CHAPTER ELEVEN - JERUSALEM DIVIDED - THE TWO WITNESSES EMPOWERD BY GOD

The war in chapter nine may have divided Jerusalem as described in Zechariah 14.1-3. The nation of Israel may lose their sovereignty at this time as international peace keeping forces take control of Jerusalem and the nation. The first 3.5 years of the tribulation begin around this time with the two witnesses and the woman in the wilderness in chapter 12.

11:1-2 John is given a rod to measure the temple in Jerusalem. He is told not to measure the outer court. It is given to the gentiles who will tread it under foot for 3.5 years. The time of the Gentiles is coming to a close.

This appears to be the beginning of the 7 year tribulation. Some believe the tribulation is only 3.5 years in total. They believe the rest of the chapters inter-lap and that the later 3.5 years mentioned are the same as these. We will assume this is a separate 3.5 years--the beginning of tribulation times.

11:3-6 The two witnesses are revealed and have power and shall prophesy for 3.5 years. As olive trees they are anointed of God to be witnesses to the world. Nobody can harm them for 3.5 years and they are given the power to shut heaven and smite the earth with plagues. Some say they are Moses and Elijah. They are old school prophets with real God anointed power.

11:7-12 When the witnesses are finished with their testimony the beast will overcome them and kill them. They will lie in the streets of Jerusalem for 3.5 days. Their enemies rejoice until the Spirit of God enters them and they rise up and ascend into heaven. The beast is the political/religious system ruling in Jerusalem and the world at this time.

11:13-14 When the witnesses ascend to heaven there is an earthquake that rocks a tenth part of Jerusalem killing seven thousand. The second woe is now past--the third comes quickly.

11:15-19 The seventh angel sounds and great proclamations are heard in heaven. The kingdoms of this world are about to end and the Kingdom of our Lord and his Christ are soon to appear. The 24 elders worship before God giving thanks and proclaiming God’s greatness. The nations are angry and the wrath of God is soon coming upon them in even greater force. God’s prophets will soon receive their rewards for faithful service. The temple of God opens and the ark of the covenant is seen. This is the Day of Atonement--when the High Priest entered into where the ark was. Lightening, thunder, voices, earthquakes, and hail take place. Events continue to unfold upon the earth.

The Day of Atonement is a day of wrath for the wicked, but for the righteous it is the Day of our Redemption!