There is a familiar allegoric observation that goes; “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough testimony to convict you or would the case against you be dismissed due to a lack of evidence?” That is quite a thought-provoking query, but I better like the question implied by today’s passage, “If you died, would there be a party celebrating your absence?”
Witness Clarity
Who are these two witnesses spoken of in Revelation? Many scholars believe that they are Moses and Elijah. In actuality, there is only absolute certainty regarding the identity of one of the pair…
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Malachi 4:5
As for the other witness, I lean towards it being Moses (too) for two reasons: first because we see that Moses and Elijah already like to hang out together (we see them on the Mount of Transfiguration in Matthew 17) and second because of this text from Jude 1:9…
Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
The entire Jude scenario gives me pause; why would satan give a hoot about Moses’ body unless he somehow had a bit of knowledge about Moses being one of these witnesses?
I Digress
Two guys (whoever they end up being) are witnesses for Jesus Christ and they come back to share the Gospel Message to a dying world. These people (the listeners) hate the Good News message (and love satan) so much so, they delight when the two are killed. There is rejoicing, merry-making, and gift-giving. Sadly, it is the only time we read about any rejoicing during the Tribulation.
My question is this–are we this out-spoken about our faith and do we sense the revelry that occurs when we leave the room? If you said ‘yes’, then I say ‘good’! Praise be to God! We shall wait for the gala eternal and pass on the party ephemeral.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world…Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. John 16:33, Matthew 5:12
He Dwells -- The B'log in My Eye 