Are you suffering persecution for being a Christian? If not, then why not? The trouble today with Christians is that nobody seems to want to kill them anymore! In some parts of the world Christians are being persecuted and even put to death. There are two prophets in this passage. There are five lessons we can learn when prophets are persecuted.

1 – The are spiritually prepared (vs. 3-4)

Notice how they prepared themselves.

• They are olive trees – fruitfulness. The oil of God’s Spirit is to be in us.
• They are lamp stands – they are light.
• They are clothed in sackcloth – they are preaching judgment. It is not to be done with glee but rather with sadness.

We need to preach Hell and judgment with a heavy heart. They will present themselves in a humble manner. No expensive business suits! It is wicked to do God’s work without God’s power.

2. They are sovereignly protected (vs. 5-6)

They have great power. They have received it from God. Who are these two witnesses? They have power over plagues and drought. They come in the Spirit of Elijah and Moses. Elijah reminds us of the prophets and Moses of the law. They may be literally Elijah and Moses. The Old Testament is all about Jesus. It is not just the New Testament. These two witnesses cannot be killed until God allows it.

3. They are satanically persecuted (vs. 7-10)

Satan is called “the Beast”. Satan will kill the two witnesses. Jerusalem is now described like Sodom and Egypt. It is the place where Jesus was crucified. The fury of hell bursts upon these two witnesses. They had “tormented” the people with their preaching of the Word of God. The people hated them and rejoiced when they are killed. The Devil kills them only after they have finished their testimony. The Devil does not win here. The killing of these two will catapult this “Beast” into great popularity.

For three and a half days their bodies will be seen by people in all countries around the world – an easy matter with modern television, and now the Internet. Out of contempt for them, or perhaps even out of fear because of the miraculous powers that they had before, their bodies will not be given burial.

4. They are supernaturally preserved (vs. 11)

After three and a half days, the two witnesses come back to life in front of these people and ascend into Heaven. This is supernatural.

We need not fear. God has Satan on a leash. We might be put to death but God will preserve us. See Luke 21:12-19. Jesus tells us not to worry and meditate on what we are to say. God will give us the words that we are to say. We are not to be afraid of death. It has no power over those who belong to Jesus.

God’s word does not return unto him empty. We are to speak God’s Word and it is not up to us if they listen or not. See Ezekiel 2:7.

Categories: Revelation