In this week’s study, I continue in Chapter 11 verses 3-4. Keep in mind that at this point in time we are in the 6th trumpet, 5th seal, as we have learned in a prior study that the 6th seal, 7th trumpet and 7th vial all show the same events, Earthquakes, sun black, moon blood, stars fall, mountains islands move, Yahweh Wrath, great voices, lightings voices thunders and great hail.
In verses 3-14 we have the account of the Two Witnesses, one of the most serious and mysterious scenes of the whole Apocalypse. It is the test of all interpretations, and one over which many make shipwreck. The particulars of the mission of these Two Witnesses are given with great detail.
Now between the sounding of the 6th and 7th trumpets there is another pause (10:1-11:14). Just as there was an interlude before the breaking of the 7th seal, so now there is an interlude before the sounding of the 7th trumpet (11:15). This vision, however, differs from the message of consolation and assurance introduced between the breaking of the 6th and 7th seals. That emphasized the safety and the glory of the persecuted people of Yahweh; the message describes the mingling of the sweet and the bitter. It speaks of persecution and tribulation, but also of loyalty and devotion.
3. I will give power = The word “power” IS NOT in the original Greek manuscripts, so that “give” must mean “give commission,” or some such word.
my two witnesses = Greek, “the two witnesses of me.” The article implies that the two were well known at least to John.
prophesy = preach under the inspiration of the Spirit, denouncing judgments against the apostate. They are described by symbol as “the two olive trees” and “the two candlesticks,” or lamp-stands, “standing before the Yahweh of the earth.”
a thousand two hundred and threescore days = note not months but days! Do you see the difference? Days are solar. Solar is of the light. Therefore these two witnesses are from Yahweh.
in sackcloth = the garment of prophets, The sackcloth of the witnesses is a catchword linking this episode under the sixth trumpet, with the sun black as sackcloth (in righteous retribution on the apostates who rejected Yahweh’s witnesses) under the sixth seal (Chapter 6:12).
4. are = “represent” These are represented by the two olive-trees, or these are what are symbolized by the two olive-trees.
Olive = take note of the Greek name for olive, ‘elaia’ ‘el-ah'-yah’. Do you see something interesting within the spelling of the name? We have the 3 different names of Yah! ‘el’ = Elohim [as Creator]; ‘ah’ = Yah [Yah is Yahweh I a special sense and relation. Yahweh as having BECOME our Salvation, He Who IS and WAS, and IS TO COME]; ‘yah’ = Yahweh [While Elohim is the Creator of all things; Yahweh is the same, but in a covenant relation to those whom He has created].
Don’t end up like those in Hosea 4:6 ‘My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God (Elohim), I will also forget thy children.’
But, be like those in 2Timothy 2:15 ‘Study to shew thyself approved unto God (Yahweh), a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.’
Join me as we go Chapter by Chapter, Verse by Verse, Unraveling the Words of Yahweh!
Have any questions? Feel free to email me at keitner@netzero.net
