In the last section, we identified the adopted sons of God Almighty who overcome temptations of Satan with the two Israelites spies who carried the fruit of the Promised Land (Num 13:23). The disproportionate split of the 12 spies into 10 and 2 is consistent with the pyramidal structure of the church and suggests that only a relatively small number of The 144,000 will overcome Satan’s temptations. In addition, the fruits carried by two of the spies (grapes, pomegranates, and figs) are associated with the late summer-into-fall harvest of the Feast of Tabernacles. These overcomers are identified collectively as the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11 and will be granted the power of the Holy Spirit.
“And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” Revelation 11:3 NASB
The Two Witnesses will be clothed in sackcloth rather than priestly or kingly garments, so we have an indication of a service ministry for the Two Witnesses.
The name Two Witnesses, suggesting two components, also refers to the commandment in the Mosaic Law which states that two witnesses are required to establish a truth.
“A single witness shall not rise up against a man on account of any iniquity or any sin which he has committed; on the evidence of two or three witnesses a matter shall be confirmed.” Deuteronomy 19:15 NASB
In accordance with this mandate of the Mosaic Law, God Almighty provided two witnesses to establish the new covenant/blessing of grace through Jesus.
“If I alone bear witness of Myself, My testimony is not true. There is another who bears witness of Me; and I know that the testimony which He bears of Me is true. … But the witness which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish, the very works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. And the Father who sent Me, He has borne witness of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form.” John 5:31-32,36-37 NASB
Jesus’ words did not by themselves establish the truth of His message. Divinely, Jesus’ works were a witness from God Almighty and thus served as a mandatory, second witness required to validate God Almighty’ new covenant/blessing with humanity.
So, the name “Two Witnesses” inherently implies the validation of the new revelation for the inhabitants of the earth. This double witness aspect of The Two Witnesses’ ministry is reinforced by other characterizations.
These [the Two Witnesses] are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. Revelation 11:4 NASB
Olive trees produce fruit of the fall harvest of Tabernacles/Booths and are an indication of new gifts and fruits of the Spirit for the Two Witnesses’ ministry. Lampstands are a source of light and suggest a new, prophetic message for the world.
Another implication of the name “Two Witnesses” is that the Two Witnesses company will be composed of two distinct witnesses: a witness from each of the two many-memberd, spiritual sons of God Almighty. The foundation for these, two spiritual sons was laid in our discussion of the transfer from the covenant of the Law to the blessing of grace (Section 5.8). One spiritual son was God Almighty’s first-born, many-membered spiritual son–Israelites/Jews descended from Jacob/Israel.
“Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Israel is My son, My first-born.” ’ ” Exodus 4:22 NASB
God Almighty offered His first-born, spiritual son a special relationship.
“ ‘Now then, if you [the Israelites] will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.” Exodus 19:5-6 NASB
“Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy; and I have set you [the Israelites] apart from the peoples to be Mine.” Leviticus 20:26 NASB
The other spiritual son of God Almighty is the many-membered body of Christ which received the birth right which was first extended to the Israelites/Jews.
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1Peter 2:9 NASB
However, because Israelites/Jews did not obey and keep God Almighty’s covenant nor recognize their visitation by Jesus (Luke 19:44), they were sent into a spiritual wilderness for a specified period of time.
“… and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Luke 21:24 NASB
So, these two, spiritual sons have been separated during the time of the gentiles, and their reuniting is told in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son.
And He said, “A certain man had two sons; … And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. … But when he came to his senses, … And he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him, and kissed him.” Luke 15:11,13,17,20,32 NASB
In this parable, the father represents God Almighty, the stay-at-home son represents the gentile church, and the son in a distant country who squandered his estate represents Jews during the time of the gentiles. The father embracing his wayward son upon his return indicates the full restoration of Jews to God Almighty’s household. The stay-at-home son expressed jealousy based on his feeling of unfairness regarding the ceremonious welcome of the wayward son.
“But he [the stay-at-home son] answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you, and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a kid, that I might be merry with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with harlots, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ ” Luke 15:29-30 NASB
Likewise, the gentile church will have to overcome jealousy of Jews as they are celebrated for their place in God Almighty’s household.
The wayward son coming to his senses portends the Jews responding to God Almighty’s call through the ministry of The 144,000 (Rev 7:9). Thus, The 144,000, while assisting in the evolution of adopted sons of God Almighty into the overcomers of the gentile witness of the Two Witnesses, will simultaneously assist in the preparation of overcomers within Judaism into the Jewish component of the Two Witnesses. The uniting of overcomers from these two traditions will fulfill the uniting of Christians and Jews as prophesied.
But now in Jesus Christ you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups [Jew and Gentile] into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace. Ephesians 2:13-15 NASB
We can learn of the ministries of The 144,000 and the Two Witnesses by contrasting the ministries of John the Baptist, a type for The 144,000, and Jesus, a type for the Two Witnesses. John, chosen before birth as a forerunner of Jesus, was a great man of God with a mighty ministry.
“For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine or liquor; and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, while yet in his mother’s womb. And he will turn back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous; so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:15-17 NASB
Just as John had a ministry in the spirit and power of Elijah and fulfilled the Elijah ministry for Christians (Section 6.8), so also the ministry of The 144,000 will be the fulfillment of the Jewish expectation of an Elijah ministry.
“Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. And he will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse.” Malachi 4:5-6 NASB
We note here that just as the dramatic end of spiritual day/age 4, when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans, followed the ministries of John and Jesus, so also the dramatic conclusion of spiritual day/age 5, the great and terrible day of the Lord, will follow the ministries of The 144,000 and the Two Witnesses.
In Section 5.8, we discussed the idea that John, though he preached about the kingdom of heaven, did not enter into the kingdom during his time on earth (Matt 11:11). John spoke of the distinction between himself and Jesus.
John answered and said to them all, “As for me, I baptize you with water; but He who is mightier than I is coming, and I am not fit to untie the thong of His sandals; He Himself will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.” Luke 3:16 NASB
Jesus also spoke of the differentiation between the ministries of John and Himself.
“But the witness which I have is greater than that of John: … ” John 5:36 NASB
Similarly, because those in the Two Witnesses will be obedient overcomers who can be entrusted with God Almighty’s authority (Rev 11:3), the ministry of the Two Witnesses will be greater than the ministry of The 144,000.
John understood the roles of Jesus and himself, but there still was an oppositional spirit in John, for he tried to redirect Jesus at His baptism (Matt 3:13-15). Later, he doubted and questioned Jesus’ ministry.
And the disciples of John reported to him about all these things. And summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are You the One who is coming, or do we look for someone else?” Luke 7:18-19 NASB
Here then is an indication that some who are not overcomers from among Jews and The 144,000 will question the message of the Two Witnesses.
Jesus’ appearance meant that John’s role had been completed and that he would be supplanted as God Almighty’s messenger.
John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ’, but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ ” … “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:27-28,30 NASB
Likewise, The 144,000, empowered by the Holy Spirit for a great ministry which will touch every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues (Rev 7:9), will be a forerunner before the Two Witnesses. The appearance of the Two Witnesses will mean that the role of The 144,000 has been completed and that the Two Witnesses will supplant The 144,000 as God Almighty’s messenger.
Our recent discussions have outlined the development of the gentile church and the overcomers who will become one of the Two Witnesses, and we need to do the same for the Jewish tradition. Recall that we used the first third of Moses’ life as a pattern for the Israelites/Jews during the Old Testament (Section 4.10). Divinely, the second third of Moses’ life is a pattern for Jews during the time of the gentiles (Luke 21:24) and the development of the overcomers of the Jewish witness of the Two Witnesses. In the following table, Moses first is a type for the Jews during the church era and then a type for the overcomes of the Jewish witness, and Aaron is a type for the overcoming sons of God Almighty in the Gentile church.
Each went into a wilderness as a foreigner. Fleeing from Pharaoh, Moses went to Arabia.
… But Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well. Exodus 2:15 NASB
After the destruction of Jerusalem including the temple in 70 AD, Jews dispersed as foreigners through western Asia and the northern Mediterranean region.
As aliens, there was a change in religious practice. Moses lived with the priest of Midian.
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters; … And Moses was willing to dwell with the man, and he gave his daughter to Moses. Exodus 2:16,21
Destruction of the temple meant that Jews were denied temple-based worship led by priests. Sojourning in foreign lands, Jews were lead by rabbis in synagogue-based worship.
After passage of time, there was a reconnection with God Almighty. After 40 years, Moses journeyed to God Almighty’s mountain.
Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.” Exodus 3:1 NASB
After centuries, the Haskaiah movement within Judaism, from the 1770’s to 1880’s, sought to reestablish Jewish teachings which had been abandoned over time. One fundamental aspect of the movement was an effort to preserve Jews as a separated collective.
Both approached holy ground. Moses approached the holy ground of God Almighty’s mountain.
Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground. Exodus 3:5 NASB
Zionism, beginning in the late 1800’s, sought to establish a homeland for Jews around Jerusalem in the Holy Land. In 1882, Jews were 5.8% of the population of Palestine, and that grew slightly to 6.4% by 1914. Just as Moses was prevented from approaching God Almighty’s mountain, so also Jews were prevented from establishing a homeland in the Holy Land.
There were difficult times. Moses was confronted by a serpent.
Then He [God Almighty] said, “Throw it [his staff] on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. Exodus 4:3 NASB
During the 1920’s and 1930’s, Jews in Europe faced growing persecution, and many fled Europe. The Jews presence in Palestine grew to 28.1% in 1936.
Both Moses and Jews faced deadly consequences. Moses became leprous.
And the LORD furthermore said to him, “Now put your hand into your bosom.” So he put his hand into his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. Exodus 4:6 NASB
Prior to and during World War II, Jews in Europe were segregated, as if a leprous part of society, and millions died.
There followed miraculous events. Moses was healed of leprosy.
Then He said, “Put your hand into your bosom again.” So he put his hand into his bosom again; and when he took it out of his bosom, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. Exodus 4:7 NASB
The State of Israel was established in Palestine in 1948, when Jews had grown to 31.5% of the population of Palestine.
There are journeys. Moses journeyed to his home in Midian.
Then Moses departed and returned to Jethro his father-in-law, and said to him, “Please, let me go, that I may return to my brethren who are in Egypt, and see if they are still alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.” Exodus 4:18 NASB
Here then we have an indication of the mass emigration/immigration of Jews to the Jewish state from 1948 to 1951.
The journeys continued. Moses journeyed toward Egypt.
So Moses took his wife and his sons and mounted them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. Moses also took the staff of God in his hand. Exodus 4:20 NASB
After the fall of the iron curtain in 1989, there was a mass emigration/immigration of Jews from Eastern Europe and Russia to the State of Israel.
There is conflict. Moses, while on his journey to Egypt, was attacked by God Almighty.
Now it came about at the lodging-place on the way that the LORD met him and sought to put him to death. Exodus 4:24 NASB
Here then is an indication of continuing Arab/Islamic efforts to destroy the State of Israel through sporadic engagements, resulting in constant tensions.
Outsiders affect Jewish traditions. Zipporah the Midian, rather than Moses, circumcised their son.
Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son’s foreskin and threw it at Moses’ feet, and she said, “You are indeed a bridegroom of blood to me.” So He let him alone. At that time she said, “You are a bridegroom of blood” – because of the circumcision. Exodus 4:25-26 NASB
Here then is an indication that the ministry of The 144,000 (Gentiles) will force Jews to reconsider their teachings, traditions, and long held beliefs.
There is a separation. Moses separated from his family after Zipporah circumcised their son.
And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Moses’ wife Zipporah, after he had sent her away, and her two sons, … Exodus 18:2-3 NASB
Here then is an indication of that through the ministry of The 144,000 a company of overcomers will arise from among Jews and will be separated, just as will happen with the gentile church.
There is a meeting. Moses and Aaron met at God Almighty’s mountain
Now the LORD said to Aaron, “Go to meet Moses in the wilderness.” So he went and met him at the mountain of God, and he kissed him. Exodus 4:27 NASB
Here then is an indication that overcoming Jews, like the returning prodigal son, will be reestablished at the forefront of God Almighty’s plan for humanity. Overcoming Jews (Moses) and overcomers from the gentile church (Aaron) will “kiss and make up.” There will be consternation with both Jew and Gentile because this coming together will mean the breakdown of long-established beliefs for each tradition. For instance, Christians teach that there is only their way into God Almighty’s kingdom. This idea of exclusivity is similar to the thinking of the Jews of Jesus’ time that they were the only ones who could ever be God Almighty’s chosen ones. However, it was revealed to Peter that there are no boundaries to God Almighty’ graciousness.
And opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right, is welcome to Him.” Acts 10:34-35 NASB
God Almighty bestows justification upon those, from all traditions, who fear Him.
There is a uniting of purpose. Moses and Aaron are united in the purposes of God Almighty.
And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD with which He had sent him, and all the signs that He had commanded him to do. Exodus 4:28 NASB
With a common understanding, Jew and Gentile overcomers will unite as the Two Witnesses.
But now in Jesus Christ you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups [Jew and Gentile] into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace. Ephesians 2:13-15 NASB
We look forward to the time when the Two Witnesses, composed of both Jew and Gentile, will join together as one new man in a unified understanding, worship, and service of God Almighty.
There is a powerful ministry. After uniting at God Almighty’s mountain, Moses and Aaron, as two witnesses of God Almighty, confronted Pharaoh in Egypt and performed numerous miracles. (Exodus, Chapters 5 through 12).
And afterward Moses and Aaron came and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let My people go that they may celebrate a feast to Me in the wilderness.’ ” Exodus 5:1 NASB
Here then is an indication that, after the overcoming sons who measure up to the fullness of Christ join with the overcomers from among the Jews, the combined Two Witnesses company will be entrusted with divine authority and divine power.
“And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” Revelation 11:3 NASB
God Almighty delivers judgment. God Almighty brings the death of the first born in all Egypt because of Pharaoh’s refusal to let the Israelites worship.
Now it came about at midnight that the LORD struck all the first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the first-born of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the first-born cattle. Exodus 12:29 NASB
Here then we have the indication of the day of the Lord, God Almighty’s judgment upon humanity that will follow the conclusion of the ministry of the Two Witnesses.
Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, / Cruel, with fury and burning anger, / To make the land a desolation; / And He will exterminate its sinners from it. Isaiah 13:9 NASB
So, the second third of Moses’ life is a pattern for Jews during the church era, the times of the gentiles.
Having identified the Two Witnesses as the uniting of overcomers from the two, many-membered, spiritual sons of God Almighty, we can exhibit teachings in each of these traditions that herald the ministry of the Two Witnesses. In the Jewish tradition, we have already mentioned that the ministry of The 144,000, by reaching every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues (Rev 7:9), will be fulfillment of Jewish expectation of an Elijah ministry (Mal 4:5-6, Matt 17:11-12). Furthermore, the Jewish overcomers, who have been patterned after Moses, collectively will be fulfillment of Jewish expectation of a prophet like Moses, known as the Prophet (Section 5.3).
“And the LORD said to me [Moses], ‘They have spoken well. I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. And it shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him.’ ” Deuteronomy 18:17-19 NASB
Divinely, with a component as the anticipated prophet like Moses, the Two Witnesses will establish with finality that Jesus was the fulfillment of the expected Messiah of the Old Testament.
In the Gentile tradition, we used the creative processes of Genesis 2 to identify the church as female and showed that it conceived a spiritual son, nurtured him, and gave birth to him. On the other hand, Jesus provided seed for the conception of the spiritual son, husbanded the woman through the trivial of birth, and then tutored and disciplined the child as he grew into a son ready for adoption. A great ministry for this spiritual son of Jesus was foretold in the prophecy in Revelation describing its birth (Section 6.2).
And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne. Revelation 12:5 NASB
A rod of iron is a symbol of adamant authority, so ruling all the nations with a rod of iron is an indication of a powerful and uncompromising ministry for the spiritual son of Jesus who is also the gentile component of the Two Witnesses. The ministry of obedient overcomers who comprise the Two Witnesses is described in the same language.
“And he who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHOIRTY OVER THE NAITONS; AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father.” Revelation 2:26-27 NASB
Thus, whether characterized collectively as a spiritual son or individually as an overcomer, the gentile component of the Two Witnesses will rule all the nations with a rod of iron.
The Gentile tradition characterizes the ministry of the Two Witnesses in terms of the ministries of Elijah (Gentile component) and Moses (Jewish component).
These [the Two Witnesses] have the power to shut up the sky, in order that rain may not fall during the days of their prophesying [Elijah]; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and smite the earth with every plague, as often as they desire [Moses]. Revelation 11:6 NASB
Elijah was granted the power to withhold rain because of the idolatry of King Ahab.
Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” 1Kings 17:1 NASB
On the other hand, Moses turned water into blood as one of the ten plagues brought upon Egypt.
So Moses and Aaron did even as the LORD had commanded. And he lifted up the staff and struck the water that was in the Nile, in the sight of the Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, and all the water that was in the Nile was turned to blood. Exodus 7:20 NASB
Elijah and Moses are unique among humanity, because Moses and later Elijah, while each was alone upon God Almighty’s mountain, witnessed God Almighty passing by. God Almighty passed by Moses.
Then the LORD said, “Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.” Exodus 33:21-23 NASB
God Almighty passed by Elijah on God Almighty’s mountain.
So He said, “Go forth, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD was passing by! … 1Kings 19:11 NASB
Centuries later, Elijah and Moses were heavenly witnesses at Jesus’ transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36). Thus, Elijah and Moses are the only two witnesses of God Almighty’s glory while on His mountain and of Jesus’ heavenly radiance during their return to earth. The association of Elijah and Moses with the Two Witnesses reinforces them as two witnesses, connects them with two powerful ministries, and suggests a unique relationship with God Almighty.
The ministries of The 144,000 of the Gentile church and the Two Witnesses, a combination of both Gentiles and Jews, will conclude the time of the Gentiles and bring about the salvation of Jews.
For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in: and thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,
“THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, / HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINNES FROM JACOB.” / “AND THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, / WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.” Romans 11:25-27 NASB
The salvation of all Israel/Jews is on the horizon.
“For I will take you [Israelites/Jews] from the nations, gather you from all the lands, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe my ordinances. And you will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God.” Ezekiel 36:24-28 NASB
In the past century, Jews gathered from all the nations into Palestine, their own land. So, the time is near when God Almighty, through the ministry of The 144,000 and the Two Witnesses, will remove the partial hardening that happened to Israel 2,000 years ago (Rom 11:25-27), will wash Jews by the water with the word (Eph 5:26), will replace the heart of stone with a new heart, and will put His Spirit in them. Wow, what a revival.
The twelve Israelite spies upon their returned from the Promised Land are a pattern for the Two Witnesses of the prophecy of Chapter 11 of Revelation. In the following table, the two spies, Joshua and Caleb, with a positive report of the Promised Land to the congregation of Israelites are a type for the Two Witnesses, the ten spies with a negative report are a type for the naysayers of God Almighty’s movement, Moses continues as a type for the Holy Spirit, and the congregation of Israelites is a type for all the nations.
There is advocacy. Upon return to the congregation, Joshua and Caleb, gave a positive report of what they saw during the reconnaissance trip and advocated that the congregation of Israelites should trust God Almighty to give them victory over the inhabitants of the Promised Land.
And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, “The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it to us–a land which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the LORD; and do not fear the people of the land, for they shall be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.” Numbers 14:6-9 NASB
Here then we have an indication of the ministry of the Two Witnesses who, like the two spies, will advocate that, with trust in God Almighty, all believers can overcome the strong enemies of the spiritual landscape, i.e., the spiritual forces of wickedness that reside in heavenly places (Eph 6:12). The Two Witnesses will implore believers to enter the spiritual Promised Land without fear and to seek the spiritual fruit of Tabernacles. Included in this message will be a call to abandon worship of false gods and to worship God Almighty in Spirit and truth (John 4:24)
There is opposition. Ten spies did not overcome the fear of what they encountered on their journey.
But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us.” So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size. There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshopper in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” Numbers 13:31-33 NASB
Here then we have an indication that some in The 144,000 and some Jews, due to failure to overcome Satan’s temptation, will be oppositional. These will find fault with the new message of the Two Witnesses and thus will join the leadership of the existing religious organizations to refute the idea that the message of the Two Witnesses is appropriate for and applicable to the peoples of the world. The symbolic meaning of 10 nay-saying spies suggests the use of laws, rules, and regulations of current practice of the existing, religious organizations as the grounds to oppose the new message from the Two Witnesses.
There is rebellion. The congregation of the Israelites rebelled against the message from the two witnesses (Joshua and Caleb) that the Israelites should fulfill their God-given mission to enter the Promised Land. The congregation of Israelites lacked the faith in God Almighty to look past the challenge posed by the inhabitants of the Promised Land, rejected the new land and its fruit, and saw the conditions of the old life of slavery in Egypt as preferable to what they feared lay ahead for them in the Promised Land.
Then all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron [the Two Witnesses]; and the whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in the wilderness! And why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.” Numbers 14:1-4 NASB
Here then is an indication that there will be rebellion from all the nations against the Two Witnesses (grumbled against Moses and Aaron) who will have demonstrated to the world the fruit (of the Spirit) from the spiritual Promised Land and who will advocate that humanity, with trust in God Almighty, can overcome the spiritual forces of wickedness. Thus, similar to the congregation of Israelites, leaders from the gentile church and other religions will desire spiritual captivity rather than the freedom associated with fruit (of the Spirit) of spiritual Promised Land.
This world-wide rebellion against the Two Witnesses is portrayed in the visions of Revelation as a beast coming up out of the abyss and making war with the Two Witnesses.
And when they [Two Witnesses] have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them. Revelation 11:7 NASB
In the visions of Daniel, symbolic beasts were identified as earthly rulers.
“These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth. Daniel 7:17 NASB
Therefore, the beast from the abyss suggests governing bodies , i.e., an antichrist, which will be opposed to the new movement of God Almighty.
Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. 1John 2:22 NASB
and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. 1John 4:3 NASB
Therefore, speculations about the beast/antichrist include notions of an individual ruler and/or a one-world government. Abyss carries a connotation of a fiendish, demonic, and evil nature, i.e., world forces of this darkness, … the spiritual forces of wickedness that reside in heavenly places (Eph 6:12). The fiendish aspect of the beast/antichrist from the abyss generates speculation of a demonic manifestation in some form, maybe even in the form of a “higher order of life” from space. Regardless of its particular manifestation, the beast/antichrist from the abyss will lead a world-wide rebellion against the Two Witnesses by denouncing the new move of God Almighty, prophesied by the Two Witnesses, as inappropriate for the inhabitants of the earth.
There is death. The two spies, Joshua and Caleb, suffered a symbolic death at the hands of the congregation of Israelites who feared what awaited them in the Promised Land.
But all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Then the glory of the LORD appeared in the tent of meeting to all the sons of Israel. Numbers 14:10 NASB
Here then is an indication of the deaths of the saints in the Two Witnesses company. Recall that the intent to sacrifice Isaac was an indication of the actual death of Jesus. Likewise, the intent to stone the two spies is an indication of the actual deaths of the overcomers of the Two Witnesses company.
And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. And those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three days and a half, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 11:7-10 NASB
Because of their RULE WITH A ROD OF IRON (Rev 2:26-27), the Two Witnesses will have tormented those who dwell on the earth. Religious leadership will be tormented by the Two Witnesses echoing the call espoused by The 144,000 to come out of human-dominated religious organizations (Rev 18:4). Others will be tormented when their behavior is condemned by the Two Witnesses as they advocate the holiness and righteousness of the spiritual Promised Land. We have the example of King Herod and his wife Herodias being tormented by John the Baptist because of his condemnation of their marriage.
For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to kill him; and could not do so; Mark 6:18-19 NASB
As it was with Jesus, we may expect that the Two Witnesses will be betrayed by some in the movement and that religious leaders will collaborate with political leaders to kill those in the Two Witnesses company. The names Sodom and Egypt suggest that those opposing the Two Witnesses will include members of false religions as well as agents of Satan. Currently in the world, there are religions and governments with histories that suggest that they would willingly participate in the deaths of God Almighty’s messengers.
The glory of the Lord appears. At the attempted stoning of the two spies, the glory of the Lord appeared.
But all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Then the glory of the LORD appeared in the tent of meeting to all the sons of Israel. Numbers 14:10 NASB
The glory of the Lord will appear to all the nations when the Two Witnesses are resurrected and stand on their feet.
And after three days and a half the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were beholding them. Revelation 11:11 NASB
Here then is an indication that the Two Witnesses company will be resurrected in a manner for all to see. The bodies of the overcomers in the Two Witnesses company being on display for three days and a half after their death will add certainty to their resurrection. Just as there were others who were resurrected with Jesus (Matt 27:52-53), so also there may be others who will be resurrected along with the saints of the Two Witnesses.
The Lord’s faithful servants go to a new place. The Lord through Moses announced that the two witnesses with a positive report would return to and enter the Promised Land.
“Surely you shall not come into the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.” Numbers 14:30 NASB
Similarly, the Two Witnesses company will be called into heaven following their resurrection.
And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them. Revelation 11:12 NASB
This will be the third incident of ascension before witnesses. First, Elijah went up to heaven with Elisha as witness (2Kings 2:11). Second, Jesus ascended into heaven with apostles as witnesses (Acts 1:9). Notice the trend in the number of witnesses from one to some to many.
There are consequences for the unfaithful. The 10 spies who did not trust God Almighty to provide conquest of the Promised Land died of a plaque.
As for the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land and who returned and made all the congregration grumble against him by bring out a bad report concerning the land, even those men who brought out the very bad report of the land died by a plague before the LORD. Numbers 14:36-37 NASB
Many will die after the resurrection of the Two Witnesses company.
And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; and seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. Revelation 11:13 NASB
Here then is an indication that leaders of the rebellion against God Almighty’s Two Witnesses will face God Almighty’s wrath.
Thus, the two Israelite spies who gave a positive report of the Promised Land are a pattern for the Two Witnesses.
In summary, at the end of spiritual day/age 5, a company of saints will have endured the training and discipline from God Almighty in the fiery furnace of affliction. Their adoption as sons of God Almighty will be a somewhat public event, as suggested by the example of Jesus, and they will minister as The 144,000. Having done all of this, they still must be tempted by Satan. The overcoming, adopted sons will unite with overcoming Jews, and together they will have a very public and dramatic ministry as the Two Witnesses. After completion of their ministry, they, like Jesus, will be killed because of their message that deviates from established religious orthodoxy. The glory of God Almighty will be manifest in their resurrection and ascension into heaven.
The events at the end of day/age 5 can also be characterized in terms of other patterns we have consistently applied. We begin with Jesus as a pattern for His spiritual son.
In Table 6.4, we applied Jesus’ conception as a pattern for the conception of Jesus’ spiritual son. In Table 6.10, we applied Jesus’ birth as a pattern for the birth of Jesus’ spiritual son.
The deaths of the male children two years and younger in the Bethlehem region ordered by King Herod (Matt 2:16) suggests the deaths of reformers of the early church (Sections 6.4, 6.5).
Jesus at age twelve in the temple suggests the Pentecostal revival of 1900 and the charismatic/evangelical movement of the mid 1900’s.
Jesus’ baptisms and adoption as the Son of God Almighty suggest the adoption as sons of God Almighty of those who overcame during the fiery furnace of trials, testings, and tribulations.
John the Baptist as the forerunner of Jesus suggests The 144,000 as the forerunner of the Two Witnesses.
Jesus overcoming temptation in the wilderness suggests members of The 144,000 becoming overcomers.
Jesus appearance as the Christ during a 3 ½ year ministry suggests the appearance of the Two Witnesses for a 3 ½ year ministry.
The crucifixion of Jesus suggests to deaths of members of the Two Witnesses company.
Jesus’ resurrection after 3 days suggests the resurrection of the Two Witnesses company after 3 ½ days.
Jesus’ ascension into heaven suggests the ascension of the Two Witnesses company into heaven. Thus, Jesus conception, birth, life, death, and resurrection are a pattern for events of day/age 5.
Another pattern for the end of the church era of spiritual day/age 5 is the mandates of the Feast of Pentecost/Weeks. We have already noted that Jesus, as head of the church, fulfilled the festivals of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Section 4.9). The church will fulfill the mandated activities of the Feast of Pentecost/Weeks, as stated in Leviticus 23:15-22.
The Feast of Pentecost is a single day occurring on the fiftieth day after the offering of a sheaf of the first fruits of the barley harvest during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
“You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete sabbaths. You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; … ” Leviticus 23:15-16 NASB
Fifty days after Jesus’ crucifixion, on the day of the Feast of Pentecost/Weeks, the Holy Spirit was planted in humanity as the spiritual seed that would conceive a spiritual son of Jesus within the church. Thus the events of the church mandated by the Feast of Pentecost began on the date as prescribed in the Law, and we may expect that events at the end of spiritual day/age 5 which will fulfill other mandates of Pentecost will coincide with the annual date for Pentecost.
The calendar of ancient Israel was lunar-based with each month beginning with the new moon. Passover, which occurred on the 14th day of the first month of the year, was at full moon and thereby purposely connected Jesus’ role as the spiritual moon reflecting the full light and glory of God Almighty and His role as the sacrificial Lamb of the spiritual Passover. The Feast of Pentecost, fifty days later, occurred in the third month around the sixth day, when the new moon was waxing toward the full moon. Thus, the nominal date of Weeks/Pentecost (sixth day of the month) includes a symbolic reference to humanity, and the seven weeks between the feasts is suggestive of some aspect of human completeness (6 x 7 = 42). Jesus’ spiritual son, who we have identified as the 42nd generation from Abraham to Christ (Section 52), will prophesy for 42 months (Rev 11:2) as a component of the Two Witnesses. In summary, the Two Witnesses suggest the completion of a portion of the restoration of humanity at the end of spiritual day/age 5.
The next directive about Pentecost/Weeks concerns bread.
“ … then you shall present a new grain offering to the LORD. You shall bring in from your dwelling places two loaves of bread for a wave offering, made of two-tenths of a bushel; they shall be of a fine flour, baked with leaven as first fruits to the LORD.” Leviticus 23:16-17 NASB
While a sheaf of stalks with grain was the first fruit offering of the barley harvest of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, two loaves baked with the flour of the wheat harvest were the first fruits offering of the Feast of Pentecost/Weeks. The first fruits offering of two loaves of bread, suggestive of the Two Witnesses, is a new grain offering. Whereas the unleavened bread eaten during Passover was symbolic of Jesus as the sinless, sacrificial offering, so also the wave offering of two loaves of leavened bread during Weeks/Pentecost is suggestive of the participation of the redeemed, but not perfect, saints. Thus, while the only participant of the church in the fulfillment of Passover (Jesus) was sinless, the participants in the fulfillment of Pentecost/Weeks for the church will be from among sinful humanity.
… These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. Revelation 14:4 NASB
The final directive of the Festival of Weeks/Pentecost concerns the sacrificial burning of beasts of the field, which is pleasing to the Lord because it symbolically represents the burning/destruction of the fleshly, beastly nature of humanity.
“Along with the bread, you shall present seven one year old male lambs without defect, and a bull of the herd, and two rams; they are to be a burnt offering to the LORD, with their grain offering and their libations, an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the LORD. You shall also offer one male goat for a sin offering and two male lambs one year old for a sacrifice of peace offerings.” Leviticus 23:18-19 NASB
These animal sacrifices suggest events for the church at the end of spiritual day/age 5. The seven, one year old male lambs correspond to the seven weeks between the feasts of Unleavened Bread and Pentecost/Weeks and are suggestive of the completion/perfection of a component of the church. In addition two, one year old male lambs were sacrificed, and we can identify these two lambs with the sacrifice of the Two Witnesses. In total there are 9 male lambs, which are suggestive of the nine fruits of the Spirit and the nine gifts of the Spirit, which will be displayed by the 144,000 and the Two Witnesses. Ten beasts–seven lambs, a bull, and two rams–are offered as burnt offerings, and these can be identified with rules and regulations of the orthodoxy of the church and the Jews which will be used to oppose the Two Witnesses. In total, 13 beasts were offered during Weeks/Pentecost: seven lambs, one bull, two rams, a goat, and two lambs. The symbolic meaning of 13 is rebellion, so we have an indication of the rebellion against the ministry of the Two Witnesses company of sons/overcomers.
Following is an illustration of the time of the gentiles, from the Jews of Jesus’ time to the great and terrible day of the Lord, which will follow the ministry of the Two Witnesses as the culmination of spiritual day/age 5. The first portion of the illustration illustrates the split of Jews and the Gentile church and the fragmentation of the Gentile church. The second portion illustrates the reuniting of the factions of the Gentile church through the discipline of God Almighty, the production of Jewish overcomers and Gentile overcomers through the ministry of The 144,000, and the uniting of these overcomers as the Two Witnesses. Following the ministry of the Two Witnesses is the Day of the Lord, the culminating event of church era and spiritual day/age 5. The Jewish tradition is indicated in green, the Gentile tradition is indicated in purple, and transitional events are indicated in brown.
0 Comments