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3. The Resurrection of the Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:11-14)
REVELATION 11:11-14
11 After the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered into them, and they stood on their feet. Great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 I heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” They went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies saw them. 13 In that day there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified, and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe comes quickly.
After three-and-a-half days of the worst form of contempt and disgrace, the breath of life from God entered into the two dead bodies. In like manner, Ezekiel had to command the breath of life to breathe upon the dead bones of his people, that they might live (Ezekiel 37:9-10). Afterwards, the two dead will be made alive, arise, recognize and embrace each other. With great sadness and pity they will look the enemies in their eyes.
Horrified, the world will observe on TV how the two dead prophets arise and walk about. The look of the two will pierce people through. A profound fear will take hold in the hearts of God's enemies. The house of cards built on the beast's lies and propaganda will collapse from within. All of his words and entreaties will show themselves as pure deceit. In this moment it will be obvious to some that: God lives! The Messiah lives! In His Spirit the saints live! All others are marked with death. Like lightning, the awe of this recognition will enter into both friend and enemy at the appearing of the two witnesses.
The onlookers on TV will also hear a thunder-like voice from heaven that will command the two revived witnesses: Come up hear! The unbelievable will then follow: A white cloud will silently lift up the two witnesses to heaven; similar to the way Jesus Christ ascended (Acts 1:9). Suddenly, the preaching of the two witnesses concerning the ascension of the Messiah and His enthronement in heaven will be brought back to memory.
The horror of seeing the two awakened from death and weightlessly ascend will illustrate to millions worldwide with crystal clarity their message and call to repent. Through the victorious resurrection and ascension to heaven of the two despised witnesses, the enemies of the true God will receive a premonition of their own defeat and their hopeless situation in the coming judgment.
At the same time the living Christ will confirm the words of warning of the two preachers. He will allow the hills of the sinful city of Jerusalem to shake and tremble. Massive fortress settlements will be torn apart, newly built bomb shelters will collapse, a tenth of the entire city will fall. The cited number of 7,000 dead, who will be buried under the rubble, points to a multiple number of those struck down and buried alive. God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap (Galatians 6:7). Panic and horror will take hold of the remaining residents of Jerusalem. They will fear bad aftershocks and further blows of God's judgment. Out of genuine fear, and not out of love or devotion, will men and women sing worship hymns with stuttering lips. They will attempt to appease the Lord God and His Messiah. A renewal of heart and mind, however, will fail to materialize. For the majority, there will be no true repentance.
With the effective working of the two witnesses, followed by their death, resurrection and ascent to heaven, the second woe will end. It had begun with the attack of the army numbering 200 million strong. The pride of most of the sons of Jacob will not be broken. They will further cling to their pharisaism. Demonical power will increase. The call of the two witnesses to repent will, most assuredly, cause some to be saved; more, however, will be hardened. The incriminating prophecy of Isaiah regarding the people's obstinacy and their forthcoming devastation will continue to be realized in the residents of Israel and in all of mankind (Isaiah 6:8-12).
PRAYER: Holy Lord Jesus, Great is Your calling the dead bodies of Your two witnesses and You raised them. Their resurrection and their ascension to You are Your divine seal on the truth of their testimony, and a proof that You live and are the King to come according to Your promises. Would that everyone understands the meaning of this wonderful event that they might repent and believe in You immediately.
QUESTION:
- What is the significance of the resurrection and ascension of the two witnesses of Christ?