Fire breathing prophets, two Olive Trees, The Beast that arises from the abyss, and a global dance party... wow, what else can we find in Revelation Chapter 11?! No wonder scholars declare this chapter to be one of the most important and complex chapters in Revelations!
So how about we approach this chapter as if we are going to see a play. The drama of Revelations Chapter 11 has only a few main characters who appear on this stage.
Act 1 provides the two witnesses -who resemble Moses and Elijah. They testify about the power of Christ until God deems that their time is up. Some assume that these two witnesses are meant to describe The Church; while others believe that they are two literal figures who are yet to appear.
Act 2 introduces us to The Beast, who stands in opposition to God. The Beast kills the two witnesses and leaves their bodies out in the open. A global party occurs, with people celebrating the death of the two witnesses. Universally seen as The Antichrist, the Beast appears again in Chapter 13.
Act 3 unexpectedly tells us that the two witnesses are brought back to life and ascend into heaven. This amazing twist of fate is accompanied by a disastrous earthquake which causes people to turn to God.
What does this all mean? If we believe that the two witnesses describe The Church then we can see that this is a play that shows the unfolding drama of God's Plan for the World. God's people will testify about Him, they will do so with power and great effort. However Evil will win; at least evil appears to win. In the end God will vindicate and rescue His followers.
This drama of obedience, followed by suffering, and concluded by God's vindication... is the Story of Jesus, is the Story of His Church, and is the Story of His Followers! This complex play informs us that we too must be obedient and will suffer, but that ultimately God will vindicate us. God did this with Jesus, He's done this to His Church, and He will do this with each one of us!
6 comments:
I do not mean to sound disrespectful, but at this point I cannot help but ask, why is God being so cryptic? The parables are difficult enough, sometimes, but this book is like out of the twilight zone! God wants us to know something, that is obvious, but why make it so hard to figure out?
I know, for me, when I have to really work to understand something I am more likely to remember it. Since God's Word can be not only criptic, but at times abstract it seems to spark more discussion and interaction among those who are delving into God's Word.
I know that while I always try to glean knowledge from the bible, I seem to be able to retain those things that challenge me to really think and study.
Thanks, Christine. That is a take on it I had not considered but, you are so right. I really have been remembering these chapter studies for that very reason!
Jenny, God can take your questions! Your question of 'why are things written like this,' is a great question!
I think that we do see a theme of God using analogies and different images to describe a greater reality. Jesus often spoke in parables 'I'm the vine and you are the branches.' He could have talked about the need for us to stay connected to him; but by using images and parables -his truths sticks even more so in our hearts and minds.
Revelation is apocalyptic literature; meaning it is a wholly unique genre of writing style. Chapter 11 is confusing and complex, but if we can take a step back from the details, we see a God at work in and through His people.
A good friend reminded me of something regarding the "mysteries" of the bible.
While even satan has access to God's word, we have something that he does not. We have the blessing of the Holy Spirit to reveal the true meanings that are within!
Of course, when writing Revelation, John could only interpret what he saw using images he could relate to. What he saw as locusts that looked like horses with gold crowns and human faces and lions' teeth, might be something that really exists in that form when the tribulation actually happens. Imagine how John might have described a nuclear explosion or a helicopter! All the things that he describes might be completely different in the light of new technology.
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