Revelation Sermon - 25

Lars Janssen

Revelation Series • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

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Revelation: Two Witnesses (Part 2)

Revelation 11:1-14

1. Introduction – Last week we journeyed through this same passage. We took the whole sermon to simply look at the images.

a. I explained that most if not all the images of this chapter come out of various OT references.

i. We were reminded once again last week that in Revelation the symbols point to a reality beyond themselves.

b. I said last week that we are taking two trips around this chapter. Realize that it is a very hard chapter to interpret, so I wanted to take more time with this one to help you better understand what is going on.

i. But I wanted to take two weeks to look at this scene because it is that important. The content is important for us to understand.

c. I know that this is a hard chapter – some of the images are rather confusing, but once it gets a hold of us, it can cause us to live a life of radical dependence on God.

i. So this week, we are going to hone in on the images of the 2 witnesses that dominate this chapter.

1. We are going to explore the meaning of this vision, we are going to examine the implications of this scene for us today, and we’ll draw out some applications we can apply to our lives today.

2. Witnesses – I said last week that I believe these two witnesses in Revelation 11 are representatives of the whole church.

a. Remember we are trying to answer the question “what is the church to do?”

i. In light of the rebellion and lack of repentance – what are the people of God to do?

1. And the answer comes in this interlude, chapters 10-11 – keep on preaching.

b. And what the 2 witnesses of Revelation 11 show us is that we are to keep on preaching – even in the face of danger.

i. Even though we will experience hard and difficult times – maybe even life-threatening times – we are to keep on preaching.

1. So for our time this morning we are going to focus on the example that is laid out for us in this chapter.

c. The word used in this chapter is witness – two witnesses. So what does it mean to witness?

i. Well that word is borrowed from the court of law. Witness is a legal term.

1. Whether it’s the defense or the prosecution – both sides compile a list of witnesses that will help prove the point they are trying to make.

a. Whether they are trying to prove guilt or innocence.

ii. And what I want to point out is that it is these two people – these two central characters of Revelation 11 – they are the ones that are called forward as witnesses.

1. And if they are the witnesses, it means that they aren’t the ones on trial. If they were on trial, they would be called the two defendants.

d. So if they are called forward as witnesses, if they aren’t on trial in this scene and in this book – who is?

i. Who are they witnessing for? Who is on trial in this scene?

1. The one who said< “I am the Living One.” The one who said, “I died and am alive forever and eve.”

i. The one who had angels sing about him, “Worthy is the Lamb!”

1. Who is on trial? Jesus is.

e. These 2 witnesses, 2 figures that represent the church as a whole – they are called the witness; the church is called to witness – to corroborate, to give testimony to the claims Jesus makes.

i. Let’s get this straight. This is all about Jesus.

1. The life we live and the witness we are called to have is not about us – it’s all about Jesus.

a. The resistance some people have to the coming of God’s kingdom isn’t because of you or me…

i. It’s not about you – it’s about Jesus and his lordship over everything.

ii. It’s not about the church – we aren’t the ones on trial. Jesus is.

1. He makes the claims, and it is our great privilege and responsibility to be his witnesses in the world.

f. And this is what we can take away from this scene of the two witnesses – since these two represent the church as a whole – the kind of work the church needs to be doing…

i. It shows us that we too are called forward as witnesses to the work, power, death, resurrection and Lordship of Jesus.

1. It means that we are called forward to make known the salvation that is available through him.

3. Posture of Witness – So we are called to witness. And with the two witnesses of Revelation 11 as our example, we also learn about the nature and posture of our witness.

a. When we read the passage earlier, or when you read it this past week, did you notice what these two witnesses were wearing?

i. Depending on what translation you used, it either said burlap or sackcloth.

1. Do you know what burlap represents? In the OT burlap was put on as a sign of repentance.

a. So who’s repenting? Are the witnesses wearing sackcloth as a sign of remorse over the world’s refusal to repent? Are they wearing burlap in hope the world repents?

b. Or are these witnesses showing us something about the witnessing to the world?

i. In Revelation 11, Jesus is showing John that the witness that wins the world is a witness born out of deep repentance.

1. Revelation 11 shows us that a witness that wins the world isn’t born out of pride or arrogance or privilege.

a. It is born out of repentance. Constantly recognizing our sin, grieving our sin, turning from our sin and returning to god.

c. It’s an important reminder of us – witnessing on behalf of Jesus isn’t done in our own strength or by our own power – or by force.

i. Witness that wins the world is witness that comes from a broken spirit.

1. Witness for Jesus isn’t done out of a judgmental spirit. Judgment is the final result if those who hear don’t heed the message and repent.

a. But a witnessing spirit is not a judgmental spirit.

ii. Being broken over our own sin, and recognizing that God and god alone can bring healing.

1. And as a result of that healing, we in turn witness out of that place of humility and brokenness and repentance.

4. Perspective – But this chapter also shows us a different perspective to witnessing for Jesus.

a. The beast went to war against the two witnesses. The witnesses are martyred for their work. Their bodies are left out in the street as an ultimate sign of disrespect and scorn.

i. The people who belong to the earth even celebrate their death…

1. And did you hear the word that’s used at the end of verse 10?

a. They celebrate the death of the 2 witnesses…who had tormented them.

b. Tormented? How is Christian witness torment? The answer is…perspective.

i. How is Christian witness torment? Because when repentance is presented out of a place of brokenness, it pricks the conscience.

1. Why is declaring the good news torment? Because the good news of Jesus Christ confronts idols.

c. Since Jesus is Lord – it means nothing else is. Since Jesus is Lord…you aren’t. I’m not.

i. When we are confronted with the truth of Jesus’ Lordship, it exposes idolatry. It means whatever is you put on the throne of your life, if it is not Jesus, it is a false god.

d. When people are confronted with the lordship of Jesus, it confronts and exposes allegiance and idols.

i. Let’s be clear. The gospel of Jesus is the best good news anyone could ever hear.

1. But the gospel of Jesus Christ is also bad news for anything that is not consistent with it.

a. So, here’s a facetious, tongue in cheek question…how often to you torment people with the gospel?

i. How often are you sharing the good news about Jesus with others?

1. Are you being a witness for Jesus in the world?

a. Are you confronting the idols and lies of this world with the truth and Lordship of Jesus?

e. The church as a whole is called to be witnesses for the kingdom of God. We are God’s people have been changed by this message – and we must long to see others changed by it too.

5. Death & Resurrection – Then we come to the shocking part of this chapter.

a. The witnesses work for Jesus. They are clothed in repentance. They work in the power of the Spirit…and what is the result?

i. They find themselves in trouble. How could it be otherwise?

1. We’ve seen throughout our study in the Revelation that when the values of the kingdom of God invade the kingdom of this world – there is conflict.

a. A couple points to notice about this scene.

b. First, notice that the witnesses don’t hide from the beast. They don’t huddle in their houses or building but go out in spite of the danger.

i. They are out witnessing and giving testimony on behalf of Jesus. They are preaching the good news.

1. Even though it got them killed, they still went out to spread the name of Jesus with courage and conviction.

a. They didn’t hide, they went out in Spirit empowered strength to witness.

c. Secondly, notice how this all fits together.

i. I believe the story of these 2 witnesses is an allegory for the life and work of the church.

1. What we learn is we, as God’s people, will be involved in powerful, Spirit-led ministry.

a. But we also see form this scene that we will fall on hard times.

i. There will even be times when the world thinks it has defeated and even killed the church.

d. The world will make claims that God is dead, that Christianity is irrelevant in our 21st century world…

i. That the Bible is a collection of ancient fairy tales.

1. There will be periods of time when the world will claim victory of the people of God.

e. But what this allegory, this scene tells us is that the world’s supposed victory will be short-lived.

i. God will resurrect his people and breathe new life into his church.

1. The image in Revelation 11:11 is taken right out of the book of Ezekiel, chapter 37 – the vision of the valley of dry bones.

a. God showed Ezekiel a valley of dry and dusty ones – and as Ezekiel preached the powerful word of God, those bones were brought back to life – eventually God turned that valley of dry bones into an army of his people.

f. It was a prophecy, showing Ezekiel that even though God’s people were counted out in his day – God promised to one day breathe new life into what looked like a pile of dry bones.

i. And through the vision given to John of the 2 witnesses who were killed and resurrected is this.

1. Jesus is showing John, showing us, that even though it looks like we are counted out, one day God will vindicate his people and breathe new life into them.

6. Conclusion – I believe this scene can be a source of encouragement and conviction for God’s people.

a. Encouragement in that we can rest assured that god will always vindicate and preserve his people.

i. Even if the world claims victory over God’s people – Revelation tells us otherwise.

1. Revelation reveals to us that things aren’t as they seem – there’s more to it than meets the unaided eye.

a. Revelation reveals that victory is attained through suffering.

i. Revelation reveals that God will never abandon his people but will miraculously vindicated them and bring them back from the brink.

b. But this scene also convicts us. We see in this chapter that these two prophets were in the world, witnessing to the power of Jesus.

i. Are we? Are we confronting the beast? Are we confronting the kingdom of this world with the gospel of Jesus?

1. Are we tormenting people with the gospel?

c. Or are we hiding? Are we afraid of what might be said about us or what might be done to us?

i. We have nothing to fear, for we know through this vision that God will vindicate his people and ultimately, we will be victorious.

1. I believe that this is an inspiringly difficult text.

a. It is tricky to understand and grasp all the different images – but it is inspiring when we see how the content of this chapter plays out practically.

d. It’s amazing that even in a book of visions that are sometimes confusing – it’s amazing that the basic Christian principle of witnessing to the world still shows up.

7. Next week – Next week, we are going to sing the Hallelujah Chorus. So go home and start practicing.

a. For next week, read Revelation 11:15-19. What leaps out at me? What puzzles me?

i. And hopefully what you’ll notice is that the end of Revelation 11 is another place where it seems like we come to the end of the book…only to have the visions start over again.

1. Next week, Hallelujah!