Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Revelation 10:1-11:14


Two Witnesses

We are certainly in the thick of mysteries now. I used to spend a good bit of energy puzzling over what the “seven thunders” spoke in chapter ten. Of course we are given no clue concerning the content of their utterance so I finally figured out that I could puzzle all I liked but would never know the answer until it is revealed. So there. 

On to chapter eleven, I have always found these two witnesses to be fascinating. They will be active for approximately three and a half years, unless these numbers are purely symbolic. Apparently somehow, until their time comes, it will not be possible to kill them even though there will be many who wish them dead. Fire comes from their mouths to destroy their enemies? Surely that is symbolic, but what does it portend? 

Who are these guys? I’ve heard three people suggested. On is Enoch, because Hebrews says that it is appointed to man to die one and Enoch never died. That seems reasonable except for the fact that according to Paul’s writings there will be a whole generation of believers who will escape death.

Moses has been suggested. One of the signs these guys do is to turn water to blood. Moses did that. And their coming apparently brings with it plagues. Moses, check. Apparently, Moses did die because the Bible says he did, but no one but the Lord saw his death, nor his body.

Elijah is the other suggestion often put forth. He never died. He went up to heaven in a chariot of fire. Also, Elijah called for a drought which lasted some three plus years; the very thing these guys are going to do. I’m going with Moses and Elijah. That’s who these two guys are, unless they aren’t.

What is completely remarkable to me in this passage is verse nine, “For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial.” That doesn’t seem too remarkable these days but when I was a child (not that long ago) the idea that people all over the globe could see something in a three day period was quite something. As little as a hundred years ago such an idea was downright preposterous. In John’s days it was impossible.

Clearly John wasn’t talking about his day. He was talking about a day that would not be possible for almost two thousand years. If you are a believer this is quite comforting. If you are a non believer this is quite unsettling. It’s supposed to be.

No comments: