The Two Witnesses
The Introduction.
Chapter Eleven continues the parenthetical section that is inserted between the Sixth and Seventh Trumpet Judgments, beginning in Revelation 10:1, and ending in 11:14. The beginning of the Seven Trumpet Judgments is recorded in Revelation 8:2, and 8:6:
“And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets” (2 ). And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound” (6).
The Five Temples:
- Solomon’s Temple,
- Zerubbabel’s Temple,
- Herod’s Temple, (standing at the time of Christ, and destroyed in 70 A.D. by Titus and Roman Army),
- Antichrist’s Temple; or, the Rebuilt Tribulation Temple, spoken of here in Revelation 11.
- Christ’s Temple that is standing during the Millennium (Ezekiel 40-48).
Revelation 11:1, 2. The Rebuilt Tribulation Temple.
“And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein” (1).
“But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months “ (2).
We know this is the rebuilt Tribulation Temple, as the Antichrist makes a covenant with Israel almost immediately after the Rapture (Daniel 9:27). A prefabricated temple structure will be erected within a couple of months. The water supply, and modern facilities, to flush the blood of their sacrifices to the Brook Kidron and on down to the Dead Sea, are already there. The Temple Institute in Jerusalem is actively seeking funds to rebuild the temple. They have had temple vessels prepared from gold, and blueprints drawn up. Note the reasons in the following excerpt which explain why the Temple Institute believes the temple should be rebuilt.
Why build the Temple? Why this fuss over an ancient, seemingly outdated concept? What relationship does the Holy Temple have to our world today? The people of Israel have lived without a Temple for nearly 2,000 years, and seem to be doing fine without one. We don't seem to need it, and G-d certainly doesn't, so why think about rebuilding?
The Jewish people accepted the "Yoke of Heaven," the structure of their relationship with the Creator and their spiritual responsibility, at the Mount Sinai revelation. This relationship is based on Israel's acceptance and fulfillment of the Torah's 613 Divine commandments. But in fact, fully one third, 202, of these commandments, are totally dependent on the existence of the Holy Temple for their fulfillment. But what is our attitude regarding these commandments? Do we think of them as inactive, dormant, dead? Do we believe that they are no longer applicable? Do we perhaps relegate them to that nebulous time of messianic redemption; that they will only be activated in the future with the coming of the messiah?...
Our relationship with G-d: At this one place on Earth, unlike any other, the one place that the Creator Himself chose to rest His presence, the rectification of man's connection with G-d takes place. All people were able to come to the Temple to partake in this direct and fulfilling bond; to recharge their spiritual batteries and come away with a renewed sense of purpose and being.
A new era of universal harmony: Every prophet of Israel, without exception, prophesized that the Temple would be rebuilt, ushering in a new era of universal harmony and peace unparalleled in the history of man. Thus, the "movement" to rebuild the Holy Temple is not new. It was born almost 2,000 years ago, at the moment of the Second Temple's destruction. For when the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem, it was the soul of Jewish people... and the entire world... as we believe it will be once again. (Source: The Temple Institute Web Site, www.temple institute.org--2015).
Please note: The spelling of G-d for God is not a mistake. The information in the above article came from the Temple Institute in Jerusalem. When they put God’s name, in full, on anything, they cannot throw it away. Therefore, they do not put God’s name on anything, so they can dispose of it.
It is sad to read that many Jewish people in Israel, today, believe the only way that an individual can have a relationship to God is by having the temple, so they can resume worshiping God through the sacrificial law. The Jews in the Tribulation will be worshiping in unbelief, as Romans 10:4 tells us,
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
Dr. Mark G. Cambron, a missionary to the Jews, has made several trips to Israel. They advised him that they could erect the temple in three or four months. They have been ordaining cohens (priests) for some time, waiting for this opportunity. They will be thrilled, thinking this is God’s blessing for His Chosen People. After three-and-a-half years have passed, the Antichrist breaks his covenant and takes over the temple himself. The Jews will be running for their lives!
“Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4).
The Antichrist will seek to kill every Jew he can find. It will be the Gentiles who flock after their “god,” the Antichrist who claims to be God. They will overwhelm the area around the temple; so, that is the reason it is not to be measured. It will be the same for the Holy City. Jerusalem will be completely taken over by the Gentile worshippers of the Antichrist. This lasts for 42 months, which is the last three-and-a-half years of the Tribulation Period. In Bible prophecy, there are 30 days to a month in the Jewish Calendar, and that would be three-and-a-half years.
ISIS, today, is doing horrible things as they kill innocent people, and Christians. They are nothing more than Satan’s army of demons, killing as many as they can of God’s Creation, under the camouflage of religion. This is just a down payment on what Satan’s followers are going to do during the Tribulation Period. The Lord warns humanity that Satan is a murderer and a liar.
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” ( John 8:44).
Oh, what a severe lesson Israel has yet to learn. When the Antichrist seeks to exterminate all Jews, according to Zechariah 13:8, 9, only one out of three Jews will survive in their land. The Jews will be run out and the Gentiles will occupy their land, Jerusalem, and the area adjacent to the Temple in worshiping the Antichrist.
“But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months” (Revelation 11:2).
“But the court which is without the temple leave out,...” This is why the court is not to be measured, as the Gentiles will totally dominate the Holy City (Jerusalem), and the court which is outside the Temple “is given unto the Gentiles.” They will tread under foot, i.e. occupy, Jerusalem for forty-two months. This is the last three-and-a-half years of the Tribulation, before Christ comes in judgment, and will establish His Kingdom for a 1,000 years. There will be no Jews in Jerusalem, as they will be scattered throughout the world. (Matthew 24:15-22).
Right after the Rapture, the Antichrist has a mess on his hands, since he has to explain the mass disappearance of all the Christians. He makes a covenant with the nation of Israel, promising them perpetual peace. They erect a building that is prefabricated, and ready to be put together as their temple.
Everyone has a guess at who the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11 are. Who are they? Does anyone know? The answer is, these are the same two prophesied in Zechariah, Chapter Four, and their names are not given.
The Two Witnesses of God Identified.
There are only two places in the Bible where these Two Witnesses are spoken of. Here in Revelation 11:3,4 and also in Zechariah 4:3, 11-14.
Zechariah 4:3-4, 11-14. The Two Witnesses Are First Identified Only As the “Two Olive Trees.”
“And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof (3). So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? (4)
Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? (11) And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? (12) And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord (13).
Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole Earth” (14).
Revelation 11:3-4. The “Two Olive Trees” Are Identified As the “Two Witnesses.”
“And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days (three-and-a-half years), clothed in sackcloth (3). These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the Earth” (4).
“My two witnesses...” The “two witnesses” are not named in Scripture; but the word “witness” is translated from the Greek word, “martys.” This is where we get our English word, "martyr," meaning: “one who bears "witness" by his death.” The definition of the Greek word is: "one who can or does testify to what he has seen, or heard, or knows.” (Vine’s) Their name in the Greek is prophetic of their ministry. They testified about what God said, in His Word, was going to happen in the first three-and-a-half years of the Tribulation Period, and paid for it with their lives!
“They shall prophesy...” In Revelation 11:3, God tells us that He will give supernatural power to His Two Witnesses, as we shall discover in Verses Five and Six. They will also prophesy. “Prophesy” is the Greek word, “prophēteuō,” and can be applied in two ways, depending on the context in which it is used. Both elements are included here. Therefore, it can mean:
- Giving forth the word of God.
In other words, they would be witnessing to the lost concerning the Gospel, which is the death, and Resurrection, of Jesus Christ for the payment of their sins.
- Foretelling future events before they happen.
They would be explaining how the Rapture had been prophesied, and fulfilled, with all the Christians who have just disappeared. They would prophesy to Israel that the Book of Revelation has foretold that the Antichrist will break his promise of protection that he had made. Therefore, they would be giving forth the word of God for salvation, and prophesying what is yet to come; thus, fulfilling the word, “prophesy,” to its fullest extent.
“A thousand two hundred and threescore days...” Their ministry is limited to three-and-a-half years, described as 1,260 days. Jewish time is reckoned as 30 days to a month. Divide 30 into 1,260, and you will arrive at exactly three-and-a-half years. They will then die a martyr’s death for their wonderful Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; leave their earthly visit, “...to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:4).
“These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks...” Notice that Revelation 11:4, is referring back to the prophecy first given in Zechariah 4:3, and Zechariah 11-14. This reminds us of the old saying: “In the Old Testament the New is concealed, in the New the Old is revealed.”
“These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the Earth” (Revelation 11:4).
Revelation 11:5. The Two Witnesses Have God-Given Powers.
The power that God will give these Two Witnesses, spoken of in Verse Three, is described in detail in Verse 5:
“And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.”
“Fire procedeth out of their mouth...” This is not like fire coming out of a dragon’s mouth, as we have all seen pictures of. This is a figure of speech that is clarified by Jeremiah 5:14:
“Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.”
“If any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.” Should anyone attempt to hurt, or kill, these Two Witnesses, the Lord has given them the power to speak in the name of God, and the sentence of death will occur immediately.
There, almost, always is a practical application to a spiritual truth. If you are a Christian who witnesses for the Lord, I am sure you have experienced, as I have, the anger, resentment, and hatred displayed by some of those who want nothing to do with our Savior. I recall, some time back, that I was witnessing to a local pharmacist. I stated that no amount of good works would merit eternal life. Only faith in Jesus Christ, who paid for our sins, gives eternal life. Those words ignited a fire of resentment, and his response was that he had been raised in his Catholic Church, had been baptized, served as an altar boy, and was highly respected in the community. My message of salvation by grace through faith, not of good works, ignited a fire of hate. He made it clear that I was never to bring up “religion” to him again!
Another example, where the Lord uses an object as a figure of speech, may be found in Revelation 1:16, where John is describing the Lord Jesus Christ:
,”..out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword..”
Do we see Christ, literally, with a sword sticking out his mouth? Of course not. It is a figure of speech that illustrates how deep the word of God can cut and penetrate, even to the soul and spirit. Hebrews 4:12 is a good example of this figure of speech.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Revelation 11:6. More Power to the Two Witnesses.
In the first part of Verse Six, we are told of another power the Two Witnesses are given.
“These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the Earth with all plagues, as often as they will.”
“These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not...” Their prophecy covers the first three-and-a-half years after the Rapture. Can you imagine this world without rain for three-and-a-half years? The lakes, rivers, streams and ponds will become stagnant and polluted. Many of these will dry up, and with no fresh water from Heaven, there will be dead fish everywhere. Crops cannot grow without water. Can one imagine the shortage of vegetables, beef, pork, chicken, etc., as everything needs water to survive. It is amazing how this fits in with Revelation 6:8, where one-fourth of the population will die in the first three-and-a-half years after the Rapture.
“And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the Earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the Earth.”
Two things stand out in Revelation 6:8, which contribute to one-fourth of the population dying due to the famine caused by the lack of rain for three-and-a-half years.
- People will die from HUNGER.
- People will be killed by BEASTS.
The Greek here for "beast" is “therion” and is defined as, “a dangerous animal.” We have all heard, from time to time, about what happens when bears come into towns, and villages, in search of food. With no rain, the berries, chokecherries, acorns, and other natural foods will not be available. In lieu of starvation, they will be forced to attack and eat anything alive, including humans. Foxes, wolves, mountain lions, hyenas, and other predators, will kill and eat any dogs, or cats, that are available. Small children, and even adults, would be easy prey for a mountain lion who is approaching starvation.
God’s Two Witnesses, by the power of God, have shut off Heaven’s “sprinkling system.” The Psalmist describes His power and purpose, in a situation such as this, in Psalms 107:33, 34.
“He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground” (33); “A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein” (34).
“Power over waters to turn them to blood.” This is literal, real blood! The Greek for “blood” is “haima” and is translated as such, in reference to the atoning blood of Christ, as it is in reference to human or animal blood. In other words, one day an enemy of God’s Witnesses may be drinking fresh well water, and the next day his cup is filled with literal blood! Thank the Lord we, Christians, will be watching all of this being fulfilled from Heaven, as we will be “absent from the body and present with the Lord” at the Rapture.
I believe it would be interesting to take a look back to the time when Moses was instructed by God to tell Pharaoh to release His people, the Israelites, free from captivity. The first meeting with Pharaoh resulted in his demon-possessed men duplicating the miracles of Aaron. Here is the record in Exodus 7:10,11.
“And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent” (10). “Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments” (11).
The magicians also duplicated the second miracle of turning water into blood. This is found in Exodus 7:20, 22.
“And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood” (20). And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said” (22).
The third miracle of Aaron was also duplicated, as recorded in Exodus 8:6,7.
“And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt (6). “And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt” (7).
One must realize that demons, and demon-possessed men, can only do supernatural things as God permits. When God restricts, their power is rendered useless, and they are helpless, as seen in the last seven plagues. Notice the fourth plague, as an example of the rest, in Exodus 8:17,18.
“And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the Earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt (17). And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast” (18).
It is interesting that the Lord has given us the names of these two demon-possessed men who opposed Moses and Aaron. 2 Timothy 3:8 reveals their names.
“Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.”
Satan and his demons are as much alive today, as they were in Moses’ time. 2 Corinthians 4:3,4 explains this very well.
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost” (3): In whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (4).
Every Christian should be working as hard to present the Gospel, as Satan is to pervert the Gospel.
“To smite the Earth with all plagues as often as they will.” Last of all, in Verse Six, the Two Witnesses are given additional power.
The words “plague” and “plagues" combined, appear 12 times in the book of Revelation. They are all from the same Greek word “plēgē,” which is defined as “a wound, a stripe, figuratively, a calamity.” In other words, this calamity could come to a person via an earthquake, a tornado, or anything from nature. Revelation, Chapters 15 and 16 speak of the Seven Last Plagues. The Two Witnesses could inflict grievous sores like those in Revelation 16:1; or cause hail stones to fall, inflicting bodily wounds like those in Revelation 16:21. They could bring about the plague of a volcanic eruption, or any other plagues that would inflict pain and suffering on their enemies ,”..as often as they will.”
All of this demonstrates to mankind that God is in complete control over Satan and his followers. Satan can do nothing without God’s permission. In the first chapter of the Book of Job, we have a conversation between God and Satan recorded.
“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job...?” (Job 1:8a)
Satan’s Accusation.
“Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land” (Job 1:10).
Satan’s Proposal.
“But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face” (Job 1:11).
God’s Permission, Power, and Protection
“And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD” (Job 1:12)
As a Christian we need to realize that Satan and his followers can only go as far as God permits. God permitted Satan to test Job, who remained faithful to the Lord. God had confidence in His servant, and Job had confidence in the Lord, even though he did not understand how it would all come out. He knew that he was going to live through it, as God had put a limit on Satan in his attack on Job.
“And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life” (Job 2:6).
God has given us His Word, the Bible. When we read His Word, study His Word, and are determined to yield our will to His will, it renders Satan helpless. One thing Satan cannot stand, and hates the most, is when a Christian “slaps him in the face” with the Word of God! As we look back on Job, we see that God rewarded his servant greatly for his faithfulness.
“So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses” (Job 42:12)
How wonderful for a faithful Christian, upon entering their Heavenly home, to be welcomed by the Lord with these words...
“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21).
Revelation 11:7. The Service of the Two Witnesses Is Completed.
“And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them”
The service of these two witnesses for the Lord is completed. They will receive a Martyr's Crown, known as the Crown of Life in Revelation 2:10b.
,”..be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
God permits the Beast (Antichrist) to kill them, only, after they have finished their testimony. Nothing can harm them until they have completed God’s message of warning. This demonstrates God’s power over Satan. Satan’s children will try to kill them; but will not be successful until God’s work is finished. God’s children have more power than their enemies, and God permits their death only for His glory. Notice 2 Timothy 1:7,8.
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (7). Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God” (8);
Revelation 11:8. Jerusalem Is Personified As Sodom and Sin.
“And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.”
Jerusalem is the capital of the world in God’s sight, but is so spiritually decayed, it is compared to Sodom. Yet, God allows His two witnesses to lie in the street there for three-and-a-half days, and to be made a spectacle of by these corrupt people. The Earth could be said to be the capital of the universe, as it was by God’s power and for His glory that He created the Earth, and gave it unto men. (Psalms 115:16). The world, today is rapidly approaching the condition of Sodom in its spiritual decay.
Christians are, seemingly, killed and made a spectacle of by a world that ridicules their testimony. At the time of this writing, the terrorist group ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) has gone beyond ridicule and slander, and is beheading those not of the Islamic faith, and anyone else they regard as a threat, that they can get their hands on.
Jerusalem thought it could do away with God’s Word by killing His witnesses. The world is trying to forget God in killing a Christian’s witness by slander, mockery, and deceit. God showed His power to, and over, the world in Christ’s Resurrection. The capital of the world, and the capital of the universe, are truly the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; as He will sit upon the throne of David, in Jerusalem, as King of Kings, and rule this world for a 1,000 years. Then it can be said that all things have been put under His feet, for the world and all in it belong to Him.
Revelation 11:9.
“And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.”
The Antichrist despises and hates the two witnesses; but he wants to show the world how foolish it was to believe their testimony. He, undoubtedly, believes that allowing the dead bodies of the Two Witnesses to lie publicly in the street for three-and-a-half days, would be a good way to deceive the watching world into thinking that they really didn’t have any power after all. He probably holds a news conference and asks, “Where is their God now?” He thinks he is going to teach the people a lesson about what happens when you oppose him.
“And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies…” The death of the Two Witnesses will be world news! You know, years ago, we had old-time preachers, before we had radio, television, and internet, who said: “Oh, it probably meant that we will hear about it through word of mouth.” Then radio came, and they said: “Well, it meant that we will hear about the Two Witnesses.”
However, some preachers, even before television signals were being bounced off satellites, held fast and said: “We know what God said is true.” We have just not reached that time yet, where we can understand how the whole world, every ‘kindred and tongues and nations shall see…’ God said it, and we’re just going to believe it, and preach it.”
The Scripture reveals that every nationality is going to be able to see these Two Witnesses lying in the street in Jerusalem. Well, the Holy Spirit intervened, and inspired John to write about something that man did not know about for some two thousand years. Here we are, living in that time, right before the Rapture, and we are seeing the Bible fulfilled right before our eyes. The Bible says, “And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies…” How would the Author of Scripture know that, if He wasn’t God Almighty, Himself.
A Spiritual Application:
Christians should not give up when the lost seem to make a spectacle out of them and, apparently, try to “kill” their testimony. God has them in derision and laughs at them. (Psalms 2:4) Live so that when they speak evil of you, no one will believe them.
“He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision” (Psalms 2:4).
- Trials will strengthen your faith (Romans 5:3-5).
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience (3); And patience, experience; and experience, hope (4): And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (5).
- God will confound them through you for His glory. (1 Corinthians 1:21, 28).
“For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (21).
“And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are” (28):
- We need, and pray, for God’s strength in our lives daily. King David’s prayer in Psalms 39:13 was…
“O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.”
In other words, “Enable me to live so that my life will cause men and women to think on eternity, and so as to draw them to Christ, before I die.”
Revelation 11:10. The Antichrist’s “Christmas.”
“And they that dwell upon the Earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the Earth.”
Great is the laughter and joy over an apparent victory of the Antichrist. It is only temporary, as shown in Psalm 50:16-22.
“But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?” (16). Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee” (17). When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers (18). Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit (19). Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son (20). These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. (21) Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver” (22).
Sin is only enjoyed for a season. Moses made the right decision while in Egypt, and being raised as the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter” (24); Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11:24-25);
These that rejoiced over the deaths of the Two Witnesses could not see past the ends of their noses. This is the Antichrist’s Christmas, as they are so happy that they are sending gifts to each other. Their gifts are a fool’s folly, as their Christmas is for the death of God’s Voice through the Two Witnesses. Our Christmas is for rejoicing in the birth of His Voice through Christ. We rejoice in the Resurrection, for “Christ ever liveth.” But for those who crucified Him, there is only judgment, for death could not hold Him. He arose and will return in judgment.
Revelation 11:11. The Two Witnesses Are Resurrected
“And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.”
- Verse 7: Attacked and killed.
- Verses 8 and 9: Made an open spectacle.
- Verse 10: The lost rejoice.
- Verse 11: Resurrection causes the lost great fear.
This is quite a testimony, but God has used testimony all down through time, has he not? After three-and-a-half days, when the world is certain the Two Witnesses are stone-cold dead, the spirit of life from God stands them up on their feet again. Once again the Two Witnesses make world news. Since there will be Bibles during the Tribulation Period, many believers will have their eyes glued to satellite television, or internet, to see if Revelation 11:11, 12 is going to come to pass. Believers all over the world will rejoice to see the Scriptures validated, because they know the Two Witnesses are going to Heaven. Since they have experienced being left behind at the Rapture, and have read about Enoch, Elijah, and the Resurrection of Christ, it will strengthen their faith to witness the mighty power of God overrule the Antichrist.
This is the “Antichrist’s Christmas.” The Christ-rejecters of the world are so happy that these men of God are no longer around to “torment” them by preaching messages of condemnation against the sin they enjoyed; they proclaim a holiday and give each other gifts. But leaving the dead bodies of your enemies to decay in the street is nothing new. Similar actions have occurred during, and after, all wars. We will just quote the case of Benito Mussolini, Italian Dictator, and WWII ally of Adolf Hitler.
“On [late April] in 1945, “Il Duce,” Benito Mussolini, and his mistress, Clara Petacci, are shot by Italian partisans who had captured the couple as they attempted to flee to Switzerland.
The 61-year-old deposed former dictator of Italy was established by his German allies as the figurehead of a puppet government in northern Italy during the German occupation toward the close of the war. As the Allies fought their way up the Italian peninsula, and defeat of the Axis powers all but certain, Mussolini considered his options. Not wanting to fall into the hands of either the British or the Americans, and knowing that the communist partisans, who had been fighting the remnants of roving Italian fascist soldiers and thugs in the north, would try him as a war criminal, he settled on escape to a neutral country.
He and his mistress made it to the Swiss border, only to discover that the guards had crossed over to the partisan side. Knowing they would not let him pass, he disguised himself in a Luftwaffe coat and helmet, hoping to slip into Austria with some German soldiers. His subterfuge proved incompetent, and he and Petacci were discovered by partisans and shot, their bodies then transported by truck to (a gas station in) Milan, where they were hung upside down and displayed publicly for revilement by the masses.” (www.todayinhistory.com)
As a boy of ten, I remember well seeing pictures of what was done to the bodies of Mussolini and his mistress. They did not, to my knowledge, send presents; but obviously the people of Italy were very happy to be rid of him! Some even took their pent-up anger out on the dead bodies hanging there.
In 1945, television was a bright idea; but we did have movie newsreels in our local theaters, as well as Life Magazine and the Saturday Evening Post. But we did not know then, that in the future we would see things like this—live—worldwide!
A comment on this section: When you go into a church, or hear a radio minister that preaches the Bible, you are either going to listen, get your Bible out and compare it to what you have been hearing: or you are going to hate the preacher. Sad to say, as it will be in the time of the Two Witnesses, it is now, and the majority are going to hate the preacher.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:14).
Illustration: Two boxers in a tournament. One fighting his way to what looks like an easy victory, but as the fight progresses, his strength fails. He is “out of shape.” A Christian can remain in the battle because he is “in shape,”.. spiritually sharp. He is trained and exercised in the Gospel. When the blows of tribulation come, he slips the punches, blocking them with the shield of faith, even though the enemy has apparently won and is rejoicing. Our strength is renewed and we go on to victory. How? Through Christ.
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me,” (Philippians 4:13).
Truly, the lost stand in amazement, when they see a Christian go through the trials rejoicing, and come out with a victory in the name of Jesus Christ.
“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified” (1 Peter 4:14).
Revelation 11:12.
“And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.”
The Two Witnesses ascended bodily to Heaven in their resurrected bodies to be with their Wonderful Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ for all eternity. Up is the only way for a child of God. He looks up to be saved, up in tribulation, up for the Rapture, and up at death.
“Absent from the body, present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).
When God tells these Two Witnesses to “Come up hither,” they become part of the First Resurrection. It has been asked, “If the ‘Spirit of God’ which came into them made them alive, did they go to Heaven in their human body? No. One only has to remember that 1 Corinthians 15:50 tells us:
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.”
Then we have the glorious truth in 1 Corinthians 50:51 that:
“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,”
So, between Earth and Heaven, the Two Witnesses received the promise given by Jesus Christ in Philippians 3:21:
“Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”
The unbelieving will be struck with great fear at the sight of two corpses which stand to their feet, alive, then ascend into Heaven! They will not be able to believe their eyes when they turn on the Evening News, and see this live. It will probably send chills up their spine when they see all this coverage from Jerusalem, which they have watched for the past three-and-a-half days. These are the so-called Christians that the Antichrist said were responsible for all the world’s problems.
The news reporters will not have an explanation, but I am sure they will call in their “religious experts” to explain. If they happened to be listening at the right moment, they may have heard the voice of God say, “Come up hither.” And the Two Witnesses will ascend.
The Antichrist will have to come up with some lies when people ask him what happened. Since he is the “father of lies,” he is sure to have an answer (John 8:44), although it may not satisfy those who will be suffering through the impending judgment of the Second Woe, which is about to fall.
Revelation 11:13. A Great Earthquake Causes a Revival In Jerusalem.
"And the same hour was there a great Earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the Earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.”
Here we find that 7,000 died, which is one-tenth of the Remnant, leaving 63,000 still alive. Are these Jews or Gentiles? Since Revelation 11:1, the Jews have been worshiping for three-and-a-half years in their rebuilt temple. In Revelation 11:2, we find that the Gentiles will overrun Jerusalem, and the surrounding area of the temple, and will continue to do so for the last three-and-a-half years of the Tribulation Period. This figure is also given as “forty and two months,” which equals three-and-a-half years.
In Revelation 11:3, the Two Witnesses are warning the Jews about the false covenant they made with the Antichrist, or Satan incarnate. The Jews believe that the Two Witnesses are going to continue their testimony for a long time, but it will only last for a period of 1260 days, or until three-and-a-half years after the Rapture. After three-and-a-half years they are killed.
After lying in the street of Jerusalem for three-and-a-half days (11:8), they come alive and are “stood upon their feet” (11:11) for all to see. They heard a voice from Heaven, as did all those standing around them, saying: “Come up hither (11:12).”
The same hour that the Two Witnesses ascended to Heaven, the great earthquake occurred. During their time in Jerusalem, the Two Witnesses were trying their best to win the Jews to Christ as their Messiah. Their message could be God’s last warning to Israel before the Antichrist breaks his covenant and seeks to destroy them all! Even so, 7,000 Jews die in the Earthquake, trying to please God by keeping the Old Testament Law.
What about the remaining 63,000? Were they saved after the Earthquake? Revelation 11:13 tells us that:
”..The remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.”
- “Remnant” is translated from the Greek word “loipos,” and means “the rest of those that remain.”
- “Affrighted” is from the Greek word “emphobos,” and means “fear, afraid, tremble, be alarmed.”
- “Glory” is the Greek word “doxa” and means “glory.” It signifies an opinion based on the earthquake that God had, by His power and direction, brought about.
The Greek word “doxa” is where we get our English word “Doxology.” It is the title of a hymn of praise that would accurately describe the worship of the Remnant in gratitude for surviving the Earthquake:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Praise Him all creatures here below.
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host.
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
From the strength of these three Greek words, it is evident that the 63,000 that survived were saved, and gave glory and honor to their God of Heaven. They had previously rejected Jesus Christ as God’s gift of eternal life by His Crucifixion, death, and Resurrection, or they would have gone at the Rapture. The resurrection of the Two Witnesses, and the earthquake which followed, were the last warnings they would have before the Antichrist (Satan indwelling a human body) enters the Jewish Temple with his forces and demands to be worshiped as God.
God pronounces judgment, but every Christian, from Pentecost to the Rapture, has already been delivered from this day of wrath, and is viewing all of these judgments from Heaven. We find in 1 Thessalonians 1:10, that the Rapture delivers Christians from the Seven Year Tribulation Period.
“And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”
The words “which delivered us,” in the Greek text, is future tense, NOT past tense. This phrase should have been translated “who delivers us” from the wrath to come, which is the Tribulation wrath described in Revelation 6:16,17. Also Revelation 3:10.
- Moses was delivered from God’s wrath against Pharaoh. (Hebrews 11:27).
- Noah, was delivered from God’s wrath on the ungodly world. (Genesis 6:17,18).
- Lot, was delivered from God’s wrath on Sodom and Gomorrah. (Genesis 19:29).
- Christians are delivered from Hell. (John 5:24).
Enemies. Some Christians will be delivered from their enemies, as God wills, and come out of the Tribulation alive. Others will be permitted a Martyr’s Crown for their faithfulness unto death. Revelation 20:4 tells us about this.
"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years."
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10).
As the old saying goes, "There are no atheists in foxholes!" Judgment is always for God’s glory. Why? It displays His justice. He is a just God. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), and sometimes it takes a death in the family to turn others to Christ.
Revelation 11:14. Trouble On the Horizon.
“The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.”
The Big Question: “The Two Witnesses—Who Are They?”
Since they have power over their enemies with fire, death, control of the rain, turning water to blood, and all plagues (Verses 5 and 6), it is conjectured by some that these Two Witnesses are either Moses and Elijah, or Enoch and Elijah.
1. Moses and Elijah?
Moses, because of his plagues on Egypt and turning water to blood. (Exodus 7:19-20). Elijah, because his prayer to God shut the windows of heaven for three-and-a-half years. (James 5:17-18)
This is disproved by the fact Moses died and already had his heavenly body, for he was seen at the Mount of Transfiguration. (Matthew 17:3-4). A heavenly body cannot die, and these two witnesses do, in their Earthly bodies.
2. Enoch and Elijah?
Some hold these are the Two Witnesses, because they have supposedly never died, (Enoch, Genesis 5:24) (Elijah, 2 Kings 2:11). This conjecture is based upon Hebrews 9:27:
“As it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”
Their physical bodies died before they reached Paradise, and the reason is given in 1 Corinthians 15:50:
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.”
Therefore, their physical bodies have already died, once, after leaving the Earth, but prior to entering Heaven, the Kingdom of God.
3. Elijah?
Another theory used to inject Elijah as one of the Two Witnesses, is that he was prophesied to come before the Lord’s return.
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD“ (Malachi 4:5):
“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3).
4. John the Baptist?
John the Baptist came to prepare the way of the Lord and preached, “...in the spirit and power of Elias (Elijah)...” (Luke 1:17) This would have fulfilled these two prophecies:
- Matthew 11:10:
“For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.”
- Matthew 11:12-14:
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force” (12).For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John” (13) . And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come” (14).
John the Baptist did preach to Israel that Christ was their Messiah; but they rejected John the Baptist, and his message about Christ.
“But I (Christ) say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them (12). Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist” (Matthew 17:12-13).
In John 1:11 it is recorded that...
“He (Christ) came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
The religious leaders of Israel hated Christ. Matthew 27:1 tells us that...
“When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:”
Pilate addressed the mob when Christ was before him, and stated that...I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it” (Matthew 27:24). In Matthew 24:25: “Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.”
The people’s request was granted, and has been for over the last 2,000 years. God sent one witness, John the Baptist, to prepare the way for Christ’s first coming. After the Rapture, there are only seven years before Christ returns to set up His Kingdom on Earth. This time God uses Two Witnesses that speak of Christ’s second coming, in the “Spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17), just like John the Baptist. Their death is only permitted by God for His glory, as they will be resurrected to life for the whole world to see.
There is a reason why their bodies lay dead for three-and-a-half days. This is three full days and 12 hours into the fourth day. By then, their bodies will be smelling, or stinking, as decomposition will have set in. In John 11:39, Martha’s brother, Lazarus, had died and she told the Lord that,
”..by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days”
The proof of the death of the Two Witnesses will not only be by sight, but, also, by smell. This would dispel any skeptics who will later claim (as some did when Christ was crucified) that they have not really died, but were resuscitated after three-and-a-half days.
Who are these Two Witnesses? God has not told us who they are. We will have to wait until we reach Heaven to be introduced.
Revelation, Chapter 11, is History pre-written before it occurs, and so is the destiny of all humanity. It will be either Heaven, or Hell. But the choice is the responsibility of each individual. Here is your choice, given from the Bible, God’s Word.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16)
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24).
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13).
Revelation 11:14:
“The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.”
Now, we return to our main sequence of judgments in Chapters 6 through 19. From the Seven Seals, to the Seven Trumpets, to the Seven Bowls, or vials, is the pattern. The Fifth Trumpet was the First Woe. This was the five-month locust plague found in Revelation 9:1-11. The Sixth Trumpet was the Second Woe. This was the 200-million horsemen of Revelation 9:12-21. Inserted is the Parenthetical Vision of Chapters 10 and 11. Now, we are told that the Third Woe is coming quickly, and the Third Woe is the Seventh Trumpet.
Revelation 11:15. Seventh Trumpet, Third Woe.
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”
At the sounding of the Seventh Trumpet, the Temple in Heaven opens. It is the Heavenly Temple of Revelation 11:15-19, out of which, after more parenthetical visions in Chapters 12 to 14, come the Seven Bowls of Wrath, beginning in Revelation 15:5-8. Therefore, the Third Woe is the Seventh Trumpet and its contents are the Heavenly Temple, out of which come the Seven Last Plagues, the Bowls of God’s Wrath.
At this point in the Tribulation Period, we have seen the death, and ascension, of the Two Witnesses, and a great earthquake destroy a tenth part of Jerusalem. To unbelievers, this may seem like their darkest hour; but little do they know, there is worse coming.
How ridiculous it is for man to put God out of the picture. Many are just going along, living their lives for 60-70-80 years, if they are lucky. They have no concern about what God wants from them. None! God created this beautiful Earth and gave it to man. He sent His only Son to die and pay for our sin. All He wants from us is for us to receive His Redemption as a free gift. Yet, today, the wickedness of mankind seems even greater than in the days of Noah.
I read some time ago where they were going to prosecute two young people who had killed one of their children. After she had given birth, they killed it. They were going to prosecute this young woman. The pro-abortion rights organization, the Alan Guttmacher Institute, reports that there have been nearly 50 million abortions performed since 1973, the year the Supreme Court issued the Roe v. Wade decision, ushering in legal abortion nationwide. We have killed literally millions of babies! We taught these two people that human life has no value. We have set the principle; yet, we are going to prosecute this young woman. Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying it is right to kill a child. Abortion is First Degree Murder! That is why there is no value on human life. This comes from not believing the Word of God, and taking the Bible out of the schools, the prisons, and our homes.
“And he shall reign for ever and ever.” Verse 15, of this chapter, is telling us that God is going to reign; whether you put him on the throne, or not.
Revelation 11:16,17:
“And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, (16) “Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned” (17).
The four and twenty elders represent all the redeemed in giving God the glory. God’s Word, which the lost world mocked, is now being fulfilled as they see the power of God displayed.
“Saying, We give thee thanks…” I’ll tell you what I do. When I wake up, I look up and thank God for giving me another day. The second thing I do is to look at my wife and say, “I love you! You are the most precious thing I have in this world, outside of Jesus Christ.”
In Verses 15 to 17, the Seventh Angel blows the Seventh Trumpet, and shouts of praise to God are lifted. It happens here, but not at each of the previous trumpets. The reason is, the Seventh Trumpet heralds the opening of the Heavenly Temple (11:19). The angels begin to file out to pour the Seven Last Plagues, contained in the bowls, upon the world. When this happens, the wrath of God is completed, as is revealed in Revelation 15:1:
“And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God”
When a police car enters the scene where a crime is being perpetrated, those standing by cheer. Until the officers get out of the car, the arrest has not yet happened; yet when the cruiser is spotted turning into the scene, everyone breathes a sigh of relief. Those watching know the matter will settled in a short time.
When the Seventh Trumpet is blown, those in Heaven know it contains the final Bowl Judgments, and when they are finished, the kingdoms of this world will become the Kingdom of our Lord. Though the battle still rages on Earth, those in Heaven know the battle is all but over.
It is a human trait to place faith in undeserving kings. Imagine the shock of the Japanese people who learned, after suffering defeat at the end of WWII, that their emperor was no longer divine. They had believed he was a direct descendant of the Sun God. Because they believed they were descendants of a super race, many of the Japanese people jumped off cliffs to their death, taking their children with them, rather than suffer the shame of surrender. It is not hard to understand how the people of the Tribulation Period can be so easily deceived by the Antichrist and place their faith in him.
Revelation 11:18.
“And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the Earth.”
Since the Seventh Trumpet has sounded, all Heaven knows that soon the judgment will sit at the end of the Tribulation Period, the lost will be cast alive into the Lake of Fire, and the saved will joyously enter the Kingdom.
Revelation 11:19. Thunder and Lightning, Earthquake and Hail.
“And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an Earthquake, and great hail.”
Just as lightning and thunder herald a summer storm, the “lightnings and thunderings” emanating from the Heavenly temple let us know that something is about to happen very soon. God comes forth in holy and righteous anger. The earthquake and great hail, a symbolic presence, probably cause additional havoc on the Earth. This is not the earthquake of Verse 13.
- The Earth yet to come is described in Revelation 16:18.
“And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the Earth, so mighty an Earthquake, and so great.”
- The great hail yet to come is found in Revelation 16:21.
“And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. Revelation.”
Because we see the gold covered “ark of his testament” in the Heavenly Temple, Jewish things have come into view; and, even though all nations enter the Tribulation Period, it is also known as “Jacob’s Trouble.” John relates that it will soon be time to reward “thy servants the (Jewish) prophets.”
We are now at the midpoint of the Great Tribulation, as spoken of in Matthew 24:15. The last three-and-a-half years are about ready to begin. The Antichrist will now seek to destroy the Jews, and all others, who may be believing in the Son of God of Israel, as their Messiah. Some may make it through alive; but many will be killed. God’s presence is symbolized by the sacred Ark of the Covenant; that is, the Ark of the Agreement which God made with Moses, in Israel, that He would be their God, and they would be His people.
There have been Earthquakes used by God time and time again in Scripture.
- In the Vale of Siddim. (Genesis 19:24-29)
- At Mount Sinai. (Exodus 19:18)
- When Korah was killed. (Numbers 16:31)
- During the Reign of Saul. (1 Samuel 14:15)
- When Elijah fled. (1 Kings 19:11)
- In the Reign of Uzziah. (Amos 1:1)
- At the Resurrection. (Matthew 28:2)
- At the Jail in Philippi. (Acts 16:26)
Earthquakes have occurred in Israel in modern times, too. The Holy Land has one of the main Earthquake faults on the planet running right through it, through the Mount of Olives