Author: Charlie Garrett

Sunday, 14 February 2021

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. Revelation 11:11

In the previous verse, John noted that those who dwell on the earth rejoiced over the death of the two witnesses. However, he now says, “Now after the three- and one-half days the breath of life from God entered them.”

The world saw and heard the witness, the prophecy, and the miraculous signs, wonders, and plagues of the two witnesses. However, they disregarded them, fought against them, and eventually killed them. After this, they shamelessly let them lie dead in the streets of Jerusalem for three- and one-half days. The bodies will certainly be in a state of decay and, knowing the way things are handled at such times, people will also probably abuse the dead bodies as well. However, their shameless conduct, along with their gloating, parties, and celebrations, will be short-lived. After this period, the “breath of life from God” will enter them.

If these two witnesses are Enoch and Elijah, meaning real people and not something being spoken of in metaphor, it seems incredible to even imagine. However, such an event is not without biblical precedent –

Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. ³⁹ Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”
Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
⁴⁰ Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” ⁴¹ Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. ⁴² And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” ⁴³ Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” ⁴⁴ And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” John 11:38-44

Lazarus really was dead for four days, and yet he was raised to life. From a biblical perspective, there is nothing impossible about the event now being conveyed in Revelation. This is because the God of the Bible is the Creator of all things. In His hand is the power to give life and to restore life. As for the two witnesses, it next says, “and they stood on their feet.”

The wording here carefully and precisely follows that which is recorded in Ezekiel 37 –

Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’” ¹⁰ So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. Ezekiel 37:9, 10

First, the breath of life entered the nation, and then they stood upon their feet. Because of the symbolism, it is quite clear that the two accounts are being tied together for Israel to make the connection. Just as Israel was raised to life, became a nation again, and stands upon its feet, so have these two witnesses.

In fact, the death and resurrection of these two witnesses are to be considered the most powerful part of their mission for the evangelization of Israel. If they can see that the same Lord, who reestablished them as a nation, is also the Lord Jesus who these witnesses proclaimed, they will finally come to the point of calling out to Him. So incredible, however, will this event be that John finishes with, “and great fear fell on those who saw them.”

Again, whether two actual people or something else which is spoken of in metaphor, the event will be incredible. In viewing this, the whole world will fear greatly. It will be a clear indication that the God who was proclaimed by these two witnesses is, in fact, fully capable of doing anything. The assumed victory will be short-lived. This revivification of life will be the sign of their sure to come judgment.

Life application: The term “breath” and “spirit” are, at times, used synonymously in the Bible. They come from the same word in both the Hebrew and the Greek languages. The breath referred to here is surely the same breath mentioned at the creation of man in Genesis 2:7, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” These two are given the reanimation of their bodies. The “breath of life from God” surely includes the fact that they are born of the Spirit.

Their resurrection then is an eternal one. They have triumphed over death because Jesus went before them and has granted them the same eternal life that He has. This is an implicit indication that the rapture has already occurred. These two witnesses, Enoch and Elijah, were taken to serve the Lord in Old Testament times and returned to earth to witness. These two came as witnesses to the fact that it is in Jesus Christ alone that true life is found. Their death and resurrection will testify to this.

Paul explains in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 that “the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord.” These two are resurrected, demonstrating that the rapture is something that really happened, and the great delusion spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2 was exactly that. People will be convinced that a “rapture” never happened somehow. This will be proven false by the resurrection of the two witnesses.

All of this may seem incredible, or even impossible from our earthly perspective, but it is what the Bible proclaims. Enoch and Elijah were taken by the Lord in the past, Lazarus was raised, and we too shall be raised to eternal life and raptured to eternal glory. The two witnesses will testify of the truth of God in Christ, they will die, and they will be resurrected. All of this is possible because we serve the Living God. We serve JESUS!

Thank You Lord for the great hope we as believers in Christ Jesus possess – the promise of eternal life through the resurrection of the dead! Why should we fear when we know that Jesus has already triumphed over death for us? We need never fear; our hope is secure in You! Hallelujah and Amen.

Saturday, 13 February 2021

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. Revelation 11:10

The previous verses noted the killing of the two witnesses. It then mentioned that they were left in the street for three- and one-half days with the whole world able to see it. From there, John says, “And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry.” The verbs are actually in the present tense in order to make the scene more graphic – “And those who dwell on the earth rejoice over them and make merry.”

John is describing the future in his words as if it is happening as he writes. It is understood that when someone’s foes are defeated, there is a sense of elation. In the case of these two witnesses, they were the enemy because the world hated the convicting message they spoke out. With that testimony ended, the world at large goes into a party of jubilation. Along with that, John says they will “send gifts to one another.”

The verb here is in the future tense, “and will send gifts to one another.” The change from the present to the future tense seems to convey a sense of revulsion by John – “They do this and this and then they will even do this.”

The sending of gifts is a middle eastern way of showing elation. For example, it is found in Nehemiah 8:10 –

“Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’”

It is also seen in Esther 9 when the Jews gained victory over their own enemies –

“But the Jews who were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day, as well as on the fourteenth; and on the fifteenth of the month they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. ¹⁹ Therefore the Jews of the villages who dwelt in the unwalled towns celebrated the fourteenth day of the month of Adar with gladness and feasting, as a holiday, and for sending presents to one another.” Esther 9:18, 19

Likewise, when the world thinks it has gained the final victory, they will send gifts “because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.”

The word translated as “tormented” signifies to examine by torture. It can be literal or figuratively applied. The sense here is the same as in 2 Peter 2:8 where it speaks of Lot’s righteous soul being tormented by the wicked conduct around him. Where wickedness dwells, the soul of the righteous is tormented. And where righteousness is proclaimed, the souls of the wicked are tormented. This is the sense of what is being conveyed now. The earth wants to follow its own perverse path, but the call out – by the two witnesses – brings about unwanted conviction.

Life application: In John 16:20, Jesus said to his disciples – “Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.” The world rejoices when it seems that God’s plans are thwarted or defeated. It has always been this way, and it will continue on during the tribulation period. But what the world does not stop to consider: God is God, and He is above His creation. He knows what will occur – from beginning to end.

What may seem to be a defeat to us may still be a part of His plan. If so, it comes about because He determines it to be that way. This is a trick people. Instead, it is proof of His sovereignty over what happens. This is because He will tell, in advance, concerning what and how things will happen. When those things come about, we can then know that it was because He directed the events. Such is true with the entire redemptive narrative. God promised He would restore man to paradise, and He shall do so. And that promise is centered on the giving of His Son. The promise is fulfilled through our Lord JESUS.

Heavenly Father, it truly is heartbreaking to stand back and see people rejoice over deeds of evil and wickedness. There is a sense that there is no control at all left in the world. However, we know there is, and we know that it is found in You. Help us to change hearts and minds through the gospel of Jesus before judgment falls and it is too late for these wayward souls. Amen.

Friday, 12 February 2021

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. Revelation 11:9

The previous verse noted that the dead bodies of the two witnesses will lie in the street of the great city (certainly speaking of Jerusalem). Now John says, “Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations.” This is an all-encompassing thought that could be spiritualized, but today there is no need to do so. In the past, such a thought could be conveyed as well, as a message went out from one nation to another by courier, but that would take an extraordinary amount of time.

However, a long amount of time is not available with what this verse next conveys. John says that these many categories “will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days.” At the time of John, seeing something meant within the distance of the human eye, or maybe as a depiction in a drawing. However, John’s words clearly convey that people from all over the world would be able to see these dead bodies all at once, and for a period of three-and-a-half days.

Unless this timeframe is somehow spiritualized, it would be impossible to think this could happen at John’s time, or at any time up to the present generation. And yet, with the advent of the internet, smart phones, live-streaming, and so on, this is not only possible, but it is what one would naturally expect for a such an event. Something like “The Two Witnesses” live webcam could have been broadcasting during the entire time of the witnessing. Upon their deaths, it would continue to run. With these two “enemies” of the state now dead, John says that the people of the world will “not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.”

In the Middle East, as elsewhere in hot sunny climates (assuming it is the warm time of the year), it is important to bury bodies quickly due to the effects of decay. However, the world will be happy to have these men lie open and exposed as they rejoice in their perceived triumph over them and over the message they proclaimed. As they claimed they were speaking on behalf of the Lord, the thought will be that of triumph over Him.

The words of this verse show a world filled with wickedness, as they jointly deny these two the respect of burial.

Life application: This verse does not prove John was referring to modern technology, such as TV, live-streaming, and so on. However, it does suggest it. Because these things are now a normal part of everyday society, it is easy to see how what John relays to us certainly matches the world as it now is.

Those who deny that Revelation is written for our time might say that the categories of people mentioned in this verse were simply pilgrims to Jerusalem and were thus representative of the known world at the time. However, it is no longer necessary to look at the events in such a manner. The description of the armies in Chapter 9 clearly point to modern armies. As this is certain, there is no reason to take what is stated in these verses as anything but literal as well. They exactingly match what is now possible in the world today.

As this is so, it shows that we are probably very near to the time in which these events will come about. That, in turn, tells us that we are even nearer to the coming of the rapture. Each day draws us nearer to the day we will be called home to be with JESUS!

Lord God, we surely live during exciting times. It is wonderful to think of the blessing of living in this age and seeing the things that people of the past could not have even imagined. And yet, we also now face new types of trials and frustrations unknown to those of the past. Our lives are hurried, and our days are overloaded. Help us to focus on what is most important, which is our relationship with You. Help us to not be distracted from that! Amen.

Thursday, 11 February 2021

And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Revelation 11:8

John now describes the treatment of the two witnesses after they have been killed, saying, “And their dead bodies will lie in the street.” The Greek reads “upon the street.” Their carcasses will be left exposed upon the street as a supposed testimony to the ending of their witness. They had prophesied of repentance or coming judgment, and there they will lie. As their dead bodies are left open and exposed in the streets of the city, these two are – in a sense – following their Lord in the public shame He endured.

Like Jesus, they have supposedly (stress the word) been defeated in “the great city.” This is referring to the same spot that was mentioned in verse 11:1 –

“Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, ‘Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.’”

John was told to measure “the temple of God,” meaning the temple of the Lord that will again stand on the temple mount in Jerusalem. It is in this location where the two witnesses had prophesied.

The term “great city” has not been used this way before when referring to Jerusalem, but it signifies the importance of the location in the end times. The world will look to it as a beacon of peace and unity, even while it flourishes in perversion and wickedness, something that has increased almost exponentially in recent years.

The Knesset, the seat of government in Israel, is located in western Jerusalem. There, the legalization of every type of indecency and perversion has come to pass, abortion is openly accepted as a legitimate practice, laws concerning the easing of restrictions on drug use are increasingly being introduced, and so on. These things will only increase in the time leading up to the coming of the two witnesses. Such things as this, and especially Israel’s rejection of Jesus as their Messiah, will be highlighted by them. For this, they will be martyred and then their dead bodies will be left in the open street.

Because of these immoral practices by the people, John continues with descriptions of the city, saying, “which spiritually is called Sodom.” The sin of Sodom is obvious. It is clearly defined in Scripture, and in whatever place the practice of homosexuality is openly accepted, that place will be labeled as Sodom – whether it is a bar, a district, a city, or a country. The label is fully understood as to what is being referred to.

Such practices are condoned and applauded throughout Israel today, and it all stems from the laws enacted in Jerusalem. Hence, it is the bearer of the title “Sodom.” John continues with, “and Egypt.” Egypt was the place of bondage, hardship, and oppressive rule from which Israel was redeemed by the Lord. Being brought out of Egypt was a picture of man’s being brought out from bondage to sin. However, here John calls Jerusalem “Egypt.”

Thus, he is indicating that it is a city in bondage to sin. The temple has changed nothing because by the law is the knowledge of sin. It can never lead to holiness. Instead, it can only heap up more guilt upon the people. The two witnesses will testify of freedom through the grace of God in Christ, but that will be rejected. The people will remain in their bondage.

Finally, and to ensure that the location of the city is not to be spiritualized away, John says of it, “where also our Lord was crucified.” Jesus was crucified outside of the gates of Jerusalem. Today, that area is within the limits of Jerusalem. The note of the Lord’s crucifixion is affixed to remind the reader that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law. All of the types and shadows of the Temple are found fulfilled in Him. And yet, instead of the Substance, they have chosen the shadow.

Further, the crucifixion of Christ points in two directions at once. It points to grace for those who accept it, and it points to judgment upon those who reject it. John’s note calls out, “This really happened! The Lord of Creation came to this place and died for the sins of His people! Accept the grace of God in Christ or be judged by God in Christ!”

The words of John in this one verse were anticipated by the prophet Isaiah –

“Hear the word of the Lord,
You rulers of Sodom;
Give ear to the law of our God,
You people of Gomorrah:
¹¹ “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?”
Says the Lord.
“I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
And the fat of fed cattle.
I do not delight in the blood of bulls,
Or of lambs or goats.
¹² “When you come to appear before Me,
Who has required this from your hand,
To trample My courts?
¹³ Bring no more futile sacrifices;
Incense is an abomination to Me.
The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—
I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.
¹⁴ Your New Moons and your appointed feasts
My soul hates;
They are a trouble to Me,
I am weary of bearing them.
¹⁵ When you spread out your hands,
I will hide My eyes from you;
Even though you make many prayers,
I will not hear.
Your hands are full of blood.
¹⁶ “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;
Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.
Cease to do evil,
¹⁷ Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Rebuke the oppressor;
Defend the fatherless,
Plead for the widow.
¹⁸ “Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord,
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
¹⁹ If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the land;
²⁰ But if you refuse and rebel,
You shall be devoured by the sword”;
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. Isaiah 1:10-20

Isaiah called the people of Judah Sodom and Gomorrah. He told them of the futility of their temple rites, and He spoke of their receiving the grace and cleansing from sins that can only come from a heart directed to the Lord. What Isaiah laid out at the beginning of his book, John sums up in a single sentence in Revelation.

Life application: These names and descriptions for Jerusalem are given, but they could have been avoided – simply by heeding the call of the two witnesses. But by rejecting their words, the same thing will come upon them as came upon both Sodom and Egypt – great punishment and judgment.

The same is true with the world today. We have two great witnesses already – the two testaments of Scripture. They stand together as a unified body of writing that witnesses to God’s working out the redemptive narrative for fallen man. It is this marvelous book, the Holy Bible, that calls out to us to turn to God and receive His offer of pardon, restoration, and forgiveness. This book calls out for us to turn to JESUS.

O Lord, even in the face of the great plan of redemption for us that You have so carefully laid out in the pages of Scripture, the people of the world have rejected its testimony. Thus, they have rejected You. We have Your complete revelation in the pages of the Bible and yet most people ignore it, shun it, and openly revile against it. Lord, open hearts and minds to the precious truth of Your word – the word that tells us of Your loving grace, given through Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday, 10 February 2021

When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. Revelation 11:7

The two witnesses are being referred to here. They have a set mission to perform, and it will last a preordained amount of time. It is at the end of that time that John now says, “When they finish their testimony.” In verse 11:3, the word martysin, or witnesses, was used. It is the noun that described them. They were witnesses to the people. Here, the word marturia speaks of the witness, or testimony itself. Once that is complete, John says, “the beast that ascends.”

The Greek contains definite articles – “the beast the coming up.” Thus, it is speaking of a particular beast. This may be a way of identifying, in advance, the beast mentioned in Revelation 13:1 and/or 17:8. This also may be a way of identifying the fourth beast of Daniel 7. John says that this beast that ascends “out of the bottomless pit will make war against them.”

The two witnesses, regardless of who they are (this commentary has identified them probably as Enoch and Elijah but being future, this isn’t certain), will finish their prophesying after three- and one-half years and they will be killed by this beast.

This is not likely to be the angel with the key to the bottomless pit in verse 9:1, but rather he is probably the leader of the forces that were let loose from there, represented by locusts. He is quite possibly the antichrist who was spoken of by Daniel and also by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10.

The term used for “beast” here is not the same term that is used for the four living creatures around the throne. Those are rightly translated as “living creatures.” But because some translations use the term “beast” for both, it is good to clarify this. The term used here means a wild animal. It is probably analogous to the term used for a beast in Daniel chapter 7, but there is also a difference. The beast there is speaking of an empire, but this one in Revelation appears to be speaking of an individual. However, this isn’t 100% certain either. This very well may be an empire too.

The leader of an empire is normally associated with the entire empire. When one speaks of the Germans of World War II, they will often speak of Hitler as representing the whole. Again, Stalin is used as an example of the entire communist system of his time. There is no reason to think this isn’t the case here as well. Time will resolve these hard to identify terms, peoples, and empires. For now, John finishes with the words that this beast will “overcome them, and kill them.”

Regardless as to who these witnesses are, this is an allowance of God. They have had the power to perform the miracles and wonders previously described, signifying that they are working on behalf of God who gave them the power. But the redemptive plan is set, the timeline is given, and these two witnesses are to die in the performance of their duties. This is by the allowance of God, and it is for His glory that it will occur.

Life application: God is in control of this and of every situation. After these things occur, we will see His omniscience in what comes about – knowing that He foresaw exactly what would happen. Whether this analysis is correct on who the two witnesses are or not, the world will be able to identify exactly what has come about as being what was prophesied in the Bible. There will be no excuse for rejecting what is so clearly presented.

Death is not the end of the story for these two witnesses. Nor is it the end for any who belong to the Lord. He has complete and final control over all who are His. And so, whether by death or by rapture, we will be with the Lord forever. He prevailed over death so that we too will prevail over death. He is the Lamb that was slain but who rose again. He is JESUS!

Lord, by seeing the faithfulness of your prophets and witnesses who are described in the Bible, it can give us courage as well to speak out for Your glory and Your great name. Give us strength and boldness as we face the wickedness of this world, knowing that man can do nothing to us apart from Your will. Whether in life or in death, we are Yours. Nothing can change that. Thank You for this wonderful assurance. Amen.