The Two Witnesses - Revelation 11:1-14
Posted by Calvary Chapel Fremont at 1/16/2011 12:09 AM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Pastor Tim Brown Calvary Chapel Fremont Two Witnesses Revelation
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Pastor Tim Brown Calvary Chapel Fremont Two Witnesses Revelation
Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Sunday January 16, 2011
The Two Witnesses
Revelation 11:1-14
1-2 Rod - measuring stick about 9’ long. The Lord was showing John the dimensions of the tribulation temple. Dan.9/ 2 Th. 2 – prophesy temple rebuilding/C11 records temple rebuilding.
The Dome of the Rock was built in the late 600s. Its dome covers the highest outcropping of rock on Mt. Moriah. Many have believed that the Dome of the Rock is built on the place where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac/Muhammad took his night ride to heaven/site of Solomon’s|Herod’s temple. If the Jews attempted to build a temple on the temple mount, this would necessitate the destruction of the Dome of the Rock. This would infuriate the Muslim nations around Israel/lead to immediate war.
After 16 years studying the temple mount area, Dr. Asher Kauffman of Hebrew University made a startling announcement. In a 1983 article in Biblical Archaeological Review, Dr. Kauffman writes that the Dome of the Rock is not the location of Israel’s former temples, the true location is actually one hundred meters north. One hundred meters north of the Dome of the Rock is a small gazebo-like structure. Below the Dome of the Rock is a jagged piece of rock that many believe was the center of Israel’s temples/where the Holy of Holies was. As opposed to the jagged outcropping under the Dome of the Rock, the area one hundred meters to the north is flat—providing a much more likely setting for the ark of the covenant within the Holy of Holies. Pic of CCF.
This lines up w/ the Mishna - the book of Jewish oral traditions - when the priest stood in the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement, he could look through the veil, through the door, and see the Eastern Gate directly before him. When you stand one hundred meters north of the Dome of the Rock, the Eastern Gate is in plain view. Overview S8
When the Muslims built the cupola, they gave it two names: The Dome of the Spirit/ Dome of the Tablets. Thus, even Islam recognized this site as the spot where the tablets (the Ten Commandments within the ark of the covenant) and the Spirit (the shekinah, chabod, glory of God over the ark of the covenant) had been. So, according to Kauffman and other scholars, the temple could be rebuilt and the Dome of the Rock would remain standing. And, because of this, no room for outer court – this, trampled down by Gentiles. Temple Institute is training priests/ fabricating implements.
Some don’t believe the temple will be rebuilt – it’s just too incredible. Too many obstacles are in the way – even God can’t pull this on off. But if God can preserve Israel as a people/restore them as a nation – rebuilding the temple is a piece of cake. When dispensational commentators began to teach that God would restore Israel as a nation, other Bible scholars scoffed – not possible. Israel is scattered through the nations. Who is going to give them land 2ba nation again? Certainly not in Palestine!
They limited themselves by what was possible, they didn’t liberate themselves by what was promised. Don’t live by what is possible, live by what is promised.
There’s no possibility your marriage can survive what you’ve just been through.
There’s no possibility your finances can survive one more bad year.
There’s no possibility you can experience peace given what you’re going through.
There’s no possibility Jesus will live again after death on a cross.
Don’t live by what is possible, live by what is promised.
God’s peace can come 2una time of trouble. You may think that you have to get n2a certain place - $/job/relationship – Christ.
Why is the rebuilding of the temple important?
1 God is dealing w/ Israel 2 The diplomacy leading to this will aid beast politically
3 As many clues as possible pointing to God for those going thru this time
3-14 The two witnesses
Identity - Who are they - Church? Law/gospel? They are not the church – we don’t kill our enemies, but bless them; we don’t wear sackcloth, but garments of praise. “Father, forgive them…” “Be kind to your enemies, love them that persecute…” Elijah & either Moses/Enoch/or ?
Purpose of their ministry 3
They will prophesy – declare mind/heart of God – they will give an understanding of what is unfolding in the judgments of God. They will point out that these aren’t the results of global warming/over-farming/toxic waste from chemical factories/acid rain from polluted chimneys/too large a carbon footprint/oil spills from ocean drilling/too many plastic cups in the landfills. This is the hand of God. God is unleashing His final judgment and it is time to get right w/ God. God desires to reveal His hand in your life. He wanted to reveal it to Pharaoh. He wanted Pharaoh to ‘get it’.
Aaron’s rod became a snake/so did the magicians’.
Moses turned water to blood/so did the magicians.
Moses made frogs come on land of Egypt/so did the magicians.
Moses made gnats cover the land/magician’s said, “This is the finger of God.”
9:21 Men do not want to acknowledge the hand of God.
* Creation is not attributed to God, but to the big bang
* Life is not attributed to God, but to time + chance + matter
* Ethics are not attributed to God, but to social dynamics
* The soul is not attributed to God, but to human psychology
* The mind is not attributed to God, but to the brain
Some say these things can be explained w/o God. We have reasoned God out of the universe. The Creator is no longer welcome in His creation. Some of you have reasoned God out of your life, or you are like Pharaoh and have elbowed God out of your life and have shut your eyes hoping that when you open them God will be gone. Yet He’ll still be there, but you will see less of Him/He will grow dim. Your thought is that He is gone, but it’s quite the opposite, He’s still there and you’ve grown blind.
When reason reasons out God, reason reasons out reason and all you have left is lust/desire/force. Nietzsche taught this in the 19th century and Lenin/Stalin/Hitler demonstrated it in the 20th.
They will mourn – Sackcloth is a sign of grief. In the OT, the majority of times that sackcloth is mentioned it has to do w/ death. These two witnesses are grieved over the deaths of the unbelieving. Eze. 18:23; 33:1. The two witnesses are driven by a sense of what is breaking the heart of God. They don’t rejoice when the enemy of God is destroyed, they are grieved that they didn’t heed the invitation to place their faith in Christ. They are grieved for those who mock the things of God – for those who are blind.
Ted Turner to Nat’l Press Club: “Heaven is perfect. Who wants to go to a place that’s perfect? Boring, boring.” When he and his journalistic audience get to hell, he said, “we’ll have a chance to make things better because hell is supposed to be a mess”.
Power of their ministry 4-6
ANOINTED 4 – Reference to Joshua/Zerubbabel in Zech. 4. Their witness was empowered by the Holy Spirit - so these two in Rev. 11. Two oil lamps connected directly to two olive trees are lamps that don’t need 2b refilled by the priests. They weren’t battery powered – plugged in. Nothing could stop them. They were beyond discouragement. Not concerned w/ political correctness.
This same fearlessness can be seen in the church in the Acts and the acts of the Spirit filled church down through history because of the power of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church.
ARMED 5
Fire – Elijah and Ahab/2K1
AUTHORIZED 6
As they prophesy, signs/wonders will follow.
End of ministry 7-12
They finished their ministry – v8/not cut short
½ way through the GT, the beast will be energized by Satan himself/13:2. The Beast kills them when he comes into power & demands worship. Dan. 7: 9; 2Th.2; Mt. 24; Rev. 13. From political to religious claim
Not buried/rejoiced over - resurrected/ascended. This almost looks like a reenactment of the death/burial/resurrection of Jesus Christ w/o the burial. Perhaps they wanted to insure that no one would steal their bodies and claim resurrection for them.
Judgment on earth 13-14
Giving glory – some converted? Dan. 4 – Neb. gave glory to God after being humbled.
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The Two Witnesses
Revelation 11:1-14
1-2 Rod - measuring stick about 9’ long. The Lord was showing John the dimensions of the tribulation temple. Dan.9/ 2 Th. 2 – prophesy temple rebuilding/C11 records temple rebuilding.
The Dome of the Rock was built in the late 600s. Its dome covers the highest outcropping of rock on Mt. Moriah. Many have believed that the Dome of the Rock is built on the place where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac/Muhammad took his night ride to heaven/site of Solomon’s|Herod’s temple. If the Jews attempted to build a temple on the temple mount, this would necessitate the destruction of the Dome of the Rock. This would infuriate the Muslim nations around Israel/lead to immediate war.
After 16 years studying the temple mount area, Dr. Asher Kauffman of Hebrew University made a startling announcement. In a 1983 article in Biblical Archaeological Review, Dr. Kauffman writes that the Dome of the Rock is not the location of Israel’s former temples, the true location is actually one hundred meters north. One hundred meters north of the Dome of the Rock is a small gazebo-like structure. Below the Dome of the Rock is a jagged piece of rock that many believe was the center of Israel’s temples/where the Holy of Holies was. As opposed to the jagged outcropping under the Dome of the Rock, the area one hundred meters to the north is flat—providing a much more likely setting for the ark of the covenant within the Holy of Holies. Pic of CCF.
This lines up w/ the Mishna - the book of Jewish oral traditions - when the priest stood in the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement, he could look through the veil, through the door, and see the Eastern Gate directly before him. When you stand one hundred meters north of the Dome of the Rock, the Eastern Gate is in plain view. Overview S8
When the Muslims built the cupola, they gave it two names: The Dome of the Spirit/ Dome of the Tablets. Thus, even Islam recognized this site as the spot where the tablets (the Ten Commandments within the ark of the covenant) and the Spirit (the shekinah, chabod, glory of God over the ark of the covenant) had been. So, according to Kauffman and other scholars, the temple could be rebuilt and the Dome of the Rock would remain standing. And, because of this, no room for outer court – this, trampled down by Gentiles. Temple Institute is training priests/ fabricating implements.
Some don’t believe the temple will be rebuilt – it’s just too incredible. Too many obstacles are in the way – even God can’t pull this on off. But if God can preserve Israel as a people/restore them as a nation – rebuilding the temple is a piece of cake. When dispensational commentators began to teach that God would restore Israel as a nation, other Bible scholars scoffed – not possible. Israel is scattered through the nations. Who is going to give them land 2ba nation again? Certainly not in Palestine!
They limited themselves by what was possible, they didn’t liberate themselves by what was promised. Don’t live by what is possible, live by what is promised.
There’s no possibility your marriage can survive what you’ve just been through.
There’s no possibility your finances can survive one more bad year.
There’s no possibility you can experience peace given what you’re going through.
There’s no possibility Jesus will live again after death on a cross.
Don’t live by what is possible, live by what is promised.
God’s peace can come 2una time of trouble. You may think that you have to get n2a certain place - $/job/relationship – Christ.
Why is the rebuilding of the temple important?
1 God is dealing w/ Israel 2 The diplomacy leading to this will aid beast politically
3 As many clues as possible pointing to God for those going thru this time
3-14 The two witnesses
Identity - Who are they - Church? Law/gospel? They are not the church – we don’t kill our enemies, but bless them; we don’t wear sackcloth, but garments of praise. “Father, forgive them…” “Be kind to your enemies, love them that persecute…” Elijah & either Moses/Enoch/or ?
Purpose of their ministry 3
They will prophesy – declare mind/heart of God – they will give an understanding of what is unfolding in the judgments of God. They will point out that these aren’t the results of global warming/over-farming/toxic waste from chemical factories/acid rain from polluted chimneys/too large a carbon footprint/oil spills from ocean drilling/too many plastic cups in the landfills. This is the hand of God. God is unleashing His final judgment and it is time to get right w/ God. God desires to reveal His hand in your life. He wanted to reveal it to Pharaoh. He wanted Pharaoh to ‘get it’.
Aaron’s rod became a snake/so did the magicians’.
Moses turned water to blood/so did the magicians.
Moses made frogs come on land of Egypt/so did the magicians.
Moses made gnats cover the land/magician’s said, “This is the finger of God.”
9:21 Men do not want to acknowledge the hand of God.
* Creation is not attributed to God, but to the big bang
* Life is not attributed to God, but to time + chance + matter
* Ethics are not attributed to God, but to social dynamics
* The soul is not attributed to God, but to human psychology
* The mind is not attributed to God, but to the brain
Some say these things can be explained w/o God. We have reasoned God out of the universe. The Creator is no longer welcome in His creation. Some of you have reasoned God out of your life, or you are like Pharaoh and have elbowed God out of your life and have shut your eyes hoping that when you open them God will be gone. Yet He’ll still be there, but you will see less of Him/He will grow dim. Your thought is that He is gone, but it’s quite the opposite, He’s still there and you’ve grown blind.
When reason reasons out God, reason reasons out reason and all you have left is lust/desire/force. Nietzsche taught this in the 19th century and Lenin/Stalin/Hitler demonstrated it in the 20th.
They will mourn – Sackcloth is a sign of grief. In the OT, the majority of times that sackcloth is mentioned it has to do w/ death. These two witnesses are grieved over the deaths of the unbelieving. Eze. 18:23; 33:1. The two witnesses are driven by a sense of what is breaking the heart of God. They don’t rejoice when the enemy of God is destroyed, they are grieved that they didn’t heed the invitation to place their faith in Christ. They are grieved for those who mock the things of God – for those who are blind.
Ted Turner to Nat’l Press Club: “Heaven is perfect. Who wants to go to a place that’s perfect? Boring, boring.” When he and his journalistic audience get to hell, he said, “we’ll have a chance to make things better because hell is supposed to be a mess”.
Power of their ministry 4-6
ANOINTED 4 – Reference to Joshua/Zerubbabel in Zech. 4. Their witness was empowered by the Holy Spirit - so these two in Rev. 11. Two oil lamps connected directly to two olive trees are lamps that don’t need 2b refilled by the priests. They weren’t battery powered – plugged in. Nothing could stop them. They were beyond discouragement. Not concerned w/ political correctness.
This same fearlessness can be seen in the church in the Acts and the acts of the Spirit filled church down through history because of the power of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church.
ARMED 5
Fire – Elijah and Ahab/2K1
AUTHORIZED 6
As they prophesy, signs/wonders will follow.
End of ministry 7-12
They finished their ministry – v8/not cut short
½ way through the GT, the beast will be energized by Satan himself/13:2. The Beast kills them when he comes into power & demands worship. Dan. 7: 9; 2Th.2; Mt. 24; Rev. 13. From political to religious claim
Not buried/rejoiced over - resurrected/ascended. This almost looks like a reenactment of the death/burial/resurrection of Jesus Christ w/o the burial. Perhaps they wanted to insure that no one would steal their bodies and claim resurrection for them.
Judgment on earth 13-14
Giving glory – some converted? Dan. 4 – Neb. gave glory to God after being humbled.
Like many, Revelations is one of my favorite books of the Bible. It's so interesting, convicting, and promising. I also really enjoy the conversations that I have with people about the imagery that is displayed in this book!
-Brittany T.
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