Three and a half days had passed before Jesus finally appeared to His apostles, because He had witnessed to two disciples on the road to Emmaus, explaining to them how the Law and the Prophets had been fulfilled by Him. Jesus had risen from the grave in 3 days, but it was 3 and 1/2 days before He appeared behind the closed doors where His apostles were hiding
And after three days and a 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...Rev. 11:11. Is there another scripture that explains this phenomenon?
So Jesus said to them, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit...if you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained...John 20:21-23.
When Jesus breathed on them, the Spirit of Life from God entered them and stood them on their feet - they were emboldened with new power and authority. Their room of gloom was transformed into joy unspeakable and full of glory! Their next stop would be the upper room and the baptism of the Holy Spirit in order to be fully equipped for their mission...Acts 2:1-13.
And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "come up here"...and they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them...Rev. 11:12. This was the voice of God saying, "Come up here." In the Greek this means - come to this spot. When the apostles responded to the voice, a cloud covered them while their enemies watched. The word heaven in this text implies elevation - not the celestial city - which means they walked up a hill or mountain.
Earlier in their ministry, Jesus took Peter, James, and John to the Mount of Transfiguration...Luke 9-34-35. They were engulfed with cloudiness and heard the voice of God, not unlike what was happening now. At the beginning of the church age, all of the apostles were covered with a cloudy mist, and followed the Voice up a hill to receive instructions from the Voice. This supernatural occurrence was a witness to the enemies of the apostles, who observed this mystifying event.
They're back! The apostles were now back in the streets of Jerusalem - but not as the Two Witnesses - they are dead. Out of their ashes, the Church of Jesus Christ was Born! Great fear fell upon the people in the town square, when they once again saw and heard the apostles preaching the word of God boldly, with passion and urgency. Here come the Sons of Thunder...oh no!
In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell...in the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of Heaven...Rev. ll:13. Earthquake symbolizes social upheaval - and that's exactly what happened.
During this extravagant outpouring of God's mercy, people all over the territory became convicted of their sins, crying out to be saved from the judgment. Multitudes brought their sick into the streets, hoping to come near the anointing of God demonstrated by the apostles of Jesus Christ. Simply the shadow of Peter healed the sick in those days of this divine visitation of God, after the apostles came out of hiding. There was much rejoicing and praising God for His mercy and favor.
And a tenth of the city fell. The number ten symbolizes the Law of Moses. Those who continued to serve the Law would continue to experience the judgment that is enshrined in it - if you sin you die...Rom. 6:23. The Law was given so that man would have knowledge of his sin - it didn't save man from his sins. Serving the Law brings death.
Seven thousand people were killed. The number seven means complete or perfection - God's sacred number. Since earthquake is not literal, neither were seven thousand people literally killed. Killed means destroy. What was destroyed? Death under the old covenant was forever destroyed - killed - by the new covenant.
The large figure - seven thousand - was used to describe the totality of the effectiveness of the Messiah - Jesus Christ - to forever abolish the consciousness of sin - setting men free from the fear of death - proven by the phenomenal signs and wonders demonstrated by the apostles of Jesus Christ. Social upheaval was ignited when the apostles cast out demons, raised the dead, healed the sick, the blind could see, and the deaf heard - many signs and wonders were experienced in Jerusalem - people were in awe, as well as trembling in fear because of these phenomena.
With the completion of the mission of the Two Witnesses - salvation had come!
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...
Remember, this blog is dedicated to proving that the majority of John's visions have been fulfilled. Historical biblical documentation provides how, when, and by whom they were fulfilled. By defining the metaphorical language, the message locked in the riddles, enigmas, and esoteric imagery is released so that we can understand the message. Jesus revealed to John the profound spiritual changes His people would experience because of His death and resurrection.
Revelation chapter 11 is rife with symbolism to describe the Two Witnesses. Last week I left you with verse 9...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. I asked if you can solve this riddle?
Jerusalem was the hub of many nations where people gathered for commercial endeavors. At any given time, people of many languages gathered for business and fellowship. If there was a death of a loved one or business acquaintance, there could be no memorial until that person was buried (put in the grave) - then the remembrance service could begin.
In the days following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the populous refused to memorialize the testimony of the Two Witnesses - two covenants. The Two Witnesses were essentially dead - gone - but never buried. All the sinners wanted to do was go back to business as usual - they were grateful not to have to hear the preaching of the two covenants - repent- and accept the way of Jesus. The silence was refreshing.
For 3 & 1/2 days everyone in the city noticed the Two Witnesses were dead - all the apostles fled into hiding - but they were not put into graves. What did the citizens of Jerusalem do during this time? 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...verse 10.
The people rejoiced and made merry because they had prevailed over the gospel of Jesus Christ! The words of God spoken through the two prophets - Two Witnesses - one symbolizing the old covenant and one symbolizing the new covenant - could no longer torment the hearts of the people regarding their immorality, homosexuality, and paganism. They could go back to worshiping their many gods without condemnation.
The murderers of the two prophets - Two Witnesses - could now breathe a sigh of relief, provoking their jubilance over their triumphant victory - Jesus was dead and His apostle have fled - party time! After Jesus was crucified, He rose again after being dead for 3 days and 3 nights in the heart of the earth - fulfilling prophecy...Matt. 12:40
Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you."...John 20:19.
The resolve of the apostles had been shattered by despair, not knowing what to do next since their teacher was dead. The gospel He preached - two covenants - died with Him. What would they do now? After Jesus appeared to the Mary's, He left and spent the day appearing to the men on the road to Emmaus until evening - see blog #s 7 & 8.
By the time Jesus appeared to His apostles behind closed doors - it was evening on the day He was resurrected - 3 & 1/2 days had passed. He found them hovered behind closed doors, fearing for their lives in their room of gloom. We can only imagine the look on their faces, stunned to disbelief and astonished awe, instantly changing to resounding joy, when they came to realize they were beholding their risen Lord - He's alive!
And after three days and a 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...Rev. 11:11. This text from the diary of the Two Witnesses is written in very clear language - no metaphors or symbolism. For 3 & 1/2 days the Two Witnesses are dead - the apostles who represented the two covenants - suddenly disappeared from the market place.
After 3 & 1/2 days the Spirit of Life from God entered them when Jesus came into their hiding place in the evening, to prove He was alive. Great fear fell upon those who witnessed this miracle. Is there another scripture that explains this phenomenon? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...
When Jesus Christ appeared to John, He was not just revealing the future of His church, He was explaining in detail what had just been prophetically fulfilled for the 12 tribes of Israel, explaining a new way for them to interact with their Father in Heaven. So it is extremely important for us to keep the visions in their historical setting of fulfillment. By defining the metaphorical language, enigmas, and esoteric imagery the message unfolds for our understanding.
Last week, I asked what did Rev. 11:7 mean when it says...make war against them - the Two Witnesses? The ruler of the bottomless pit is Satan - he is the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. The word war in the original Greek language is peloma meaning: to bustle; move quickly; battle.
As soon as the ministry of Jesus and His apostles to the lost sheep of the house of Israel was fulfilled, God would allow the icy fingers of death to choke the breath of earthly life out of His Son - this is God's plan.
When Jesus is standing before the powerful Roman Governor, we know that God has granted to the beast, permission to kill His Son, and make war against His apostles, eventually killing them too. Once permission was granted to kill Jesus, Satan moved quickly - bustled - to battle against Jesus and kill Him.
By the mouth of the enemies of Jesus and His apostles - Rome and the Sanhedrin - a major disinformation campaign was lodged against them, attempting to refute the gospel, by calling Jesus an imposter, and His apostles false prophets
I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered...Mark 14:27. Jesus Christ was brutalized and murdered at the precise time appointed by His Father in Heaven, who had orchestrated this great plan to redeem men from their sins. There were a lot of rumors in the town to get rid of His apostles too, in order to silence their "false" message that Jesus was the Messiah. Then they all forsook Him and fled...Mark 14:40. The confused and terrified apostles ran and hid from their enemies.
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...Rev. 11:.8. The Two Witnesses lie dead in the great city where the Lord was crucified - Jerusalem. Since the death of Jesus Christ, the two covenants that were witnessed by Him and the apostles, is no longer heard in the streets of Jerusalem. There is simply dead silence - Two Witnesses lie dead in the street.
Why does this text describe the great city as Sodom and Egypt? Sodom symbolizes immorality and homosexuality. Egypt symbolizes idolatry and oppression. The Two Witnesses - two covenants - were sent to an idolatrous and morally degenerate society who needed a Savior. They defied and mocked the old covenant, and covered their ears from hearing about the new covenant. Both covenants condemned idolatry and immorality, but offered salvation through repentance.
The religious interpreters of Bible prophecy in Jerusalem, as well as the rank-and-file, were looking for a Messiah who would deliver them from the oppressions of Rome, and set up His own kingdom in Jerusalem upon His arrival - no dilly-dallying! But all Jesus and His apostles did was preach what the Law and the Prophets had already witnessed - His kingdom is not of this world...John 18.36. Since Jesus and His rag-tags didn't fit the bill - they had to be killed.
After Jesus was crucified, His apostles ran into hiding behind closed doors, trembling from fear. Dead bodies lie in the street of the great city is an idiom used to describe the disappearing of the apostles - silencing of their message - from the public square. They hid so well that it appeared as if they - and their message - were dead for 3 1/2 days. No one knew where they went. It must have been a welcome relief to no longer have to listen to the bombastic Sons of Thunder, challenging the idolaters of Jerusalem to give up their false gods.
Those repentance radicals were finally silenced - Dead! I'm sure no one was asking where they went, because the citizens were so relieved by the peace and quiet. Now they could return to the business of sinning without the scrutiny of the Two Witnesses.
Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three and a half days three and a half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves...Rev. 11:9. Can you solve this riddle? If not, we will next week...stay tuned.
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...
Since this is a long series, let's recap what we have learned so far regarding the identity of the Two Witnesses. Revelation chapter 11:4 begins their identity by saying...these are two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. The Prophet Zechariah describes the two olive trees...these are the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth...Zec. 4:14. The two anointed ones symbolize the Law and the Prophets.
Two Witnesses = Two Olive Trees
Two Olive Trees = Two Anointed Ones
Two Anointed Ones = Zerubbabel & Joshua
Zerubbabel & Joshua = Law & Prophets
Law & Prophets = Two Witnesses
Two Witnesses = Two Covenants - preached by the apostles
The 12 apostles also represented the 12 tribes of Israel - symbolizing the Law and the Prophets. They lived and practiced under the old covenant, while proclaiming the new covenant offered by Jesus. The old and new covenant were the Two Witnesses proclaiming the advent of the Messiah.
Last week I asked you, "What is the 'better way' that Jesus desired for His apostles to present the promises of the two covenants to the populous?"
When mankind was placed in the Garden of Eden, the Spirit of God dwelled in them. They became the temple of the Living God. When mankind sinned against God, the Spirit of God departed from them. Satan took dominion of them and the whole earth. Under the new covenant, the spirit of man can once again become the dwelling place (temple) of the Living God, through the blood sacrifice of the sinless Jesus Christ.
All the miraculous powers the apostles are exercising under the old covenant are inherent in the new covenant, when someone chooses to receive the free gift of salvation from Jesus Christ - Two Witnesses declare it. If the apostles are going to represent the new covenant - exercising their power and authority inherent within it - this must be done under the terms of the new covenant determined by Jesus Christ. What are the terms of the new covenant?
Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God and you are not your own?...for you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's...I Cor. 6:19-20.
Any representative of the new covenant has been bought with the blood of Jesus Christ - his allegiance has been surrendered to the Living God - who now dwells in him. God is now responsible for leading His child on a victorious earthly journey - all the way to His heavenly home. God is now in charge of the one who was once dead in trespasses and sins, whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous Light...I Peter 2:9.
The power and authority of the apostles, as the Two Witnesses, is unlimited to overcome the evil spiritual doctrines of the devil, but the apostles must restrain from ostentatious and showy demonstrations of pride. This would only bring attention to them, rather that drawing full attention to the Messiah. The humility of Jesus Christ and His total dependence on His Father in Heaven, exemplified the spiritual attributes that must be demonstrated by His servants, as they witness the new covenant to the unsaved world...John 5:19-23.
These are the terms of the new covenant. A new day had arrived with a new way!
When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them...Rev. 11:7. For 3.5 years the witness of Jesus Christ and His apostles offered the spiritual kingdom of Heaven - salvation - to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. During this divine manifestation of the promised Messiah, Satan and his devotees - demons - were supernaturally restrained by God from intervening in His ministry.
But when the 1260 days of ministry were completed - the mission of Jesus Christ on the earth was accomplished - all hell broke loose. This text reveals how the beast - will ascend from the bottomless pit and make war against the apostles - overcome them and kill them. This means that Satan is no longer supernaturally restrained, rather he is permitted to test the allegiance of the followers of Jesus Christ.
What does the text mean...make war against them? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...
