Author: jdwvaw2

So, how will we recognize these two witnesses beyond any doubt as the legitimate prophets of Revelation 11 sent by God ? We must always keep in mind that deception is the order of the day, and false prophets are and will be everywhere. Jesus said ; “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many” (Matthew 24:11). We need to be absolutely sure they are the ones, because God’s people will be hanging onto every word they speak. The wisdom, information, direction, and testimony they provide will be critical to how we conduct ourselves during this time.

It’s likely that they will both be Jewish men, as Elijah and John were both Jews, although they probably won’t go by those names. I don’t think the one akin to Elijah will want to be called Elijah the Tishbite. I also don’t think the one akin to John will call himself John son of Zebedee. We simply do not know at this time their names or if or how they they will interact with the names Elijah and John. They will be somewhat recognizable by their clothing. Verse three says they will be clothed in “sackcloth”. Sackcloth or camel’s hair was the humble dress associated with someone mourning, fasting, or in extended prayer. OT prophets often dressed this way so that they would be recognizable in public, as did Elijah and, in the NT, John the Baptist. Our nearest modern equivalent is probably burlap – gunny sacks. At any rate, we can expect these two to be dressed humbly, and perhaps ragged -certainly not in $5000 suits and big hair like modern TV evangelists masquerading as prophets. While Elijah’s origin will likely be Israel, John’s might not be. Remember, he spent a large part of, and his final ministry in Turkey. It’s possible he might hail from the area of the seven churches Revelation was written to. We do know for certain where they will end up; preaching together in Jerusalem. The earlier phases of their 42 month ministry may not be together or in Jerusalem, although they will certainly be aware of and compliment each others ministry. In fact, this may be one way of identification, they will acknowledge each other as genuine.

What will be difficult for imposters to duplicate will be their miraculous powers. If any try to derail their ministry, they will be destroyed by fire from their mouths (verse 5). In other words, they will merely speak destruction, and it will happen. They won’t need weapons or outside help to keep their enemies at bay. Their word will be sufficient. Nothing, and I mean nothing, will stop their ministry until they are finished. They will also have power over nature, with the ability to cause drought in the land (like Elijah) and cause various plagues to occur, and turn water into blood (like Moses) (verse 6). I think that even we in the US, a far off land, will be daily informed of their activities. It will be impossible even for a hostile media to ignore their actions. Imagine two prophets speaking death to their enemies, with no entity able to arrest them or stop their ministry.

The surest way for us to confirm their legitimacy will be to test their prophecy. “The prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die……when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing the Lord has not spoken.” (Deuteronomy 18:20, 22) If these men prophecy even one single thing that does not come to pass, we’ll know they are false. Over the three and one half year period of their prophesying, we will have many opportunities to verify their accuracy. Although they will bring some new revelation, we also, of necessity, must hold up all the words they speak to the bible . They will not speak anything contrary to the holy scriptures. If they do, they are false. God will not contradict himself. That is why we must strive to be competent in our handling of all of the scriptures, not just eschatology. This will be a tough and confusing time for the biblically illiterate. Finally, let me emphasize that we must rely on the one God sent to lead us into all truth, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will not fail us. And, I think, as the ministry of these two witnesses progresses, we’ll find wholesale agreement amongst our spirit filled brothers and sisters about the identity of these two prophets. In the next blog, I’ll discuss just what their ministry will consist of, which will also help to identify them.

In the previous blog, I concluded that one of the two witnesses of Revelation chapter 11 was a man of the Lords choosing who will come in the “spirit and power” of the OT prophet Elijah, fulfilling prophecies by Malachi and Jesus. In this blog, I’ll address the second witness.

In Revelation chapter 10, just preceding the account of the two witnesses, the apostle John tells of a mighty angel who appeared with an open book in his hand crying out in a loud voice. When he cried out “seven thunders” uttered their voices. The apostle was about to write what he was hearing when a voice from heaven said to him: “Seal up what the seven thunders uttered and do not write them down” (Revelation 10:4). The angel then tells John about the culmination of the great tribulation, how the mystery of God would be finished with the sounding of the seventh trumpet. Then the voice from heaven spoke again to John: “Go take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel…..Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth” (Revelation 10:8-10). This John did, and the angel said further : “You must prophecy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings” (Revelation 10:11). Following right after this verse comes chapter 11 about the two witnesses. As there are no chapter breaks in the original manuscript of Revelation, these chapters should be read as a continuous text. The instruction given to John to eat the book, which would go down easy, but would later upset his stomach causing him to vomit it up is a metaphor for taking in the words of God and the subsequent urgency to speak them out as prophecy. The identical thing happened to Ezekiel, where he was to eat a scroll and later prophecy its contents. You can read this in Ezekiel 2:7 -3:4. The important thing to notice here is that John was to take in this information in the little book and what the seven thunders said and, at some point in the future, “prophecy again” about these things. John was an old man at this point, somewhere in his 90’s, and though he completed the book of Revelation, the time has not come when he “must” prophecy of these things. As this definitely has not happened yet, only one conclusion can be reached. The apostle John will be one of the two witnesses along with Elijah and will reveal what the little book contained and what the seven thunders spoke. This will probably occur during the first half of Daniel’s 70th week. The apostle John is a good fit for this 2nd witness both scripturally and logically. John is the lone man God chose to reveal the greatest treasure of knowledge about he end times to the church, the book of Revelation. Also, logically, Johns directive that he must prophesy again flows right into the description of the two witnesses in chapter 11.

As I stated in the previous blog about Elijah, It’s my opinion that this witness will not be the actual apostle John resurrected, but a man chosen by God to minister in the “spirit and power” of John. Again, John the Baptist is the prototype. In subsequent blogs I’ll simply call these two witnesses Elijah and John, but you will know what I mean. In the blogs that follow I’ll discuss the nature of their ministry and how we are to positively recognize them.

In the last post I established the fact that these two witnesses of God described in Revelation chapter 11 are real male prophets that we must be watching for in the near future, as they will provide information we must have in order to navigate these last days. In this post, I’ll begin to establish who they are based on biblical sources. Let’s take them one at a time.

The vast majority of prophecy students and teachers agree that one of them is the Old Testament prophet Elijah. Or, at least, a man anointed with the similar spirit and power of Elijah. I agree. Orthodox Jews are unified in their expectation that Elijah will come just prior to the Messiah as prophesied in Malachi. At their Passover- Seder meals they ritually set out an empty chair for Elijah. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” (Malachi 4:5) This prophecy has yet to be fulfilled. The “day of the Lord” when God will wipe wickedness off the face of the earth will not happen until the end of the great tribulation. Of course, this implies that Elijah has not come yet, as well. In the scriptures, their is no other descriptive vehicle for Elijah’s coming than the two witnesses. If he is not one of them, there is no scenario presented in all new testament prophecy, where his coming is described. At this point, you may be thinking; didn’t John the Baptist fulfill this prophecy with his ministry as Jesus’ forerunner ? When asked if he was the Elijah who is to come, John flatly denied that he was. “And they asked him ‘what then ? Are you Elijah’. He said ‘I am not.’ ” (John 1:21) Jesus, however seemingly contradicted this when he said about John; “And if you are willing to receive it, he is the Elijah who is to come.” (Matthew 11:14) Luke clears up this apparent contradiction when recording what the angel told Johns father about his son; “He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah.” (Luke 1:17) Notice, he is not the Elijah, but goes in the “spirit and power of Elijah”. Jesus added this about Malachi’s prophecy after His transfiguration; “Indeed , Elijah is coming first and will restore all things.” (Matthew 17:11) Note the future tense. In essence, then, what Jesus taught is that John did fill part of the Elijah prophecy in his role as forerunner of Messiah’s first coming, but accomplished this through the spirit and power of Elijah. Elijah is also yet to come and “restore all things” just prior to the day of the Lord. More on what is meant by “restore all things” in a later post. It’s very important to understand this facet of his ministry. Some other characteristics that help identify this witness as Elijah are the fact that he can call down fire from heaven to vanquish their enemies and cause a drought on the land much like the OT Elijah. (verses 5&6)

I’m going to make an important observation here that reflects my opinion based on the scriptures. This witness will not be a resurrected Elijah, but a man of God’s choosing anointed by God to fulfill prophecy, who will function in the spirit and power of Elijah much like John the Baptist. John is the biblical prototype. Although there are many resurrections described in the bible, no individual goes on in any notable fashion in extraordinary ministry. (other than Jesus, of course). They all lived out their lives and died and are awaiting resurrection to judgment. I believe this includes Elijah. Considering this late date in end-time bible chronology, I believe the man God has chosen is already in preparation for his future ministry, though he may not realize this as yet. This will also be true of the second witness who I will discuss in the next blog.

This series of blogs will deal with the two witnesses described by the messenger of God (Jesus) to the apostle John in Revelation chapter 11. I’ll try to answer the what , who, why, where, and how questions that you may have about this chapter. In preparation, and before you read here any further, read the entire chapter and then also read Zechariah chapter 4. In this blog, I’ll address the what question and why we need to be as knowledgeable as possible about these two witnesses.

Prophecy teachers are not in general agreement about who and what these witnesses are. Typical theories revolve around resurrected OT saints such as Enoch and Elijah or Elijah and Moses, or, metaphors for Judaism and Christianity. While this type of speculation may be interesting, let’s try not to go beyond what’s written. First of all, they are men . Notice in verses 7 & 8 that when they are killed, their bodies lie in the street. Only real men have bodies and can be killed. It’s also stated in verse 10 that these men are prophets. Prophets are men that speak God’s messages to His people. In these final days before Jesus’ return we will absolutely need to know God’s mind and follow closely what these men have to say.

Here’s why we need to know everything about these men now, in our day. Quite simply, the appearance of these two prophets may be the next fully discernible event in the end-time calendar leading up to the kingdom. Notice that in verse 13, after their ministry is completed, several events have yet to take place before Jesus returns. A great earthquake (2nd woe), 3rd woe, 7th trumpet, etc. Since their ministry is 42 months (1260 days), (verses 2 &3), it is implied that their ministry begins before the antichrist is fully visible by setting up the AOD on the temple mount. In fact, I think it’s possible that the two witnesses start their ministry at the beginning of the 70th week, with their death three and one half years later at the midpoint of the tribulation. Here’s why; “When they finish their testimony, the beast that is coming out of the abyss will make war with them, overcome them, and kill them.” (Rev. 11:7) (Youngs Literal Translation) This beast comes out of the abyss when Satan is cast out of heaven, and unlocks this bottomless pit releasing the “destroyer”. This destroyer, called Abaddon or Apollyon (Hebrew and Greek) is the demon who takes possession of the antichrist. All this takes place mid-tribulation, placing the two witnesses 42 month ministry during the first half of the 70th week. This means that the two witnesses could be on the scene very early related to other end time events.

So, this begs the questions ; How are we to recognize them ? Who are they ? What will they be prophesying ? Where will they be prophesying from ? In the blogs that follow, I’ll answer these questions. It’s extremely important for us know these answers. Much of God’s guidance for us during the coming tribulation will probably come through these two prophets.

I’ve heard and read many bible teachers speak of the coming great revival that will sweep Christianity just prior to Jesus’ return. But, in fact, the bible teaches just the opposite. While there will no doubt be pockets of Christian awakening with the realization that end-time events are truly happening in our time as prophesied, the apostle Paul and Jesus specifically taught otherwise. Paul said this in his second letter to the Thessalonians; “Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him…….Let no one deceive you by any means; for that day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed…..” (2 Thess. 2:1,3) The Greek word Paul used here translated as falling away is apostasia meaning defection from the truth. Notice that this apostacy is tied to deception and the “man of sin”, the antichrist. Paul goes on in the rest of the chapter revealing how lawlessness will abound once the antichrist is no longer restrained during “his time”.

Jesus said this in Matthew’s gospel when addressing last days tribulation; “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many, And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12) IMO, this is one of the most sobering verses in the whole bible. The word Jesus used for love is agape, which means the God kind of love, sacrificial love, that can only be possessed by Christians who are truly born again. Also the word for many is polus which is better translated as mostly or largely. Using these definitions, here’s what Jesus likely said; ‘Due to deception, lawlessness will abound, leading most Christians to abandon their faith’. This is truly staggering ! Think about the implications of this. If you are discerning enough to recognize these deceptions and avoid this lawlessness, it is likely that Christian friends, relatives, and even family members will not be. The only way you can be sure to avoid this coming deception is to stay in the Word, hang on to Jesus, make yourself ready in every sense for what’s coming, and, as Jesus said, endure to the end. Don’t think for a minute that this will be easy. There’s a lot coming ahead for us before the Kingdom arrives. Keep watching and pray always that you’re accounted as worthy to be a citizen of His Kingdom.

A recent video was brought to my attention that does a good job of describing what in the world is going on in our country with things like critical race theory and how Christianity is being impacted. It’s a bit long, but after you’ve watched it I guarantee you’ll better understand the social and political upheaval taking place in our world. Set aside an hour to watch Pastor Baucham’s presentation here: Biblical Justice vs. Social Justice | Voddie Baucham – YouTube

I’m sure most of you have heard the teaching that Enoch and Elijah were translated (raptured) by God to heaven before they died. This is purported as the reason they will be the “Two Witnesses” of Revelation chapter 11. But, is that really what the bible says happened to them ? Let’s check Enoch first.

The book of Genesis records : “After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” (Genesis 5: 22-24) Paul adds this in Hebrews; “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” (Hebrews 11:5) First, consider that the text does not indicate where God took him. Heaven is merely an assumption by many teachers. Also, the text does not say that he never died, only that he didn’t “see death“. It appears that God took him before the earth was corrupted by the sons of God (righteous line of Seth) cohabiting with the daughters of men (line of Cain), perhaps protecting him from the resulting chaos that ended with a flood. So , where did God take him ? We can only speculate, as the bible does not say. Eden maybe ? At any rate, the bible clearly says this “….it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment…”(Hebrews 9:27) Hebrews also indicates that Enoch did indeed die. After a listing of OT heroes of faith including Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, etc. it is thus stated “These all died in faith, not having received the promises...” (Hebrews 11:13). “All”, by necessity includes Enoch.

Lets take a look at Elijah. When Elisha took over the mantle of his mentor Elijah the prophet this occurred : “Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” (2 Kings 2:11) The Hebrew word translated here as heaven simply means sky. Elisha watched Elijah carried off into the sky. So, the question remains – where was Elijah taken ? It’s evident that he did not remain in the sky. Other sons of the prophets who were watching from a distance suggested this to Elisha; “….Look now , there are fifty strong men with your servants. Please let them go and search for your master, lest perhaps the Spirit of the Lord has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley….and they searched for three days but did not find him.” (2Kings 2:16-17) Certainly, the same law that applies to all of us also applies here; “It is appointed for men to die once..” While this seems to present an enigma, a later scripture brings clarity. Years later, after Elijah was taken, when Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat was king in Judah: “And a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet, saying….” (2Chronicles 21:12) Jehoram got a letter from Elijah criticizing his ungodly reign describing things Elijah could only have known about lest he was still alive on the earth. Commentators struggle with this verse stating things like- ‘this must be a scribal error where Elisha was meant’. IMO, God simply relocated Elijah according to His plan.

Interestingly, the New Testament records a similar relocation incident where Philip was instantly transported to Azotus after baptizing an Ethiopian eunuch on the road to Gaza. The account can be read in Acts 8:26-40. In summary, the teaching that Enoch and Elijah did not die but were raptured to heaven where God dwells is mere speculation. As for whether Enoch and Elijah might be the two Witnesses of Revelation, I’ll discuss this in an upcoming blog.

Listed below are some random New Testament quotes concerning conditions existing in our world just prior to Jesus’ return. I won’t comment, as I think they speak for themselves. Do you recognize any of these as ongoing in our time ?

Peter: “Beloved, I now write to you in this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first; that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts.….” (2Peter 3:1-3)

Jude: “But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.” (Jude 1:17-19)

Paul: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron….” (1Timothy 4:1-2) “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure, rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people, turn away!” (2Timothy 3:1-5)

Jesus: “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 24: 10-13)

I feel it necessary to address the confusion in Christian circles about the account of the “Nephilim” or “giants” of Genesis chapter six, supposedly the result of the “sons of God (angels)” procreating with “daughters of men” resulting in human – angel hybrids. These evil hybrids then became the primary reason God had to destroy the world with Noah’s flood. In the reasoning of some, support for this view is found in Jude 6, 2Peter 2:4-5, and the spurious “Book of Enoch”. This book of Enoch was not written by Enoch, the seventh from Adam mentioned by Peter, but by unidentified Jewish mystics two centuries before Christ. It was held in high regard by the Essene sect known for the preservation of the dead sea scrolls. The real Enoch of Genesis never wrote anything, the Hebrew language not even in existence till Moses. The fact that this book of Enoch quotes what was most likely handed down by oral tradition from the actual Enoch does not give any credence to the book. All sorts of weird ideas come from this book, such as aliens from space, a flat earth, giants thousands of feet tall, etc.

The word Nephilim simply means in Hebrew tyrants or evil rulers of renown. The major mistake exegetes make when studying Genesis 6 is to identify “sons of God” as angels. The sons of God here can be more accurately defined as describing the line of Seth as opposed to the evil line of Cain. From the righteous line of Seth came Noah on down through Jesus. The apostle John states this clearly speaking of the current heirs of Christ ; “In this the children (sons) of God and the children of the devil are manifest……. not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. ” (1John 3: 10-12). Make no mistake, the earths inhabitants were destroyed in the flood due solely to the actions of men, not angels. (Genesis 6:5-8) Besides, angels do not procreate and reproduce. (Mark 12:25) Do not be drawn in to this fornicating angels theory which proponents indicate will have an effect on end time events. The apostle Paul had this to say; “Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility, and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.” (Colossians 2:18) Worship of angels is what the Essenes used the book of Enoch for.

I cannot do justice to a full discussion of this issue here in a blog, but I will link to a very comprehensive and thorough treatment of this topic. It is long, but contains all the detail to answer any questions you may have. If you encounter others with questions about angels fornicating with humans, you should refer them to this article. I’ll post a permanent link below so you can find a future reference. The Sons of God & Daughters of Men (4windsfellowships.net)

“Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week….” (Daniel 9:27). This verse of scripture marks the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week, also known as the time of Jacobs trouble and the seven year tribulation. This seven year period ends the reign of human government on earth, concluding with the return of Jesus Christ and the setting up of His kingdom. So, if we can understand what this verse is telling us, we can ascertain, when it happens, where we are on God’s prophetic timeline.

Let’s look closely at this verse. “Then” indicates the time after the 2000 year desolation of Israel, in particular, Jerusalem. “He” indicates the antichrist. “Confirm” means to acknowledge or enable, strengthened by an outside power. “Covenant” means an arrangement or compact usually sealed by blood or passing between two pieces of cut flesh. “Many” means a significant number of individuals or nations. “Week” means seven years. Using these definitions, this verse could be phrased thusly; After Israel’s desolation is completed, the antichrist will enable and strengthen God’s covenant with Israel and many surrounding nations for a seven year period. Note that I named Israel as she is implied here, but not named directly. The key word here is covenant. But, what covenant ? Many prophecy analysts determine this as simply a peace treaty between Israel and many other signatories. IMO, possible, but not likely. Biblical history reveals five major covenants God has made with His people. They are; Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and New covenants. Some bible analysts think that the Abrahamic covenant is meant here and the ” treaty” will guarantee Israel’s right to the land as that is what was included in God’s covenant with Abraham. Again; possible, but not likely IMO. The one covenant that fits like a glove is the Mosaic. Israel, at this specific time will necessarily need cooperation and approval to reinstate the priesthood, have a temple rebuilt, or at least a sacrificial altar present on the temple mount, and to resume daily and weekly animal sacrifices. All these are part of Mosaic law given by God to Israel through Moses. Note that in the next part of the verse: “But in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering….”(Daniel 9:27). In order for the antichrist to end the sacrifices and offerings, they must have been reinstituted and a functioning priesthood must be in place. Israel’s part in the Mosaic covenant will be not only tolerated, but strengthened by the antichrist, but only for 3.5 years. Then his tune will change, completely, and the great tribulation will begin. His wrath against Israel and Christians will be poured out viciously. If we haven’t figured out who the antichrist is by that time, we will know for certain when he declares himself the sole object of worship from the temple mount.

When we see a charismatic ME leader successful in building a ten nation coalition give his support to Israel for their religious endeavors and exert his influence to encourage many others to do so as well, check him out, he just may be the antichrist. Especially if he officially confirms this with the many. We will then know that the seventieth week has started. Prophetic scripture contains many other detailed characteristics of this antichrist figure that will help us to recognize him, such as the number of his name (Rev. 13:18). I firmly believe this confirmation of the Mosaic covenant will happen within the next decade. Keep your heads lifted up and keep watching.