Day 178

“… AND THEY WILL TRAMPLE THE HOLY CITY FOR FORTY-TWO MONTHS. AND I WILL GIVE TO MY TWO WITNESSES EVEN THAT THEY WILL PROPHESY FOR TWELVE HUNDRED AND SIXTY DAYS, DRESSED IN SACKCLOTH .” REV.11:2,3. 

You may remember Australia’s first convicted terrorist, Jack Roche. He was sentenced to nine years in prison by a Perth court for planning an attack on the Australian embassy, even though no buildings were blown up, and nobody was killed or injured. 

Yet at his trial, he faced a maximum prison sentence equal to the one he would have been liable for, had he actually carried out his plan. In this particular trial, one could say that the conviction was based on a prophecy. Given Roche’s capabilities, his accomplices, and the quality of his planning, the court came to the conclusion that mere planning needed to be heavily penalized. 

The events of Revelation 11 build on the close of chapter ten. John is told that he must prophesy again to “many peoples, nations, languages and kings” (Rev 10:11). God gives him a glimpse into the future. While the message of the gospel is sweet, many traumatic events would occur before the End would come. 

The time periods of 42 months and 1260 days’ recall Daniel’s time prophecies (Dan 7:25; 12:7). During that time (the Middle Ages) the people of God would suffer at the hands of many enemies. At the end of the period, the two witnesses are killed by the beast from the Abyss. But things do not end badly. The two witnesses are raised after three and a half days and ascend to heaven. (Rev 11:7-13). 

Many aspects of these passages are difficult to understand. But the basic message is clear. God knows the end from the beginning even better than the Australian court system. God knows the thoughts of those who oppose Him and His people. He scans the future course of history and sees the consequences of evil actions. He assures us in advance that He can deal with it. God too has a plan, and the outcome is sure.

The 10^th and 11^th  chapters are part of the 6^th trumpet. An interlude has been placed between the 6^th and 7^th trumpet to explain what has happened with God’s people during the time of the 6^th trumpet. The 11^th chapter falls into two parts: the measuring of the temple (Rev.11:1-2) and the two witnesses (Rev.11:3-14)