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SPECIAL NOTICE: This sermon contains one false assumption on the identity of the Courtyard that is trampled by the Gentiles in Revelation 11. Rather than make a correction, the author has chosen to leave the error in as an object lession on how easy it is to make false assumptions and the need for greater care in research before ariving at exegetical conclusions. The error is explained fully in Part XL.

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Shabbat Shalom kol beit Yisra'el and Mishpachah and welcome back to the 38th part of the Book of Revelation study whose half-way mark we have now reached. We spent just under 1½ hours studying the first two verses of chapter 11 to ensure that we clearly understood what the temple imagery represented was and we concluded that it had to be spiritual, and that it represented the Body or People of Yahweh in the most general sense.

We saw how the sanctuary, bayit (house) or temple (but most notably the Holy Place thereof), along with the temple-worshippers, were to be measured or judged in the positive sense of preservation. This is now, of course, new imagery that is being used but would have been familiar to the Tanakh (Old Testament) readers of the first century AD where, for instance, we read in 2 Samuel:

"In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Metheg Ammah from the control of the Philistines. David also defeated the Moabites. He made them lie down on the ground and measured them off with a length of cord. Every two lengths of them were put to death, and the third length was allowed to live. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought tribute" (2 Sam.8:1-2, NIV).

Thus a third of the Moabite captives were 'measured' or 'judged' for David's preservation and two-thirds for death, a proportional division you will by now be familiar with. Remember the Moabites obstructed Israel throughout their history, tried to lead them into sin (and succeeded once at the instigation of Balaam, leading to the death of 24,000 Israelites), and were generally adversarial. Yahweh had Himself cursed this people in the days of Moses and barred them from ever converting for at least 10 generations (Num.25:1-3,6,9; 31:9,15-16; Dt.23:3-4). I mention that only to assure you that David had just cause in what he did.

Now to be fair to the literalists this temple could have been a prophecy about the siege and capture of Jerusalem were it not for the fact that the Book of Revelation was given at least 20 years after the events it might have represented, in which case it would have been no prophecy at all, and must therefore be discounted because John writes as though this were a future event. But, again, to be fair to alternative viewpoints this might indeed have been pointing to to the City of Jerusalem in AD 70 if, indeed, John had penned the Apocalypse before AD 70. We have talked about John A.T.Robinson's seminal work on this particular subject before and I will include a link to his book for further reading at the end of online version of this teaching. Either way, this would not discount the claim that the prophecy is simulatenously prophetic of a distant end-time event which would still be most likely, given the material we have already read and studied, which clearly is at the 'end of the end-time'.

So we would not be wrong to interpret this (on another level as well as on another point of the cycle of prophecy) to be referring to the Messianic Community (Church) and its worship, as Paul's allusions clearly make out such to be so in his first letter to the Corinthians:

"Don't you know that you yourselves are Elohim's (God's) temple (collectively and individually) and that Elohim's Ruach (God's Spirit) lives in you? If anyone destroys Elohim's (God's) temple, Elohim (God) will destroy him; for Elohim's (God's) temple is sacred (qadosh, holy, set-apart), and you are that temple" (1 Cor.3:16-17, NIV).

As an added dimension to this truth, we can see that this measurement for 'preservation' and 'destruction' also conveys within it the idea of the 'preservation' of the Messianic Community and the 'destruction' of the Judaism that it superceded, not, as Protestants and Catholics teach, of the 'Church' replacing 'Israel' but rather of 'Messianic Israel' replacing that part of 'Old Covenant Israel' which rejects its King and Deliverer. This removes any possibility of there therefore being two peoples of Elohim (God) - the Church and Israel - but emphasises that at the destruction of the Jerusalem temple, the emblem and badge, as it were, of Old Covenant Israel and the hope of that first century Judaism that had existed since the return from exile, were now gone forever. How that has played out historically is a big and very interesting subject all on its own.

Let's now run through last week's and today's text so that can take this discussion further, for the two parts are firmly tied together. We shall, as always, be using the New King James Version (NKJV) with alternative readings included in the text, and then afterwards we shall re-examine it using N.T.Wright's Kingdom New Testament (KNT) for contrast:

"11:1 Then I was given a [light, hollow] reed (cane) like (similar to) a [solid, heavier] measuring rod (Heb. shevet, 'measuring rod like a staff' - KNT) (Ezek.40:3; Rev.21:15). And the malak (angel) stood, saying, 'Rise and measure (Aram. 'measure/anoint' wordplay) the temple (Gk. Naos = 'Holy Place') of Elohim (God), the altar, and those who worship there (Zech.2:1-2; Ezek.40-42). 2 But leave out the [outer] court (Ezek.40:17,20) which is outside the temple (Gk. Naos = 'Holy Place'), and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles (Goyim, pagans) (Lk.21:24). And they will tread the qadosh (holy, set-apart) city underfoot for forty-two months (3½ years) (Dan.7:25; 9:27; 12:7; Rev.12:6,14; 13:15). 3 And I will give [power ('authority' - HRV)] to my two witnesses (Rev.1:5; 2:13), and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days (42 months, 3½ years) (Dan.7:25; 9:27; 12:7), clothed in sackcloth.' 4 These are the two olive trees (Zech.4:3; Rom.11:24) and the two lampstands (menoah's, candlearbres) standing before the Elohim (God) of the earth. 5 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 manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls (1 Ki.17:1; 18:42-45; Lk.4:25; Jas.5:17-18) in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues (Ex.7:17-12:30; 1 Sam.4:8), as often as they desire.

"7 Now when they finish their testimony, the beast (Rev.13:1-4) that ascends out of the very deep ('bottomless') pit (abyss) (Lk.8:31) will make war against ('attack' - NIV) them (Dan.7:21; Rev.13:7), overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city (Jerusalem - Rev.16:19) which spiritually is called Sodom (Is.1:9; Jer.23:14; Ezek.16:46) and Egypt, where also our Master (Lord) was crucified (Heb.13:12). 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations (Rev.13:7) will see their dead bodies 3½ days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves ('refuse them burial' - NIV) (Ps.79:2-3). 10 And those who dwell on the earth (Rev.3:10) will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another (Neh.8:10,12; Est.9:19,22), because these two nevi'im (prophets) tormented those who dwell on the earth.

"11 Now after the three-and-a-half days (v.9) the breath (ruach) of life from Elohim (God) entered them (Ezek.37:9-10,14), and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, 'Come up here' (Rev.4:1). And they ascended to heaven in a cloud (2 Ki.2:11; Ac.1:9), and their enemies saw them. 13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake (Rev.6:12), and a tenth of the city fell (collapsed). In the earthquake seven thousand men (1 Ki.19:18; Rom.11:4) were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory (Rev.14:7; 16:9; 19:7) to the Elohim (God) of heaven (Rev.16:11). 14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly ('soon' - NIV) (Rev.8:13)" (Rev.11:1-14, NKJV).

Like the first two verses, verses 3-14 are multi-layered, multi-dimensional and complex, so the odds of us misinterpreting it rise considerably. There is much going on here. The human temple has been marked out or measured, as we have seen, so that - as in chapter 7 - it may be protected against ultimate (though not necessarily present) harm in the eternal perspective. Both the symbolic city and the outer court of the temple are to be trampled by the Gentiles for '3½ years'. The question, then, is this a literal or symbolic number...or both, depending on what you're actually looking at? Let's reserve our judgment at this point and simply consider the alternatives.

Let's start with the symbolic approach. 3½ (years) is half of seven (years) which stands for completeness, here broken down into 42 months or 1,260 days....three different ways of depicting the same number using our time-measuring system of days, months and years. John is at pains to name all three. Why? Why not just say '3½ years' and leave it at that? It's a clue, I believe, that we are to look at this number in three different, though related, ways or aspects - the progression from years to months to days is really a question of detail because when we think of a 'day' we are able to describe in in considerably more detail than, for example, a year, the memory of whose details we tend to forget. Remember also that a prophetic 'day' is reckoned is a 'year'. And just as Ezekiel's measuring of his visionary temple that never came to pass (because the exiled Israelite tribes in Assyria and Babylonia refused to properly repent) was also, on one level, a way of marking out the place where Elohim (God) was going to come to dwell, so John's marking out of this human temple - this messianic community (church) - is a way of signalling Yahweh's solemn intention to honour and bless His faithful Remnant with His presence.

But what is the task and rôle of this people? As I mentioned last week, the calling of Yahweh's people is to bear faithful witness of Yah'shua (Jesus), even though it will entail suffering and quite possibly martyrdom. Special rewards, you'll recall, were promised to the first century Seven Congregations of Asia Minor if they became 'overcomers' or 'conquerors' of the fallen Adamic nature. In ultimate practical terms, this meant that the true followers of Messiah who, having achieved victory through His atoning death, were prepared to die for Him rather than compromise. And we're given, at the beginning of this Book, the example of Yah'shua's (Jesus') "faithful witness" in the person of Antipas who laid down his life for his Master (Rev.2:3).

And now, in similar fashion - and this, I think, most in the pampered West will find hard to swallow - it appears that the 'two witnesses' of verses 3-13, whatever they may represent individually, are a symbol for the whole Messianic Community (Church) in its prophetic witness as well, namely its 'faithful death' and subsequent vindication by Yahweh. This being so, then the Messianic Community (Church) is symbolised by the two menorah's (lampstands), as in the first chapter of Revelation:

"The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in My right hand and of the seven golden menorah's (lampstands) is this: The seven stars are the overseers/pastors (messengers, 'angels') of the seven assemblies (congregations, churches), and the seven lampstands are the seven congregations (churches)" (Rev.1:19-20, NIV - adapted).

And what, to remind you of one our earliest studies, are believers called to as these seven menorah's (lampstands)?

• 1. Suffering (tribulation) (2:9-10:22; 7:14);
• 2. Kingdom implementation (11:15; 12:10; 16:10; 17:12,17-18); and
• 3. Learning patient endurance (2:2-3,19; 3:10; 13:10; 14:12).

And now we learn precisely what that consists of in the persons of the Two Witnesses. Remember, I'm not saying they aren't two literal people too (because clearly they are); I'm simply reminding you that they also represent the whole Messianic Community (Church) in every time period since its formation in its two aspects. Ask yourself: why two witnesses and not one? Most nevi'im (prophets) historically acted alone, even if some of them had assistants (like Elijah and Elisha, or Jeremiah and Baruch); yet Yah'shua (Jesus), you will recall, always sent special witnesses or missionaries out 'two by two' (Mk.6:7; Lk.10:1) for mutual protection and assistance (two heads are always better than one when there are problems to solve or dangers to face) but also for an important symbolic reason. Remember, the number 2 symbolises 'differences' or 'division', in this case two divisions of labour of the prophetic, namely that which is of the King (Yah'shua/Jesus) and that which is of the Kingdom (Israel) - Bride and Bridegroom. And these are represented in today's revelation, as again we shall see, by Moses and Elijah, who represent, respectively, the Torah or Law (obedience to which is the life of the Kingdom) and the Nevi'im or Prophets who speak the devarim (words) of the King and initiate events on earth viâ Yah'shua (Jesus) and malakim (angels).

Why are they clothed in the way they are? The Messianic Community (Church), like the Two Witnesses, too, is 'clothed in sackcloth' as a sign of mourning for the wickedness of the world and the evil that it will bring on itself; the congregations of Elohim (Giod) performing the combined rôles of nevi'im (prophets) and missionaries.

Why two witnesses historically? Well, as I said, I think John has many biblical examples in mind as a backdrop, as it were. Moses and Aaron, who stood up against the pagan secular power of Pharaoh and demonstrated Yahweh's power by the plagues which, as we have already seen, are echoed in chapters 8 & 9. Then there are Elijah and Elisha, who stood up to Ahab, the paganising King of Israel, and his wife Jezebel and the prophets of Ba'al, and who demonstrated Yahweh's power by successfully praying for a drought and then calling fire down from heaven both at Mt.Carmel and when Ahab twice sent soldiers to arrest him.

Now there are those who believe that Moses and Elijah will literally return to the earth to carry out what chapter 11 is saying. They could, of course, for Yahweh can do whatever He wants, but I have some problems with this proposition. Firstly, Moses died and is now a disembodied spirit whereas Elijah did not die but had the aging process - mortality, if you like - held in suspension, so he alone of the two is still capable to dying once released from that state of translation that he presumably still enjoys. Moses, as a spirit, could not have been killed. He could, of course, be resurrected but then he would not be 'kill-able' because resurrected beings are immortal (though, again, there are those - false, in my view, like annihilationists - who claim a resurrected person can also be a thumaturgised [1] person like Lazarus. Moses could, theoretically, be re-clothed with another physical body but that smacks of a form of reincarnation or soul-transmigration (which, incidentally, many of the Jews of the first century believed in, under the influence of Babylonian ideas during the Exile, but which Scripture clearly refutes - Heb.9:27). All of that to me seems very 'messy' and most definitely out of divine tavnith or pattern. Since the Two Witnesses are fulfilling a rôle not unlike that of the apostle John in some respects, then it is more likely that the Two Witnesses are two contemporary, mortal nevi'im (prophets) operating in the Spirit of Moses (representing Torah or Law) operating in the Spirit of Elijah that the navi (prophet) Malachi speaks about at the end of his testimony...which would make him more like a latter-day John the Baptist-type figure announcing the second coming of Messiah.

What John is therefore saying, on one level, is that these Two Witnesses are two characters or people with a witness specifically in the modern day city of Jerusalem in the Israeli Republic (unelss that state should dissppear and be replaced by another one before this prophecy is fulfilled). Why the physical Jerusalem? Because the text says it was the place where Yah'shua (Jesus) was crucified, which was a literal event in a literal place. But on another important level - a corporate one - John is also saying that the prophetic witness of the Torah-obedient Messianic Community (Church) or Remnant will be across the whole surface of the planet. On this level we are looking at the 'global Jerusalem', as it were, which is Sodom or Egypt (and also Babylon and Hagar) - which represent, respectively:

• 1. Perversion; and
• 2. Slavery and pagan matriarchy or fully blossommed feminism.

But also, in the great tradition of Moses and Elijah - both these two witnesses in Jerusalem-proper as well as the Torah-obedient Remnant acting in the prophetic globally - will perform powerful signs and thereby torment the surrounding unbelievers in their respective locations. The climax of their work will be their martyr-deaths at the hands of the monster or beast that comes up from the very Deep Pit (Abyss) - they will lie dead outside on the ground for 3½ days in Jerusalem, following the 3½ years of witness (the second half of the great 7-year Tribulation) during which time the Messianic Community (Church) also gives its witness with many being martyred. This latter time is when the Anti-Messiah (Antichrist) rules for a short season.

Are there other prophetic levels to this story? I don't doubt it. But what of this 'monster' or 'beast'? Again, it depends on what level you look at it. On the personal level, yes, this is a demonic agent, but on the corporate level, it is a socio-political and religious system. Have we seen this monster yet? I believe the world has always seen glimpses of him, but that we will see him fully manifested in the days to come, and are starting to see more of that manifestation as he goes about the business (as we shall later see) of proclaiming himself to be 'god'...and, in parallel, as the state procaims itself to be 'god' or to possess absolute authority. Any power that proclaims itself to be absolute is manifesting this beast-spirit - and we are most certainly seeing that now...and have seen it many times in the past - is part of that ongoing global manifestation of the Antichrist-spirit.

We have, in this Book of Revelation study, already read about the prototype Antichrist and an earlier manifestation of the beast system,in the person of Caesar proclaiming himself as lord and demanding worship, and in the system of oppression that was the Roman Empire, respectively. We have seen it as fascism/nazism and communism, with their leaders Hitler and Stalin as prototype antichrists, and we are experiencing it right now as a kind of 'liberal authoritarianism' hybridised with communism and fascism. And in the shadows, somewhere, is another prototype antichrist - perhaps even the final Antichrist, one who proclaims himself to his followers as the 'King of the World' and/or the 'King of Israel' to whom President Obama and the Pope have both bowed. The Antichrist system has many names and faces but its spirit is the same. The Bible simply calls it 'Babylon' but does not name the Antichrist himself, simply referring to him as the 'lawless' or 'Torahless one'. And any system that is Torahless is thereby proclaiming its ultimate allegiance.

John will make this all much clearer in the chapters that follow, where we will learn without any ambiguity that the 'monster' is the might of pagan empire, presently (in John's time) embodied by Rome, and that city is Rome itself which even today is already playing a significant rôle as the initiator of the Anti-Messiah's 'One World Religion' coupled to the 'One World Globalist Political System'. We see one modern manifestation of that here in Europe which was formally initiated by the Treaty of Rome and which has grown into quite an Empire, albeit presently under the neo-feudal lordship of the United States. There's also an 'Eastern Roman Empire' today too, presently in two competing parts, a minor part (that wants to re-establish the Ottoman Caliphate) and a major part each with different ambitions who mostly cooperate with one another. Originally this was Constantinople but is now Turkish Istanbul (the minor player) and Moscow (the major player) (though at one time it was St.Petersburg...notice the link to St.Peter in Rome - it's present 'Emperor' is Vladimir Putin who is from St.Petersburg). As I speak power is shifting from Rome to Moscow as it did anciently from Rome to Constantinople and is now accelerating as the current Ukrainian conflict reaches its climax. The Western Roman Empire fell and the Eastern Roman Empire assumed control of part of it (including Rome itself for a while), the rest being 'occupied' by other rampaging tribes. We are seeing the same thing happening now before our very eyes as the West teeters on the very brink.

So this is the point that John is making, which he especially wants his first century readers to grasp...and by extension, us too: the Yahweh-given and Yahweh-protected vocation to bear faithful prophetic witness will not necessarily mean one will be spared suffering and death: rather, this suffering and martyrdom itself, like that of Yah'shua (Jesus) whom the Messianic Community (Church) worships and follows, will be the ultimate prophetic sign through which the world as a whole (that half which survives the Judgments) will be brought to glorify Elohim (God).

'Being raptured' away from all of that is absolutely not part of His Plan - whether 'pre-Trib Rapture' at the beginning of the 7 year Tribulation), 'mid-Trib Rapture' (half way through the Tribulation), or 'post-Trib Rapture' (at the end of the Tribulation). The only 'rapturing' that will take place will not be out of this world to 'heaven' but a brief ascent into the sky lasting hours or minutes only in order to welcome the return of the Conquering Messiah and His Courtège! That's the truth and that's what lies at the very heart of John's prophetic message.

This is what is happening in the 'Outer Courtyard' of the Temple where the Enemy is running riot. Physical death occurs here. But not in the Sanctuary or Temple (or at least, the Holy Place part of it as we saw last week) because the Enemy cannot 'trample down' the spirit, mind and heart of the faithful believer who has a rock-solid testimony of his Messiah. The Temple, in this aspect, is the 'inner' or heavenly world of the spirit and the Courtyard is the 'outer' world of matter - this is yet another level of understanding.

No one can separate the faithful believer from the love of Elohim (God), as it is written:

"Who shall separate us from the love of Messiah? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: 'For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors (overcomers) through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither malakim (angels) nor shaddim (demons), neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of Elohim (God) that is in Messiah Yah'shua (Christ Jesus) our Master (Lord)" (Rom.8:35-39, NIV).

What, then, of the Final Gathering & Cities of Refuge? How do they fit into the scheme of things? For now we must defer a further discussion of that so that we can focus on what is being spoken in this section of the Book of Revelation because I think there are many who do not understand what all of this means - there are those who want to 'gather' to these cities of refuge specifically to escape martyrdom in the same way there are those who want to escape suffering and martyrdom by being 'raptured away' from trouble and difficulties, as they suppose, and leave all that 'bother' to the make-believe 'left-behinders' instead.

John nowhere speaks of any such 'escape route'. It is a great honour to suffer, and to seal one's testimony in blood as a martyr if called upon to do so, and the Enemy is more than willing to oblige in the shedding of that blood, as he always has been, and as he is already doing in many nations today where believers are being persecuted and murdered. This means that in any doctrinal appraisal of such passages as these we must carefully examine our motives for wanting to believe one way or another because we all have these fleshy biases. Recall that "the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death" (Rev.21:8, NKJV) where cowardice and unbelief are lined up next to one another.

Plagues and terrors never bring anyone to complete repentance so how will Yahweh awaken people's darkened consciences and hearts? By means of the martyr-witness of the Messianic Community (Church)! Those who will not repent are removed - half the world population by my estimate. The mass martyrdom will succeed where the plagues have failed. This is how, in the end, the nations will come to glorify their Creator. This is how, in verse 15 that we'll examine further next week, "the kingdom of the world [will] become the kingdom of Yahweh and of His Messiah (Christ), and He will reign for ever and ever" (Rev.11:15, NIV).

This adds an interesting dimension to the landscape of the Millennium, doesn't it? We know that the wicked who have been removed - around half the world's population - aren't ever coming back to earth when their time (the second resurrection) comes around at the end of the Millennium. So what, if any, is the difference between the faithful Remnant and those 'of the nations' whose hearts are softened by the martyrdom of the Remnant and of Outer Court believers? Do they continue on into the Millennium and share the world with the children of the first resurrection? More than that we cannot say and it is pointless to speculate. So what is their status? That they are an important early part of Yahweh's Great Reconciliation is undeniable but are they reckoned as equal to the faithful Remnant? Are they, like the Remnant, resurrected at the Messiah's second coming or will they survive as mortals - they and their generations - during the Millennium?

The Remnant are the 'ruling class' to be sure - the 'kings and priests' appointed by Yahweh to rule the nations. Now I don't know how this all works out nor do I wish to indulge in needless speculation 'categorising' people, but clearly there are mortals and immorals living alongside one another during this Millennial Reign. Are there moral children of the second resurrection living on earth? is I suppose the main question here. I don't know - perhaps I am still missing a key or two. All I know for sure is that martyrdom is part of the Great Reconciliation process, an act of imitation of the Master Himself who brings many to repentance through the knowledge of His sacrifice on the cross as the 'Martyr of martyrs', a motif we're all familiar with, because personal sacrifice is a heart-mover. If you have ever seen the movie, The Last Samurai, you'll perhaps know what I mean. One of the most moving scenes in that movie is when the samurais, armed only with swords and other mediaeval weapons, confront a modern Japanese army and are mowed down by American-supplied Gatling guns. The troops are shocked by the bravery of the samurais with one broken-hearted officer falling to his knees in deep respect and penitence.

So the most puzzling passage in this the most puzzling book of the Bible turns out to be one of the most important and central statements of what John wants to say to the Seven Assemblies to whom he is writing in the Roman Province of Asia Minor. The Lamb has opened the seals on the scroll, and all kinds of terrifying things have happened as He has done so. The shofars (trumpets) have blown; terrors of a different sort have come to pass; but now the scroll has been handed to John, and John prophesies in symbolic action (by 'measuring' the temple) and (at least on one level) tells the parabolic story of the two witnesses. And this is how the Kingdom of Elohim (God), already spoken of in chapters 4 and 5, is to become an exclusive reality on earth as in heaven in its fullness and glory.

So that we can get the full impact of the central message of this week's segment, let's read today's text again so that we can integrate its contents with what we have already been speaking of and make a summary of sorts. Pay close attention to what's said in verse 13 especially:

"I will give My two witnesses the task of prophesying, clothed in sackcloth, for those 1,260 days (3½ years). These two are the olive trees, the two menorah's (lampstands) which stand before the Master (Lord) of the earth. If anyone wants to harm them, fire comes out of their mouths and devours their enemies. So if anyone wants to harm them, that is how such a person must be killed. These two have authority to shut up the sky, so that it will not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have authority over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with any plague, as often as they see fit. When they have completed their testimony, the monster (beast) that comes out of the Very Deep Pit (Abyss, 'Bottomless Pit') will make war on them, and will defeat and kill them. Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt, where their Master (Lord) [Yah'shua/Jesus] was crucified. Their bodies will be seen by the peoples, tribes, languages and nations for 3½ days. They will not allow their bodies to be buried in a tomb. The inhabitants of the earth will celebrate over them, and make merry, and send presents to one another, because these two nevi'im (prophets) tormented those who live on earth.

"After 3½ days the spirit of life from Elohim (God) came into them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on all who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven. 'Come up here!' it said. And they went up to heaven on a cloud, with their enemies looking on. At that moment there was a huge earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell, and 7,000 of the people were killed by the earthquake. The rest were very much afraid, and glorified the Elohim (God) of heaven" (Rev.11:3-13, KNT).

Let's not miss, let alone mistake, the powerful impact of the symbolism in verse 13. When Yahweh judged Sodom and Gomorrah, He might have spared it, He said to Abraham, if 10 righteous persons were to be found there (Gen.18:32). But in our text today, only one-tenth (10 per cent) of the wicked city is to fall, and nine-tenths (90 percent) is to be saved. Interesting? I think so! The numbers are reversed. When Yahweh was judging Israel through the navi (prophet) Elijah, only 7,000 were left who had not bowed the knee to the pagan god Ba'al. Now, however, it is only 7,000 who are killed in the city, and the great majority are to be rescued. What are we to make of this, because the first believers would have immediately made historical connections in the Tanakh (Old Testament)? Is this a picture of the Elohim (God) of mercy grieving over the rebellion and corruption of the world but determined to rescue and restore it, and in doing so through the faithful death of the Lamb and, now through the faithful death of the Lamb's Torah-obedient and prophetic followers? Does this give us an understanding of Yahweh's heart that reveals the Derech or Way for the glorious celebration at the end of the chapter, which rounds off the first half of this very carefully structured book? Or is there more going on here that we have not discerned yet? I suspect there is a lot more to be found out.

Let me add a note of caution, though, in going down this particular route too far...at least when it comes to the mathematics of it all. Are we dealing with literal numbers of souls or only symbolic numbers? Is the destruction of one tenth of the city the number of souls who are killed or the geographical area or buildings destroyed? You'll notice once again how rounded these numbers are. In today's passages there are 7's, half-sevens (3½s), 7,000's and tenths. We are dealing primarily, it seems to me, with ratios and sacred symbols.

Let me illustrate the difficulty we face with doing the mathematics using the figures given to us. The population of modern Jerusalem, including outlying districts, is just short of 1 million today (957,000 in 2022) of which about 65 per cent are Jewish or a total of 622,000 souls. Assuming that the Book of Revelation gives us a literal number and that the whole of the population is in mind - Jews, Arabs and others - then a tenth of this total is about 96,000, far in excess of the 'tenth' of chapter 11 which we're told is a mere 7,000 (if we've understood this rightly). That's 10 times too much to be literal. We can safely assume the population will continue to grow so that if, say, the prophecy is looking 20-40 years in the future, then the number of inhabitants of the city will still be far too large, unless some disaster strikes it in the interim decimating the population to no more than 70,000 souls out of which 7,000 are destroyed by the Gentiles. 70,000 literal inhabitants of Jerusalem? It's a bit small, at least for the 21st century which leads me to be wary of taking any interpretation even this far. That's moreorless the size of the city 2,000 years ago. Perhaps you'll now understand why I said earlier that this segment is perhaps the hardest to interpret in the Book of Revelation. And rather than force the text to mean something it can't, or is unlikely to mean, I think it's best we just leave it alone. There's no shame in that. Someone else may come up with better explanations in the future.

You may remember the study we did on the number 144,000 earlier in the Book of Revelation which we broke down to 12 literal tribes of 12,000 each (12 x 1,000). This is then multiplied by a further 1,000 to give 144,000. Back then we concluded it was a rounded literal number like the 7,000 who had not bowed the knee to Ba'al in Elijah's day. But there's undoubtedly a symbolic meaning too. In both examples - 144,000 and today's 7,000 - we're talking about people. 12 is the number of governmental perfection or rule which is what the 144,000 are all about - they are the overcomers who rule under Christ in the Millennium as cohenim (priests) and kings.

Here, though, in Revelation 11, we're talking about judgment - the judgment of the people of the last earthly Jerusalem. 7 is the number of completion and multiplying it by 1,000 simply means that this is the final toll. In other words, this is the complete number of those who will be judged unworthy to live. The rest are jusdged for preservation. That's as far as I am willing to interpret this, leaving open the door to the possibility that this might be a literal number too, albeit a rounded off one.

Which leaves us with the two witnesses. I stand by my claim that they are both persons as literal as the navi (prophet) Elijah himself - they do, after all, resemble the things that he did in his time remembering too that most of the judgments we have encountered in the Book of Revelation thus far have been literal. But clearly there is a symbolic meaning pointing to the qadoshim (saints, set-apart ones) or Messianic Community (Church) as a whole who are alive at that time specifically but also in the wider historical sense. They wear the familiar sackcloth, the visible token of repentance, because that's what the the entire message of the Two Witnesses is all about: making teshuvah

Yet there is clearly far more to these two men than even all of that! They are also the two olive trees in Zechariah's vision which Yahweh had me read over and over again in preparing this message. What did those two olive tress symbolise to Zechariah? The "two anointed ones" (Zech.4:11,14) are spoken of as a royal leader (Zerubabbel) called to rebuild the Temple (Zech.40:6-10) and a Cohen Gadol or High Priest (Joshua, Yeshua) to lead the Temple worship (Zech.3:1-5). From this we may deduce that the Two Witnesses represent all those whom the Lamb has redeemed to serve as Cohenim (Priests) and to rule as Kings in the Millennial world (Rev.1:6; 5:10). They represent the functions or rôles of the 144,000. More, they represent the Spirit of Elijah which is prophecy and the reconciliation of fathers and sons (Mal.5-6) and the re-establishment therefore of divine patriarchy (father-rulership) and proper gender rôles which have all but been wiped out in the current secular, postmodernist neo-marxist 'liberal' world. But these two witnesses also represent the Spirit of Moses which is again both prophecy linked to the love of Law and Order as represented by the Torah and its implementation as the lifestyle of the authentically redeemed, making them Messianic Israelites. They are the 'Remnant' (Rom.9:27), the 'Bride' (Jn.3:29; Rev.18:23; 19:7; 21:2,9; 22:17), and 'Assembly (Church) of the Firstborn' (Heb.12:23), the 144,000 (Rev.5:1; 14:1) in all generations who will all be assembled together at the true 'rapture' when Yah'shua (Jesus) returns for the second and last time to assume His Kingship of the earth.

So in a latter-day, functional sense, the Two Witnesses - who, as I have said, I believe to be two literal persons too - stand for the Messianic Community's (Church's) prophetic rôle as witnesses of Yah'shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) and all He stands for, and has done, for our redemption and as theocratic legislators and rulers over the world in the living out of the mandatory Torah lifestyle. But here, and now for us prior to the Millennium, they are primarily the instruments of Yahweh's prophetic Davar or Word of Judgment which they execute in His behalf as represented by fire coming out of their mouth (like the fiery riders). What they say in judgment is done for all to see (2 Ki.1:10-12). It happens, and is unmistakable, as in the days of Elijah who called fire down from heaven and caused drought (1 Ki.17:1) or turn the wicked into ash (2 Ki.1:10-14). They can turn water into blood...like Moses (Ex.7:14-25). No one will need to 'imagine' something happening in the invisible becuase it will be visible, which will sort out most of the fakery that infect us from the counterfeit 'prophets' in today's charismatic movement. The Two Witnesses, and those with their authority, actually make things to happen which the 'name it, and claim it' folks never do, or else they become hijacked by a demonic spirit which does other things.

The Two Witnesses are invincible until they have finished their testimony when they are allowed to become martyrs like those they represent symbolically. Yes, they are conquered physically but not through spiritual seduction, as is seen when Yahweh vindicates them (Rev.11:7; cp.13:7). And they did so in the 'great city' that spiritually and symbolically in their day - as in ours now - is called 'Sodom and Egypt'. How do we know that it's Jerusalem? Because it is identified as the place where the Saviour was crucified. It's also identified as 'Babylon'. In a word, there is nothing 'holy' about modern Jerusalem anymore. It's day of blessedness and set-apartness is long gone; it has nothing whatsoever to do with Elohim's (God's) people today. Indeed, as we have seen, John has merged Rome and Jerusalem together in the image he presents to us because they are of the same spirit and polity and have been now for 2,000 years. Indeed, we are being shown that the modern Jerusalem is becoming the capital of the 'Unholy Roman Empire' which means that modern Zionists are greatly deceived as I was once when I subscribed to that false teaching of communistic Jews which religious orthodox Jews later came to take on board as theirs too...followed by beguiled Christians and Messianics. As for its identiy with 'Sodom' I think that speaks loudly for itself, a symbol of depravity and rebellion. And finally, it is identified as 'Egypt' known for its enslavement of Yah's people.

So what are you people out there doing, for the love of truth, in being mesmerised by the modern Jerusalem, given the way Yahweh views it? Are you mad? Completely blinded?! The only 'Jerusalem' whose shalom or peace we are now to pray for is the Heavenly One which is the People of Elohim (God). Our destiny, like that of the Two Witnesses, is to be "called up" to meet with Christ in the air as He returns with His massive entourage of the redeemed and resurrected of the past, whence He will completely and utterly dismiss the Bablonian world system and rule as Sovereign over all the nations - not one giant 'Egyptian' global prison camp. We are vindicated in this way not by idolatrously loving and serving the slave 'City of Hagar' (Gal.4:24-25) and its rebellious, Messiah-rejecting and -hostile inhabitants. We await a New Jerusalem that accompanies the returning Messiah.

And so we conclude with the final verse of today's passage:

"The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is soon to come" (Rev.11:14, ESV).

Until then, may the grace of our Master (Lord) and Deliverer (Saviour) be with you all. Amen.

Endnotes

[1] A thaumaturgised person is one who has died and is then raised again - still a mortal - who will subsequently died a natural death. Lazarus is a good example of this.

Further Reading

[1] John A.T.Robinson, Redating the New Testament (SCM Press, London: 1977) - an argument for dating the whole of the New Testament before AD 70 by a liberal Anglican cleric (Dean of chapel at Trinity College, Cambridge & assistant Bishop of Southwark) that supports a conservative view - link

Acknowledgements

[1] Tom Wright, Revelation for Everyone - The New Testament for Everyone Commentary Series, Vol.19 (SPCK, London: 2011)
[2] E.W.Bullinger*, Commentary on Revelation (Kregel Classics, Grand Rapids, Michihan: 1984)
[3] David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary (JNT Publications, Clarksville, Maryland: 1992)
[4] ESV Study Bible (Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois: 2011)
[5] The NIV Study Bible (Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan: 1995)
[6] Ed. J.R.Dummelow, A Commentary on the Holy Bible (MacMillan, London: 1909)

*E.W.Bullinger was a brilliant Anglican clergyman and scholar whose works merit careful study by serious students of the Bible. He was, however, seriously in error in at least three main areas, namely, (1) he believed the 'Church' has been raptured before the Book of Revelation opens, (2) he believed that the 7 churches in Revelation 2-3 are 7, literal Jewish churches or assemblies yet to come, and (3) he believed in a pre-tribulation, pre-millennial rapture.

• 1. White horse - military aggression
• 2. Red horse - bloodshed
• 3. Black horse - famine
• 4. Pale Green/Blanched/Pallid/Sickly-looking horse - disease, epidemics

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• 5. Persecution & prayer
• 6. Tremour & terror

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  INTERLUDE I (Ch.7)
  (The 144,000 Redeemed)

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• 7. Silence in heaven, listening to prayers which are then answered in a final catastrophe: a severe earthquake I

• 1. Scorched earth
• 2. Polluted sea
• 3. Contaminated water
• 4. Reduced sunlight

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• 5. Insects and plague (for five months) (1st Woe)
• 6. Oriental invasion (200 million army) (2nd Woe)

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  INTERLUDE II (Ch.10-11)
  (The Malak with the Little Scroll)
  (The Two Witnesses)

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• 7. The Kingdom comes, the world is taken over by Yahweh & Yah'shua (Jesus) after a severe earthquake II (3rd Woe)

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  INTERLUDE III (Ch.13-14)
  (The First & Second Beasts)
  (The Lamb & the 144,000)
  (The Messages of the Three Malakim)

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• 1. Boils on the skin
• 2. Blood in the sea
• 3. Blood from the springs
• 4. Burning by the sun

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• 5. Darkness
• 6. Armageddon

  ---

• 7. Hailstorm (OB 368:11-12) and severe earthquake III, leading to international collapse