Please take the time to read the following, I have tried to keep it as brief as possible
The timing of the two witnesses I personally do believe that Elijah is still to come and that he will come before the Day of Christs Coming. Some say he is one of the two witnesses, I do not know but if he is then the timing of the two witnesses is critical.
Some say that the two witnesses come in the first half of the 7 year Tribulation period, I will prove scripturally that this is not true and that they are in fact in the last 3 ½ years.
Fact 1 There is no 7 Year Tribulation, look at what Jesus said Mat 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Jesus said that this precise period of Tribulation commences at the time of abomination spoken of in Daniel, and this is in the middle of the 7 year Treaty that was made.
Truth 1 is that the Tribulation Jesus spoke of is 3 ½ years long no longer no shorter
Fact 2 The two witnesses are present during the time that the holy city is being trampled by the Gentiles Rev 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. Rev 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. The two witnesses only prophesy for 3 ½ years, the Gentiles only trample the Holy City for 3 ½ years, both spoken of at the same time.
Truth 2 The city is only trampled for 3 ½ years
Fact 3 The two witnesses are killed and raised from the dead just prior to the 7th Trumpet being blown. Rev 11:11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. Rev 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. Rev 11:13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. Rev 11:14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. Rev 11:16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Rev 11:17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. Rev 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. Rev 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Scripture is very clear as to the timing of their death and Resurrection, it is at the time between the 6th and 7th trumpet, it is at the same hour when a great earthquake splits the city of Jerusalem, 1/10 of the city falls and 7000 are killed, the Kingdoms become Christ and He shall reign forever, Jesus Wrath is Come and it is the time when Jesus is deciding who of the dead shall rise and He is rewarding His servants, the prophets, the saints. Truth 3 The two witnesses are raised between the 6th and 7th Trumpet just prior to the Reign of Christ and His rewarding the saints and judging the earth
Fact 4 If the two witnesses are in the first 3 ½ years then all of the 6-7 seals and all six of the trumpets must take place before Abomination takes place, the two witnesses are raised in between the 6th and 7th Trumpet, that also means that Jesus is reigning and rewarding His saints, in the middle of the 7 years, some would call that mid trib.
Fact 5 You will not find anywhere in Revelations of it speaking of a 7 year period, nowhere is it mentioned, but what you will find is the constant mention of a 3 ½ year period, you will find that the focus is very strong on this very precise 3 ½ year period, the same as Jesus when He focused on a very specific period called the Tribulation which He said commences at the middle of a 7 year Treaty.
If one also does a study of the events spoken of that happen between 6th and 7th seals, 6thy and 7th trumpets and 6th and 7th bowls and overlaps them one will discover an amazing picture and how they blend so perfectly. |