Daily Thought

Verses 1 to 13 complete the second parenthesis; then the sequence of judgements continues with the sounding of the seventh trumpet, which is the third woe. First, the mighty angel of chapter 10 gave John a measuring reed to lay claim to the inner sanctuary of the temple, which will be rebuilt in Jerusalem before the mid-point of the tribulation, cp. Matt. 24. 15-18, 2 Thess. 2. 3, 4. God will still have a faithful remnant of believers there even then. But the outer temple court was not measured, because it will be dominated by the Gentiles for a further 42 months, the second half of the tribulation.

Then we are told of God’s two special witnesses whom He will empower to prophesy for Him in Jerusalem for 1260 days, probably during the first half of the tribulation rather than the second half, although commentators differ here. They will minister in the spirit and power of Moses and Elijah, performing great miracles against their enemies. However, their precise identity is unclear. They are the future fulfilment of the two olive trees and lampstands of Zechariah chapter 4 verse 11, the channels through whom God will sustain the spiritual life and witness of His people Israel, as Zerubbabel and Joshua did at the return from the Babylonian Exile. When their witness is completed, and not before, the Beast of chapter 13 will be allowed to kill them. The whole world will rejoice over their unburied bodies, something quite possible today technologically. But after three and a half days God will resurrect and rapture them to heaven with a shout of triumph. Then the world’s rejoicing will turn to terror as a great earthquake kills 7000 people in Jerusalem. Its survivors will give glory to God.

In verse 15 heavenly voices announce that ‘the kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ’ (RV). God is intervening to reassert His rule despite the angry rebellion of men. This will be a day of wrath for unbelievers, but of rewards for all faithful believers. Finally, the temple sanctuary in heaven is opened to reveal the reassuring sight of the ark of God’s eternal covenant there. Fellow-believer, final victory is assured in spite of present appearances!