Revelation 11:4-6

The two witnesses are the two olive trees. The two olive trees symbolize evangelism - the outreach of the messianic community. The two lamps symbolize the fellowship within the messianic community. Compare Zechariah 4. God blesses his people through the preaching of the word [evangelism] and through the fellowship within the messianic community. In a very real sense, the messianic community is a "COLONY OF HEAVEN!" If anyone tries to harm them. God hears and answers the prayers of his persecuted people. (Revelation 8:3-5). The church may seem to be weak and helpless, but God's power backs them up! Whoever fights against the church of Christ will be destroyed by the fire that comes out of the mouths of the two witnesses. Symbolic, but no less real! The Trumpets of Chapter s 8 & 9 can be thought of as the church's judgment on the world. They have authority. A blessing, when rejected, turns into a curse! One who rejects the Good News of God's ACT in Christ to save men, brings God's curse upon himself (compare 1 Thessalonians 2:16). ARMAGEDDON - the cycle of the church. Originally a royal Canaanite city, on a hill guarding an important mountain pass. Many battles were fought there. Solomon built fortifications there. King Josiah was killed there (2 Chronicles 35:22-27), and the Jews held a special. memorial service for him each year. As a symbol, Armageddon represents fierce struggle. In Revelation we meet this "battle of Armageddon" four times: Revelation 11:7-13; Revelation 16:12-21; Revelation 19:19-21; Revelation 20:7-10.