elijah, these two prophets will be able to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the 3 ½ years of their prophesying; and like Moses, they will be able to turn whatever drinkable water is left on the earth to blood. Finally, also like Moses, they will have the power to strike the earth with every plague which has ever been seen on earth, as often as they wish. Of course, the reason the inhabitants of the earth will be so happy when the anti-Christ kills them, is also rather obvious. We are told in verses 7 and 8 that that at the end of their prophesying, God will remove their supernatural protection, the devil will kill them, and their bodies will lie for three days in the streets of Jerusalem.

It seems that all the news stations around the world will have their cameras pointed at the bodies of these two prophets as they lie in the streets. The sick, perverted joy at the sight of them lying in the streets on worldwide satellite television will quickly subside when after three days they come to life before the gaping mouths of the world’s inhabitants, and ascend into heaven. The gifts those who dwell on earth have sent to one another in celebration upon the temporary death of these two prophets will serve as constant reminders of their incredible stupidity. At the very time the two olive trees ascend into the heavens, a great earthquake will destroy 1/10th of the city (Jerusalem); and seven thousand people will die instantly in the rubble caused by that quake.

It really isn’t important to know any more about these two prophets, but I think it is more than just a casual insight to note that both the kinds of miracles they perform and previous scripture indicate they may well be Elijah, John, and Moses. I realize I have named three prophets of old indicating they are the two prophets of Revelation 11. It is clear from scripture there is something eternally special about Moses and Elijah. Moses was “the prophet” who delivered Israel from Egypt. Elijah was “the prophet who shut up the sky so that it did not rain in Israel. He is also “the prophet” referred to in Malachi 4:5 whom Malachi says will be coming “. . . before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord.” The great and terrible day of the Lord is likely a reference to the final bowl judgments of Revelation 15:8-16:21. When we compare Malachi’s prophecy to Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:13, “For if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come,” we realize John the Baptist was unique. He was with us first as Elijah; he came a second time as the forerunner of Jesus’ first coming as John the Baptist; and I believe he will be coming a third time with Moses as one of the two witnesses.

If that bothers you, you are certainly welcome to believe these two witnesses of Revelation 11 are two entirely different people. That just isn’t what God’s word says. Personally, I have no problem theologically accepting that God simply decided to incarnate these two individuals more than once because the task they had to perform required it. It is well within the theological and physical power of God to so such a thing. It is not a contradiction of His nature or the revealed word of God. One is not forced to believe in universal reincarnation, as do the fools of the myriad of false eastern religions, just because God reincarnates two of His mightiest prophets in 6,500 years of history. I’m afraid there are great multitudes who throw out the baby with the bath water (sorry for the use of the worn out cliché, but it is so apropos), just because there so many false religions which teach reincarnation. The Eastern religious proclamation on the topic of reincarnation is categorically absurd. However, God has brought back Samuel from the dead (I Sam. 28:12-19), Moses and Elijah (Matt. 17:3), and Elijah as John. Jesus resurrected Lazarus (John 11), the only son of a widow (Matt. 7:15), and Jairus’ daughter (Luke 8:54, 55); Peter resurrected Dorcus (Acts 9:36-43), and Elijah resurrected the widows son (I Kings 17:17-23). The statement of Hebrews 9:27, “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.” obviously does not mean God cannot make an exception if and when He chooses to do so. I have not personally verified widespread claims that Christian apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor/teachers are raising the dead quite regularly in many third world (developing) countries; but most certainly, it would not be contrary to what we have had revealed to us thus far from the word of god.

My final word on this subject is this. In all cases when God reincarnates a person, He returns the spirit of that person to the body from which it came. The person’s spirit does not ever enter another body as depicted in so many of Hollywood’s incredibly stupid movies. And the reason for the reincarnation has nothing to do with winning the big game, getting a second chance to clean up one’s act, fixing something that didn’t get done in one’s first life, or helping someone else find his way. God always has a specific purpose for returning one’s spirit to his body. And He always accomplishes that purpose to the praise and glory of His holy name.

Verse 14 reminds us that there is still one woe to come. And we are informed quite pointedly that it is coming quickly. That simply means God wants to make sure those who celebrated the death of His two prophets understand the judgment that is coming is directly related to their failure to heed the warnings the two prophets spoke for 3 ½ years. When the seventh angel sounds, several things happen simultaneously: 1. The kingdom of the world is instantaneously relinquished to Jesus (v. 15); 2. Jesus begins His earthly reign from heaven; 3. The nations, unwilling to acknowledge His lordship, are enraged; 4. It is the time for judgment to come upon those who have rejected Him and to reward His bondservants, the prophets and saints who fear Him. 5. It is also the time to destroy those who destroy the earth. These five things are contained in this one last woe. Verse 19 gives us what we in contemporary video technology call a split image. John tells us what he sees both in heaven and on the earth. The temple is opened and the Ark of the Covenant appears in heaven while there are flashes of lightening and sounds and peals of thunder and another earthquake occurring on earth. Remember, this is the third earthquake described in the Revelation.