Revelation Chapter 11: The Two Witnesses and the 7th Trumpet

Chapter 11 is a retracing or retelling of the first half of the Tribulation. Before chapter 10, John was in heaven, but now on earth. This indicates that John’s vision in chapters 10-15 is a review of things which he had not seen in his vision so far from different perspectives (he has been in heaven viewing things). 

The perspectives are: chapters 4-9, and 16, heavenly; 10-11, humanly; 12, spiritually; 13, satanically; 14-15, redemptively; 17, religiously and governmentally; 18, economically; 19-22, triumphantly. 

John’s measurement of the temple on earth is at the beginning of the seven-year tribulation. Also, the ministry of the two witnesses is during the seal and first six trumpet judgments, overlapping chapters 6, 7, 8 and 9.  The two witnesses have been commonly identified as Elijah and either Moses or Enoch and will bring judgments and plagues. The beast (anti-Christ) will kill them, but three-and-a-half days later, they will be resurrected and taken to heaven. 

Chapter 11 also ushers in the seventh trumpet, which is also the third woe, which inaugurates the final three-and-a-half years of the Tribulation, also called the “Great Tribulation.”

 

¹ Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. ² But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.

 

Measuring the Temple - John is told, as Ezekiel was in Ezekiel 40-42, to measure the temple of God, and also the altar and the worshippers in it. Measuring the property, like surveys on properties today, is a prerequisite of ownership. Ezekiel, in a vision of the future temple, measured the “millennial” temple; that is, the temple which will be used during the “thousand year” reign of Christ on earth after the Tribulation. John, however, measured the temple to be built prior to the seven-year Tribulation. The measuring of this temple by John shows that it will be approved by God for the first 42 months. Later, in chapter 21, a golden reed is used to measure the New Jerusalem. What a joy it must have been for John to see the temple rebuilt in Jerusalem, more than twenty years after it had been destroyed in 70 A.D.

Four “Three-and-a-half Year” References

“42 months”-¹⁾ the time given to the Gentiles to tread the holy city underfoot (Revelation 11:2) is presumably the first half of the Tribulation, since the temple itself will not be defiled, nor will the sacrifices be impeded, and since it is linked to the 1260 days in verse 3. ²⁾ The time authority is given to beast who speaks blasphemies against God, His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven (Revelation 13:5), presumably the last half of the Tribulation.

“1260 days”-¹⁾ the time given to the witnesses to have power (Revelation 11:3), presumably the first half of the Tribulation. ²⁾ The time given to the woman to be fed in the wilderness (Revelation 12:6), presumably the last half of the Tribulation.

 

³And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” ⁴These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. ⁵ And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. ⁶ These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. ⁷ When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. ⁸ And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. ⁹ Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. ¹⁰ And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. ¹¹ Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. ¹² And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. ¹³In the same hour there was a great earthquake and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

The olive tree and lampstand imagery were used in Zechariah 4 in affirming the building of the temple; the lampstand represented the eyes (i.e., presence) of the Lord, and the olive trees represented those anointed by God. In Revelation, the lampstand represents the churches (see Revelation 1:20). When the temple was restored in Zerubbabel’s day, the people knew that the Lord of hosts had done it (Zechariah 4:9). It was “not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6b). The two witnesses will also have God’s power and anointing and will emerge with the emergence of the temple in Jerusalem.

Why Elijah? The Apostle John does not actually get to see the two witnesses, but rather the angel tells him about them. Why are they thought to be Elijah and Moses or possibly Elijah and Enoch? Elijah is easily explained, since Malachi 4:5 says that Elijah will come before the “great and dreadful day of the Lord.” Jesus also affirmed that “indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things” (Matthew 17:11, Mark 9:12). Just as Jesus had two advents or comings, so also does Elijah precede Christ in both of His appearances.

Why Moses? Just as Elijah prayed for there to be no rain for 3 ½ years and brought down fire to destroy enemies of God, Moses also brought down plagues and turned water into blood. He also appeared with Elijah on the mount of Transfiguration. Moses was linked with Elijah as was the phrase, “the Law and the Prophets.” However, arguments against Moses state that it is God who causes the plagues, and not a person and He could easily use anyone, including Enoch, to be a witness.

Why Enoch? Those who doubt Moses would be one of the two witnesses often cite Hebrews 9:27, “as it is appointed for men to die once…” with the emphasis that Moses could not die twice, and his death is already recorded.  However, it appears that Lazarus died twice. But also a more compelling of reason in favor of Enoch is that Enoch never died but was translated directly to heaven (Genesis 5:24, Hebrews 11:5). Enoch was also a prominent figure in end-times prophecy in writings not ascribed to the canonical Bible (see Jude 14). At any rate, John the Apostle does not tell us, and likely even he did not know, who these two witnesses would be, so neither can we know for certainty.

Who is the beast? Earlier we saw the “angel of the bottomless pit” ascend up out of the abyss. He is Apollyon and Abaddon, the Destroyer, and undoubtedly Satan. In Revelation 12:3, we see the dragon, who is clearly identified as Satan in Revelation 20:2, as having seven heads and ten horns. Later, in Chapter 13, we will see a second beast arise out of the sea, also with seven heads and ten horns who will make war with the saints (Revelation 13:7). Like Christ, he will have been mortally wounded, but yet alive. In Revelation 13:11, we see a third beast “coming up out of the earth.” In these three beasts, we see the “unholy trinity.” 

Unholy Trinity	Holy Trinity
First Beast of the abyss Dragon/Satan/devil/serpent of old	Father /     Ancient of Days
Second Beast of the sea AntiChrist/lawless one	The Son / Jesus Christ
Third Beast of the earth False Prophet	The Holy Spirit Seven Spirits (Revelation 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6)

 So, who is this beast in Revelation 11 that makes war with the two witnesses and kills them? It is Satan, working through and giving power to a human being “with all power, signs, and lying wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9) whom we identify as the anti-Christ. Just as Jesus was God incarnate or God in the flesh, this “man of sin” (2 Thessalonians 2:3) will literally be Satan incarnate or a man possessed by the devil himself. So, when the second beast or the anti-Christ is worshipped, so also is the dragon worshipped.

Daniel foresaw the beast in Revelation 11:7 as “the prince who is to come” would make a covenant with many for one prophetic “week” or seven years, but in the middle of the week, he would bring an end to daily sacrifice and offerings in the temple (Daniel 9:27). The phrase “make war against them” is also reminiscent of Daniel 7:21 “I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them.” Paul foresaw that at this point that “the man of sin” would be revealed as “the son of perdition,” and exalt himself in the temple as God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

Why is Jerusalem called spiritually “Sodom and Egypt”? Notice that Jerusalem becomes a seat of spiritual wickedness during the Tribulation. Jerusalem was called the “holy city” in Revelation 11:2 but is trampled on by the Gentiles for 42 months and spiritually becomes as wicked as Sodom and Egypt. John identifies it for certain as Jerusalem when he says that it is where our Lord was crucified.

 

¹⁴ The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly. ¹⁵ Then the seventh angel sounded: and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” ¹⁶ And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, ¹⁷ saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come, because You have taken Your great power and reigned. ¹⁸The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth.” ¹⁹ Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

 I personally find it very interesting that the 24 elders are mentioned in the book of Revelation exactly 12 times, signifying the 12 tribes and the 12 apostles. This is the first mention since Revelation 7:13 and will only be mentioned again in Revelation 14:3 and Revelation 19:4. 

The third woe is about to come.  When the two witnesses ascend up to heaven, John also returns to heaven for a different perspective of his vision. In the Greek, the word order in verse 19 is “was opened the temple of God in heaven,” and stipulates clearly that John was not describing the earthly temple. The ark which he saw was not the earthly ark of the covenant, but rather the heavenly ark of God's covenant.

In Revelation 11:19, for the second of three times, John records lightnings, noises (or voices, KJV), thunderings, an earthquake, and hail which increasingly intensify (see also Revelation 8:5-7 at the conclusion of the seven seals, here at the conclusion of the seven trumpets, and again in 16:18-21, at the conclusion of the seven vial judgments).

So, what can we make of Revelation chapter 11? Verse 19 is a great reminder that there is an earthly perspective and a heavenly perspective. No one, not even the anti-Christ/beast, can harm the two witnesses, so we know that even in all of this affliction, Satan's power is limited, but God's power is not. Their resurrection affirms that the millions of lives which are lost on earth are saved in heavenly glory. 

This is the first of 34 references of the anti-Christ/beast of the abyss. As this "man of sin" makes his emergence on the scene, all hell is about to break forth. The same hour that the two witnesses ascend to heaven, many on earth will fearfully give glory to the God of heaven. 

Week 1, Power to Pray, Day 2 Evening: Partners

 About a week ago, I asked people to pray for the publication of Seven Portraits In Prayer, One Day at a Time. It is a seven-week, morning and evening, daily devotional look at some events from the Bible that actually gives us pictures, or "portraits" in prayer. 

Thursday, in answer to your prayers, God (and Southwestern Seminary) actually freed me up to do just that, and I am hoping to complete this book soon and submit it for publication. Please continue to join me in prayer and as an encouragement to you, here is another unedited page from my book, seeking again partners and intercessors in prayer. 

Albert Barnes wrote that when Moses raised the rod of God on the hill above where Joshua was battling below, “The act represents the efficacy of intercessory prayer—offered doubtless by Moses—a point of great moment to the Israelites at that time and to the Church in all ages.” (Barnes Notes, The Bible Commentary, page 47). Joshua needed the intercession of Moses. Moses needed the help and support of Aaron and Hur. And you and I need the prayers of others and they need ours.

Do you wonder what happened to Hur? The last time Hur is mentioned, he and Aaron were called to watch over Israel while Moses and Joshua went to Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. Aaron participated in the idolatrous acts of Israel in making the golden calf, sheepishly saying, “I cast it (the gold) into the fire, and this calf came out,” (Exodus 24:13-15, 32:19-24).

But Hur is never heard from again in Scripture. The Jewish Talmud claimed that Hur tried to stop the wickedness of the people and they allegedly stoned him to death. If so, Hur died a sacrificial death, and Aaron would live a sacrificial life (read Leviticus 10:1-7). The point is, Aaron and Hur, in life and possibly death, were sacrificially partners with Moses.

After the victory, Moses built an altar to God and called it “Jehovah Nissi”, which means “God-is-my-banner”. A banner gave encouragement to the warriors in battle. As Moses stood with his arms lifted and the rod of God in his hands, it was a rallying banner which gave strength to the battle below.

When we pray for others, especially those in a battle, we raise a banner in the spiritual realm, giving encouragement, even if they do not know we are praying for them. As partners in prayer, we need to sacrificially pray for others.

Prayer requires sacrifice. Prayer releases the power of God. Prayer transports our requests to a spiritual realm in heaven, to the very throne of Grace itself (Hebrews 4:16). Like Moses holding the rod of God, you hold the presence of God in your prayers. When you uphold others in prayer, you are Aaron and Hur to them.

Do you want something extraordinary to happen for your loved ones, your circumstances, your work, your ministry, your church, your country, your world? It begins with extraordinary prayer and may require partners in prayer. Will you join your heart together with mine in prayer? If so, we will see the power of God unfold.

Pray this prayer to God: “Thank you God, for my partners in prayer. Some who have prayed for me are now in your presence. Others who will pray for me, I do not even know, and may not even be born yet. I need You, but I also need others to pray for me. Help me to be the prayer partner I need to be. In Jesus’s name, Amen.” 

Week 1, Power to Pray, Day 2 Morning: Partners

Would you join your hearts together with mine in praying that I finish "Seven Portraits in Prayer" to be published and that I would find a portrait artist to paint? I felt convicted that I need prayer partners in this book effort, that it would be anointed to bring people to pray.

There is a reason why I frequently ask others to “join their hearts together with mine” in prayer. 

I need you.

When we look at the power of prayer in the battle of Exodus 17, we see that partners in prayer are essential. Moses either knew or was told by God beforehand that he would need Aaron and Hur. He didn’t go it alone, and he specifically told Joshua to choose some men, undoubtedly his best men who could defend and fight. He also said he would take the rod of God, the essence of which we will discuss tomorrow.

While Joshua fought below, Moses stood on the hill, interceding by holding up the rod of God. When Moses’s hands became weary, he had Aaron and Hur to uphold his hands. There is a spiritual participation in prayer of which we all need to be a part. I need you to be my Aaron and Hur. I need you to uphold me in prayer, to intercede when I become weak. To join your hearts together with mine as we pray together.

And you know what? You need me too.

When you strip away our pride and self-sufficiency, we need each other and other believers to partner with us in prayer. That’s the power of intercessory prayer.

The apostle Paul pleaded for it (Ephesians 6:18) and promised it (1:16, 3:14ff; Philippians 1:4). James commanded us to pray for one another, even confessing our sins as well as our requests, and to call upon the elders of the church (James 5:13-18) and said that if we don’t ask in prayer, we won’t receive (4:2). John wrote that we should pray especially for those who are trapped in sin (1 John 5:16-17).

When Timothy was being instructed on how to be a pastor and how to teach others to be ministers, Paul had to pull out his thesaurus to convey how important prayer was, saying first of all, first of all, “let supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,” (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

Jesus knew and taught about the need for partnership in prayer (Matthew 18:19) and practiced it (Mark 14:32ff). Right now in heaven Jesus is standing at the right hand of God, interceding for you and for me and for all who are praying (Romans 8:34).

And there in the temple and tabernacle of your heart, when you bow your head or lift your eyes, when you kneel or when you walk in prayer, when you stand praying lifting your hands or when you curl up in a fetal position crying out with tears of pain, there in your innermost being is the Holy Spirit, interceding for you (Romans 8:26-27).

So I ask why do we not pray more? Why do we not ask others to intercede for us? 

Pray this prayer to God: “Our Father, which art in heaven. Thank You that Jesus taught us to pray ‘our Father,’ reminding us that we are not only partners in prayer with each other, but also with our Lord Jesus Christ. Teach us to pray. Amen.” 

How old will you be in five years?

    It's no secret that there are signs that the Lord is coming soon, but Christ Himself also said "Occupy until I come" which means stay busy in His service.

    Before I enrolled at Southwestern in 1985, I heard someone say, "If I knew that the Lord would return in ten years, I would spend at least half that time at seminary because I would be more productive with the remainder of time by my time spent in seminary."

    It is the same principle found in the Bible: The Bible says, “If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.” – (Ecclesiastes 10:10).

    Another adage comes from a woodsman who was asked, “What would you do if you had just five minutes to chop down a tree?” He answered, “I would spend the first two and a half minutes sharpening my axe.”

Thomas Calvin and
Laura Kuykendall

    My great grandfather was Thomas Calvin Kuykendall, who came to Poolville in Parker County, Texas, with his parents in 1882 from New Hope Arkansas when he was 16 years old. He did not have a formal education beyond third grade. Born on a farm near Arkadelphia, Arkansas, there was no free public education there and then.

    He came to Christ at the age of 21 and after reading the Bible for three days and nights he was baptized. From then on, his life began to change. He was called to the ministry and felt the need for an education more than ever. He enrolled in the THIRD GRADE at Poolville schools, advancing rapidly and soon received his teaching certificate. As my grandmother told it, he then taught some of the same kids who first laughed at a grown man attending an elementary school.

    He taught school for many years in Wise and Parker Counties and eventually moved with his wife and children to Waco where he attended Baylor University for theological training. Unfortunately, his wife, pregnant with my grandmother, contracted German measles and he was forced to return to Parker County in 1905, the same year my grandmother, Murl Kurkendall, was born.

    He became pastor of Poolville Baptist Church and a year later, in 1906, he was elected missionary of Parker, Palo Pinto, and Wise counties. During his ministry he traveled rugged roads by buggy to little churches in the wildwoods. He was a pioneer preacher and a home missionary. 

    Three years later, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary was birthed in Fort Worth. However, commuting to Fort Worth was obviously not as easy in those days, and with a full ministry and a full house, he was always an advocate for higher education, but unfortunately not a recipient.

    He was well known for his faithfulness in visiting the sick and dying in an era when they were cared for in their own homes instead of hospitals. He also comforted families in troubled times and helped collect money and provisions to aid those in need. He conducted training sessions for Sunday school teachers, and church youth leaders, and he held revival meetings under brush arbors dimly lit by little more than the kerosene lamps he always carried.

    He was a strong advocate of education, serving on the board of trustees for Decatur Baptist College, once housed in the county seat of Wise County and has now become Dallas Baptist University. He often asked young men (and women, like my grandmother and his other daughters), and especially those who were called into ministry, two very wise questions:

    "How old will you be in five years?"

    Regardless of their answer, he would then ask,

    "And how old will you be in five years with an education and a degree? Wouldn't it be better to get an education?" They inevitably got the point and enrolled in school.

Article that appeared in
the 1987 edition of
the UMHB News

    Just before the height of the Great Depression, my grandmother and her three sisters were all enrolled in the University of Mary Hardin Baylor as a freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior, making the national news for such a priority by my great-grandparents, who had ten children in all. All four went on to graduate, as did my great uncles and so many of their children and grandchildren. For years the portrait of Thomas and Laura Kuykendall hung in the halls of the University of Mary Hardin Baylor. (By the way, some of the verbiage above about TC Kuykendall was penned by Elva, who went on to be an accomplished author and journalist in an era when women were not readily received.)

    Although my great-grandfather died nearly three decades before I was born, my grandmother told me that story after I graduated from Texas Tech University and had surrendered to the gospel ministry. As a result, I enrolled in Southwestern Seminary in 1985, young, married, and practically penniless, thanks in part to my grandmother who allowed us to live with her in Weatherford.

    I now have an education and a degree and so thankful for the wisdom of my great-grandfather, T.C., whose initials I bear, and for my grandmother who encouraged me to "sharpen my axe."

   

   

I AM #7 -- He is Power over All.

³ Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. ⁴ Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” ⁵ They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

Jesus said to them, “I am.”

And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. ⁶ Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.⁷ Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

⁸ Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am.

Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 

John 18:3-8

Jesus demonstrated His power numerous times, but before His arrest, before His trial, and before His crucifixion, Jesus showed His power when the guards who came to arrest Him fell to the ground. Jesus has power over the saved and unsaved alike, power over all.

His power is victorious over the literal presence of evil. Judas, as he led the soldiers, was not demon-possessed, he was devil-possessed (John 6:70, Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?”).

When we think of the PURE EVIL that is going on in our world, we must remember that one day, Jesus will demonstrate His power over all unbelievers and over all evil, including the devil.

The final “I AM” declarative statement shows that Jesus is more powerful than man’s armies or soldiers, more powerful than betrayal and that through it all, the great “I AM” can cast any opposition onto their backs. That is power over all.

Oliver B. Greene, an American Independent evangelist who saw more than 200,000 confessions of faith between 1939 and 1968, wrote "It is not hard to believe that when Jesus declared, 'I AM," the power of the Word flattened a multitude of armed men. For the last time before His crucifixion, Jesus exercised the divine power He had used on so many other occasions...If Jesus demonstrated such power when He was about to be judged, what power will He demonstrate when He comes to judge?"

That is power over all.

God is sovereign and no one who opposes Him and be victorious. He could have called more than twelve legions of angels (Matthew 26:53). and yet He chose to go to the cross. He could have escaped when they were knocked to the ground, but He did not.

That is power over all.

At the mere utterance of His “I AM” caused soldiers to fall. One day, just as Judas and the soldiers fell, every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess He is Lord.

That is power over all.

Two of the pictures shown are from on Isle of Patmos, where John received his Revelation, or "unveiling", of Jesus Christ. In the apocalyptic book, John also included a third set of seven "I AM" statements.

I AM # 6 Prophecy fulfilled

    What encouragement is there for Christians in dark days? Two forces are on a collision course. 1) “Unstoppable” force: A majority of Americans will vote against those in power (mid-terms go in favor of the party not of the Presidency, especially in times of economic turmoil) 2) Immovable object: The party in power has demonstrated it will go to any lengths to keep themselves in power.

   Encouragement is in the sixth Intransitive I AM statement. I AM #6: Jesus is Prophecy fulfilled.

   When we think of who Jesus said that He is, this "I AM" statement regarding prophecy reminds us that God is in charge. Jesus was prophecy fulfilled. In John 13:18-20, the context is faith in times of doubt. The disciples were about to go through what would undoubtedly be the darkest time in their lives—those hours between the betrayal and the resurrection.

   When Judas Iscariot revealed himself as the traitor he was, the disciples needed to know that this too was a part of God’s plan. They trusted Jesus and what’s more, no one suspected Judas to be the betrayer.

   John 13 says this:

18 “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ 19 Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I AM. 20 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”

   Judas was not an obvious betrayer. He was entrusted with the money of the disciples. He seemed genuinely interested in the poor (John 12:4–7; 13:29). When Jesus said a disciple would betray Him, no one pointed to Judas (Matthew 26:22). Even when Jesus clearly indicated Judas, by giving him a sop of bread, the disciples did not suspect him. Read John 13:25-29 to see how blind-sided the disciples were by Judas.

25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, John said to Jesus, “Lord, who is it that will betray you?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” 28 BUT NO ONE AT THE TABLE KNEW FOR WHAT REASON HE SAID THIS TO HIM. 29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 

   The disciples had NO CLUE of the betrayal that was about to take place. And neither do you know that something or someone at some point in your future will truly shake your faith.

   Not only did Jesus prophesy that he would be betrayed, but 1,000 years earlier, the Bible even predicted it.

   In Psalm 41:9, God foreshadowed that a close friend who ate bread with the Messiah would lift up his heel against Him. The act of betrayal by a friend was especially bad if it was done after eating together. “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” 

   Have you have been hurt by a close friend? By a Christian friend? Have you ever been blind-sided? Have you heard of major Christian leaders whom you trusted, falling into sin or doing things you would never have thought? If not, be forewarned: If it happened to Jesus, if it happened to the disciples, it will and does happen today and may happen to you.

   How do you respond when those closest to you, even believers, hurt you and betray your trust?

   When we have times that test our faith, in God, in church, in our family, and yes even in our country, God wants us to know He knows the future, He is in charge of the future, and He prepares us for it.

   Later on in the Apostle John’s life, he once again had to be reminded of this lesson. He forgot that the focus of his faith should solely be on God.  He forgot that he should only worship God. John fell at the feet of one of the 24 elders, someone who was his brother in Christ and had a testimony of salvation in Jesus. So overwhelmed by the majesty of this event, he fell at the feet of someone to worship him.

   “And I (John) fell at his feet to worship him (one of the 24 elders). But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” 

Revelation 19:10.

    The testimony, that is, the witness, of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.  The essence of Jesus is that He fulfilled what was to happen, and also that He knows what will happen.

    If God can use the greatest betrayal in history, Judas Iscariot, and turn it into the greatest victory, OUR SALVATION, then seek God to grant healing and strength in your hurt and pain. Those dark days you have experienced, and these dark days ahead, are a part of God’s plan.

   There is a deceiver in the world. He was behind 9/11. He is behind this recession. He is behind the approaching Great Reset (Rapture?). He is behind all that is evil in the world. The lies that say, “The Border is Secure”, “We are not in a Recession”, “Men can give birth to babies”, "Children in the womb are not human persons", are all part of the lies that stem from the first questioning of God, "Did God really say ...?" and the first lie, "You will not certainly die." (Genesis 3:1, 4)

   No, the deceiver was not and is not Osama nor Obama. It is neither George Soros nor George Bush. It is not Donald Trump nor Joe Biden. It is not Xi Jinping nor Vladimir Putin. It is not the Deep State nor the semi-fascists, whatever that is.

   He who was a deceiver from the beginning is deceiving still. And all is allowed by God and part of His plan. We are privileged to watch Biblical prophecy unfold.

   If you have been hurt, if you are confused by the world’s confusion, if you have been lied to, trust that God will take your grief, your despair, your worries, and ask Him to use it to bring glory to Himself; in spite of it all.

 

I AM #5 Perpetual in existence

 The clouds looked amazing the other night. It reminded me of the verse, "Look up for your redemption draws near." Luke 21:28.

"He was taken up in the clouds...This same Jesus will return in like manner," Acts 1:11.

"Behold He is coming with clouds," Rev. 1:7.

"Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds," Mark 13:26.

As we see signs of the end times in a world that makes very little sense, we need to "occupy, (or 'do business' as most translate it), until He comes," Luke 19:13.

When the disciples were concerned about His COMING in His glory, He was more concerned about them GOING with the gospel!

When we see the clouds, it should remind us of the cloud of witnesses, encouraging us to be a witness of our faith (Heb. 12:1).

That ties into John 8:58 in which Jesus gave the fifth Intransitive I AM statement, “Before Abraham was, I AM”, which signifies that He is Perpetual in existence.

Who is Jesus? He is who He says that He is. He is. He is omnipresent, in every place and has been here for all time and will be here for all eternity.

Us? Not so much. We are here for a moment, then pass.

This was the clearest Intransitive “I AM” statement of them all, as Jesus boldly stated that He existed before Abraham. God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" (Exodus 3:14).

When Jesus said before Abraham was, "I AM", He was identifying Himself with Yahweh, existing before and was greater than the Jewish spiritual father Abraham.

As a result, the Jewish people picked up stones to hurl at this blasphemous “prophet” as they presumed Jesus to be. But that is not who He Is. He Is the I AM. All-Knowing. All-Powerful. All-Present. Before your problems and after their solutions, He IS. He orchestrates the times and the seasons for His purposes. Others may mean it for evil, but He uses it for good. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose," Romans 8:28.

British Professor and Writer C.S. Lewis, author of the Chronicles of Narnia and numerous Christian classic books, put it perhaps the most succinctly:

Jesus was either

a liar,

a lunatic,

or the Lord He claimed to be.

I AM #4. Provider of Salvation

   On my 45-minute drive in to work this morning, I saw a beautiful sunrise. Instead of complaining about the traffic or the drive or the work, I thought of how blessed I was to have been raised in a country that was imperfect but could be trusted to do what was right. To have a church that I knew could be trusted. To have a faith in God that I knew could be trusted. To have a family that I knew could be trusted.

Not everyone had that and fewer have it today than when I was growing up.

If you did or do not have that, or even if you do have a trust in people and in God, read the following passage below from John 8 and know that if all else fail you, your country, your church, your family, friends, and even your trust in yourself, just know that God is there for you. That God is. That Jesus said, “I AM”. That the Father said, “I AM”.

28 Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” 30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

In the Old Testament, Jehovah God revealed Himself and distinguish Himself from the other “so-called” gods by saying “I AM who I AM”. That Hebrew verb tense of I AM was like the name Jehovah or Yahweh.

In speaking to the religious leaders in John 8, Jesus gives a series of three “I AM” statements, and today’s “then you will know that I am,” means that when He was lifted up on the cross, it was proof positive that God Is, that Jesus Is, the Provider of salvation.

The fourth “I AM” statement is a reference to the cross. When Jesus is lifted up on the cross, He was fulfilling the true Passover, bearing the sins of the world. Jesus said that on that day that He would be lifted up, all of the world would know in that day and will know for all eternity that He is who He said He is.

A previous "I AM" statement reminded us that He is omniscient and knows all and that includes all our thoughts. The next "I AM" statement will remind us that He is omnipresent, in every place and every time of our lives and the history of all of creation.

But today, the I AM reminds us that in all of His omnipotence and power, in all that He could do, He gave all He could give. On that day that He died, He left it all, He gave it all, and He gave all power and might.

For you.

For me.

He did nothing for Himself.

He IS Someone, the Only One, in whom we can trust.

Some may have come to salvation on that day, while others in full knowledge, rejected Him still. In this passage, Jesus was asked who He was, and as a result of this “I AM” statement, many placed their faith in Him (see John 8:30–31).

Jesus gave parables that said that that a king’s own son would come to receive a kingdom and people would reject him. Jesus is that Son. There is a song that says,

Oh, How He Loves You And Me,

Oh, How He Loves You And Me.

He Gave His Life, What More Could He Give;

Oh, How He Loves You,

Oh, How He Loves Me,

Oh, How He Loves You And Me.

Jesus To Calvary Did Go,

His Love For Mankind To Show.

What He Did There, Brought Hope From Despair.

Oh, How He Loves You,

Oh, How He Loves Me,

Oh, How He Loves You And Me.

Oh, How He Loves You And Me,

Oh, How He Loves You And Me.

He Gave His Life, What More Could He Give;

Oh, How He Loves You,

Oh, How He Loves Me,

Oh, How He Loves You And Me.

I AM #3 Preeminent in Judgment

In John 8 we see three intransitive I AM Statements in a singular chapter. Chapters 6 through 8 are some of the weightiest portions of the gospel and even the Bible. The chapters of John’s gospel average 42 verses each but John 6-8 average 61 verses.

The third Intransitive I AM statement is a negative one statement

“Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do NOT believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

It’s not that a holy God will send someone to hell, but rather if Christ did not come or if we do not believe, we will die in our sins. The fact that Jesus is Personal and the Jesus is Perfect in love are great and wonderful, but what if we do NOT believe that? Then we reject His Preeminence in everything that He is and are only left with His preeminence in Judgment of our sins. No redemption. No forgiveness.

John reveals in the third, fourth, and fifth “I AM” statements an interrelationship of Jesus’s omniscience, His omnipotence and His omnipresence. He is the discerner of our thoughts and intentions (see Hebrews 4:12, which is rightly thought of as the “word of God”, that is, the Bible, but in the Greek it is “logos theos” is used there which does refer also to the “Word of God” that is, Jesus. See Revelation 2:23 also for the "I AM" Statement there of "I am He who searches the minds and hearts.")

His preeminence in judgment is in the context of a lack of faith or unbelief that God through Jesus would forgive, that God through Jesus would redeem. Jesus’s statement in verse 24 made them respond with, “Who are You?” And that is the weightiest of all questions and the entire reason for the “I AM” Statements and the study of Christology in the context of systematic theology!

Who Is Jesus? He is who He has been saying He was from the beginning (verse 25- 26).

25 “Then they said to Him, ‘Who are You?’

And Jesus said to them, ‘Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him.’ “

The doubters in John 8 were mocking Christ because they knew His mother became pregnant when she was not married. They did not know who His physical father was, not realizing that it was more important who His Heavenly Father was. The lack of faith that Jesus is the “I AM” is what causes God’s judgment of unbelievers.

By faith alone in Christ and His sacrifice, they could avoid the punishment. Jesus declares in their presence three times (8:24, 28, 58) in this one chapter that He is “I AM,” that is, “Yahweh God.” He declares that lack of faith will cause them to miss eternal life.

In this I AM statement, He declares His Preeminence in Judgment, because He is All-Knowing, All-Seeing, All-Wise God that without faith, they would die in their sins. The next two related I AM statements (#4 and #5) will deal with Jesus being Omnipotent and Omnipresent.

We've been watching some "I AM" songs, but since this I AM statement is actually about Not Believing in the I AM, I wanted to show one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite groups, about "Who am I?"