Murdered
During the first half of the seven years of the Tribulation, the Lord will authorize the two witnesses to prophecy. They will be given twelve hundred and sixty days, or three and one-half years, to warn society of coming judgment. With the Bride of Christ now in heaven, it will be their mission to testify to the work and redemption of the Messiah Jesus Christ to Israel in particular and to the rest of humanity in general. From their prophetic work will arise the 144,000 Jewish men who will harvest a multitude of believers from the nations.
Their mere presence will be a constant source of trouble for those who reject God. As Noah’s display of faith in building the Ark at God’s direction condemned the world in anticipation of the judgment poured out upon it, the faith of the two prophets will condemn those who mock their message. Thus, when the Antichrist kills them, the world will rejoice.
In fact, they will party.
When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
– Revelation 11:7-10
The great city is Jerusalem. Through the wonder of the television and internet, the whole world will watch with glee as the bodies of the two witnesses lie dead in the street. People will exchange gifts in celebration of the death of the prophets of God. Left behind, however, will be a multitude of worldwide believers redeemed through their ministry, suffering under the hand of the beast and eagerly awaiting the return of the true Messiah.
The Breath of life
But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them. And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them. And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
– Revelation 11:11-13
The two witnesses will be brought back to life and taken up to heaven in a very public resurrection, followed by an earthquake so massive it will destroy a tenth of Jerusalem. Seven thousand people will die in this quake. Scriptures tell us those living in Jerusalem who survive will be terrified and turn to God.
Coming next week: What Is the Abomination of Desolation? – Behind Blood Falls
This weekly series follows the story line of the Christian thriller Blood Falls. Each episode occurs in chronological order, giving context, perspective, and Biblical foundation for the novel. Discover the true stories and incredible facts behind the book! See the entire series here: https://cmaddict.com/tag/behind-blood-falls/
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