1 00:00:07,400 --> 00:00:10,760 We're in Revelation Chapter 11 as we continue our journey 2 00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:18,520 through the Book of Revelation, the book in the Bible that says 3 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:24,680 a blessing comes to those who read it, to those that hear and 4 00:00:24,680 --> 00:00:30,160 those that obey it. So that's what we want. 5 00:00:31,440 --> 00:00:38,960 Revelation Chapter 11, this one John is writing, he says I was 6 00:00:38,960 --> 00:00:42,080 given a read like a measuring rod. 7 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:47,240 This is the measuring rod, like a cubit that would use, and it 8 00:00:47,240 --> 00:00:50,440 was the distance roughly they use between the elbow and the 9 00:00:50,440 --> 00:00:53,760 tip of the finger. Used to be, I think it was about 10 00:00:53,760 --> 00:00:57,680 18 inches or so, a Reed, like a measuring rod. 11 00:00:57,680 --> 00:01:01,880 And the Angel stood saying, rise, Measure what? 12 00:01:02,640 --> 00:01:04,519 The temple of God. This isn't the tribulation 13 00:01:04,519 --> 00:01:08,680 period. Measure the altar and measure 14 00:01:08,680 --> 00:01:14,800 those who worship there. So for John to be able to 15 00:01:14,800 --> 00:01:16,920 measure it, there's got to be a temple. 16 00:01:18,640 --> 00:01:21,600 He's not going to measure some visionary thing that doesn't 17 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:25,160 exist. So a temple is going to be 18 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:31,840 built, 3rd temple during the tribulation period, a new temple 19 00:01:31,840 --> 00:01:35,720 will be built. The temple that Jesus taught him 20 00:01:35,720 --> 00:01:42,560 in which he overthrew the money changers tables in was destroyed 21 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:49,320 in AD 70 by the Roman general Titus, just as Jesus predicted. 22 00:01:49,560 --> 00:01:52,880 When there are saying Jesus, you know, we're over on the they're 23 00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:54,760 on the Mount of Olives. And I said, oh man, look at 24 00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:57,200 them, look at that temple, isn't it magnificent? 25 00:01:57,200 --> 00:02:00,600 He says, hey, let me tell you something, Mark, chapter 13, 26 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:02,960 verse 2. Do you see these great 27 00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:07,160 buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon 28 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:09,720 another that shall not be thrown down. 29 00:02:09,720 --> 00:02:13,720 And we have in our little cabinet piece of the stones of 30 00:02:13,720 --> 00:02:16,040 the buildings of the stones that were pushed over. 31 00:02:16,440 --> 00:02:19,480 As you go to Israel, we see where they actually just, 32 00:02:19,640 --> 00:02:23,560 they're just still lying there where they pushed them down the 33 00:02:23,880 --> 00:02:26,680 Western Wall. Where they come up against is 34 00:02:26,680 --> 00:02:30,920 purely the foundations. The temple was built on top of 35 00:02:30,920 --> 00:02:34,920 those foundations. Today, the temple site, I think 36 00:02:34,920 --> 00:02:41,880 it's about 35 acres, is vacant. There's no Jewish temple there. 37 00:02:42,040 --> 00:02:46,760 There are two Muslim buildings on the site, the Dome of the 38 00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:55,160 Rock, which is building with the golden top and you can't see it 39 00:02:55,160 --> 00:02:57,560 in this picture, but the AL Aqsa Mosque. 40 00:02:59,520 --> 00:03:06,120 In addition, the temple site is not under Israeli full control, 41 00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:11,800 even though they want it back in the war to save further 42 00:03:11,920 --> 00:03:16,080 conflict. They gave it over management, 43 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:20,320 partial management to the Muslims and so it's under a 44 00:03:20,360 --> 00:03:24,120 split control system at this time. 45 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:30,120 The Israeli government maintains sovereignty over the Temple 46 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:36,120 Mount and is responsible for security, including priests, 47 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:41,560 police presence at the entrance and monitoring activity on them. 48 00:03:42,640 --> 00:03:51,440 There's another group called the Exam, Islamic Waqf WAQF and they 49 00:03:51,440 --> 00:03:54,360 are a Muslim, a religious authority. 50 00:03:54,360 --> 00:03:58,000 We met them as we do on the Temple Mount. 51 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:04,800 They're often angry, especially to Christians. 52 00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:09,240 They are responsible for the day to day management of the site, 53 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:16,120 including religious affairs like prayer times, religious services 54 00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:19,880 for Muslims. In the book of Daniel, Daniel 55 00:04:19,880 --> 00:04:25,560 the Prophet Chapter 9 verse 27 tells us about 1/3 temple that 56 00:04:25,560 --> 00:04:29,600 will be built during the tribulation period, the 70th 57 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,760 week, the seven year period tribulation which we're in. 58 00:04:33,840 --> 00:04:36,320 He says, I'm reading out of the new living translation. 59 00:04:36,320 --> 00:04:39,920 The ruler will make a treaty. That is the ruler, that's the 60 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:42,720 Antichrist. The lawless one will make a 61 00:04:42,720 --> 00:04:47,280 treaty with the people that is Israel for a period of one set 62 00:04:47,280 --> 00:04:51,880 of 7A7 year period contract. Yep, peace for seven years 63 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:56,600 Israel signs the Antichrist signs done. 64 00:04:57,520 --> 00:05:03,240 But halfway through after half this time he the Antichrist New 65 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:07,080 living translation says he will put an end to the sacrifices and 66 00:05:07,080 --> 00:05:10,760 offerings to put an end. That means they have they have 67 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:15,640 in that time rebuilt the Temple and already begun the religious 68 00:05:15,640 --> 00:05:18,160 services of Judaism all over again. 69 00:05:19,600 --> 00:05:23,080 And as a climax to all these terrible deeds, he will set up a 70 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:29,000 sacrilegious object that causes desecration until the fight 71 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:32,280 decreed for this defiler is finally poured out on him. 72 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:36,280 So the Antichrist will make a covenant with the nation of 73 00:05:36,280 --> 00:05:41,400 Israel during the Tribulation period, which is a period of 74 00:05:41,400 --> 00:05:45,200 seven years. But halfway through this time 75 00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:50,360 period he will breach this covenant and suddenly he will go 76 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:54,600 into the temple. Israel will witness this because 77 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:57,160 they're going about, they love the priests and everyone will be 78 00:05:57,160 --> 00:06:00,040 worshipping there and the sacrifices are happening and 79 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:03,120 everything going on as per Old Testament. 80 00:06:04,480 --> 00:06:09,040 And Jesus says in Matthew 2415, King you, King James says, 81 00:06:09,040 --> 00:06:14,080 therefore, when you see the abomination of desolation spoken 82 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:17,000 of by Daniel the prophet, Jesus called Daniel the prophet 83 00:06:17,560 --> 00:06:21,240 standing in the holy place. So he goes into the holy place. 84 00:06:22,080 --> 00:06:24,240 Whoever reads, let him understand. 85 00:06:25,280 --> 00:06:30,040 The Antichrist walks in, goes into the holy place, desecrates 86 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:32,960 the building, says everything stop. 87 00:06:34,160 --> 00:06:37,440 Imagine he goes in with his army, with his storm troopers, 88 00:06:38,280 --> 00:06:40,200 pushes all the precepts. So I get out of the road. 89 00:06:40,200 --> 00:06:44,320 Stop, stop. Let's not finish that great 90 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:47,880 turmoil. He walks in, he says, I'm God, 91 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:52,720 I'm God. There's going to be no worship 92 00:06:53,080 --> 00:07:00,360 of anyone or anything but me. Back to our text. 93 00:07:00,560 --> 00:07:04,760 John is instructed to take a measuring rod and measure this 94 00:07:04,760 --> 00:07:08,680 new temple, the altar and the people worshipping there. 95 00:07:09,480 --> 00:07:13,240 As John is writing this, the temple has been destroyed for 96 00:07:13,240 --> 00:07:16,040 some 20 to 25 years non existent. 97 00:07:16,960 --> 00:07:22,280 The big question everyone asks is how is this new temple ever 98 00:07:22,280 --> 00:07:26,360 going to be allowed to be built on this Muslim? 99 00:07:26,560 --> 00:07:30,320 The third holiest site, I believe it is Muslim site with 100 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:35,280 the dime of the Rock and the AL Aqsa Mosque over in the corner 101 00:07:35,640 --> 00:07:43,120 still being there on Tuesday evening, June 19th, 2007. 102 00:07:44,880 --> 00:07:50,320 Doctor Asher Kaufman, who has a PhD and and he is a professor at 103 00:07:50,320 --> 00:07:55,640 the Hebrew University and also a professor at Notre Dame, after 104 00:07:55,640 --> 00:08:03,640 great research, said the location of the temple should be 105 00:08:04,120 --> 00:08:07,120 for the rebuilding of the new temple in the northern position 106 00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:11,680 of the Temple Mount where the Holy of Holies would be 107 00:08:11,680 --> 00:08:14,000 situated. And that's that little building 108 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:17,280 just there, that little gazebo thing. 109 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:20,440 It's called the dime of the spirits or the dime of the 110 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:25,720 tablets that he believes, according to their measurements, 111 00:08:25,720 --> 00:08:29,400 their research. Many other Bible commentators or 112 00:08:29,680 --> 00:08:34,840 actually Hebrew commentators agree was the original threshing 113 00:08:34,840 --> 00:08:39,200 floor of Aron. It's interesting because I've 114 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:42,320 gone, we've been there and I stood there and I was down on 115 00:08:42,320 --> 00:08:44,200 that. It's the only piece of the Dome 116 00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:48,360 of the Rock that doesn't have the the slabs on it. 117 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:51,160 And it's just the raw rock. And I was trying to get a bit 118 00:08:51,160 --> 00:08:56,200 of, as I do a little bit of the rock and the guy come over and 119 00:08:56,240 --> 00:09:00,160 say, what are you doing? Nothing, Just healing the stone, 120 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:07,520 but that's the location where they believe was the Holy of 121 00:09:07,520 --> 00:09:11,720 Holies. Now, according to Doctor 122 00:09:11,720 --> 00:09:14,520 Kaufman, you can see how far away the Dome of the Rock is. 123 00:09:14,520 --> 00:09:18,720 It's another 90 odd metres away. Doesn't show that much in that 124 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:24,280 photo, but it's about that. And so a large wall could be 125 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:28,240 quite easily constructed to divide the two sites. 126 00:09:28,920 --> 00:09:33,840 They rebuild here big war between separation. 127 00:09:33,840 --> 00:09:37,800 Muslims are happy, sort of the Jews are very happy. 128 00:09:39,520 --> 00:09:46,640 And if the research was correct, a large wall, as I said, could 129 00:09:46,640 --> 00:09:49,800 divide the two sides. And it is this language that 130 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:53,960 fits with John being told read on in verse 2. 131 00:09:54,320 --> 00:09:58,760 And he's measuring, he says, but leave out the court, which is 132 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:00,560 outside the temple. It's called the court of the 133 00:10:00,560 --> 00:10:07,240 Gentiles, that area there, and do not measure it, for it has 134 00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:12,640 been given to the Gentiles. And I will tread the holy city 135 00:10:12,640 --> 00:10:18,640 and the foot for 42 months. It's interesting John's use of 136 00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:22,360 the word temple when he's told to measure here in this passage. 137 00:10:22,720 --> 00:10:28,200 Is not the usual word also used for the entire temple site of 138 00:10:28,200 --> 00:10:30,800 the entire temple building. Remember this court of the 139 00:10:30,800 --> 00:10:33,760 Gentiles, the holy place and the holy of holies. 140 00:10:35,200 --> 00:10:39,360 But it's the Greek word for just the holy place alone. 141 00:10:39,360 --> 00:10:42,480 Just measure the holy place alone. 142 00:10:43,080 --> 00:10:47,280 The first room, John is told measure the temple and the 143 00:10:47,280 --> 00:10:50,840 altar. Now the brazen altar is in the 144 00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:54,160 courtyard directly in front of the temple temple. 145 00:10:54,160 --> 00:10:57,560 By the way, that dime of the tablets or dime of the spirits, 146 00:10:58,040 --> 00:11:02,800 it aligns with the gate that is bricked up at the moment. 147 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:06,240 The Muslims know that the prophecies that Jesus would come 148 00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:10,080 through this gate and also. So furthermore, they bricked it 149 00:11:10,080 --> 00:11:12,440 up and then they said, look, we'll put a cemetery here. 150 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:16,320 So like, you can't go over a cemetery either because then you 151 00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:18,040 know it'd be unclean. So they've done that. 152 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:23,960 But that lines up directly with it. 153 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:30,640 In other words, John is told don't measure the area where the 154 00:11:30,640 --> 00:11:34,360 Dome of the Rock, that location is now located. 155 00:11:35,520 --> 00:11:40,440 Verse 3. I'll give power to my 2 156 00:11:40,440 --> 00:11:43,000 witnesses. It's interesting. 2 witnesses 157 00:11:44,040 --> 00:11:47,360 and they will prophecy. Now this word prophecy is not 158 00:11:47,640 --> 00:11:51,960 speak of prophecy in the set the prophetic things to come in as 159 00:11:51,960 --> 00:11:56,480 such because we know the Bible's already got them, but it's 160 00:11:56,640 --> 00:12:00,880 foretelling it's it's speaking on behalf of actually each time 161 00:12:01,160 --> 00:12:05,280 the Bible is taught the gift of prophecy in that sense is 162 00:12:05,280 --> 00:12:08,040 occurring. The preacher is foretelling 163 00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:14,800 explaining the word of God and they will prophecy 1260 days and 164 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:17,640 they'll be clothed. These two witnesses in 165 00:12:17,640 --> 00:12:22,120 sackcloth, quite an appearance. This is during the tribulation 166 00:12:22,120 --> 00:12:26,080 period. These two guys all of a sudden 167 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:32,520 up here in Jerusalem, they are given the power and says I will 168 00:12:32,520 --> 00:12:36,320 give power. This is God speaking to my to my 169 00:12:36,320 --> 00:12:39,440 2 witnesses. So they are given the power of 170 00:12:39,440 --> 00:12:40,600 God. What for? 171 00:12:40,800 --> 00:12:46,320 To speak forth the word of God to prophecy, which was twofold 172 00:12:46,360 --> 00:12:52,080 in its cause and a twofold message warning people of the 173 00:12:52,080 --> 00:12:55,080 judgments to come. We're going to go through them. 174 00:12:55,520 --> 00:12:57,520 This is what's going to happen. Woe unto you. 175 00:12:57,520 --> 00:12:59,000 These are the woes that have occurred. 176 00:12:59,440 --> 00:13:03,080 The seals and the world people that are survived that path. 4/4 177 00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:07,240 billion 4 billion the dead thus far, the people that have 178 00:13:07,240 --> 00:13:10,160 survived, they know about these things that the events that have 179 00:13:10,160 --> 00:13:18,600 occurred and there's more to come. 7 balls yet to come, but 180 00:13:18,600 --> 00:13:22,720 also they will during here's the deal that will proclaim the 181 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:32,160 gospel of grace still and encouraging people come turn 182 00:13:32,160 --> 00:13:40,320 your lives to God come by faith in Jesus Christ and his work on 183 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:47,880 the cross at Calvary they preach for 1260 days, 42 months 3 1/2 184 00:13:47,920 --> 00:13:54,520 years. They are a tired garments as 185 00:13:54,520 --> 00:13:59,640 prophets, old sackcloth. Now sackcloth is itchy sort of 186 00:13:59,640 --> 00:14:05,720 gear and it's a sign sackcloth was a sign of mourning over sin. 187 00:14:07,600 --> 00:14:12,560 It's a sign also put on of repentance and it's a sign of 188 00:14:12,560 --> 00:14:15,160 humility. We come, they would put in the 189 00:14:15,160 --> 00:14:17,280 old days, they would put sackcloth on and ashes upon 190 00:14:17,280 --> 00:14:19,520 their head. It's a sign of of mourning. 191 00:14:20,120 --> 00:14:21,880 So it's a humility to come forward. 192 00:14:21,880 --> 00:14:26,360 They're saying come, come, come to God, come repent, hear what? 193 00:14:26,360 --> 00:14:29,040 Hear what we're saying. God is doing this to people who 194 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:35,120 have been savage against him. It says in verse 4 these are the 195 00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:37,880 2 olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the 196 00:14:37,880 --> 00:14:41,440 God of the earth. And we're reminded of this back 197 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:46,040 in the book of Zechariah, a very similar language of two priests 198 00:14:47,480 --> 00:14:52,040 who were used by God. And they are two lampstands 199 00:14:52,440 --> 00:14:56,320 declared and, and olive trees. And these olive trees connected 200 00:14:56,320 --> 00:15:00,000 to the main olive tree. In other words, what he's saying 201 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:04,160 here, lampstands, they're the light and they're, they got the 202 00:15:04,160 --> 00:15:08,360 power, the flowing of the Holy Spirit connected directly to 203 00:15:08,360 --> 00:15:11,040 God. That that's the, the picture 204 00:15:11,040 --> 00:15:13,040 language here. They're not actually 2 205 00:15:13,040 --> 00:15:17,320 lampstands and they're not 2 olive trees, but it's the 206 00:15:17,320 --> 00:15:22,520 picture that these two a powerfully close connected, 207 00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:28,680 empowered by the holy God. It says are they standing before 208 00:15:28,680 --> 00:15:33,360 the God of the earth? So it reminds us of that time in 209 00:15:33,360 --> 00:15:41,520 Zechariah chapter 4. God in this language is saying I 210 00:15:41,520 --> 00:15:49,120 personally protect them. I personally empower MY2 211 00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:52,040 witnesses. He says I will give power to my 212 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:55,640 2 witnesses. I will give power to my 2 213 00:15:55,640 --> 00:16:04,920 witnesses and if anyone tries to harm them fire proceeds from 214 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:08,680 their mouth and people say well is that literal you know going 215 00:16:08,680 --> 00:16:10,320 to happen? No I don't. 216 00:16:10,520 --> 00:16:14,280 This is my opinion. I believe John is describing the 217 00:16:14,280 --> 00:16:17,560 word of God comes out and it's powerful. 218 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:21,400 It just, you know when the word of God is spoken under the power 219 00:16:21,400 --> 00:16:27,240 of God, man it, it, it, it, it hits you, it hits you and they 220 00:16:27,240 --> 00:16:29,200 will speak. When people come, thou will 221 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:33,040 speak the word of God, thus says the Lord, And people will fall 222 00:16:33,040 --> 00:16:36,560 down, drop, and all sorts of things will happen as they try 223 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:38,920 and come near them and cause harm to them. 224 00:16:40,160 --> 00:16:45,080 And they'll have this protection and this power for 3 1/2 years. 225 00:16:46,600 --> 00:16:51,200 Rain will not fall. They'll have power to go. 226 00:16:51,240 --> 00:16:54,800 OK, stop. No more rain. 227 00:16:55,680 --> 00:16:59,880 That reminds us of a certain profit, doesn't it? 228 00:16:59,880 --> 00:17:02,520 And if they command it, no rains coming. 229 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:07,720 They have the power, it says, to turn water into blood. 230 00:17:07,880 --> 00:17:10,359 Who's that? Remind you of another fellow 231 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:17,920 back in Egypt and I will have also it says the power to call 232 00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:22,000 down plagues. Wow, who does that remind you 233 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:25,000 of? So verse 5, if anyone wants to 234 00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:28,640 harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth, devours their 235 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:31,560 enemies. If anyone wants to harm them, he 236 00:17:31,560 --> 00:17:35,600 must be killed in this manner. So they're not tangling. 237 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:37,520 They're not just, well, this is going to happen. 238 00:17:39,240 --> 00:17:44,920 These have power to shut heaven so that no rain falls in the 239 00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:49,400 days of their prophecy. They have power over waters to 240 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:54,720 turn them to blood and to strike the earth with all plagues as 241 00:17:54,800 --> 00:18:00,960 often as they desire. The Bible teaches us that God 242 00:18:00,960 --> 00:18:03,840 never leaves himself without a witness. 243 00:18:04,880 --> 00:18:08,840 The book of Acts chapter 14, verse 17, Paul writes. 244 00:18:10,240 --> 00:18:13,240 Nevertheless, Speaking of the Lord, he did not leave himself 245 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:16,640 without witness in that he did good, gave us rain from heaven, 246 00:18:16,640 --> 00:18:19,880 fruitful seasons, filling us, filling our hearts with food and 247 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:23,280 gladness. We also see the same thing that 248 00:18:23,280 --> 00:18:26,960 God always has a witness to his actions throughout the Bible 249 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:29,640 back as far as the book of Genesis. 250 00:18:30,360 --> 00:18:34,080 Noah was the witness of the flood that covered the whole 251 00:18:34,080 --> 00:18:35,720 earth. He survived it. 252 00:18:35,880 --> 00:18:41,880 He saw it, survived it. Lot was pulled out of Sodom. 253 00:18:41,880 --> 00:18:44,600 He can tell you Sodom. And Gomorrah was destroyed. 254 00:18:44,600 --> 00:18:46,880 I used to live there. He's a witness. 255 00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:53,600 Elijah on the Mount of Mount Carmel took on the 800 prophets 256 00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:56,800 of Baal. False prophets, remember, he 257 00:18:56,800 --> 00:18:58,280 says. I can tell you what happened on 258 00:18:58,280 --> 00:19:01,120 the mount, on Mount Carmel when they did their thing. 259 00:19:01,120 --> 00:19:04,640 And then I prayed and fire came down and consumed the prophets 260 00:19:04,880 --> 00:19:07,680 and I slew. He took them out. 261 00:19:09,560 --> 00:19:11,840 John the Baptist was another witness. 262 00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:15,160 He came preparing the way. I'm telling you, the one that's 263 00:19:15,160 --> 00:19:19,000 following me, He's the Messiah. Behold, the Lamb of God who has 264 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:20,720 come to take the sins of the world. 265 00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:33,320 He's the witness 144,000 Jews chosen out of the 12 tribes used 266 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:35,760 as evangelists during the period of tribulation. 267 00:19:35,920 --> 00:19:42,560 They're witnesses. But now these two extra special 268 00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:48,320 witnesses, God raises 2 unique witnesses and he gives them 269 00:19:48,320 --> 00:19:52,400 enormous powers. By the way, it's interesting, 270 00:19:52,400 --> 00:20:01,320 the word for witness here is the Greek word MARTYS martyrs, from 271 00:20:01,320 --> 00:20:03,920 which we get our English word martyr. 272 00:20:04,800 --> 00:20:09,680 So it's interesting for many of God's people throughout the 273 00:20:09,680 --> 00:20:16,800 ages, the price, the cost. And I think that's something 274 00:20:16,800 --> 00:20:20,360 that we're not quite ready for yet, but we're we're going to 275 00:20:20,360 --> 00:20:24,080 learn about it, the cost of being God's witness. 276 00:20:24,800 --> 00:20:31,640 Has been their very lives. Who could forget a young man 29 277 00:20:31,640 --> 00:20:36,200 years of age, always wanted to be a missionary, prayed and 278 00:20:36,200 --> 00:20:41,480 prayed, wanted to go down to South America. 279 00:20:43,200 --> 00:20:46,960 Then he takes off, kisses his wife goodbye. 280 00:20:46,960 --> 00:20:50,320 The head off the first missionary journey, they land 281 00:20:50,320 --> 00:20:54,160 their plane, they're going to take the gospel to the Orcas 282 00:20:54,160 --> 00:20:59,160 Indians. And on that first attempt they 283 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:02,240 were killed attempting to share the gospel with them. 284 00:21:03,800 --> 00:21:08,280 His name was Jim Elliott, and a famous quote from Jim Elliott, 285 00:21:09,000 --> 00:21:15,400 age of 29, said this. He is no fool who gives up what 286 00:21:15,400 --> 00:21:20,520 he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. 287 00:21:21,280 --> 00:21:28,160 So who are these two witnesses? Are they Moses and Elijah? 288 00:21:28,720 --> 00:21:30,280 I'll leave that for you to decide. 289 00:21:30,760 --> 00:21:34,840 No one really knows. We had them on the mount of 290 00:21:34,840 --> 00:21:37,320 Transfiguration speaking to Jesus, didn't we? 291 00:21:37,800 --> 00:21:40,760 And he, they saw him in all his glory, the disciples. 292 00:21:42,840 --> 00:21:45,760 Malachi gives us some interesting facts on this. 293 00:21:45,760 --> 00:21:49,600 Malachi chapter 4, verse 4. Malachi says the last book 294 00:21:49,600 --> 00:21:53,880 before then before Matthew, last book of the Old Testament. 295 00:21:54,920 --> 00:21:59,920 Remember you the law of Moses, my servant God says, which I 296 00:21:59,920 --> 00:22:03,960 commanded unto him, and horror for all Israel with the statutes 297 00:22:03,960 --> 00:22:06,400 and judgments. Then it says in the next verse, 298 00:22:06,400 --> 00:22:09,840 verse 5, Behold, I will send you Elijah. 299 00:22:10,080 --> 00:22:12,840 That's why they thought to John. John, are you Elijah? 300 00:22:13,680 --> 00:22:16,720 And then when Jesus was in Caesarea Philippi and said, 301 00:22:16,720 --> 00:22:19,240 well, some say maybe you're Elijah because I know he's 302 00:22:19,240 --> 00:22:23,680 supposed to come at this time, the last days, Malachi says, 303 00:22:23,680 --> 00:22:26,800 behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of 304 00:22:26,800 --> 00:22:28,400 the great dreadful day of the Lord. 305 00:22:28,520 --> 00:22:33,840 What's that coming of the Lord? Now verse 7. 306 00:22:35,040 --> 00:22:42,360 Now notice this when they finish their testimony that you know, 307 00:22:42,360 --> 00:22:45,120 it could be a good thing to put on if I was going to have a 308 00:22:45,120 --> 00:22:47,240 great plot finished my testimony. 309 00:22:49,720 --> 00:22:53,800 When they finish their testimony, the beast that 310 00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:56,360 ascends out of the bottomless pit, we know who that is. 311 00:22:56,560 --> 00:23:03,440 Satan will make war against them, overcome them and kill 312 00:23:03,440 --> 00:23:06,440 them. Now up to now they've been 313 00:23:06,440 --> 00:23:10,600 protected by God, but now their ministry is finished. 314 00:23:10,600 --> 00:23:17,600 So now home or there's more and he'll kill them. 315 00:23:18,480 --> 00:23:21,920 And here what happens? This is in Jerusalem, the 316 00:23:21,920 --> 00:23:27,360 streets of Jerusalem and their dead bodies, the two witnesses 317 00:23:27,360 --> 00:23:31,960 will lie in the street of the great city Jerusalem, which 318 00:23:31,960 --> 00:23:34,720 spiritually now God's going to call it something else. 319 00:23:35,160 --> 00:23:40,920 It's called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was 320 00:23:40,920 --> 00:23:43,160 crucified. So we know exactly the city is 321 00:23:43,160 --> 00:23:48,360 Jerusalem. Matthew 1624, Jesus said to his 322 00:23:48,360 --> 00:23:53,920 disciples, if anyone desires to come after me, let him deny 323 00:23:53,920 --> 00:23:57,160 himself and take up his cross and follow me. 324 00:23:57,480 --> 00:24:00,960 Do you know what that means? We all go, yeah, that's me. 325 00:24:01,720 --> 00:24:04,240 I have decided, follow Jesus, no turning back. 326 00:24:04,280 --> 00:24:07,320 And we sing that song, I've taken up the cross. 327 00:24:07,320 --> 00:24:12,920 And we all say that verse 25 For whoever desires to save his life 328 00:24:13,440 --> 00:24:18,120 will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find 329 00:24:18,120 --> 00:24:19,280 it. Guess what? 330 00:24:19,920 --> 00:24:25,800 The principle for every believer is that we have given our life 331 00:24:26,120 --> 00:24:31,280 in service for God. For some of us. 2 witnesses, 332 00:24:32,400 --> 00:24:35,200 James, the brother of John initially, and then Paul, and so 333 00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:39,160 on and so on. All this stuff gave their lives 334 00:24:39,280 --> 00:24:45,080 literally. And so Jamalia did for you and 335 00:24:45,080 --> 00:24:48,280 I, we, it has the same bearing, this statement. 336 00:24:49,080 --> 00:24:50,800 We say, oh Gee, we're having a tough time. 337 00:24:50,800 --> 00:24:57,000 Hang on, hang on a minute. We have decided to follow Jesus 338 00:24:57,760 --> 00:24:59,520 to take out that cross and a cross. 339 00:24:59,520 --> 00:25:01,920 And I have a cross I wear around my neck. 340 00:25:02,400 --> 00:25:04,880 But the cross is what it's a killing instrument. 341 00:25:05,400 --> 00:25:11,200 The cross was to bring death. So when I say I sign up and I'm 342 00:25:11,200 --> 00:25:17,320 a follower of Christ, that means I am fully committed to give my 343 00:25:17,320 --> 00:25:23,280 life, not just I, but to actually surrender all that is 344 00:25:23,320 --> 00:25:27,520 of me to the Lord. We need to remember that. 345 00:25:27,840 --> 00:25:30,480 We need to remember that when we're leading people to Christ 346 00:25:30,480 --> 00:25:32,360 and they're about to say, you know, well, this is going to 347 00:25:32,360 --> 00:25:34,400 cost me. Actually, it's going to cost you 348 00:25:34,760 --> 00:25:40,160 everything, everything you're going to surrender, everything 349 00:25:40,280 --> 00:25:45,120 that you own, that you have, that is yours to take the cross 350 00:25:45,120 --> 00:25:48,560 and follow Jesus. Otherwise you can't follow him. 351 00:25:50,120 --> 00:25:54,160 Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 352 00:25:56,640 --> 00:26:00,080 The two witnesses bodies lay lifeless in the streets of 353 00:26:00,080 --> 00:26:05,120 Jerusalem, we're told for a specific time, 3 1/2 days. 354 00:26:05,360 --> 00:26:09,400 Why is this in here? This is a deliberate act by the 355 00:26:09,400 --> 00:26:17,920 Antichrist to bring disgrace to their bodies by the Antichrist. 356 00:26:17,920 --> 00:26:19,680 Why? Because in the both Jewish and 357 00:26:19,680 --> 00:26:25,800 Muslim culture, you die and within 24 hours you're buried. 358 00:26:26,960 --> 00:26:29,800 You die and within 24 hours you're put put in the grave. 359 00:26:30,800 --> 00:26:36,880 This is a deliberate act to let them be ashamed, be shameful. 360 00:26:37,120 --> 00:26:42,200 It's a it's an act to bring disgrace to these two bodies. 361 00:26:44,520 --> 00:26:51,840 The description God gives of the holy city instead of calling it 362 00:26:51,840 --> 00:26:55,000 Jerusalem at this time while the two bodies are laying there 3 363 00:26:55,000 --> 00:27:00,000 1/2 days instead of it being Jerusalem which means Salaam 364 00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:06,600 Shalom Jerusalem meaning dwelling of peace or place of 365 00:27:06,600 --> 00:27:13,120 peace Jerusalem. God called Jerusalem Sodom and 366 00:27:13,120 --> 00:27:17,200 Egypt. Why I Jerusalem has become a 367 00:27:17,200 --> 00:27:22,800 city of perversion the celebrating the death of God's 368 00:27:22,800 --> 00:27:27,440 witnesses rejoicing over it. Secondly, why does he call it 369 00:27:27,440 --> 00:27:30,640 Egypt? Because Egypt was had a God for 370 00:27:30,640 --> 00:27:32,520 everything. Remember that's why the plague 371 00:27:32,520 --> 00:27:36,000 come. Each plague came was against one 372 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:40,800 of the gods of Egypt, Egypt. And now in the holy of holies 373 00:27:40,960 --> 00:27:43,480 was an idol, an image of the Antichrist. 374 00:27:44,520 --> 00:27:48,600 That's not then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues and 375 00:27:48,600 --> 00:27:53,280 nations. This verse wouldn't make sense 376 00:27:53,280 --> 00:27:57,560 until satellite vision came in. That's why we're living in this. 377 00:27:58,080 --> 00:28:02,320 You and I can watch the world events right now, live Olympic 378 00:28:02,320 --> 00:28:04,520 Games. You know, we watch them live 379 00:28:04,520 --> 00:28:06,840 everything now. Then those from the people's 380 00:28:06,840 --> 00:28:11,200 tribes, tongues and nations will see their dead bodies 3 1/2 days 381 00:28:11,480 --> 00:28:14,120 and not allow their dead bodies to be put in the graves. 382 00:28:14,120 --> 00:28:15,480 Yeah, look at them. Yeah. 383 00:28:15,480 --> 00:28:19,920 Make fun of them. And those who dwell on the earth 384 00:28:20,120 --> 00:28:23,000 is that term again. Earth dwellers, those who dwell 385 00:28:23,000 --> 00:28:25,960 upon the earth, those who don't want anything to do with God, 386 00:28:27,440 --> 00:28:31,160 make merry, send gifts to one another. 387 00:28:31,920 --> 00:28:37,480 They did that on October 21, when the Jews were slaughtered. 388 00:28:38,240 --> 00:28:44,640 They sold sweets and celebrated in the streets. 911 same thing 389 00:28:44,640 --> 00:28:47,760 occurred, celebration, clapping, cheering. 390 00:28:48,200 --> 00:28:55,600 But in this situation, it's the world celebrates, makes Mary, 391 00:28:55,960 --> 00:29:00,520 sends gifts to one another because the two prophets 392 00:29:00,520 --> 00:29:02,720 tormented those who dwell on the earth. 393 00:29:02,840 --> 00:29:06,960 How did they torment them? I spoke the word of God. 394 00:29:08,840 --> 00:29:13,600 I spoke the word of God. This tragic verse gives us an 395 00:29:13,600 --> 00:29:18,360 insight into the heart of many of those earth dwellers we've 396 00:29:18,360 --> 00:29:20,960 spoken about. So the entire world has been 397 00:29:20,960 --> 00:29:24,440 watching and hearing these two witnesses proclaim the word of 398 00:29:24,440 --> 00:29:27,520 God. The hearers now have no excuse 399 00:29:28,040 --> 00:29:30,960 because again, two witnesses are telling them, giving them 400 00:29:30,960 --> 00:29:32,440 another chance. Turn to Christ. 401 00:29:32,440 --> 00:29:36,080 Turn to Christ, repent. When these two witnesses are 402 00:29:36,080 --> 00:29:40,040 killed, allowed by God, the fallen world rejoices. 403 00:29:40,440 --> 00:29:42,960 They exchange gifts in celebration. 404 00:29:44,160 --> 00:29:48,280 The Antichrist may even proclaim it a world holiday and 405 00:29:48,280 --> 00:29:52,040 Antichristmas Day. Let's have an Annie Christmas 406 00:29:52,040 --> 00:29:57,840 Day celebrate and blames these two witnesses for all the woes 407 00:29:57,840 --> 00:30:02,160 the world has been going through and experiencing. 408 00:30:02,160 --> 00:30:04,120 It's their fault these two. Now they're dead. 409 00:30:04,560 --> 00:30:08,320 Yay, now they're dead at his hand. 410 00:30:08,800 --> 00:30:13,360 He's the all powerful one. God is watching on this. 411 00:30:13,560 --> 00:30:18,720 So what did he do? Verse 11 Now after 3 1/2 days, 412 00:30:21,240 --> 00:30:25,160 the breath of God, a life from God entered the two witnesses, 413 00:30:26,160 --> 00:30:31,240 and they stood on their feet. Great fear fell on those who saw 414 00:30:31,280 --> 00:30:34,160 them. And I heard a loud voice from 415 00:30:34,160 --> 00:30:38,920 heaven saying to them, Ah, come up here. 416 00:30:39,880 --> 00:30:45,920 And they ascended into heaven, watched worldwide in a cloud, 417 00:30:47,280 --> 00:30:51,800 and their enemies saw them. In the same hour there was a 418 00:30:51,800 --> 00:30:54,880 great earthquake. This earthquake is only in the 419 00:30:54,880 --> 00:31:00,320 area of Jerusalem, and a tenth of the city of Jerusalem fell 420 00:31:00,840 --> 00:31:05,680 damaged. So the party is over. 421 00:31:06,400 --> 00:31:09,720 God intervenes after 3 1/2 days laying dead. 422 00:31:09,720 --> 00:31:13,520 Suddenly, unexpectedly, the two witnesses stand back to their 423 00:31:13,520 --> 00:31:18,040 feet, alive once more. A massive earthquake strikes and 424 00:31:18,040 --> 00:31:20,560 7000 people are killed in Jerusalem. 425 00:31:22,360 --> 00:31:25,000 In the earthquake, 7000 people were killed and the rest were 426 00:31:25,000 --> 00:31:26,920 afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. 427 00:31:27,320 --> 00:31:29,720 The second well was passed. Behold, the third well was 428 00:31:29,720 --> 00:31:32,600 coming quickly. Then the 7th Angel sounded. 429 00:31:32,600 --> 00:31:35,840 There were loud voices in heaven saying, the kingdoms of this 430 00:31:35,840 --> 00:31:39,400 world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, 431 00:31:39,560 --> 00:31:41,440 and He shall reign forever and ever. 432 00:31:42,080 --> 00:31:44,840 This verse tells us plainly what's going to happen. 433 00:31:45,240 --> 00:31:48,640 The kingdoms of this fallen world will be conquered by the 434 00:31:48,640 --> 00:31:51,800 coming Kingdom of the Messiah. Daniel speaks of that. 435 00:31:51,800 --> 00:31:54,600 Daniel chapter 2 verse 44. Let's wrap it up. 436 00:31:55,120 --> 00:31:59,600 And the 24 elders who sat before God, this is in heaven on their 437 00:31:59,600 --> 00:32:03,360 Thrones fell on their faces and worship God saying we give you 438 00:32:03,360 --> 00:32:06,760 thanks oh Lord God Almighty, the one who is and was and is to 439 00:32:06,760 --> 00:32:11,120 come because you have taken your great power and reign the the 440 00:32:11,120 --> 00:32:14,400 nations were angry. Sounds like Psalm 2 and your 441 00:32:14,400 --> 00:32:17,960 wrath has come and the time of the dead that they should be 442 00:32:17,960 --> 00:32:20,640 judged. It's nearing that's the great 443 00:32:20,640 --> 00:32:23,920 white throne judgement that you should reward your servants, the 444 00:32:23,920 --> 00:32:27,520 prophets and the Saints and those who fear your name small 445 00:32:27,520 --> 00:32:30,920 and great and just should destroy those who destroy the 446 00:32:30,920 --> 00:32:33,760 earth. So on hearing the loud voices 447 00:32:33,760 --> 00:32:38,040 announcing that God is taking over and the Kingdom of the 448 00:32:38,040 --> 00:32:41,640 Messiah is to come to earth. The 24 hours remember they 449 00:32:41,640 --> 00:32:45,480 represent the church in heaven respond and they praise the Lord 450 00:32:45,480 --> 00:32:50,360 and adore him. Verse 18 encompasses it's a 451 00:32:50,360 --> 00:32:53,560 summary of the entire tribulation period and the 452 00:32:53,560 --> 00:32:56,920 Millennium to follow. It's in our way, a summary, as I 453 00:32:56,920 --> 00:32:59,640 said, of the Book of Revelation, verse 19. 454 00:33:00,000 --> 00:33:04,360 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven and the ark of 455 00:33:04,360 --> 00:33:06,200 his covenant was seen in his temple. 456 00:33:06,440 --> 00:33:08,440 Don't have to look for it. Don't have, don't have The 457 00:33:08,440 --> 00:33:10,080 Ethiopians. They reckon they got it. 458 00:33:10,200 --> 00:33:11,760 Well, the real ones in heaven anyway. 459 00:33:12,920 --> 00:33:15,920 And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings and 460 00:33:15,920 --> 00:33:20,920 earthquake and great hail. Revelation 11 opened with John 461 00:33:20,920 --> 00:33:25,000 being told to go measure a temple on earth, and it ends 462 00:33:25,000 --> 00:33:29,280 with the temple of God in heaven being open for all to come in 463 00:33:29,280 --> 00:33:32,000 and see the glory and the wonder of God. 464 00:33:32,720 --> 00:33:37,920 CS Lewis said aim at heaven and you'll get earth thrown in. 465 00:33:38,400 --> 00:33:40,640 Aim at earth and you'll get neither. 466 00:33:41,440 --> 00:33:44,680 Christ's Kingdom. This is what we're reading is 467 00:33:44,680 --> 00:33:47,280 coming. Nothing is stopping it. 468 00:33:47,480 --> 00:33:51,840 Everything's going to plan. We ought to get ready for it by 469 00:33:51,840 --> 00:33:56,160 knowing it, by worshipping and serving our Lord right here and 470 00:33:56,160 --> 00:33:58,760 now. We're going to see all this 471 00:33:58,760 --> 00:34:01,600 marvellous event in heaven during this time. 472 00:34:01,600 --> 00:34:02,240 Let's pray.