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. He began to
write about what happened when Jesus,
“had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the
space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before
God; and to them were given seven trumpets … And the seven angels
which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. The first,
second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth angels” blew
their trumpets, and great judgment fell upon the earth. John
continued,
“And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with
a cloud: and a rainbow was
upon his head, and his face was
as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: And he had in
his hand a little book open …
And
I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it
was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my
belly was bitter. And he said unto me, you must prophesy again before
many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. And 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.”
In chapter eleven and verse three of Revelation John shared how God
would “give
power unto” His
“two
witnesses” where
we read:
a
thousand two hundred and
threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
The
verse reads, “And
I will give power
unto my two witnesses ...”
John
began with the words, “and
I will give”
which means “and God will grant, bestow, furnish and supply”
“power”
or “strength and ability” “unto
my two witnesses” which
means “to God's two spectators, recorders and martyrs”. John
heard God declare that He would “grant strength and ability” to
His two “spectators or recorders and martyrs”.
The
verse goes on to say, “...
and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and
threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.”
John
continued with the words, “and
they shall prophesy”
which means “and the two spectators, recorders and martyrs will
foretell future events pertaining especially to the kingdom of God”
“a
thousand two hundred and sixty days”
or “about three and one half years”, “clothed
in”
which refers to “arrayed and cast about” “sackcloth”
or “garments of the like material which clings to the person like a
sack and was wont to be worn (or drawn over the tunic instead of the
cloak or mantle) by mourners, penitents and suppliants”. John
learned how these “two
witnesses” who
wear “burlap like sacks” will “foretell future events” for
around “three and one half years”.
When
we think through John's words in this verse, we see the commission of
these “two” “burlap clothed” witnesses” of
God. For “around three and one half years” they shall have the
responsibility to declare God's ways and the future before those
living upon the earth. The world shall hear their proclamations
during this time because God desires to have people receive His
message and prophesy of “salvation” through His Son Jesus Christ.
God does not want people to wait to hear it from the “two
witnesses”, because “today is the day of salvation”.
Let all who read these words yield themselves to God and His Son
Jesus now before “power” is given to the “two
witnesses”.
Next
time John shares how these witnesses are, “two
olive trees, and the two candlesticks”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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