No More Contest Rev 10-11

No More Contest

Rev 10-11

A mighty angel that resembled Christ appeared to declare that the contest was over (10:1, 6). The angel was holding an open scroll. Earlier Christ received a scroll with seven seals to open them.  He now held an open one and asserted God’s authority on earth. The contest of satan against God’s purpose and people was over. The defeat of satan was being revealed without delay (10:5-6; 2 Peter 3:9). With Christ’s unique responsibility accomplished, he shared with John the responsibility to spread the good news.  John was told to eat the scroll. It was sweet in his mouth and bitter in the stomach. What God has stored for his people is sweet but the consequences of rejecting Christ are sorrowful. The gospel therefore has personal benefit, which comes with an awesome responsibility to share it with others (10:11). John was commissioned to prophesy to many people, nations, languages and kings. We also have received the gospel and have a mission to reach out to others (Romans 10:10-13).

The two witnesses in Revelation 11 apart from their prophetic value provide lessons on how God sends his witnesses.  Believers in Christ are God’s witnesses (Acts 1:8). When God sends witnesses:

He gives a message (11:3). Their message was one of repentance. They shared the message in humility and identified with the sinners by wearing sackcloth. They carried a message of God’s love warning people of the consequences of disobedience. Humility before God was their covering, warmth and comfort. They were identified by it.  They were not hiding with the message. The first prerequisite for being a witness is not to be ashamed (Rom. 1:16). When you are not hiding with the gospel, you have found your hiding place. The message was that the contest was over (Gen. 26:22). The same applies to believers today, our victory is granted even though we wrestle (Eph. 6, Jam. 4:7, 1 Cor. 10:1-3).

He gives power or supernatural abilities (v4, 6).  The two witnesses had power to stop rain, could turn water into blood, and such signs and wonders. The two were identified as the olive trees and lamp stands. A reminder of the lamp stand and olive trees in Zech. 4:1-4 where the lamp stands were filled automatically from the olive trees. When Zechariah was puzzled about what he was seeing. The explanation he got was that it was ‘not by power nor by might but by my Spirit’ that these things were accomplished (Zech. 4:6). Our work also as witnesses of God will only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit’s enablement (Acts 1:8). Is your lamp stand receiving automatic refilling from the heavenly olive tree? Your fire should never go out and your light never goes deem.

He gives protection from harm (11:5). Fire proceeded from their mouth against their enemies. Our enemy is not flesh and blood but satan and his demons (1 Cor. 10:1-2). When you confess God’s word as resistance to the enemies’ temptations and attacks you breath fire against them (Mat. 4:1-5, Jam. 4:7). As long as they walked in obedience to God and used the firepower in their mouth they were indestructible.

He gives grace to finish. The ministry of the two witnesses was to last three and half years.

God allowed them to finish their term despite the threats they faced. You also will finish your assignment. You are indestructible. You shall not die but live to declare the goodness of the Lord.

He Gives ‘Come back’ (11:7). Later a beast that appeared from the abyss/bottomless pit fought and killed the two witnesses when their assignment was completed. The king of the abyss called destroyer – abbadon in Hebrew and apollyon in Greek (9:11). The beast represents the incarnation of the anti Christ spirit. The priority mission of the satanic anti Christ spirit is to silence the witnesses of Christ. When the two witnesses were killed, the whole world celebrated and shared gifts.  Nevertheless, to show who was in charge God made the two witnesses to rise up and ascend to heaven in view of the whole world that was scurrying due to an earthquake. God gives comeback to his people. Come back as in the resurrection of Christ happens when the enemies are celebrating and brings them back to their rightful places. When you are unashamed of God, he will not put you to shame. When it seems the enemy is winning, the battle is not over yet. Wait for the next episode. Every set back is a set up. The world accused the two witnesses of tormenting the world with TRUTH. Morally, light not darkness frightens humanity most. God created light first but man loves darkness rather than light. We can do nothing against the truth, but something for the truth. Truth will rise from its own ashes.

He gives His confirmation and//reward (11:15-19). Jesus assured his disciples of his presence when they went out to win souls and make disciples. The presence of God becomes tangible in the life of believers when they praise God and when they share Christ with others (Mat. 28:18-20). The things they warned the world about happened thus confirming the ministry of the two witnesses. God backs up his word.  The seventh trumpet also termed the third woe brought the second return of Christ (Rev.11:15-19). The coming of Christ will be a wow for those in Christ and a worst of all woes for those who reject him now. Will this day be a day of celebration or despair for you? It was the worst woe because it closed the opportunity for repentance. The one who is advocate will take his place as judge.  Choose this day to follow and serve him as a faithful witness.

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Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa