Power to Shut Heaven Revelation 11:6

As John the apostle continued to share about the “tribulation” that was to come upon the earth, he shared concerning the first six seals Jesus removed from the “scroll” in God's right hand wrote about “the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets”, and he told how “The first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth angels” blew their trumpets, and great judgment fell upon the earth. John continued, “there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouth, and devours their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.” In chapter eleven and verse five of Revelation John shared how these “two witnesses”, “have power to shut heaven, that it rain not” where we read:

These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

The verse reads, “These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy:” John began with the words, “these” which means “the two witnesses” “have power” or “are equipped with the ability, liberty, strength and authority” “to shut heaven” which refers to “to close up and obstruct the aerial heavens or sky and the region where the clouds and the tempests gather where thunder and lightning are produced”, “that it rain not” which means “so that it not wet, water, moisten or send down rain” “in the days” or “during the period or time” “of their prophecy” which means “of the two witnesses' discourses emanating from divine inspiration and declaring the purposes of God whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked or comforting the afflicted or revealing things hidden especially by foretelling future events”. John was told how these “two witnesses” were equipped with the ability to “close off” the sky from “raining” during the time when they proclaim the “purposes of God”.

The verse goes on to say, “and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.” John continued with the words, “and have power” which means “and the two witnesses obtain the ability, liberty, strength and authority” “over waters” or “in position above the great seas and bodies of water” “to turn them” which means “to twist and convert the great seas and bodies of water” “to blood” or “into bloodshed whether by violence, slaying or murder”, “and to smite” which means “strike, afflict and knock” “the earth” or “the arable land, country, territory and region” “with all plagues” which refers to “with each, every, the whole and everyone of the public calamities, heavy afflictions and wounds”, “as often” or “whensoever and at whatever time” “as they will” which means “as the two witnesses desire and wish”. John was told how these “two witnesses” were given the “ability” to “turn water into blood” and to “strike the earth” with “plagues” any time they desired to do so.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we are reminded of the ability which was given to Moses in the book of Exodus. (See Exodus chapters 7 -12). This same ability will be given to God's “two witnesses” during the three and one half years they testify during the tribulation period. These “signs” shall be employed to show the power and ability of God over the world. God desires to have a relationship with every person through His Son Jesus Christ who died for their sins and was raised from the grave three days afterward. Those who submit their lives to Jesus will never need to encounter these “two witnesses” and their “signs”, but those who refuse to receive Him should take heed before these miracles and plagues are carried out upon the earth.

Next time John shares how these witnesses have, “the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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