Daily devotion – Two witnesses of the future.
Peter, James and John on Mount Hermon saw standing with Jesus Moses and Elijah. Both were very alive and definitely not dead revealing to us the wonder and glory that awaits every believer that there is glorious life after death.
In Revelation 11 during the tribulation period the world will witness seeing two more great giants of the Bible back from the dead as well.
Revelation 11:1 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. 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. 3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
Why are there two witnesses? Because the Bible tells us that, “in the mouth of two witnesses every word shall be established” – 2 Cor 13:1
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.
The two witnesses are likened to the two olive trees in Zechariah 4 that provide a perpetual supply of oil and are emblematic of the Holy Spirit’s anointing in ministry.
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 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.
Who are these men hinted at in Zechariah 4, clothed in sackcloth in Revelation 11, with power to call down a drought and scorch anyone who would attack them?
We are not sure but Elijah called down fire from heaven, he prayed and stopped the rain, he was taken up not seeing death and the Old Testaments ends promising Elijah’s return – Malachi 4:5.
The second witness – could well be Moses.
For it was Moses who commanded the plagues to fall in judgment upon Egypt.
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. 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.
Jerusalem, the only city God calls His own, the city over which Jesus wept, is now likened to Egypt and Sodom because she had rejected Christ!
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.
The world will watch on and celebrate live via satellite connection the death of these two powerful witnesses of God. But that’s not the end……
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.
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. 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. 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.
What a scene as these two dead bodies come back to life before the world and stand again!
Each of us today are called to be witnesses to our Lord and Saviour – Act 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Even if you at times are put down just as these two great witnesses of God were, God will strengthen you once again and refresh you with His Holy Spirit to be able to stand once more.
Share your faith today in Christ, let your voice be heard to as many who will hear of the wonder of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As you witness, God will empower you more and more each day and you will find God using you like you never dreamed He could.