WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
A summary of the Old Testament references in Revelation 10 and 11 confirms and clarifies the role of the two witnesses. Eating the little book refers to the message Ezekiel was to give to the people of God who were captives in
TWO WITNESSES—GOD’S LAST-DAY MESSENGERS TO THE CAPTIVES IN | ||
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VERSES IN REVELATION | OLD TESTAMENT PARALLEL | SUMMARY OF OLD TESTAMENT PASSAGES |
Revelation 10: 8-11 | Ezekiel 2, 3 | Ezekiel ate a little book, then gave its message to the captives in |
Revelation 11: 1,2 | Ezekiel 40-48 | The temple was measured, giving the captives in |
Revelation 11: 4 | Zechariah 4: 6-10 | Two olive trees and two lampstands represented the Spirit-filled ministry of Zerubabbel, who led |
Revelation 11: 6 | 1 Kings 17, 18 | Elijah announced a drought, followed by miracles that convinced God’s people to abandon idolatry. |
Revelation 11: 6 | Exodus 7-12 | Moses turned water to blood, and then announced a series of plagues which resulted in freedom for God’s people. |
What is the significance of this for us, who live before the time of trouble? Today most of the people of the world do not consider themselves to be Christians; they are Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, animists, atheists and many other mixtures. However, one thing they all have in common is that they have never heard the gospel presented effectively. The Christian church, which should be bringing them the gospel, is a confusing and confused assortment of various denominations who are characterized in Revelation as
The time of trouble will begin suddenly with the trumpet plagues. As the world descends into chaos all the people of the world will be frantically trying to find out how to get God’s help. Satan will make every effort to destroy as many as possible before they can make a decision for God—Revelation 9:15 indicates that he will manage “to slay a third of men.” Those who are not killed will suffer such agony and torment that they “will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die and death will flee from them” (Revelation 9:6).
Their misery will be in contrast to those who have been sealed by God. Although they will be persecuted and in distress, they will be protected by God’s unseen providence (See 9:4 Protected by the Seal). They will not rely on their own talents and abilities; when they are “sealed in the forehead” they will receive the long-awaited “latter rain” and will experience the joy of ministering in the power of the Holy Spirit (See 7: Sealing, the Law and the Latter Rain).
According to Revelation 7, the 144,000 will be sealed before the time of trouble begins. Now God is calling his luke-warm Laodicean people to throw off their apathy and become His special witnesses. Jesus says, “I stand at the door and knock” (Revelation 3:20). He offers us “gold refined in the fire that you may be rich, and white raiment, that you may be clothed…and eye salve, that you may see” (Revelation 3:18). He is ready to pour out the “latter rain,” the fullness of the Holy Spirit. This is an experience that no one should miss. If you are a Christian and you are reading this, now is the time to seek God with all your heart, to make sure your sins are forgiven and forsaken, to learn to hear His voice and through His power to obey Him.
Can you put this off and still be saved? It is true that a great multitude will be saved in the midst of the time of trouble. But there is no guarantee that you will be among them. The truth is that if you are wavering in your commitment to Christ you will be among the primary targets of Satan, either to be wiped out with the multitudes that will perish or to fall under the overwhelming deceptions of that time. Jesus is pleading with you, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:7,8).