2021/12/13

17. Two Witnesses

When the voice spoke to the author John commanding to prophesy again (Revelation 10:11), he was given a staff-like measuring rod and told: "Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations" (11:1-2). The word "staff" reminds us of the Apostles because of the pastor's staff. The words "temple of God and the altar" and "those who worship there" here make us recall the scenes in Acts in which they appear. In addition, the fourteen epistles of Paul, who became the apostle of the Gentiles, seem to be also implied because the voice speaking says of the court outside the temple, "[I]t is given over to the nations." These two books are taken up in this chapter again and given the authority of prophecy and testimony because some people had not given up worshipping idols, nor had they repented of their murders or their sorceries or their immorality or their thefts even after the sounding of the sixth trumpet (9:20-21). As the text says: "These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands which stand before the Lord of the earth" (11:4), the two books are personified as "two witnesses" and compared to olive trees, from which pure oil is taken, and lampstands, both of which are used to keep the light running because the experiences and teachings of those who are involved in the evangelical mission described in these books timelessly illuminate people who preach the gospel. The two books were taken to heaven like a lamp is put on a lampstand. Their foes also saw them going up to heaven (11:12). The trainees of Revelation will soon know that "their foes" mentioned here are also foes of their own. Revelation Chapter 11-12 is a bridge between the first half that injects New Testament images into the trainee's memory and the second half that settle the problem of the accidental information¹, which is also called a serpent, devil, and Satan. Those who continue to practice the daily training of Revelation will spend the rest of their lives settling it, crossing this bridge again and again.

Reference 1. This blog number 4

Maria K. M.