the Fourth Week after Easter
Click to donate today!
Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 5 of 5
Revelation 11:4-19
The two witnesses represent the adequate and complete testimony presented by the godly remnant during the final tribulation. They appear with the characteristics of Elijah and Moses, both of whom had been witnesses for God in dark times during Israel’s history. When Elijah prayed, heaven was shut for 3.5 years (v. 6; James 5:17; cf. v. 5 with 2 Kings 1:10; 2 Kings 1:12). Moses received power to change water into blood (life into death: Exodus 7:19) and to inflict upon the earth all kinds of plagues. These faithful witnesses will be killed in Jerusalem by the "Roman Beast", but consoled by the thought that their "Lord was crucified" (Luke 13:33-34) before them in that very place. Their martyrdom will be followed by a spectacular public resurrection, much to the dismay of their persecutors.
Finally the last woe is sounded. With it two things have come: the kingdom of the Lord (v. 15) and also His wrath (v. 18; Psalms 110:5). In Revelation 6:17 the terrified people believed that the wrath of the Lamb had come! However it has been held back until the moment when Christ takes over the government of the world. Then heaven bursts into shouts of triumph; the saints bow down and worship the One who was crucified (v. 8) but who now reigns for ever and ever (Luke 1:33).
