Sermon Tone Analysis

Textual Idea – God inspired John to record his vision of the “Dynamic Duo.” God’s witnesses in the great tribulation to give us time to repent.

Sermon Idea – God has provided the greatest witnesses to His plans, the Word of God and His Son Jesus Christ.

Transition with key word – Our text presents two pairs that highlight the clear choice of who we must worship & celebrate.

Two Witnesses – like Moses & Elijah – 11:3-6 Two Celebrations – People of the Earth & the Host of Heaven – 11:7-19

Introduction – When I was a kid in the late 60’s & early 70's, most afternoons after school, there was what I thought was one of the coolest shows on TV…Any guesses?

(Slide) How about Batman & Robin?

They were nicknamed the “caped crusaders” or the “dynamic duo” who were on a crusade to round up evil villains and thwart their dastardly plans.

It was cheesy as it could be by today’s modern technology & special effects.

(Slide) I mean when a bad guy get’s punched, it doesn’t really flash “Kablam” or “Kaplooy” or “Pow” across their face.

(Slide) They had the “Batmobile” which was the coolest car I’d ever seen.

Sometimes mom & dad didn’t let me watch it because it was “too violent.”

The show ran for 3 seasons, 120 episodes and re-runs too many to count.

The “Dynamic Duo” single handedly cleaned up “Gotham City” & witnessed the truth that good triumphs over evil.

Background – Since we took a break last week for the Lord’s Supper, it’s helpful to review where we are in our study.

We’re in a divine parenthesis between the 6th & 7th trumpet judgments as the wrath of God is poured out on the earth.

The judgments were fierce, they were intense and they came at us in rapid succession that are honestly overwhelming to try and process all that.

In Chapters 8-9, we talked about 3 scenes related to the shock and awe in heaven, shock and awe upon the created order and shock and awe directly upon humans.

What was amazing about all these judgments is the response of the people was not to repent before God and beg for mercy nor did they turn away from their idol worship and sinful behavior.

God graciously provides another interlude, a “divine half-time” to give us a breather from these judgments.

Chapters 10-11 serve like a parenthesis in this cosmic battle of good versus evil.

We’ve seen another interlude or parenthesis in Chapter 7 between the seven seals of judgment between seals 1-6 and the seventh seal.

When you place a set of parenthesis in a written document, you do so to furnish some information to the reader that they need to know that helps explain the action taking place in the story.

In chapter 10, we saw what we called “The Bittersweet Word of God.”

The fact is that God’s Word is bitter b/c it reveals to us our wretchedly sinful condition but it is sweet because it reveals God’s plan of salvation and the mystery of God is about to be carried out (10:6-7).

Sermon Idea – God has provided the greatest witnesses to His plans, the Word of God and His Son Jesus Christ.

Transition with key word – Our text presents two pairs that highlight the clear choice of who we must worship & celebrate.

Read 11:1-19

1.

Two Witnesses – like Moses & Elijah – 11:3-6

Explanation - VS. 1-2 John is given an assignment, measure a portion of the temple of God.

John is again an active participant in the vision he’s receiving from God. He’s given a measuring rod like a staff.

The word refers to the common reedlike plant that grows in the Jordan River Valley to a height of 15 to 20 feet.

Because these stalks were long and lightweight, they were ideal for measuring.

There is much speculation what temple in view here with no solid answers.

It appears there will be a tribulation temple built in the first half of the tribulation under the supervision & protection of the antichrist who makes peace with Israel for 3 1/2 years.

There seems to be something more than physical architecture in view since no measurements are given.

It’s best to see this as God measuring off Israel, symbolized by her temple, they are measured for salvation, protection and favor.

Vs. 2 tells us the court of the Gentiles (the outer court) is not to be measured, in other words they are not protected.

They tread on the grounds of this temple 42 months = 3 1/2 years.

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, currently on the temple mount sits the Dome of the Rock, a Muslim shrine where they believe their prophet Muhammed ascended to Heaven.

We can’t fathom in today’s climate the Jews being able to rebuild their temple on that spot, but under the protection of the Anti-Christ, they will.

According to Daniel’s prophecy in Daniel 9, the Anti-Christ will break that covenant w/ Israel half-way through the tribulation.

Vs. 3 God’s dynamic duo - The two witnesses

Their Identity –

Their miracles very similar to those of Moses & Elijah

Elijah – Called down fire from heaven and proclaimed a drought of 3 ½ years.

(1st Kings 17-18).

Moses – Plagues pronounced upon Egypt combating the Egyptian Gods, included turning Nile into blood.

OT Prophesy - Malachi 4:5, Deut.

18:15ff promises prophets like Moses & Elijah will come.

John the Baptist was specifically referenced as coming in the spirit and power of Elijah in Luke 1:17 “He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.””

Like many prophecies of Scripture, we see a partial fulfillment and then complete fulfillment when these witnesses, God’s dynamic duo, arrive in Jerusalem.

Moses represents the Law & Elijah the prophets – common way Hebrew canon was divided.

Moses & Elijah’s appearance with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration – Matt.

17:3

Both Prophets left earth in unusual ways – God supernaturally buried Moses body, Elijah transported to Heaven in a chariot of fire.

(Deut.

34:5-6, 2nd Kings 2:11-12).

Their duty – (Slide w/ symbols)

Vs. 3 “Witness” = Martureo GK – referred to those who laid down their lives to back up their testimony.

These witnesses are actual people, not mere symbols who are killed for their testimony for Christ.

To prophesy, preach & proclaim these judgments are from Almighty God.

Sackcloth clothing – Sign of deep mourning.

Olive trees & lamp-stands – Zechariah 4:2-3, & 4:11-14 explain this symbol John saw.

Symbol of the light of revival (olive oil lamp) & olive tree automatic supply of fuel for the light.

Vs. 5-6 God given power, signs, wonders & protection.

Human flame-throwers, declare a 3 1/2 year drought, turn fresh water into blood.

Can you imagine a 3 1/2 year drought & your fresh water supply is blood?

They can strike the earth, the whole earth with plagues as often as they desire!

Will proclaim God’s final judgment is soon & eternal Hell follows for those who reject Christ.

They will call people out of darkness.

Will call people to repent and place their trust in Jesus Christ.

Ministry will span 3 ½ years (1,260 days) – last half of Great Tribulation.

Their deaths – vs. 7-10

1st of 36 references to the beast who will make war against them.

This beast is not Satan, but is empowered by Satan.

He is the Anti-Christ, Satan’s counterfeit.

When God determines their ministry is over, He will allow them to be killed.

Bodies dishonored by not being buried will lie exposed in the street 3 ½ days.

Their impact – 11-15

Great earthquake – 1/10 of city falls, 7000 killed.

Vs. 13 – many will give God glory (repent) & be saved; some may simply acknowledge the power of God as Philippians 2:11 tells us every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

2. Two Celebrations – 11:7-19

The People of Earth – 11:9-10

“Dead Witness Day” – Ironic only time of celebration in the world after Tribulation period begins.

Partying & Gift giving to celebrate the demise of these irritating preachers who brought plagues and drought and fire to defend themselves.

(Slide) Short lived celebration – Vs. 11 – “Great fear” – literally “mega-phobos” in the Greek!

They heard a voice commanding them to “come up here” in vs. 12.

The Host of Heaven – 11:15-19

Throughout John’s vision, he alternates between the scene on earth and the scene in Heaven.

In vs. 15, the scene switches to Heaven and the celebration that breaks out when the 7th trumpet sounds!

We were told in 10:7, when the 7th trumpet sounds, the mystery of God would be finished without further delay.

Celebrating the beginning of God’s final victory – The 6th trumpet sounded in 9:13, then we have this divine interlude and now the 7th Trumpet Blast sets the final act of God’s plan to motion.

Worship celebration extolling God’s eternal rule & reign over the universe.

Celebrating God’s vengeance against evil.

Celebrating God’s rewards for His saints.

Heavenly Temple opened – lost Ark of the Covenant Eternal celebration.

Applications – So what?

What’s the point of these 2 pairs highlight the clear choice of who we worship & celebrate?

1.

These two witnesses are reminders of God’s faithful witness through the ages to mankind through human spokesman, through the law and the prophets (God’s Word the Bible).

They remind us of God’s call to repent and embrace His plan of redemption by faith.

God is patiently calling, pleading with sinners to turn to Him.