November 1, 2015

Revelation Summary…To Date Chapter 1: Revelation of Jesus Christ. Angel presented Revelation to John (special blessing). Chapter 2 and 3: letters to seven churches, and prophetic picture of the church today Chapter 4: the church is raptured (view of heaven; living creatures, the elders) Chapter 5: God is on His throne (title deed to earth taken by Jesus Christ) Chapter 6: open the seals (Four Horseman, Tribulation Saints, and Celestial Devastation)

Revelation Summary…To Date Chapter 7: parenthesis or a pause between opening the 6 th and 7 th seals. Chapter 8: Seventh seal opened to reveal 7 trumpet judgements. Judgement 1-4 Chapter 9: Trumpet judgements, or the 3 woe judgements. Judgements 5-7 Chapter 10: John ate the little book (bitter).

Lesson Introduction Across the previous chapters there have been catastrophic events unfolding In Revelation 11 two witnesses have been placed in Jerusalem by God who technically will be prophets (speak on behalf of God) Being a profit is very dangerous. Jeramiah was loathed / despised and thrown into a cistern in an attempt to kill him. (Jeramiah 11:21-23) Zachariah was killed before the altar. Jesus told us this in the Olivet Discourse (end of time summary). (Matthew 23:35) Prophets speak on behalf of God, so people who are heading in the wrong direction do not want to hear the word

Lesson Introduction / Start Up to this point in Revelation we are told how people are becoming more and more hardened. Now two men are speaking for God, and the people hate them. So you can imagine how they were received. We start with… Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.” (Revelation 11:1-2)

Temple History The first Temple was built by Solomon (4 th yr of reign). But was envisioned / preparded by David. Built in 7 years (966 BC), dedicated 959 BC. Functioned 959 – 586 BC The Babylonians (Nebuchadnezzar) laid siege in 588 BC, and entered Jerusalem in 586 BC The city was torched and everything of value was removed from the Temple. The first Temple was destroyed. The Babylonian Empire was defeated by Persia (King Cyrus) 537 BC. Cyrus allowed the Babylonian captives to go back home. Approximately one-tenth of the captive Jews returned to Jerusalem 538 BC.

Temple History Cyrus refinanced the rebuilding of cities, temples, and infrastructure Ezra 6:1. Empire built in 20 years. 538 – 520 BC local people raised issues over reconstruction of the Temple (did not want to build). No work was performed during this time span. Then finally the decree by Cyrus was confirmed. Second Temple completed in 4 years. Temple was nothing like 1 st Temple. The Temple functioned 516 BC – 70 AD. However the Temple stopped functioning 167 – 160 BC. Judean rebels (Maccabean Revolt) where Greeks (Seleucid Empire) captured Jerusalem and desecrated the Temple. Re-established Jewish Worship.

Temple History Herod was appointed King of Jerusalem 74 – 4 BC by Caesar to generate tax money for Rome. Herod re-built (not new) the Second Temple. The size of 5 football fields, 16 stories tall and Golden doors. Created an attraction for pilgrims around Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacle. Population increased from 100K to 1M during celebrations. Jesus told his disciple “…one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” The Temple was destroyed in 70 AD.

Temple History Jewish Zealots opposing Roman rule. Took the Temple from the Sagisees and Pharisees. Used the Temple to stage their attacks. Romans had to get the zealots out of Temple. Breached inner wall, Temple caught on fire. Josephus documented event. Destruction was heard at Jericho. The Temple was totally destroyed, as Jesus said it would be. Third Temple has not been built.

Temple History Dome on the Rock was built in 691 AD. But the Bible tells us the third Temple will be built. Muslim third most holy site (Mecca and Medina). The end of Ezekiel Chapters we are given the blueprint of the third Temple. Jesus quotes Daniel 12:11 “…and the abomination of desolation is setup…” So the third Temple must be built there. But how with the Dome of the Rock there?

Solomon’s Temple

Herod’s Temple

First Temple

Revelation 11

Temple History

Revelation 11: Measuring Rod Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.” (Revelation 11:1-2) Measure the Temple of God. So the Temple is standing, so at some point it was rebuilt. Measure the Altar. This is the Altar outside the Temple, which is Old Testament System. Referring to the initial peace agreement negotiated by the Anti-Christ. Measure those who worship. Not yet accepted Jesus Christ. But do not measure the court outside the Temple. Gentiles in this case is anyone other than Jews. The next 3 and one-half years the Jewish people will lose control of Jerusalem as part of the peace negotiation,

Revelation 11: The Two Witnesses “And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly. (Revelation 11:3-14)

Revelation 11: The Two Witnesses The two witnesses will witness for three and one-half years (1,260 days, Lunar Calendar or a prophetic year). Most likely the two witnesses will use “fiery words” to neutralize their enemies. This is how anyone who tries to harm them will die. The two witnesses have the power to shut-up the sky, so that it will not rain while prophesying. The power to turn water to blood, and strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want. So who are the two witnesses? Who had the ability to shut up the sky to stop the rain for three and one-half years? 1 Kings tells us it is Elijah (more specifically God does)

Revelation 11: The Two Witnesses Who has the power to call turn water to blood and strike the earth with plagues? This is Moses. So the two witnesses are most likely Moses and Elijah. Both are both great prophets. We have another event that lends credibility to Moses and Elijah being the two witnesses, the transfiguration. (Matthew 17:1-13)

Revelation 11: The Two Witnesses The Beast from the abyss is Satan. The two witnesses are testifying in Jerusalem (city where Christ is crucified), which is figuratively referred to as Sodom and Egypt.

Revelation 11: The Two Witnesses After the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the Beast kills them. Then for three and one-half days all men of the world will gaze on their bodies (mid-East 24 hour burial). People of the earth will celebrate the death of the two witnesses. But after three and one-half days, a breath of life from God entered the two witnesses and they stood up. A loud voice from heaven said “Come up here.” At that very hour there was a terrible earthquake, 7,000 were killed. They gave glory to God.

Great Rift Valley