Meditation 29

God’s Two Prophets versus Satan’s Two Beasts! God’s two Kingdom Power Witnesses, sent from heaven, openly clash with Satan’s kingdom on earth. They are given power to stand before the God of earth and prophesy for 1260 days. As in Zech.4 and Rom.11, they represent two Olive Trees, two Candlesticks, and they prophesy for 1260 days. Rev.11:3,4.

The spectacular appearance of Elijah from heaven, fulfilling the last prophesy of the O. T., will prepare Jews to receive Christ as their Messiah. Jesus had said, after the Baptist died: “Elijah is coming and will restore all things.” Matt.17:11. Seventy years later, the Mighty Angel sent from heaven told the Apostle, as he wrote Revelation on the Isle of Patmos, to eat a little scroll after sealing up its “seven thunders.” The taste was sweet. The aftertaste was bitter. Then a voice coming from heaven joined that of the Angel to inform John: “You must prophesy again before many peoples, nations, tongues and kings.” Rev.10:11.

Long after Jesus returned to heaven, John reported the rumor, broadcast by Peter, that John might live until Jesus comes again. John 21:21,22. John prudently modified this rumor. Jesus did not say he would survive until Jesus comes. Peter was told not to be concerned even if John should survive. I believe this exchange provides a vital clue to the critical Endtime task of the Two Prophets. John will yet reveal the “seven thunders” he sealed before the two voices told him he must prophesy again. Rev.11:3-7.

I posed a two-part question in the Introduction to these Meditations, April 26, that crosses over to the Endtime Mission of Elijah and John. I wondered why Robert Stephanus, in AD 1550, began Mark 9 with Jesus’ words spoken to His Disciples and the people “about eight days” earlier. Luke 9:28. Also, why do translations omit Jesus’ promise that some will not taste death *by any means* until they see the kingdom of God AFTER it comes in power? Mark 9:1; NASB. Some must be prepared to die after day #1260. Rev.10:6,7.

I first saw the NASB translation in June of 1995 and searched three days to find out why some are martyred *after* the Two Prophets finish manifesting God’s Kingdom Power. Then I realized the Beast from the Abyss kills them when “time is no longer.” But they are not the last martyrs. When they die on day 1260, up to 3½ days remain for overcomers to face death. Jesus finished His Messianic Mission Manifest with *some* being appointed to taste death after these two finish their task. Before God “avenges their blood,” some will be martyred while the Prophets lie dead and the world celebrates Satan’s victory. Satan completes the massive buildup at The Armageddon!

I was astonished that the “NOW” of God’s Kingdom Power and Christ’s Authority coincides with Michael casting Satan to earth. The eschatological Endtime period, during which countdown time “ends,” occurs in Rev.12 as it does in Dan.7:25 and Dan.12:4-11. What was “about to happen” when Christ ascended to heaven refers strictly to the Endtime! A time-gap was never meant to be expected between Rev.12:5 and Rev.12:6. Satan will make war against the Saints for 43 months of 1290 days according to Daniel. This is cut short to 42 months of 1260 days. Rev.13:5,7; Rev.11:2,3; Rev.12:6-14.

Believers will calculate the End of Chronos-Time with the 7th Trumpet “about to sound” within 3½ days. Rev.10:6,7; Rev.11:7-11. God has set the time for Israel’s restoration as head of all nations at the 7th Trumpet. This Endtime connection is clear in Mark 9:1. But Stephanus removed what should have been Mark 8:39 and placed it with the transfiguration experience a week later! Mark allows that God’s promise to avenge the faithful applies to the last martyr at the Endtime! Surviving the time of kingdom power, *some* will still face martyrdom! Jesus climaxed the Mission Manifesto on this note!

Jesus placed His coming in glory before revealing that *some* will die after He comes in Kingdom Power to prepare them to taste death until the very hour of heaven's Court Scene renders the verdict against the Beast. Every Martyr will appear in Seal 7's Tribunal. Jesus had Endtime Believers in mind who will neither bow to the Beast nor his image nor accept his number or mark. A few will face martyrdom after the Two Prophets finish their task. While 144,000 Firstfruit survive from Israel’s twelve tribes, the faith of other survivors will be tested for up to 3 additional days! Rev.11:7-11.

First, Jesus is coming in Kingdom Power before He comes in Personal Glory. “Jesus must remain in heaven until the times (plural) to restore all things.” Acts 3:21. Those who taste death just before He comes in glory will need extra confidence. Their faith may be tested under extreme persecution! They are not ashamed of Jesus who shows His concern for them while the Two Prophets lie dead in Jerusalem and the 144,000 gather to Mt. Zion.

Second, their critical test of faith provides the reason Jesus cited His coming in Kingdom Power after stating He was “about to come in glory.” If Mark 9:1 or Matt.16:28 had NOT been cited after Mark 8:38 or Matt.16:27, the last martyrs would not know for certain that they are about to see Christ in glory and be “shepherded by Him in heaven.” Rev.7:15-17. For Matt.16:27 (and Rev.22:10) contain His promise of rewards to every Believer ... including the special reward to martyred *souls.* God brings their souls with Jesus for the Lamb’s wedding before they serve Him day and night in heaven’s Temple for 1000 years.” I Thess.4:13,14; Rev.7:15-17; Rev.20:4.

Third, only by stating He was “about to come in glory” does it necessarily follow that those “standing here” also include survivors to the End who will “reign over the nations because they hold fast and overcome to the End.” Rev.2:25,26. Many Believers will not die. The faith of “those standing here” is fortified by knowing that only some will be martyred after the Two Prophets complete their task of demonstrating God’s Kingdom Power.

That’s why the Mighty Angel swore, by the eternal Creator, that calculable time will be no longer when the Two Prophets finish their task. With less than 3 days left before Trump Seven sounds, they know the “kairos-appointed- time” of Rev.11:18 is imminent. With that Trumpet “God’s wrath has come ... time to judge and reward the prophets and Saints and all who fear God, both the small and the great and the time to destroy those destroying the earth.”

Robert Stephanus, in AD 1550, translated the New Testament and divided the text into chapters and verses. He may not have understood why “some should taste death AFTER the Son of Man comes in Kingdom Power.” He probably did not realize Rev.12:10 places God’s Kingdom Power and Christ’s Authority with the Two Prophets for 1260 days! The problem is still puzzling because only Mark’s wording requires *some* to survive until they see the Kingdom of God AFTER it has come in *power.* In Matthew and Luke, the word “power” is missing where “some will not die before He comes in His kingdom.” That would imply that only a small number will be killed at the end. I Thess.4:15,17. Millions will survive until Christ appears in glory! A few will die while the Two Prophets wait for the last martyr’s soul to reach heaven.

The 144,000 Jews are “redeemed from earth” after the Sign of the Lastday, Seal Six. The Lamb’s first act after the angel seals 144,000 with His name, in addition to having been sealed with God’s name, will be to rescue them from Mt. Zion. Joel 2:32; Rev.14:1-4. They will “follow the Lamb wherever He goes and sing the Song of the Lamb before God." The Son of Man takes them “before God’s throne.” They present the Son of Man to the Ancient of Days.” Dan.7:13. After the chapter on the Two Beasts of Rev.13, the 144,000 appear on Mt. Zion as supreme trophies of Jesus’ grace in being “redeemed from earth.”

God holds court with the Two Witnesses and 144,000 in attendance for the Verdict. He renders judgment against the Beast on the Day Christ comes with all the Saints to present the Kingdom to His people. Dan.7:13-27. The same picture appears in the two scenes of Seal Seven and the coronation of Christ in Trump Seven. Heaven’s final scene of rejoicing and preparation for the Lamb’s wedding (in Rev.19) is the only thing separating the 7th Trumpet from the Last Trump to raise the dead in Christ, to gather the Elect from earth to heaven and for the angels to gather us from the four directions of the heavens’ extremities. Jesus gathers the Elect together above and angels complete the gathering unto Him at the Synagogue in the Sky! 2 Thess.2:1.

John confirmed the truth 70 years after “the Child was caught up to God and His throne” by adding that He was “about to rule all nations.” Endtimers overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and love not their corporate life unto death. What is “near” for Endtime Believers, from Rev.1:1-3 to Rev.22:10, including Christ’s return to reward them, can only be set and therefore fulfilled in the Endtime context of 1260 days.

The Seals are not broken or fulfilled until the generation is alive to see “all these things!” The last generation of Jews will recognize their “kingdom is near” after the Two Prophets arise and ascend to heaven and Christ appears on the Lastday. For God has promised that the sins of their generation will be “taken away and remembered no more.” Redeemed by grace, they enter into the New Covenant when they see all the Saints coming with Christ in glory. Rom.11:25-27; Heb.8:8-13; Luke 21:28,31,36; Dan.7:22-27; Rev.1:7.

Please Click here for Meditation