In Revelation, it explains the purposes of God in keeping His witnesses here during the tribulation. Please read:
Revelation 11:3-5 KJV
[3] And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. [4] These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. [5] And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
This is a picture of the end-time church.
Revelation 11:7 KJV
[7] And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
When they have finished their testimony, the church begins to fall. This has already happened. Some people rejoice over the church's fall:
Revelation 11:9-10 KJV
[9] And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. [10] And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
Then the people, who secretly or openly despised the church, shall rejoice. We saw this in the French Revolution, the Bolshevik Revolution, Chinese Communism, and Islamic countries, in which the church went "underground."
Revelation 11:11 KJV
[11] And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
This is beginning. We shall see the church rise to its feet.
Revelation 11:12 KJV
[12] And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
The church, which is rising, shall be "seen," by others. The love of God, for His people, shall be evident. This is saying two things: they shall rise, on the earth. Then, much later, they shall be "caught up in the air" with God. This is "after."
Revelation 11:12 KJV
[13] And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
Seven thousand is representative of a "great number." Seven is representative of "greatness," or "being substantial." God shall raise up His people, and His prophets shall declare His coming. They shall enter into rest, while we see the rest of the world being shaken. They shall heal the broken nature, that they see, and shall be a gift, as if an ointment, to mankind on earth. Praise be to God, and Hallelujah!
0 Comments