Revelation - Week 20

Day 1

War Against the Prophets

READ

Revelation 11:7-8

7 When they complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit will declare war against them, and he will conquer them and kill them. 8 And their bodies will lie in the main street of Jerusalem, the city that is figuratively called “Sodom” and “Egypt,” the city where their Lord was crucified.

This passage refers to the two witnesses, or prophets, who appear with great power on earth. The reference to “the” beast rather than “a” beast seems to refer to the beast of Revelation 13, known as the Antichrist. He is able to kill the two witnesses and their bodies “lie in the main street of Jerusalem.” Because of its corruption, the city is likened to Sodom and Egypt in the Old Testament. The city is identified as the place where the Lord Jesus was crucified, which makes it clear it refers to Jerusalem.

REFLECT

Think how sad it will be for any believers in the area to have the two witnesses killed. Their deaths could not have occurred, however, without God allowing it.

RESPOND

Read Genesis 19:1-10 to see what the Bible says about Sodom.

Day 2

Three and a Half Days

READ

Revelation 11:9-10

9 And for three and a half days, all peoples, tribes, languages, and nations will stare at their bodies. No one will be allowed to bury them. 10 All the people who belong to this world will gloat over them and give presents to each other to celebrate the death of the two prophets who had tormented them.

The dead bodies of the two witnesses lie in the street for three and a half days and no one was allowed to bury them. The fact that others of the world are able to view their bodies have caused some to say this could not have happened until modern technology was invented. Such a view, however, limits what a miracle-working God is able to do. This is a time of celebration for unbelievers. To them it is like Christmas with the sharing of gifts because these witnesses were killed.

REFLECT

Have you observed times when unbelievers rejoiced about something tragic happening to believers?

RESPOND

With a fellow believer, read Romans 12:14-16 and ask yourselves if you are doing what this passage instructs.

Day 3

Come Up Here

READ

Revelation 11:11-13

11 But after three and a half days, God breathed life into them, and they stood up! Terror struck all who were staring at them. 12 Then a loud voice from heaven called to the two prophets, “Come up here!” And they rose to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched. 13 At the same time there was a terrible earthquake that destroyed a tenth of the city. Seven thousand people died in that earthquake, and everyone else was terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Imagine how frightening it was to those who were rejoicing over the death of the two witnesses to see them come back to life. Before this, the witnesses had supernatural power in overcoming their enemies. What might they do now? Instead of conquering more enemies, the two of them were caught up to heaven while being watched by their enemies. This was accompanied by an earthquake that destroyed a tenth of the city of Jerusalem causing 7000 people to die. This brought further terror to the survivors. They realized this was because of the power of God, but there is no indication they trusted in Jesus as Savior.

REFLECT

Can you imagine such devastation as John saw in his vision? Had you been a survivor of this, do you think you would have turned to God or away from Him?

RESPOND

Let this remind you of the need to pray for those who may be going through trials now. Pray that in the midst of the trials they will turn to God instead of away from Him.

Day 4

The Kingdom of Our Lord

READ

Revelation 11:14-15

14 The second terror is past, but look, the third terror is coming quickly. 15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven:

“The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.”

This passage introduces the announcement of the soon return of Jesus to the earth, known as the Second Advent. The First Advent was when He was born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem. Down through history, there have been many earthly kingdoms, but now in John’s vision the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ is about to be established on earth and He will reign forever and ever.

REFLECT

Think of the rejoicing there will be when the announcement is made that the kingdom of God will come to the earth and that Jesus will reign forever. He rules now in the lives of believers but then He will rule as the King of His kingdom on earth.

RESPOND

Examine your life and think of whether Jesus is ruling as Lord in your life now. To say that He is Lord is the same as saying He is God. As God, He should have full control of every believer’s life. For His kingdom to come on earth is what is prayed for in Matthew 6:10.

Day 5

It Is Time

READ

Revelation 11:16-18

16 The twenty-four elders sitting on their thrones before God fell with their faces to the ground and worshiped him. 17 And they said, “We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who always was, for now you have assumed your great power and have begun to reign. 18 The nations were filled with wrath, but now the time of your wrath has come. It is time to judge the dead and reward your servants the prophets, as well as your holy people, and all who fear your name, from the least to the greatest. It is time to destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth.”

The twenty-four elders are mentioned various times in the book of Revelation. Here they are seen flat on their faces worshiping God. They give thanks to God for who He is and acknowledged He was about to begin reigning on the earth. They also recognized it was time for God to judge the dead and reward believers who feared God’s name. Many believers had died for their faith. Here the twenty-four elders say it is “time to destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth.”

REFLECT

Consider that God is holy and cannot approve evil of any kind. Even though it seems He has delayed His judgment at the present time, there will come a time when His judgment will be meted out.

RESPOND

Talk with a fellow believer about serving a God who is both holy and just. Were it not for the sacrifice of Christ on the cross no one could escape His judgment. For those who trust in Jesus, however, the righteousness of Christ is placed on their account