"And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth." Revelation 11: 7-10
In Revelation 9: 1-2 the bottomless pit is opened, and the sun and moon were darkened by the smoke from the pit. Verse 3 says locusts came out of the smoke from the opened bottomless pit, and the locusts are called scorpions. In verse 5 they torment people for five months, but they were not given the power to kill. "One woe is past; and behold, there come two woes more hereafter." Revelation 9: 12
Verses 14-15 then say four angels are loosed to kill the third part of men. Then in verse 16 a huge "army" of horsemen are seen. "By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths."
This Fifth Trumpet Judgment is about the time called the great tribulation of Matthew 24. But remember that Matthew 24: 29 says that "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven..." What then is the period called the tribulation? Its a period of "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining." Joel 3: 14-15
The tribulation is the indignation of the Lord. "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast." Isaiah 26: 20
"Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
16. Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
17. Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
18. And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it." Isaiah 28: 15-1
The covenant with Death and agreement with Hell are part of the threshing floor (Jeremiah 51: 33) of the Lord, where he separates the wheat from the chaff. But notice than in the middle of Isaiah 28: 15-18 verse 16 changes the subject a little, and talks about Jesus Christ, the foundation stone of Zion, or of Sion in the New Testament. "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob." Romans 11: 26
But "all Isreal shall be saved" refers to all the elect in the New Covenant, which Christ brings about. It is Zion translated into Sion, born again in Christ, where entry is by being the spiritual seed of Abraham (Galatians 3), which is the seed of God, and there is no longer an entry by physical bloodlines..
So, what is called the tribulation in Matthew 24: 29 is a threshing floor where the work of the many False Prophets of Matthew 24: 11, resulting in the falling away of II Thessalonians 2: 3-4, the covenant with Death and the agreement with Hell, is separated from the elect of Sion, who are seen in Revelation 14: 1 standing with the Lamb on mount Sion.
The "Two Witnesses" are spiritually "killed" by the beast who comes out of the bottomless pit in Revelation 11: 7 The beast out of the bottomless pit is supernatural, not flesh and blood, though he inspires those who are flesh and blood.
And in verse 8 their "dead bodies" lie in the street of the great city, called Sodom and Egypt, where our Lord was crucified. In Galatians 4: 25-26 there are two Jerusalems, one which now exists, in other words, the literal and physical city of Jerusalem, symbolizing physical Israel, which is in bondage with her children. The other Jerusalem, which is above, is free and as Paul says, is the mother of us all (the elect) is not where the "dead bodies" of the spiritually killed "Two Witnesses" lie. No, they lie in the street of physical Jerusalem, the one which is in bondage. The dead spiritual "bodies" of the "Two Witnesses" lie in the street of what in the New Testament is called Babylon in Revelation 17 and 18. They lie in Sion gone apostate, which is Babylon, and in verse 10 those in apostate Sion rejoice over them and send gifts to one another because these "two prophets" tormented them.
Yet in Revelation 11: 11 the spirit of God entered into the spiritually dead "Two Witnesses." At some point after this, verse 15 states that "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever."
Isaiah 27:13 says "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem." The "Two Witnesses" are spiritually killed, and almost perish, but the Spirit of God brings them back to life spiritually, and they join those on mount Sion in Revelation 14: 1, with the Lamb of God. They become part of the New Jerusalem of Revelation 21: 1-2, "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."
Revelation 11 does not say what or who the Holy Spirit uses to help bring the "Two Witnesses" back life spiritually, so that they join the remnant of the last days.
"And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days." Daniel 11: 33
Revelation 14:3 notes that "And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth."
Isaiah 35:10 says "And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."
The 144,000 of Revelation 7 and 14 is metaphoric, the 144,000 are perfected saints, their robes are made white during the threshing floor of the tribulation. After they are refined they have no guile, they are not deceptive, and are without fault before God. Daniel 12: 10 says "Many shall be purified, and made white and tried: but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand: but the wise shall understand." The "Two Witnesses" who join the 144,000 are tried in the tribulation threshing floor of the Lord. "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them; I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, the Lord is my God." Zechariah 13: 9
The 144,000 are the lively stones of I Peter 2: 5,"Ye also, as lively stones are built into a spiritual house." The 144,000 are built into the walls of New Jerusalem and they are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation..." I Peter 2: 9
WHO WILL BE GOD'S TWO WITNESSES {REV 11:3} OR MEN {REV 11:6} OR PROPHETS {REV 11:10}??
Zechariah 4:11,14: "Then I asked the angel, 'What are these *TWO* OLIVE TREES {See Rev 11:4 below} on the right and left of the lamp stand?'... the angel said, 'These are the TWO who are anointed to serve the Lord of the earth!'" �Rev 11:3-6: {God said to John} "I will give power to My *TWO* witnesses and they will prophesy for 1260 days clothed in sackcloth!
These are the *TWO OLIVE TREES {See Zech 4:11,14 above} and the 2 lamp stands that stand before the Lord of the earth. If anyone tries to harm them, fire will come from their mouths to destroy their enemies. This is how anyone who tries to harm them must die {See 2 Kings 1:9-12; Num 16:31-35}. These *MEN* will have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying {See 1 Kings 17:1; Luke 4:25; James 5:17}; and they will have power to turn the waters into blood {See Exodus 7:15-23} and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish."
Moses and Elijah witnessed to 3 Apostles on the mount of Transfiguration when Moses & Elijah spoke to Jesus about his departure or Ascension, which Jesus was to bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem 40 days after His resurrection. Luke 9:30,31: �TWO MEN, Moses and Elijah, appeared in GLORIOUS SPLENDOR talking with Jesus.� They spoke about His Departure {Or Ascension} which He was about to bring to fulfillment in Jerusalem." Moses and Elijah were most assuredly the *TWO MEN* dressed in white who witnessed at the Departure or Ascension of Jesus in Acts 1:10,11: "They looked up into the sky as He {Jesus} was going when suddenly *TWO MEN* dressed in WHITE stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into Heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into Heaven!"
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���� And then in Luke 24:2b-6b we read: They did not find the body of Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly *TWO MEN*... stood beside them... And the *MEN* said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? HE IS NOT HERE; HE HAS RISEN!!"
�� Jesus says in John 8:17b: "The testimony of *TWO MEN IS VALID* and of course the testimony of Moses and Elijah is just about as valid as you can get. ������ And so the coming of God's *TWO MEN* or witnesses to prophesy for 1260 days {See Rev 11:3-7} will be their FOURTH appearance as God's 2 witnesses or MEN. And the reason that their names are not mentioned in Luke 24:3 and Acts 1:10 and Rev 11:3-12 is that the Father, Moses and Elijah want us to glorify *NO ONE ELSE BUT JESUS*!!
� � Moses and Elijah will most likely witness miraculously to people in the uttermost parts of the earth in all 6,000 languages. Presently the Bible has been translated into about 2,000 languages from the inspired Greek and Hebrew manuscripts and faith comes from hearing or reading the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God. The Bible still has not been translated into about 4,000 languages and Rev 5:9b and Rev 7:9,13,14 must be completely fulfilled.�
Surely the courageous tribulation saints will help Moses and Elijah spread God's Word. They will do a fantastic job since according to Rev 7:9,14 there will be a great multitude from EVERY TRIBE AND LANGUAGE who will be �WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB�.
Moses & Elijah will be dressed in SACKCLOTH which is appropriate since the Tribulation saints will be very poor, for they will not be able to buy or sell anything as per Rev 13:17. Moses and Elijah will certainly speak the Word of God with great power and love. They will not add or take words away from the Prophetic Words of God {See Rev 22:18,19}; and they will encourage God's courageous saints to adhere to *ALL* of the NT commandments {See Rev 12:13b; 14:12b; Matt 28:20a; John 14:15,21,23; I John 2:2-5} with love {See Matt 5:39-48 & Rom 12:17-21} in the face of severe and hostile persecution.
Moses and Elijah will begin their 1260-day testimony {Rev 11:3} 3 1/2 days before the coming of 666 & the 1260-day Great Tribulation and 1263 1/2 days before the Last Day. {*THE FIRST END-TIME EVENT*} Moses and Elijah will warn us of the coming of 666 & his False Prophet. ��� It seems very appropriate that God will send His TWO PROPHETS {See Rev 11:10b} to warn and prepare His saints for the coming of Satan, 666 and the Great Tribulation for in Amos 3:7 we read: "Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the PROPHETS!"�
GOD'S PROPHETS are mentioned 8 times in Revelation: Revelation 10:7; 11:10; 11:18; 16:6; 18:20,24; 22:6 & 22:9. Whereas; preachers, pastors and evangelists are not even mentioned once in Revelation! God will allow 666 to martyr Moses and Elijah {See Rev 11:7,8} right where their Lord was crucified. {At the new *HOLY PLACE* where Jesus shed his blood for our sins} 3 1/2 days later Moses and Elijah will rise to heaven just hours before the 7th angel sounds the 7th Trump at the 2nd coming of Jesus.{See Rev 11:11-18}
Mark 13:14: Jesus says, �When you see 666 standing where he does not belong {AT THE NEW HOLY PLACE}....then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.� {See Rev 11:7,8 & Rev 16:15} John 2:19: Jesus said, �Destroy this TEMPLE and I will raise it again in 3 days.� This HOLY PLACE is where Jesus became the chief cornerstone {Eph 2:20,21} and we are living stones {I Pet 2:5 & 2 Cor 6:16} in the LAST TEMPLE made without hands! {Acts 17:24} ���
�Certainly, the old Jerusalem and the old Temple site are NO LONGER HOLY PLACES.�� Hebrews 13:12-14: "Jesus suffered outside the city gate to make the people HOLY THROUGH HIS BLOOD. Let us, then, go to Him outside the city, bearing the disgrace He bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the CITY {THE NEW JERUSALEM} that is to come." {See Heb 11:10,13-16; Heb 12:22; Rev 3:12b; 21:2,10-27; 22:1-5; 2 Pet 3:13} Gal 4:25,26: "Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem {Called Sodom in Rev 11:8} because she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem that is ABOVE is free, and she is our mother." {THE *NEW* JERUSALEM}
