INTRODUCTION Chapter 11 is divided into two parts. The first part has a great amount of information about the temple of God and two witnesses are killed but arise again. (1-14) The second section (15-19) is the end of the sixth and the sounding of the seventh trumpet. Most commentators admit that... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there._ A. A reed (bamboo rod) is given to John. He is becoming more active and involved in the vision. B. He is told to measure the temple. Some hav... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months._ A. John is not to measure the outer court. Many pretenders could come here and not be true believers and worshipp... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”_ A. Many different ideas can be found about the two witnesses. Some have suggested - Moses and Elijah. Others suggest the Old and New Testaments. Some believe they a... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth._ A. The two witnesses are here described as olive trees and candlesticks. B. Olive trees were used by Paul in Romans 11:1-36 to describe how God cut off the Jew and grafted in the Gentiles. Here the oliv... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 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._ A. God is saying, in effect, “You might despise Christians and you might seek to eliminate them from the earth. But, if you hurt one o... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls 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, as often as they desire._ A. The church grew rapidly. Christians had great power on the earth. B. For the first... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them._ A. Just when the church is reaching into the entire world and exercising great power and influence, it will seemingly lose a war with Satan. It will seem... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified._ A. The church would lie in public view, in the street, dead. While some part of the church would remain visible, it would, in reality, be dead. B. The... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves._ A. All nations will be aware of the dead body. While all know it is dead, no one wants to sign the death certificate. B. Study the... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth._ A. The world of evil and wickedness had a party. They thought the church and the idea of Christianity was dead. They rejoiced... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them._ A. Once the Restoration Movement began, it was received with great excitement. It spread across the world rapidly. It started in the northeast... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them._ A. The triumphant church is invited to come to heaven, the dwelling place of God. The party suddenly ended. B. The enemies thought they had killed the c... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven._ A. At the same moment that the church is invited to the victory party, the tenth part of the city wil... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly._ A. Here ends the second woe. Two are gone. One more is coming. B. And it is coming quickly.... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”_ A. With the sounding of the seventh trumpet, we move into the time of judgment. Time has ende... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God,_ A. The 24 elders have seen and endured so much. B. Now, it is time to rejoice. They worshipped God.... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 17 saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned._ A. God is praised because: 1. God is Almighty. 2. God is Always. (Was and is) 3. God is in control of all things. 4. God is reigning. B. T... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”_ A. All the wicked people... [ Continue Reading ]
_ 19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail._ A. The temple is opened in heaven. This is the dwelling place of God and His people. B. The Ark of the Covenant is t... [ Continue Reading ]