“³ And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

⁴ These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.”

(Rev 11:3-4 KJV)

The two witnesses will prophecy for 1260 days of the judgment that is about to come. They will preach to Israel to accept Jesus as their God and Messiah. They will perform great miracles.

The fact they are olive trees shows they will have the anointing of God.

There is a lot of speculation as to who the two witnesses are. Some believe they are Elijah and Enoch. Both were taken into heaven without dying.

“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” (Gen 5:24 KJV)

“And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” (2Ki 2:11 KJV)

Most believe the two witnesses are Moses and Elijah. They were seen at the transfiguration.

“² And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

³ And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

⁴ Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.”

(Mat 17:2-4 KJV)

“² And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

³ And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

⁴ And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.

⁵ And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.”

(Mar 9:2-5 KJV)

Satan fought for the body of Moses, showing that God has a plan for him.

“Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.” (Jud 1:9 KJV)

God has made sure that Moses’ body will remain hidden.

“And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.” (Deu 34:6 KJV)

When we consider how prominent Moses and Elijah were in the Old Testament, and that both had a ministry filled with miracles, and both appeared with Jesus in the transfiguration, it is easy to see that the return of Moses and Elijah as the two witness is a great possibility.

“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.” (Rev 11:2 KJV)

The Gentiles will have control of the temple in the second half of the Tribulation period. They will follow the antichrist, which will desecrate the temple and set himself up as God to be worshiped in the temple.

“And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.” (Dan 7:25 KJV)

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” (Dan 9:27 KJV)

“And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.” (Dan 12:7 KJV)

“And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” (Luk 21:24 KJV)

“Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” (2Th 2:4 KJV)

“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.” (Rev 11:1 KJV)

Chapter 11 continues the interlude that began in chapter 10. The interlude describes the spiritual condition of Israel. The temple that John is told to measure is the temple the Jews will rebuild in the end time. Measuring the temple could be symbolic of measuring the spirituality of the Jews.

“And he brought me thither, and, behold, there was a man, whose appearance was like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate.” (Eze 40:3 KJV)

“And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man’s hand a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed.” (Eze 40:5 KJV)

The temple will be desecrated by the antichrist in the Tribulation when he breaks the covenant with Israel.

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” (Dan 9:27 KJV)

“And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.” (Dan 12:11 KJV)

“Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” (2Th 2:4 KJV)

“⁸ And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.

⁹ And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

¹⁰ 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.

¹¹ And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.”

(Rev 10:8-11 KJV)

The little book is symbolic of the mission of John. The prophetic Word contains both a message that is both bitter and sweet. It is bitter because of the coming judgment on those that do not obey the Gospel. It is sweet because of the coming kingdom of Christ in which those that have obeyed the Gospel will enjoy.

This is similar to the mission of Jeremiah and Ezekiel.

“¹⁶ Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.

¹⁷ I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation.

¹⁸ Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed? wilt thou be altogether unto me as a liar, and as waters that fail?”

(Jer 15:16-18 KJV)

“Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel.

² So I opened my mouth, and he caused me to eat that roll.

³ And he said unto me, Son of man, cause thy belly to eat, and fill thy bowels with this roll that I give thee. Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness.”

(Eze 3:1-3 KJV)

“So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the LORD was strong upon me.” (Eze 3:14 KJV)

King David also wrote of the sweetness of God’s Word.

“⁹ The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”

(Psa 19:9-10 KJV)

“But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.” (Rev 10:7 KJV)

The seventh angel is about to sound, and when he does the prophecies concerning the mystery of God will be fulfilled. The seventh trumpet will reveal the seven vials, which will cover the last 3.5 years of the wrath of God poured out on sinful humanity. The mystery is the coming kingdom and restoration of all things as foretold by the Old Testament and New Testament prophets. Jesus will reign forever as King of Kings and Lord of Lords and his role of the son-ship will be complete.

“²³ But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

²⁴ Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

²⁵ For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

²⁶ The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

²⁷ For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

²⁸ And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.”

(1Co 15:23-28 KJV)

“¹⁴ That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

¹⁵ Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

¹⁶ Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.”

(1Ti 6:14-16 KJV)

“And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Rev 19:16 KJV)

“⁵ And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

⁶ And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

⁷ He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

(Rev 21:5-7 KJV)

Mystery – 3466 μυστήριον musterion {moos-tay’-ree-on}

Meaning:  1) hidden thing, secret, mystery 1a) generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to ordinary mortals 1b) a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding 1c) a hidden purpose or counsel 1c1) secret will 1c1a) of men 1c1b) of God: the secret counsels which govern God in dealing with the righteous, which are hidden from ungodly and wicked men but plain to the godly 3) in rabbinic writings, it denotes the mystic or hidden sense: of an OT saying, of an image or form seen in a vision, of a dream

“⁵ And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

⁶ And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:”

(Rev 10:5-6 KJV)

Time can be translated as ‘delay’. Some have taken this verse to mean that time will stand still, but it is clear from the rest of the book of Revelation that time itself continues. The context shows that the word ‘time’ is referring to ‘delay’. In other words, the angel is swearing the one that lives forever and ever, the creator of heaven, earth, and all life, the Lord Jesus Christ, that there will be no more delay. The seventh trumpet is about to sound. The second half of the Great Tribulation is about to begin, which will end with the second coming of Jesus.

5550 χρόνος chronos {khron’-os}

Meaning:  1) time either long or short

Origin:  of uncertain derivation; TDNT – 9:581,1337; n m

Usage:  AV – time 33, season 4, while 2, a while 2, space 2, oftentimes + 4183 1, not tr 5, misc 4; 53

“³ And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

⁴ And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.”

(Rev 10:3-4 KJV)

The seven thunders have intrigued Bible scholars for centuries. They are part of the coming wrath and judgment of the world. John was commanded not to write what the seven thunders uttered, so there’s no way we can know in advance what they are. This means that amidst the seven trumpets, vials, and bowls, there are seven judgments that we don’t even know about. We are not even told why God chose to keep them a secret. We just know that His secrets are His prerogative to keep.

“The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deu 29:29 KJV)

“But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” (Dan 12:4 KJV)

“⁸ And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?

⁹ And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.”

(Dan 12:8-9 KJV)

“And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,” (Rev 10:2 KJV)

The angel firmly sets his feet upon the earth – one foot on the sea and the other on the ground, signifying the strength and authority of the message contained in the book. The message will affect the destiny of the whole world.

There is a lot of speculation as to what the book is. It could be a scroll of the Apocalypse that has already been opened, a scroll that has yet to be opened, the title deed of the earth, or something else entirely. It could be a proclamation that the Tribulation is half over and the worst is yet to come. It is possible that the book contains the message about the events that will happen in chapter 10; specifically the seven thunders. The Scriptures do not give us enough information to be dogmatic. Considering that John eats the book in verse 10, the contents are probably meant to be kept secret.

“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:” (Rev 10:1 KJV)

There are two possible explanations of the angel’s identity. Some believe the angel is Jesus. There are several reasons for this belief. God appeared several times in the Old Testament as “the Angel of the Lord”.

“Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.

² And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

³ And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

⁴ And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

⁵ And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.

⁶ But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.

⁷ And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.

⁸ And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.

⁹ And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.

¹⁰ And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

¹¹ And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.

¹² And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

¹³ And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?”

(Gen 16:1-13 KJV)

“¹¹ And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

¹² And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

¹³ And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

¹⁴ And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

¹⁵ And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,

¹⁶ And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:”

(Gen 22:11-16 KJV)

“¹¹ And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.

¹² And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.

¹³ I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.”

(Gen 31:11-13 KJV)

“² And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

³ And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

⁴ And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.”

(Exo 3:2-4 KJV)

The fact that God appeared as an angel shows it is a possibility.

The description is similar to the description given of Jesus in chapter 1:13-16:

• Clothed with a cloud
• A rainbow upon his head
• His face was as it were the sun
• His feet as pillars of fire

Others believe that it is a prominent angel, such as Michael, Gabriel, or maybe an angel we haven’t been told about before. Jesus never appeared as an angel after his resurrection. Angels also have great power.

“And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.” (Rev 18:1 KJV)

I can see either as a possibility. Revelation is largely symbolic and Jesus does appear as a lion and a lamb, so he could possibly appear as an angel. The appearances as a lion and lamb are clear and leave no room for doubt. There is no reason in the context to believe this is Jesus. Most likely this is an angel. Angels are prominent in the end times- performing tasks at God’s command. The angel swears by the one that lives forever (vs 6).

Regardless of whom the angel is, the angel I setting the stage for what comes next.

Chapter 10 is an interlude between the 6^th and 7^th trumpet.

“²⁰ And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

²¹ Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.”

(Rev 9:20-21 KJV)

The purpose of the catastrophic events is to make men turn to God. Even after the devastation the Earth has endured up to this point, man still will not repent and turn to God. Man still turns to rebellion. Man still chooses to do evil and worship devils and idols, commit murder, sorcery, fornication, and theft. The thoughts of man are only evil continually.

“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Gen 6:5 KJV)

Sorcery includes the use of drigs, poisons, magic arts, and idolatry.

Sorceries – 5331 φαρμακεία pharmakeia {far-mak-i’-ah}

Meaning:  1) the use or the administering of drugs 2) poisoning 3) sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it 4) metaph. the deceptions and seductions of idolatry

“Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,” (Gal 5:20 KJV)

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;” (1Ti 4:1 KJV)

“And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.” (Rev 18:23 KJV)

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Rev 21:8 KJV)

“For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” (Rev 22:15 KJV)

The end of chapter 9 marks the half-way point through the Tribulation period. The first 3.5 years are over and the second 3.5 years are about to begin.