Aaron 1517 Posted September 7, 2014 Posted September 7, 2014 Power To Prophesy The last two parts of my Revelation 11 presentation will be posted in this one topic. The first two parts which have already been posted will also be included for your convenience. The four parts will be put in their correct order. They are: Rev 11 - The Great City Rev 11 - Killing the Witnesses Rev 11 - Measuring The Worshipers Rev 11 - Power to Prophesy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Great CityRevelation 17:4-6 (ESV)The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and jewels and pearls, holding in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality. And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth's abominations.” And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. When I saw her, I marveled greatly.Revelation 17:18 (ESV) And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.Revelation 18:16 (ESV) Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls!Revelation 11:7-8 (ESV) And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. - In the Bible, God’s Church (His people, not a building) is represented by a Woman. See Rev 19:7-9, 2 Cor 11:2, Mt 9:14-15, Jer 3:14, Jer 6:2 with Is 51:16, Is 54:5-6, Is 62:5, Rev 14:4. Thus, a Harlot is a Corrupt Church (Hos 1:2, 3:1, 4:12, 9:1 & Jer 3:1-8, 3:20, 31:32, Ezek 23:1-49). - The woman who is arrayed in purple and scarlet is called “Babylon the Great” (Rev 17:4-6). Nevertheless, “the great city” only spiritually refers to Babylon. The woman sits on seven hills (Rev 17:9) and the city of Rome is well known as the city on seven hills. The Roman Church has its seat in Rome and the Bishop of Rome is its leader. Vatican City is actually an independent city inside of Rome. - The “woman” herself is called “the great city” (Rev 17:18). Therefore, this prophecy focuses on a church city. Even though Vatican City is much smaller than the city of Rome, her power is much greater. - The great city is symbolically called Sodom. What was Sodom known for? (Genesis 19:1-11, Jude 1:7). - The great city is symbolically called Egypt. What was Egypt known for? (Ezekiel 20:7-8, Isaiah 19:1). - Ask yourself: Does homosexuality or idolatry have anything to do with a ‘church city’ in Rome? - This prophecy says that “the great city” is where “their Lord was crucified.” The interpreters of the King James Bible used an error in one of their source texts to make their interpretation of this verse read “our Lord.” But, the other source texts clearly say “their Lord.” Jesus was not crucified in Rome Italy, but “their Lord” was. Every Pope is called “Lord Pope” and they claim that the first Pope was the Apostle Peter. Tradition holds that Peter was crucified at the site of the Clementine Chapel in what is now Vatican City. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Killing The WitnessesRevelation 11:3-6 (ESV) And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. - The two witnesses prophesy; therefore, logic demands that they must be prophets. - The two witnesses must be prophets, but will they be two future prophets who are still to come? Or, are they two past prophets whose prophecies were written in books which are now in the Bible? - If they will be two future prophets, then certainly their extremely awesome supernatural powers would make them into modern superstars. They would be the hot topic of television shows, newspapers, and magazines. Certainly they would be the main conversation of everyone. They would be all over YouTube and every word that they spoke would be tweeted. Atheism would be totally defeated. - A major theme that is found when studying end time prophecies is a warning about being deceived (Rev 13:14, Rev 19:20, 2 Thess 2:9-12, Eph 5:6, 1 Cor 6:9). Having two well known living legend Biblical superstar prophets performing famous miracles is about as subtle as having a tattoo on your forehead. - If the two prophets have their writings in the word of God, then their testimony would be subtle. Yet, their message would still be very powerful for those who have spiritual wisdom. In this scenario, only those people who seek truth would find it. The wicked people would still be able to believe what they want. - “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Ps 119:105). An oil lamp represents the word of God. An olive tree is the source of olive oil which represents the Holy Spirit (1 Sam 16:13). - Can the Old Testament be one witness and the New Testament be the other witness? The problem with that is that the Old Testament was written by about 30 different people and the New Testament was written by about 10. Each one of those 40 people were witnesses, but only some of them were prophets. We are not looking for two groups of books written by multiple people, we are looking for two prophets. - How can two dead Bible prophets fulfill what the two witnesses are said to do? First of all, it is important to understand that all supernatural manifestations of the prophets and the saints all are done by God. Prophets do not have any innate supernatural ability, so it is actually God who performs the miracles on behalf of the prophets. Therefore, God can perform the same supernatural miracles even on the behalf of dead prophets. It is written, therefore it will be done, even if the prophets are no longer alive. - The prophet John wrote that the wicked will be given blood to drink (Rev 16:3-6). And indeed, fire will consume the enemies of the two witnesses (2 Thess 1:5-8, Heb 12:29, 2 Pet 3:10). - In the last days the saints will receive an outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:17). It could be that the prophetic plagues might come by the will of the saints who are trying to warn people concerning the prophecies of the two witnesses. Thus, God could honor their will by the word of the two witnesses.Revelation 11:7-13 (ESV) And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. - If the witnesses are prophets who are already dead, then how can they be killed? Even though the prophets are dead, they live on through their prophecies which testify against the deceptions of the enemy. In this interpretation the witnesses can only be killed by the strict condemnation of their prophetic writings. Severe punishment can be put on people who speak, write, read, or listen to their prophetic testimony. - Bibles containing the condemned books of these prophets will lie in the street of “the great city.” - The book of Daniel from the Old Testament and the book Revelation from the New Testament witness together to reveal prophecies that give damning testimony against the Vatican. - There could be thousands of Bibles piled up. The largest street in Vatican City is St. Peter’s Square. Vatican City has a daily average of about 17,000 visitors. A free Bible exchange program could be offered. - The “beast” will kill the two prophets. Yet, who will ride this beast from the abyss (Rev 17:3-8)? The Vatican will direct the beast to kill the two prophetic witnesses that testify against her. - Three and a half days after a censorship law, this prophecy says there will be a great earthquake. - From this prophecy the saints can warn people that because of this censorship law, God will strike Rome with a great earthquake. - For three and a half days, some people from different peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will “gaze at their dead bodies” and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb. Is this gruesome and repulsive? Or, is it glorious that some people from all over the world will intensely look at these prophecies which will be ridiculed, accused, and condemned? - Three and a half days later the prophetic word of God will be glorified. - After three and a half days, the two prophetic witnesses will be vindicated with great exaltation. Those who rejoiced at their death will be terrified at their vindication and with great fear people will repent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Measuring The Worshipers Daniel 7:9-10 (ESV) As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. - If you keep reading Daniel chapter 7 from verse 9 through verse 14 you will see that this judgment starts before the second coming of Christ.Revelation 14:6-7 (ESV) Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” - If you keep reading Revelation Chapter 14 from verse 6 through verse 12 you will see that the hour of judgment starts before the mark of the beast is enforced.Revelation 3:10 (ESV) Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. - Only those who die before the “hour” (or time) of trial are ‘kept from’ that time. - The specific people addressed in this letter to the “church in Philadelphia” (Rev 3:7) include the literal people of the church in Philadelphia who originally received this letter, as well as to the people of the spiritual era of Philadelphia. The era of Philadelphia was during the 1800's. During that time many people patiently waited for Jesus and thought that the hour of trial was going to come upon them. We are now living in the era of Laodicea. Now the overall state of Christendom is one of lukewarmness (Rev 3:14-22). - When the hour of trial comes, it is “coming on the whole world.” Nobody at that time will be raptured in order to avoid the hour of trial. Revelation 11:1-2 (RSV) Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told: “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample over the holy city for forty-two months. - The congregation of saints, which is also called the Church, is “the temple of God” (2 Cor 6:16). Thus, the Church, or Christendom as a whole, will be measured during the hour of judgment. - The “altar” will be measured. It is not the altar of incense which is inside the temple. It is the altar of sacrifice which is outside with the worshipers. Thus, the altar represents our sacrifices to God. - The worshipers will be measured. How tall or how wide we are is not the purpose of this measurement. The Ancient of Days will take his seat, the court will sit in judgment, and the books will be opened. The hour of judgment is coming. The hour of trial which is coming upon the whole world to try all those who dwell upon the face of the earth. - As gold is refined by fire, the true nature of our character will be revealed during the hour of trial. The marriage of the Lamb is coming and the bride must make herself ready (Rev 19:7).Revelation 11:1-3 (RSV) Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told: “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample over the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant my two witnesses power to prophesy for one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” - The nations will trample over the holy city. The “holy city” is Jerusalem (Neh 11:1, Is 52:1). - The nations ‘trampling’ Jerusalem denotes more than just tourists. It points to an army. - The word “nations” is plural, not singular. Thus, a multi-national army will trample Jerusalem. - Jerusalem will not be taken by force. Jerusalem will be “given over.” - The only truly integrated multi-national army in the world is the “U.N. Peacekeeping Force.” - The hour of God’s judgment will begin, then Israel will give Jerusalem to the United Nations. - Who would ever believe such a thing? Most Christians today would say that this could never happen. Yet, when it happens then proclaim: “Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come!” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Power To Prophesy Revelation 10:9 - 11:3 (RSV) Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told: “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample over the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant my two witnesses power to prophesy for one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” - The witnesses are given power to prophesy for 1,260 days. Therefore, a foretold event must happen on the first day of this 1,260 day time period in order to have power for that exact amount of days. That event is the giving over of Jerusalem by Israel to the United Nations. - The witnesses are given power to prophesy for 1,260 days. Therefore, the power to prophesy will be finished at the end of the 1,260 days. Thus, the prophesied event must happen at that time. That event is the giving over of Jerusalem by the United Nations. The “Nations” will rule Jerusalem for only 42 months. It would be easy to get enough votes for the United Nations to take possession of Jerusalem, but to get enough votes in a United Nations assembly to give away Jerusalem seems like it would be an impossible task. They certainly could not give it to the Palestinians, they certainly could not give it back to Israel, and they definitely could not give it to the Vatican. It could be assumed that once the United Nations gets control of Jerusalem they would forever control it until such time that they all agree to give it over to Jesus Christ. Or, at least until they decide to give it to a supernatural being who they think is Jesus Christ. - Don’t assume that Satan will take Jerusalem by force on the day that God lets him visibly reveal himself to the world. Acting like he is actually Jesus, he would not want to be seen as being power hungry. Surly he would let the United Nations continue to govern and protect Jerusalem for a enough time until they were totally convinced to freely give Jerusalem over to him. - With trumpet blasts and celebration the United Nations will give Jerusalem over to Satan himself. - The witnesses are not killed on the same day that their 1,260 day prophecy is successfully accomplished. When the 1,260 days are finished, then war will be declared on them. After war is declared, then they will be conquered, and then they will be killed . Then, for 3 ½ days their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city (Rev 11:7-9). Therefore, the 3 ½ days do not immediately follow the 1,260 days. - The “great city” in Revelation 11:8 is defined in Revelation 17:18. And, the timing of the ascent of the beast in Revelation 17:8 is dependent upon the interpretation of Revelation 11:7. - Israel will be forced to give Jerusalem over to the United Nations. It seems that this could only be accomplished through extreme political pressure coming against Israel from the traditional allies of Israel. One possible solution of how this could happen is through an OPEC oil embargo against any nation that supports Israel until such time that Israel gives Jerusalem over to the United Nations. This would have the power to bring panic and fear among the politicians of the western world. Because, an oil embargo at this time could cause a catastrophic worldwide economic collapse. Quote
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