An challenging look at understanding Prophecy
THE 2 WITNESSES
Once again you will find the most obvious answer is the simplest. For more explanation on prophets and 144,000, read that page if you haven`t already.
FRENCH REVOLUTION
As a membeof the adventis church, i learnt the teaching that the 2 witnesses were the old and new testament that was burnt and destroyed for 3 and a half years during the French revolution.This leaves several questions:
1) Did anyone get burnt to death from fire while destroying Bibles.
2) Where there droughts in France at that time.
3) Had the beast risen from the bottomless pit yet.
4) Was Jesus crucified in Paris, France...
5) Was there an earthquake that destroyed a tenth of Paris.
6) Did anyone recall hearing God`s voice from heaven
7) Are the old and new testament up in heaven in some sort of symbolic way.
I find it perplexing when evangelists I respect teach this view in front of massive international audiences. Here`s where one truely has to draw the line on putting trust in human opions. If Ellen White did indeed supported this view, we have no choice but to conclude that she was not inspired by God, but rather by her own opinion.
INTRO
Below is something that you may be quite shocked to readt. Its so simple that its almost funny. See what happens when you merely combined the texts of the 2 witnesses, the 5th and 6th Seals, and Luke 21. They practically read out like a novel.
2 WITNESSES MADE SIMPLE
(2 Witnesses) 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.
Luk 21:24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
(2 Witnesses) 11:3. And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.
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.
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.
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.
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.
(5th Seal) 9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"
11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest(wait) a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants (prophets) and their brethren(rest of the saints), who would be killed as they were, was completed.
(2 Witnesses) 11:13 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.
(6th Seal) 6:12 I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.
13 And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind.
14 Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place.
15 And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains,
16 and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!
17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"
Luke 21:25 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
26 Men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
CONCLUSION
The above provides several points about the 2 witnesses:
When:
-2 clues, they are killed by the beast that arises out of the sea. As it has not arisen yet, it must therefore be in the future. 2nd clue. Jesus returns right after they go back to heaven, indicating this happens right near the very end of time.
Where:
-Luke says Jerusalem, and the two witnesses are killed in great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. I am always amazed at how people miss the obvious here. Clearly Jesus was crucified in Israel. In the end days, Jerusalem will become spritually like Sodom and Egypt.
How Long:
-since its in the future, its most likely a literal 3.5 years.
Who:
Well this the big question. Either 2 literal prophets, as they die for their testimony, or prphesy, and are called servants. If it was symbolic it would most likely be representing holy spirit in the form of the former and latter rain.
Revelation Main Page
The 7 Trumpets herald the beginning of the last days. Some claim they are symbolic while some argue literal.
The 7 Seals of Revelation parallel the gospel prophecies of Matthew Mark and Luke.
The 7 head 10 horned beast rises to power and rules the whole world militarily and spiritually, and makes war with the saints.
The 2nd beast of Revelation exists at the same time as the 1st. some believe its the antichrist while other say it is America.
The 144,000 described in Revelation have a very inspiring message for those who live through the time of the end.
Jerusalem, the highly debated city. Some say it will be the center of end time events, while others claim its merely symbolic.
The Abomination of Desolation is mentioned as happening in the early days of the new testament. Some verses point to end times.
The 2 Witnesses of Revelation. Not everything about them is revealed, but many clues are evident.
The Close of Judgment which precedes the 7 last plagues is clearly described in 2 different chapters of revelation.
Special Resurrection. Jesus returns to resurrect the saved and some of the lost.
The spirit of prophesy.