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Revelation
Chapter Eleven
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Two Witnesses and the Sounding of the
Seventh Trumpet
I. The two witnesses (v.1-14):
A.
John was asked to measure the
B. The
two witnesses will
prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days (v.3-6)
C.
Afterwards they will be killed by the beast that ascends out of the bottomless
pit and their bodies will lie three-and-a-half days (v.7-10)
D. The
two witnesses rise and ascend to heaven and a tenth of the city fell because of
the great earthquake (v.11-14)
II. Sounding the seventh trumpet (v.15-19):
A.
Sounding the seventh trumpet and Christ shall receive the kingdom and reign
(v.15-17)
B. The
time of the judgment of wrath has come (v.18)
C. The
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Rev. 11:1 “Then I was given a reed
like a measuring rod. And the angel stood
saying
‘Rise
and measure the temple of God
the altar
and those who worship there.”
YLT: “And there was given
to me a reed like to a rod
and the messenger stood
saying
`Rise
and measure
the sanctuary of God
and the altar
and those worshipping in it;”
Meaning of Words: “reed”: bulrush;
“measuring”: there is not this word in the original; “temple”: oracle
sanctuary; “altar”: the place to offer sacrifice; “worship”: prostrate oneself
in homage; “measure”: estimate
survey.
Spiritual Meaning: “Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod.” “A reed” is used for measurement (See
21:15-16). It means that the things that have been measured are separated to be
protected (Num. 35:2
5; Ezek. 42:15
20; 45:1-3; 48:8
12
15). “Rod” implies
punishment (Ps. 89:32; Prov. 10:13; Is. 10:5; 11:4). “A reed like a measuring
rod” symbolizes that God intended to separate and protect His people with the
spiritual reality through judging and punishing the external holy city and the
temple.
“And
the angel stood
saying
‘Rise and measure the temple
of God
the altar
and those who worship there.” “The
The things mentioned in this chapter were the
latter half of a week which was predicted by Daniel (See Dan. 9:27)
i.e. the
things that shall happen in the last three and a half years. At that time
the
anti-Christ will break the agreement
blaspheme God and persecute the people of
God (See 13:5-7; Dan. 7:25; 12:7). However
God will keep all His people who
truly fear Him.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “Reed” is fragile and easy to be broken
however
it can be used by God as the standard of measurement. Persons and
things that are despised in the church can be used by God to show who is of
Him.
2) Everything of God has its measurement and no one
can tread the bounds that God has kept (See v.2).
Rev. 11:2 “But leave out the court
which is outside the temple
and do not measure it
for it has been given to
the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.”
YLT: “and the court that
is without the sanctuary leave out
and thou mayest not measure it
because it
was given to the nations
and the holy city they shall tread down forty-two
months;”
Meaning of Words: “court”: outer
court; “leave out”: send away
cast
throw out; “the Gentiles”: the nations;
“tread”: trample.
Spiritual Meaning: “But leave out the court which is outside the
temple
and do not measure it
” “the court which
is outside the temple” refers to the outer court and it symbolizes God’s
earthly people. “Leave out” refers to being not in the range of protection.
“For
it has been given to the Gentiles”
symbolizes it shall suffer the persecution from the Gentiles.
“And
they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.” “The holy city” refers to
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) God do not like those who seem to be of Him
apparently but love others actually. Many people honor God with their lips
however
their hearts are removed far from Him and they are not listed among
those who are protected by God.
2) In order to manifest God’s true witnesses
God
would rather let the holy city be trod underfoot by the Gentiles who do not
know God. The time that the trend of the world sweeps away the church is also
the opportunity for those who love the Lord from their pure hearts to stand for
Him.
Rev. 11:3 “And I will give power to
my two witnesses
and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty
days
clothed in sackcloth.’”
YLT: “and I will give to
My two witnesses
and they shall prophesy days
a thousand
two hundred
sixty
arrayed with sackcloth;”
Meaning of Words: “witness”: the one
who bears witness (it shares the same root with “martyr” in the original);
“prophesy”: exercise
the prophetic office
foretell events; “sackcloth”: rough cloth used for making sacks.
Spiritual Meaning: “And I will give power to my two witnesses
” it implies that they had already been
prepared for this purpose. “Two” is the number of witness in the Bible. “Two
witnesses” To sum up the opinions of the Bible exegetes and find out the
reasonable suppositions
generally there are three possibilities: 1) Moses and
Elias. They were the figures who summed up the prophecies of the Old Testament
(See Mal. 4:4-6) and they appeared with the Lord Jesus in the Mount (See Matt.
17:3). 2) Enoch and Elias. Only they had not tasted the death in the Bible (See
Gen. 5:24; 2Kings. 2:11). 3) Zerubbabel and Joshua. They were related to the two
olive trees and the two lampstands (See v.4; Zech. 3:8-4:14).
“And
they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days
clothed in
sackcloth.’” “Clothed in sackcloth” it is the cloth for mourning and it
implies mourning (See 2Sam. 3:31). “Prophesy” refers to foretelling events
i.e. speaking for God. “One
thousand two hundred and sixty days”
is equal to forty-two months (See v.2)
i.e. the time of three and a half
years.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Treading forty-two months (See v.2) refers to
treading “every month”
however
prophesying one thousand two hundred
and sixty days refers to bearing
witness “every day”.
2) The important conditions for being God’s
witnesses are that: a) “two” shows that one should stand for the Lord boldly
and do not fear the opposition from the public; b) “witnesses” shows that one
should have the determination to be martyred for the Lord (the word root in the
original); c) “clothed in sackcloth” shows that one should have the same mind
with the Lord (“sackcloth” refers to mourning in the original); d) “prophesy”
shows that one should have the word of God; e) “one thousand two hundred and sixty
days” shows that one should have patience and
perseverance.
Rev. 11:4 “These are the two olive
trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.”
YLT: “these are the two
olive [trees]
and the two lamp-stands that before the God of the earth do
stand;”
Meaning of Words: “standing”: on feet
be upright; “the earth”: all the earth
the world.
Spiritual Meaning: “These are the two olive trees and the two
lampstands” “the two olive trees” olive trees are famous for their
production of oil and oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit in the Bible. The two
olive trees were called “the sons of fresh oil” (See Zech. 4:14 in the
original). And therefore the two olive trees symbolize men who are full of the
Holy Spirit. “The two lampstands” symbolizes shining for God in the world (See
Matt. 5:14-16).
“Standing
before the God of the earth” “The God of the
earth” compared to Satan the god of the world
the true God is the true Lord of
all the earth. “Standing
before the God of the earth” means that they
are those who serve the true God.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) While the Lord has not come back
believers
should make haste to take oil in our vessels (See Matt. 25:4)----being filled
by the Holy Spirit and being able to help others to have the Holy Spirit more.
2) We should also shine for the Lord on the
earth----in
the midst of this nation
among whom we shine as lights in the world
holding
forth the word of life(See Phil. 2:15-16).
Rev. 11:5 “And if anyone wants to
harm them
fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if
anyone wants to harm them
he must be killed in this manner.”
YLT: “and if any one may
will to injure them
fire doth proceed out of their mouth
and doth devour
their enemies
and if any one may will to injure them
thus it behoveth him to
be killed.”
Meaning of Words: “harm”: injure
bully
do wrong; “devour”: eat; “be killed”: put to death.
Spiritual Meaning: “And if anyone wants to harm them” “anyone” refers to men that are utilized
by Satan.
“Fire
proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies.” “Fire” refers to the fire of the Holy Spirit
because they are ones that are full of the Holy Spirit (See the note in v.4).
“And
if anyone wants to harm them
he must be killed in this manner.” “In this manner” indicates that there is
no exception.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) When the Lord comes for the second time
the
Lord Jesus will consume the lawless ones with the breath of His mouth (See
2Thess. 2:8-9).
2) The word of preachers must have the power like
“fire” which can wipe away all the passions and lusts on the negative aspect and
stir up the listeners on the positive aspect (See 2Tim. 1:6).
Rev. 11:6 “These have power to shut
heaven
so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have
power over waters to turn them to blood
and to strike the earth with all plagues
as often as they desire.”
YLT: “These have
authority to shut the heaven
that it may not rain rain in the days of their
prophecy
and authority they have over the waters to turn them to blood
and to
smite the land with every plague
as often as they may will.”
Meaning of Words: “power”: authority
making decision; “prophecy”: prophesying
prediction; “shut”: close
stop up;
“strike”: smite; “as often”: on every occasion
as often as.
Literal Meaning: “These have power” “power” refers to the power from God.
“To
shut heaven
so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy;” “To shut heaven
so that no rain falls” it is the sign which Elias had done (See
James. 5:17).
“And
they have power over waters to turn them to blood
” “have power over waters to turn them to blood” it is the sign that Moses had done (See
Exod. 7:20).
“And
to strike the earth with all plagues
as often as they desire” “As often as they desire” means that the
time and the number of times are according to their will.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) A true servant of God has the heavenly power
which can not only open the heaven but also shut the heaven----bringing men
under the heavenly control.
2) The drinkable living “waters” turn into “blood”
of death. It warns us that all the enjoyments beyond God contain the toxins of
death (See 2Kings. 4:38-41).
Rev. 11:7 “When they finish their
testimony
the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war
against them
overcome them
and kill them.”
YLT: “`And when they may
finish their testimony
the beast that is coming up out of the abyss shall make
war with them
and overcome them
and kill them
”
Meaning of Words: “finish”:
accomplish
complete; “overcome”: conquer
get the victory.
Literal Meaning: “When they finish their testimony
” refers to at the expiration of one thousand two hundred
and sixty days (See v.3).
“The
beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit” refers to “Abaddon” the beast of the bottomless pit which is also
called “Apollyon” (See 9:11).
“Will
make war against them
overcome them
and kill them.” God temporarily allowed the enemy to overcome and
kill them for His predestinated plan
just like the time the Lord Jesus was in
the world.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Apparently
the beast had overcome and killed
them
but actually they were called to heaven after they had “finished their
testimony” (See v.12).
2) To Christians
death is not frightful (See Matt.
10:28; Heb. 2:15) because it is not our termination and contrarily
it gives us
a new beginning (See 1Cor. 15:36).
Rev. 11:8 “And their dead bodies
will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called
YLT: “and their dead
bodies [are] upon the broad-place of the great city (that is called spiritually
Meaning of Words: “body”: corpse;
“spiritually”: divinely; “
Literal Meaning: “And their dead bodies will lie in the street of
the great city” “The great city”
refers to the city of
“Which
spiritually is called
“Where
also our Lord was crucified” “Where our Lord
was crucified” refers to Golgotha outside of the city of
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The holy city was formerly the place of the
dwelling and dealing of God’s people
however
it became
2) When a church begins to tolerate sins such as
homosexuality (Sodom)
brings in many ways and customs of the world (Egypt) and
abandons the truth of the cross----crucifying to herself the Son of God afresh
and putting Him to an open shame (See Heb. 6:6)
this church changes into
having a name that she lives and is dead (See Rev. 3:1).
Rev. 11:9 “Then those from the
peoples
tribes
tongues
and nations will see their dead bodies
three-and-a-half days
and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.”
YLT: “and they shall
behold -- they of the peoples
and tribes
and tongues
and nations -- their
dead bodies three days and a half
and their dead bodies they shall not suffer
to be put into tombs
”
Meaning of Words: “people”: race;
“tribe”: breed; “tongue”: dialect; “nation”: country; “see”: behold
observe.
Literal Meaning: “from the peoples
tribes
tongues
and nations” refers to the whole world.
“Then
those will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days
” “then those will see” the modern television
proves that in various kinds of demarcations in the whole world
men can see
it. Some Bible exegetes held that at that time representatives from various
kinds of sources and classes would be sent to the holy city to cerebrate and
watch it. “Three-and-a-half days” is between three days and four days. The Lord
was raised up and did not see corruption in three days (See John. 2:19; Acts.
2:30-31). Lazarus stank after four days (See John. 11:17
19).
“And
not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.” it means that men bitterly hated the two
witnesses.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord said that blessed are you when men hate you
and when they exclude you
and
revile you
and cast out your name as evil
for
the Son of Man's sake. And woe to you when all men
speak well of you (See Luke. 6:22
26).
2) Laying bodies and whipping bodies are the
inhuman cruel behavior. Today in the church
some preachers are keen on
whipping bodies----preaching and writing books to attack dead ones (it refers
to the personal attack instead of the defense of the truth). Their behavior is
almost the same as that of unbelieving Gentiles.
Rev. 11:10 “And those who dwell on
the earth will rejoice over them
make merry
and send gifts to one another
because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.”
YLT: “and those dwelling
upon the land shall rejoice over them
and shall make merry
and gifts they
shall send to one another
because these -- the two prophets -- did torment
those dwelling upon the land.'”
Meaning of Words: “send gifts”: send
dispatch
send away; “torment”: pain
torture.
Literal Meaning: “And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice
over them
make merry
and send gifts to one another
” “those who dwell on the earth” this word is the
opposite to the sojourner and pilgrim and it refers to the unbelieving world
and believers who love the world. “Rejoice” shows that they agreed to the two
witnesses being killed from the depth of their hearts. “Sending gifts to one
another” shows that it is a great event worthy of being remembered.
“Because
these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth” “Tormented” shows that the pain they
suffered was remembered by them with gratitude constantly and forever.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The joy and pain of common people are a kind of
selfish reaction----one rejoices when things profit him and suffers pain when
things harm him. However
the motive for Christians’ joy and pain is just
contrary to it and they rejoice when suffering for the Lord (See Acts. 5:41;
1Pet. 2:19).
2) We are only sojourners and pilgrims in the world
(See 1Pet. 2:11) and therefore we should not have the same mind and idea with
those who dwell on the earth.
Rev. 11:11 “Now after the
three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them
and they stood
on their feet
and great fear fell on those who saw them.”
YLT: “And after the three
days and a half
a spirit of life from God did enter into them
and they stood
upon their feet
and great fear fell upon those beholding them
”
Meaning of Words: “breath”: spirit
breeze
blast; “great”: exceeding.
Literal Meaning: “Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of
life from God entered them
” “the
three-and-a-half days” please see the note in v.9. “The breath of life” refers
to the spirit of life.
“And
they stood on their feet
and great fear fell on those who saw them.” “Stood” refers to being raised among the
dead.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “The breath of life” from God can not only make
the dust become a living soul (See Gen. 2:7) but also make the dead be raised
up. What believers pursue today is not the knowledge and doctrine but the
spirit of life.
2) May God grant us
according to the riches of His glory
to be strengthened with might through His
Spirit “in the inner man” (See Eph. 3:16)
that we can “stand” for the
Lord.
Rev. 11:12 “And they heard a loud
voice from heaven saying to them
‘Come up here.’ And they ascended to heaven in a cloud
and their
enemies saw them.”
YLT: “and they heard a
great voice out of the heaven saying to them
`Come up hither;' and they went
up to the heaven in the cloud
and their enemies beheld them;”
Meaning of Words: “in”: above
among
at.
Literal Meaning: “And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to
them
” “a loud voice” the
two prophets (the two witnesses) heard it and probably their enemies also heard
it.
“‘Come up here.’
And they ascended to heaven in a cloud
” “here” refers to heaven. “In a cloud” it is just
like the scene that the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven after He was raised
up (See Acts. 1:9).
“And
their enemies saw them.” “Their enemies”
refers to those who dwell on the earth and rejoice over their death (See v.10).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The scene that the two witnesses were raised
among the dead and ascended into heaven proves the Lord’s crucifixion
resurrection and ascension before the eyes of the world. From the eighteenth
century
men of liberalism always denied the supernatural signs
however
they
shall see the fact which they had denied personally.
2) The resurrection and ascension of the two
witnesses also prove that the Lord shall come for the second time with a shout
with the
voice of the archangel
and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall
rise first. Then we which are alive and
remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in
the air (1Thess. 4:16-17).
Rev. 11:13 “In the same hour there
was a great earthquake
and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven
thousand people were killed
and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God
of heaven.”
YLT: “and in that hour
came a great earthquake
and the tenth of the city did fall
and killed in the
earthquake were names of men -- seven thousands
and the rest became
affrighted
and they gave glory to the God of the heaven.”
Meaning of Words: “afraid”:
affrighted
fear; “people”: names of men (it is
constituted of two words in the original); “gave”: bestow
grant.
Literal Meaning: “In the same hour there was a great earthquake
” “the same hour” refers to the time the two
witnesses ascended to heaven. “There was a great earthquake” refers to the
wrath of God (See Jer. 10:10; Joel 3:16).
“And
a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed
” “the city” refers to the city of
“And
the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.” it means that they admitted that there is
God existing in heaven while they were afraid
however
they did not repent for
their behavior.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) At the last day God shall shake not only the earth
but also heaven
until He removes
the creatures that can be shaken
that those things which cannot be shaken may remain (See Heb. 12:26-27).
2) City is the representative of man-made
construction. Today the whole world is building various kinds of constructions
and the church is also engaged in building
however
most of the constructions
are of men’s work. One day in future
all the man-made constructions shall be
shaken and destroyed and only “the kingdom which cannot be moved” shall remain (See Heb. 12:28).
Rev. 11:14 “The second woe is past.
Behold
the third woe is coming quickly.”
YLT: “The second wo did
go forth
lo
the third wo doth come quickly.”
Meaning of Words: “past”: pass away;
“quickly”: shortly
without delay.
Literal
Meaning: “The
second woe is past.” It indicates that
the woes which were brought in by the trumpet of the sixth angel (See 9:12-13)
came to an end here (See 9:13-11:13).
“Behold
the third woe is coming quickly.” It indicates that the woes which are
brought in by the trumpet of the seventh angel shall come. The woes are the
last ones during the period of the great tribulation and therefore they include
all the woes from the fifteenth verse to the realization of the kingdom of a
thousand years. And the woes of the seven bowels are also included (See 15:1;
16:1-21).
Rev. 11:15 “Then the seventh angel
sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven
saying
‘The
kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ
and He shall reign forever and ever!’”
YLT: “And the seventh
messenger did sound
and there came great voices in the heaven
saying
`The
kingdoms of the world did become [those] of our Lord and of His Christ
and he
shall reign to the ages of the ages!'”
Meaning of Words: “reign”: rule.
Literal Meaning: “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were
loud voices in heaven
saying
” “the seventh angel
sounded” the voice of the trumpet shall last until all the woes ended. “There
were loud voices in heaven” these voices began when the voice of the trumpet stopped
and therefore there was a period of time between the sounding of the trumpet
and the loud voices in heaven. The following words to the eighteenth verse all
refer to the ending brought in by the seventh trumpet and the woes brought in
by the seventh trumpet were recorded in the seven bowels of woes in the
sixteenth chapter.
“‘The
kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ
” according to the predictions in the Book
of Daniel
this case indicates that the great image was broken in pieces by a
stone and the stone became
a great mountain
and filled the whole earth (See Dan. 2:31-35; 44-45). The stone is the
kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. When the Lord comes again
He shall
judge the nations
conclude the generation of grace
bring in the generation of
the kingdom and establish the
“And
He shall reign forever and ever!’”
“He shall reign” from the beginning of the generation of kingdom
Christ shall
reign (See 20:4
6). “Forever and ever” Christ shall not only reign a thousand
years but also reign forever and ever in a new heaven and a new earth (See Is.
9:7; Dan. 2:44).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) When the last trump sounds
the dead shall be raised
incorruptible
and we (those who are
alive) shall
be changed (See 1Cor. 15:52;
1Thess. 4:16-17). Though the woes brought in by the seventh trumpet are
terrible
they also bring in the new hope to believers who love the Lord.
2) Today Satan reigns over the kingdom of the world
(See John. 14:30; 1John. 5:19) and there is unrighteousness everywhere.
However
when the Lord comes again
it will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His
Christ
the kingdom of
Christ is full of righteousness
peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (See Rom.
14:17).
Rev. 11:16 “And the twenty-four
elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped
God
”
YLT: “and the twenty and
four elders
who before God are sitting upon their thrones
did fall upon their
faces
and did bow before God
”
Meaning of Words: “fell on”: fail
fall upon.
Literal Meaning: “And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on
their thrones” “the twenty-four elders” (please see the note in 4:4).
“Fell
on their faces and worshiped God
”
“felling on their faces” refers to the humble manner of worship (See 4:10;
7:11).
Rev. 11:17 “saying: ‘We give You thanks
O Lord God Almighty
The One who is
and who was and who is to come
Because You have taken Your great power and
reigned.”
YLT: “saying
`We give
thanks to Thee
O Lord God
the Almighty
who art
and who wast
and who art
coming
because Thou hast taken Thy great power and didst reign;”
Meaning of Words: “taken”: hold
receive.
Literal Meaning: “saying: ‘O Lord God Almighty
The
One who is and who was and who is to come
” “who is to come” (See 1:4
8; 4:8). The whole
sentence probably emphasizes that the conditions of the present and the past on
the earth are different
however
He does not change yesterday and today and He
still reigns in heaven. “Lord God” indicates that He is Yahweh who takes the
full rights of the universe. “Almighty” has two meanings: 1) He is Almighty and
all existences are of Him; 2) He is El Shaddai
and all provisions are of Him.
“We
give You thanks...because You have taken Your great
power and reigned.” “Give You thanks”
the universe can return to normal because of His works. “You have taken Your great
power and reigned” indicates that He
reigned in the “realization” of the kingdom
however
He is always the king in
the “reality” of the kingdom.
Rev. 11:18 “The nations were angry
and Your wrath has come
And the time of the dead
that they should be judged
And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints
And those
who fear Your name
small and great
And should destroy those who destroy the
earth.’”
YLT: “and the nations
were angry
and Thine anger did come
and the time of the dead
to be judged
and to give the reward to Thy servants
to the prophets
and to the saints
and
to those fearing Thy name
to the small and to the great
and to destroy those
who are destroying the land.'”
Meaning of Words: “the nations”: the
Gentiles; “destroy”: corrupt.
Literal Meaning: “The nations were angry
” it indicates that the nations were resentful
about the people of
“And
Your wrath has come
” “Your wrath”
refers to the bowels of the wrath of God carried by the seven bowels (See
16:1).
“And
the time of the dead
that they should be judged
” the judgment to the dead unbelieving ones shall
be carried out before the great white throne after the kingdom of a thousand
years (See 20:11-13)
however
who shall be able to partake in the first
resurrection (See 20:5)? According to the scriptures here
probably there will
be a judgment about qualifications (See John. 5:27-29; 1Cor. 15:23).
“Your
servants the prophets and the saints
And those who fear Your name” “Your servants the prophets” refers to those who speak for God. “The saints” refers to all the faithful ones in the
generations of the New Testament and the Old Testament (See Heb. 11). “Those who fear Your name” refers to the sheep that treat God’s
children well (See Matt. 25:31-40).
“And
that You should reward
small and great
” “small and great” refers to no matter one is
respectful or lowly and it does not mean that everyone shall be rewarded. “That
You should reward” indicates that when the Lord comes again
all men of God
shall gather together before the judgment seat of Christ (See 2Cor. 5:10) and
receive judgment (See 1Pet. 4:17). And all the nations who are alive shall
gather together before the throne of Christ’s glory (See Matt. 25:31-32) and at
that time
He shall judge that who is worthy of the reward.
“And
should destroy those who destroy the earth’” “destroy” refers to ruining. “Those who destroy the earth” indicates that when the Lord comes again
all shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God (See 14:9-11) and receive the
seven bowels of the wrath of God (See 15:1
7~16:21). BABYLON THE GREAT (17
18) and those who became the meat of the great supper of the flows that fly in
the midst of heaven (See 19:17-21) are Satan and the anti-Christ and their
followers and the whole world shall be destroyed by them.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) When the time is come
the Lord shall react to
wrath with wrath and corruption with corruption. Only those who fear God and do
the will of God shall be rewarded.
2) When the Lord rewards
He treats all the people
the same regardless of smallness and greatness. When the Lord destroys
He
destroys all regardless of nobleness and lowliness.
Rev. 11:19 “Then the
YLT: “And opened was the
sanctuary of God in the heaven
and there was seen the ark of His covenant in
His sanctuary
and there did come lightnings
and voices
and thunders
and an
earthquake
and great hail.”
Meaning of Words: “temple”: oracle
the sanctuary.
Literal Meaning: “Then the
“And
the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple.” “His covenant” symbolizes God’s presence and
witness. “Was seen in His temple” shows that He is God who is faithful and
keeps the covenant----He is about to carry out the covenant that He has made.
“And
there were lightnings
noises
thunderings
an earthquake
and great hail.” These are the preludes to the judgment
that God carries out (See 8:5).
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The Two Witnesses
II. “Witnesses” (v.3): having the determination to be
martyred for the Lord
III. “Clothed
in sackcloth” (v.3):
sympathizing with the Lord
IV. “Prophesy” (v.3): speaking for God
V. “One
thousand two hundred and sixty days”
(v.3): accomplishing the work of the Lord with endurance
VI. “The
two olive trees” (v.4): being full
of the Holy Spirit
VII. “The
two lampstands” (v.4): shining for
the Lord
VIII. “Standing
before the God of the earth” (v.4): standing
before the Lord
IX. “Fire
proceeds from their mouth” (v.5): having the
power of the fire of the Holy Spirit
X. “Have
power to shut heaven” (v.6): having the
heavenly power
XI. “Have
power over waters to turn them to blood” (v.6): can expose the vanities of the worldly
enjoyment
XII. “They were killed and their dead bodies will lie in the
street three-and-a-half
days” (v.7-9): they bear about in the body the dying of Jesus
XIII. “These
two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth” (v.10): they are not welcome by the earthly men
XIV. “Being raised up” (v.11): the life of Jesus is made
manifest in their body
XV. “They
ascended to heaven in a cloud” (v.12): sitting
together in heavenly place in Christ
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Sharon Ren