When we take the time to research the Old and New Testaments, we will find that scripture will prove scripture, confirming our understanding of the thousands of metaphors and idioms. The Two Witnesses of Revelation chapter 11 have fire in their mouths that devours their enemies. Blog #8 revealed how the Prophet Jeremiah also had fire in his mouth that devoured the people who were made wood by God. This fire in their mouths symbolizes the anointing - glory - of God that consumes the demon doctrines of Satan.
By now we understand that the Two Witnesses are not two human beings, rather they are the old covenant that witnessed - prophesied - the coming of the Messiah, and the new covenant that witnessed His arrival. The Law and the Prophets witnessed what was proclaimed by the 12 apostles - 12 tribes of Israel - the Two Witnesses.
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 same manner...Rev. 11:5. What does this riddle, "killed in this same manner" mean?
If anyone the apostles are witnessing to, during their ministry with Jesus, attempts to discredit the message of truth spoken by the apostles - Two Witnesses - through disinformation, lies, and false accusations, their lying words will be killed - devoured - by the fire - anointed truth spoken by them.
The word killed in this text does not mean the physical death of a human being. Killed is a metaphor. The fire of God's word spoken by the apostles - Two Witnesses - will devour - refute - the lies and hypocrisies enshrined in the false doctrines embraced by the populous. The ministry of the apostles is a spiritual battle, not a physical battle. God's truth against Satan's lies.
Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh...for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for putting down strongholds...casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ...II Cor. 10:3-5.
The apostles faced people who for centuries had slipped into the hands of Satan's demon doctrines that exalted paganism and immorality. The fire - anointed truth embedded in the old and new covenants - that proceeded from their mouths, was successful in casting down false arguments that the people hurled at them, putting down the strongholds that Satan had placed against the uneducated populous.
Carnal weapons of warfare would be guns, machetes, fire bombs, grenades, missiles and tanks. The weapons of the apostles warfare are spiritual weapons - the truth of the old and new covenants - which refuted all vain arguments, philosophies of men, and demon doctrines that were exalted above the knowledge of God, by the fire - anointed truth - spoken by them. The glory of God in the mouths of the Two Witnesses killed the lies of Satan - the enemy of God.
These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy; and have power over waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, so often as they will...Rev. 11:6.
While operating under the first (old) covenant, all prophets of God exercised supernatural demonstrations of authority through countless miracles, as directed by God. Their supernatural power certainly captured the attention of the people to whom they were sent, confirming their message was from God. In this text, the apostles are operating under the old covenant with the same power and authority as previous prophets.
Remember when the Sons of Thunder wanted to call fire - lightning/glory - down from Heaven just as the Prophet Elijah had done? They knew they had the same power to shut heaven, turn the water into blood, and smite the earth with plagues, because they were operating under the first covenant. Jesus didn't deny they had this power and authority - He was teaching them a better way to present the promises of the two covenants.
What is the "better way" that Jesus desired for His apostles to present the promises of the two covenants to the populous? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...
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