Title [Rev 11:1-13] Two Witnesses
The text testifies that another important event will occur before the seventh trumpet plague. This is something that will happen to the church, and we must listen to it with fear and confidence.
1. It was said that the church was measured (1-2).
He gave John a reed like a staff and instructed him to measure it, but it suggests that there will be a great measure of the church in the last days.
① We must not forget that God measures our church and each of us. He measures our faith and measures our actions of faith. We must remember that we measure our heart, not the outer. In particular, God measures whether the church fulfills its functions as a church. In the text, he said to measure the church (temple), the altar, and those who worship. The essence of the church is to keep the Lord at the center of the altar and to preserve holiness. Is it true that the saints are to be offered to God as a perfect sacrifice, worship God in spirit and truth, shine a light in the world, and give glory to God? Measure what you do. I hope that both the church and the members of the church will reach a passing point in this metric.
②The purpose of the measurement is to protect and protect those who have passed. In other words, it is to protect and bless the perfect temple (church) of God and those who truly worship God from spiritual persecution or tribulation. Therefore, we must approach God with thanksgiving.
③ Do not measure the yard outside the temple and leave it alone. “The courtyard outside the temple” refers to those who worship in a false way or worship with a hypocritical heart, that is, unbelievers. They have no protection. They have no choice but to be trampled on by God's permission. The wheat is gathered and put into barns, and the chaff is thrown into the unquenchable hellfire. Let us be faithful saints who worship in front of the altar in the temple, not in the courtyard outside the temple.
2. It was said that two witnesses would appear (3-13).
①The two witnesses refer to God's faithful servants in all ages. If we are all ministers and preachers for the Lord's kingdom, we must know that we are in the position of two witnesses. At the same time, we hope that we will continue to preach the gospel and become believers who do everything in their power to build the kingdom of God.
②The two witnesses are called the olive tree and the candlestick. The candlestick points to the church, which emits light, and for that work, olive oil, or the Holy Spirit, is needed. We must shine to the world. The world is getting darker because we can't fulfill our mission. It does not shine because the oil has dried up. Only the filling of the Holy Spirit can fulfill its function as a church. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Let us daily seek the filling of the Holy Spirit and become powerful witnesses of the gospel.
③ Since it is said that the two witnesses received authority, it is the authority to defeat and conquer Satan. The power of the Holy Spirit, the authority of the name of Jesus, will make us powerful ministers of God. Let's all be victorious with this conviction
④The two witnesses will be killed, but they will be resurrected and ascended to heaven. When the mission of the two witnesses is accomplished, God allows the beast that comes up from the abyss, the devil (antichrist), to overcome the two witnesses. Satan (the devil) does two things. The first is persecution of the church. The persecution is so severe that many die. The two witnesses are subjected to this suffering and humiliation and are killed. There comes a time when even faithful people of God will suffer from the devil for a while. even martyrdom. Second, he deceives them and makes them bow down to idols. It is more difficult to defeat this spirit of delusion than martyrdom. Many believers fall for this delusion. Even if we become victims of martyrdom, we must equip ourselves with prayer and strengthen ourselves with the Word so that we will not be deceived and fall. The two witnesses seem to have failed because they were killed, but they are resurrected and ascended to heaven after being called by God. This is the victory and glory of the church. At the same time, those who persecuted the church and resisted God saw this scene and were afraid and perished with great pain (13). I ask that all of us who fulfill our mission as witnesses amid these expectations, hopes and convictions.