Though the book of revelation never explicitly identifies the two witnesses as jesus christ it does provide many subtle clues throughout these two chapters that all point to this idea. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the god of the earth. Revelation 11 commentary a study of the prophetic book. Yet here, the speaker speaks of the two witnesses as being his own. Having been revived the two witnesses heard a voice saying. Two witnesses revelation 11 watchtower online library. In this chapter is shown how it will fare with the holy city, till the mystery of god is fulfilled. Two witnesses help us reduce the maintenance cost of our online services. Nowhere does the bible identify these two witnesses by name, although people through the years have speculated. John wesley in his commentary on revelation 11 suggests a more spiritual, almost ambiguous, application. Having tormented the people without mercy, authority or permission is granted the beast to kill the witnesses. And the angel stood, saying, rise and measure the temple of god, the altar, and those who worship there2 but leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the gentiles.
I trust in the mercy of god for ever and ever jeremiah 11. Revelation 11 nkjv the two witnesses then i was given a. Thus, in revelation 11, the two witnesses are not literally elijah and moses. The two witnesses, as depicted in the bamberg apocalypse, an 11thcentury illuminated manuscript.
And i will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. Beale notes that the woman and the two witnesses signify the same thing. The two witnesses are two human beings who will be given extraordinary power just before christs return. This article is also available and sold as a booklet. The description, power, and influence of these witnesses, revelation 11.
The two witnesses, measuring the temple revelation chapter. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the lord of the earth. Enduring word bible commentary revelation chapter 11. The two witnesses of revelation biblical thinking with. The two witnesses and the seventh trumpet 1 and there was given me a reed like unto a rod. They shall be slain by the beast which shall arise out of the bottomless pit, and shall arise again after three days and a half, and ascend to heaven, revelation 11. And i will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth revelation 11. Under closer investigation, however, revelation 11. Aug 04, 2015 this video goes into detail into who the two witnesses in revelation chapter 11 really are, as it goes to other companion passages, and proves from the bible the identity of these two people. Book of revelation chapter 11 the two witnesses and the. The two witnesses then i was given a reed like a measuring rod. This video goes into detail into who the two witnesses in revelation chapter 11 really are, as it goes to other companion passages, and proves from the bible the identity of these two people.
I have changed my position because the bible offers a better explanation. There is much debate concerning the identity of the two witnesses in revelation 11. Sep 20, 2016 39 videos play all the book of revelation the bible breakdown study series the bible breakdown the holy bible book 66 revelation kjv dramatized audio duration. The triumph of the cause of the apostles and prophets over all foes was thus signified, and they were glorified for their testimony. And the angel stood, saying, rise and measure the temple of god, the altar, and those who worship there. The two witnesses of revelation 11 biblical research institute.
Especially relevant is chapter 12, where the woman fled persecution for the same amount of time. Jan 02, 2020 the two witnesses in revelation will have miraculous powers to accompany their message revelation 11. There is a general expectation among gods people that the two witnesses will begin to prophesy soon, if only because we anticipate christs return in the near future. Revelation 11 commentary wesleys explanatory notes. They shall be slain by the beast which shall arise out of the bottomless pit, and shall arise again after three days and a half, and ascend to heaven. Zechariah saw two olive trees in his dream, which god explained are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the lord of the whole earth zechariah 4. And i will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in. Zerubbabel and joshua are types of the two witnesses whose work it will be to proclaim that the time has come to rebuild jerusalem and revelation establish the temple worship, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. We know that a lamp is a symbol for the word of god, your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. Whatever is signified by these two witnesses, they have the power to destroy. Return from chapter 11 to the versebyverse commentary on revelation page. The fact that jesus the son of ananus claims to be a voice from the four winds strongly suggests that he is the two witnesses. The latter scene, one of the most difficult passages in revelation, has been explained in a number of ways. There was given the line of thought in chapter 10 carries into chapter 11.
This view has real problems, however, as moses died. The temple, the two witnesses, and the seventh trumpet rev. When the whole multitude gives glory to the god of heaven, then that treading of the holy city ceases. They shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days. The first group represents gods true church, spiritual israel, while the second represents a false and corrupt church that professes to worship god but is not true to him. Revelation 10 and 11 imply that the two witnesses are jesus christ. Four times in the revelation does the apostle john use the expression, in the spirit 1. It will, however, have another 42 months to operate and then god will establish the true temple. Revelation 11 has shown us that the physical jewish nation was about to be judged for its sinfulness. Its primary meaning is to speak forth, to proclaim, or to preach. I find that the book of revelation is in what is called the new testament. Overcome them and kill them is the result of three and a half years of desire. The two witnesses, measuring the temple revelation.
The two witnesses which should prophesy twelve hundred and sixty days, revelation 11. A commentary on the book of revelation chapter 11 the. The temple, the two witnesses, and the seventh trumpet. Rather than assuming that zechariah was prophesying the return of two preexisting characters, perhaps we should understand that these were meant to. Because your computer is running an older version of internet browser, it no longer meets the features of modern websites. The vision of the mighty angel in chapter 10, and the vision of the two witnesses in chapter 11 correspond to each other but are not in chronological order. Who are the two witnesses in the book of revelation. Measuring the temple, the two witnesses, and blowing the seventh trumpet to chapter 12. The latter scene, one of the most difficult passages in revelation, has been explained in a.
Thus far the two witnesses of the bible correspond exactly with the two witnesses of the prophecy. The two witnesses of revelation 11 ekkehardt m ller biblical research institute revelation 11. The following is an excerpt from the macarthur new testament commentary on revelation 11. To the god of heaven he is styled, the lord of the earth, verse 4, revelation 11. Note the similarity between this and the power given to elijah. We are told that the two witnesses are, the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the lord of the earth. Each of these instances signifies a vision that john was given to. They have been variously identified by theologians as two. Because the two witnesses are personified as two prophets in revelation 11. If anyone attempts to harm them before they complete their ministry, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies verse 5.
And they will tread the holy city underfoot for fortytwo months. Revelation 11 new international version niv the two witnesses 11 i was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, go and measure the temple of god and the altar, with its worshipers. Satan versus yahovahs people the yahudim jews and israels children throughout history. Please contact the publisher to obtain copies of this resource.
These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the god of the earth. At the end of their ministry, when they have said all they need to say, the beast will kill them and the wicked world will rejoice, allowing the bodies of the fallen prophets to. Two witnesses revelation 11 watch tower publications index 19862020. Of the measuringreed given to the apostle, to take the dimensions of the temple v. John is given a measuring rod to measure the temple, altar, and worshippers. Complete bible commentary on the book of revelation chapter 11 with king james bible text. Clothed is a perfect passive of periballw meaning to throw around, about. Of the sounding of the seventh trumpet, and what followed upon it v. They are martyred by the beast three and a half days before the first resurrection, when they are raised to join him in the air with the other firstfruits.
And gave glory the character of true conversion, jeremiah. Gods true people are measured, or judged, while the others are not. Just as these two witnesses were raised up to be lampstands or witnesses for god and were empowered by olive oil representing the power of the holy spirit, so the two witnesses of revelation 11 will likewise execute their prophetic office. Haldeman identifies the two witnesses as moses and elias who were seen together on the mount of transfiguration synopsis of the book of revelation, p. The two witnesses of revelation 11 the reformed reader. The two witnesses are two human beings who will be given extraordinary power for 3 12 years just before christs return revelation 11. They shall bear witness for 1260 days, the fortytwo months the holy city is trodden down re 11. Revelation 11 new international version niv the two witnesses. Revelation 11 bible commentary on the book of revelation. Nowhere does the bible identify these two witnesses by name, although people through the. A commentary on the book of revelation chapter 11 the two.
And i will give power unto my two witnesses, according to the scriptures, there must be two witnesses to an act in order for the sentence of the law to be carried out. The outer courts of the temple were given over to the nations. This is one of the glorious, mighty themes of the book of revelation. Revelation 11 nkjv the two witnesses then i was given. Revelation chapters 11 through 14 are an amplification of the detail more information about the prophecy given in the previous chapters. And they will have to do it in the face of the opposition of satan. Who are the witnesses commentary a testimony of jesus.
Come up hither verse 12, and they ascended in a cloud. And i will give power unto my two witnesses the question naturally arises, who are the two witnesses. Unfortunately, zechariah 4 is a difficult text to understand which does not help us much in understand who the two witnesses are in revelation 11. The bible identifies these two witnesses as the two lampstands or the two olive trees zechariah 4. Revelation 11 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth verse 3. Who are the witnesses commentary using a testimony of jesus christ. Identity of the two witnesses in revelation 11 milk. Revelation 11 commentary a study of the prophetic book of.
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