The Martyred Messengers

We continue our walk through the book of Revelation as we pick up in chapter 11. As with chapter 10, we are in a pause between the blowing of the 6th and 7th trumpets. During this pause, the writer of the book, the Apostle John, describes two individuals God sends as His witnesses/messengers. They are given great authority and power to carry out God’s instructions. It is only when their assignment is complete that others are allowed to impede them. We are also introduced to an individual described as the beast, a.k.a. the antichrist. Let us take a look at these two messengers and John’s description of what they do and their impact.

But first, God has something for John to do, a prophetical measurement…

I. The Prophetical Measurement (Rev. 11:1-2)
In these verses, John was given a measuring stick and instructed to measure the temple, altar, and the worshippers. He was not to measure the outer court where “the nations” were, as they would trample on the holy city of Jerusalem for 42 months (3 1⁄2 years).

II. The Proclamation of the Messengers (Rev. 11:3-4)
We are introduced to two unidentified individuals with a charge to be God’s wit- nesses. The duration of their mission is the first half of the tribulation (1,260 days = 3 1⁄2 years). God has equipped them by the authority He granted them to prophesy. They have a message: declaring God’s word and His work. Those who hear their message are those who were left behind after the Rapture. They have an opportunity to hear these witnesses and repent, but will they…
• What does the term “witness” mean?
• As Christians, we are all witnesses for Jesus. The question is will we be a good or a bad witness for Him.
o What are examples of being a good witness for Christ?

o What are examples of being a bad witness for Christ?
• Just as the two witnesses were given a charge from God and equipped to do so, we too, as Christians, have a charge by God and an equipping to do so.
o What are we charged to do by God?
o What are ways He equips us to carry out His charge?

III. The Protection of the Messengers (Rev. 11:5-6)
Just as has happened historically, God’s witnesses are not always well received. But nothing would happen to these two witnesses apart from God allowing it. They would not be stopped until their mission was complete. And just as with the two witnesses, nothing will stop us from fulfilling what God has called us to do, apart from what He allows.
• What are ways God equipped the two witnesses as described in vss. 5-6?
• Why is relying on God’s equipping so important, rather than relying on our own abilities?
• Knowing we are equipped to carry out His calling on us and nothing will happen apart from God’s permission, how should that effect how we live for Him?

IV. The Resurrection of the Messengers(Rev.11:7-13)
When the two witnesses have completed the job God gave them to do, He allows the beast to make war with them and kill them. The people celebrated the death of the two witnesses. No longer would they be tormented by these two. But the story was not over for the two witnesses. After 3 1⁄2 days, God breathed life back in them and called them home. Those who saw this happen were terrified and gave glory to God.
• Why did the people feel tormented by the two witnesses, so much so, to celebrate their deaths?
• The two witnesses completed their task and God called them home.

o How can this happen today?
o What does that mean for us?
o As long as we are not called home, what should we be doing?