Simple Faith

Bill Henry: God can use anyone, even you. Here's Pastor Bill Henry.

I don't know about you, but most of us would look in the mirror and say, "No, God would never use me like that." Where's Billy Graham? Let's get him. Where's Elisabeth Elliot? Where are these heroes? This is us. They're just saints. It wasn't about Billy Graham. It wasn't about Elisabeth Elliot. It's about Jesus Christ. It's not about these two witnesses. And for me, I don't know about you, but that gives me great hope that God can use you and I.

Guest (Male): There is the subtle danger for us as Christians to begin to think we're prosecuting attorneys or judges when God has called us to be witnesses. Well, today on Simple Faith with Pastor Bill Henry, we will be reminded of and encouraged in this high and holy calling.

In Revelation chapter 11, we have the appearance of two witnesses, but also we will see that John is told to measure the temple. What does that mean? And again, what does it mean to be a witness? We're about to find out, so let's join Pastor Bill as he begins our study today in Revelation chapter 11, verses 1 through 13.

Bill Henry: Once again here in chapter 11, just like back in chapter 7 and then again in chapter 10, we see another break here in the book of Revelation. The technical term for it is a parenthetical passage, like a parenthesis if you will. In other words, it means that we've taken a break from the chronological order, the sequence of events that are given here in the book of Revelation about the seven-year tribulation and basically have dived in and are now taking a deeper look at something that will happen during this time.

And so we come here in verse 1 and John the apostle says, "Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod." Most commentators say this reed was probably a measuring rod that would have been roughly ten feet long, so he was given this. And the angel stood saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave 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 42 months."

It's interesting to me here that we're not given the reason that the apostle John is told to measure the temple. But we do see several things here that we can take note of. First of all, and I believe very important, there will be another temple built. Notice this is happening within the time of the tribulation, so there will be a temple built because John's told to measure the temple, or portions of it.

Secondly, we're told here that he was to measure specific things: the temple of God, the altar, and notice too that he was to measure those who worship there. Commentators believe this means measuring their worship. Imagine if you will that God measures our worship today as we're worshipping, that he measures our lives. I always like to say, how would we measure up? Are we true worshippers of God? Are we loving him and worshipping him in spirit and in truth?

Notice lastly, we are told of the measurements that he was not to measure what is called the court of the Gentiles. We're also told because they will tread the holy city underfoot for 42 months. Now it's interesting when you look at someone measuring property here. Again, we're not told why he's to measure, but usually when someone measures property, it's a way to examine and proclaim what property is yours.

I know that sometimes years ago our next-door neighbor had the county come down and mark out the corners of our properties. He was a funny guy, great guy, but he put the stakes in. "This is our property, this is your property," and this and that. But that's usually what it was doing.

Now it's also interesting to notice we see the Lord having the temple measured. In Ezekiel 40, we see the millennial temple that will be measured. In Revelation 21, since there'll be no temple anymore in the new heavens and new earth, we see the city of Jerusalem being measured. So it's a very interesting thing, but notice again in verse 2, "But leave out the court which is outside the temple, do not measure it, for it is given to the Gentiles, and they will tread the holy city underfoot for 42 months."

Remember 42 months is three and a half years with a 360-day calendar. So it's interesting that most of your Bible scholars will believe that this is then the last three and a half years of the tribulation, that the Gentiles will once again be treading on Jerusalem.

It's interesting because in 1967, Israel got Jerusalem back as war was declared. So after the war they had Jerusalem and so the time of the Gentiles for a time was gone. But this will definitely be coming again for three and a half years during the tribulation. The Gentiles will be in control of Jerusalem.

Now it's interesting as Jesus talks about these times. Regarding the great tribulation in Matthew 24:21, he says this, "For then there will be a great tribulation such as not been seen since the beginning of the world until this time, nor ever shall be." So again, a lot of your scholars believe that this three and a half years will be the last three and a half years of the tribulation. That last three and a half years Jesus says will be a great tribulation, even though before was this tribulation.

He goes on in verse 22 of Matthew 24, "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved, but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened." Even as he talks about the times of the Gentiles in Luke 21:24, "And they will fall by the edge of the sword and be led away captive into all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."

I believe this is mainly talking about what happened in AD 70 with the dispersion of the Jews, and Jerusalem was trampled by the Gentiles for almost 2,000 years. Now once again, as President Trump in his term recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, it caused a big uproar amongst much of the world. At the midpoint during the tribulation, this is going to happen once again. The three and a half years, Daniel's 70th week, half of that will be as this portion continues.

It's interesting, though, at the end of this three and a half years, at the end of this reign of the Gentiles, the great tribulation, Luke 21:25 describes what happens towards the end. Jesus is speaking and says, "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars, and on the earth distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring, men's hearts failing them with fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift your heads because your redemption draweth nigh."

If you remember earlier, Jesus said those days would be shortened for the sake of the elect. When they see these things happening at the end of the tribulation, they don't know exactly when Jesus will return and everyone will see him. But they will see all these things happening. What things? The things that we see recorded here in the book of Revelation and in other places as well.

So in the midst of this notice, verse 3, "I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." 1,260 days, how long do you think that is? Three and a half years again. So we see that during those three and a half years that Jerusalem will be under the time of the Gentiles, the Lord's going to give power to these two witnesses. They will prophesy 1,260 days clothed in sackcloth.

Now it's interesting, the two witnesses. How many people here have heard of the two witnesses? Probably everybody and I'm sure we all can have different opinions on who these two fellows are. But what's for certain is this: we're not told who they are. So be careful is what I'm saying. We don't need to divide over things like this.

We do know that there are two, they are witnesses for God, they've been given power by God, and they will prophesy, speaking forth the words of God for 1,260 days. And notice, just like John the Baptist, they will be clothed in sackcloth.

When you look in the Old and the New Testaments, when someone dressed in sackcloth, specifically a prophet, they were usually calling God's people back to repentance, back to the Lord. I think this is one sign that shows us that these two fellows are Jewish and that their main mission is to call the people of Israel from all over the world, Jews from all over the world, back to the Messiah. There's a few other reasons I believe this.

Notice here they will be clothed in sackcloth. Some say these two guys will be Moses and Elijah and that the two met with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. They say that one is definitely Elijah because of what we see in verse 5, "If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies."

They say, "Well, Elijah burned his enemies with fire that came out of his mouth." Not really, he actually called down fire from heaven if you will remember as King Ahaziah had sent soldiers a couple times and as they came to get Elijah, he called down fire from heaven and toasted the guys. And the third captain came with his men and said, "Hey please Elijah, I got a wife, I got kids, please don't fry us, would you please come with us sir?" And so he came with them.

Also since we read here that they're given the power over the rain in verse 6, where it says "to shut heaven that no rain falls in the days of prophecy," they point to Elijah in 1 Kings chapter 17 where he told King Ahab that there would be no rain until he ordered it.

Then they go on and they say, "Well since they can also turn water into blood in verse 6, this is Moses. That's what Moses did. And they strike the earth with plagues. Again, that's what Moses did." So they say this is Elijah and this is Moses.

This definitely could be. But of course I'm going to throw my hat in the ring. I'm a pastor, I do this. Look at verse 7 with me. I think we see something here that tells us a little more about who they may be. "When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them."

Please note that they will both be killed. When they're killed, this makes me think that one of them is going to be Elijah. But I think the second one very well could be Enoch. Elijah and Enoch, and let me tell you why. Hebrews chapter 9, verse 27 says, "it is appointed for men to die once, but after this comes the judgment."

Who are the two men in history that have never died? Enoch and Elijah. Moses has died. Now it's an interesting thing that Michael the archangel and Satan contended over the body of Moses, as some of the commentators point out, but those two men haven't died. Elijah was taken up into heaven in the fiery chariot, and Enoch walked with God and was no more for God took him. So I personally believe it may be them.

But let's be real. Just because they breathe fire out of their mouths, they can stop rain, and they can send plagues, that doesn't mean it has to be any one of them. It could be two of the 144,000 witnesses. It could be two other Joe Schmos. It could be Larry and Moe. We don't know who these two are. But I will say this: it's not about these two guys. Notice we're never given their names. Why do you think that is?

It's interesting because when I see things like this we think it has to be a power hitter. Amen? It has to be somebody that's mighty like Moses or Elijah who called fire. Because it could never be you or me. God could never use us like that, right? Dude, who do you think God used? God loved to use people who everybody else would look at and say, "Never in a million years."

You see the movies on Samson and they always pick big muscle Samson. He was probably a little 130-pound guy. If you're that way, I'm sorry, I don't mean you. But God would do things so that he would receive the glory for them. He didn't want people saying, "Well of course he could do that, look how big he is, he's a huge guy." No, no, no, that's not how God does things.

Even with Gideon, God said, "Hey you got too many guys, let's cut it down. Oh no, still too many guys, let's cut it down there." Who are these two? I'd like us to be open that it could be any of us here. I mean I think we'll all be gone taken in the rapture, but my point is God can use any of us here for his glory.

And that's really what's happening here, isn't it? We need to understand that God uses those... I don't know about you, but most of us would look in the mirror and say, "No, God would never use me like that." Where's Billy Graham? Where's Elisabeth Elliot? Where are these heroes? This is us. They're just saints. It wasn't about Billy Graham. It wasn't about Elisabeth Elliot. It's about Jesus Christ. It's not about these two witnesses.

And for me, I don't know about you, but that gives me great hope that God can use you and I. He can use boneheads like all of us. Oh you don't understand the things that I struggle with. I don't, but God does. And guess what? It's not about your struggles, it's not about your weaknesses and your sin, by the way we all have every single day.

Do not be alienated like the enemy likes to do. Doesn't he like to alienate us? "Oh you don't understand the things I'm going through." I don't, but you don't understand the things I'm going through. That doesn't matter. Let's love each other and encourage each other in Jesus, because he does. And he still wants to use you. Everybody here breathing? Okay. You can be used by God. You're not disqualified.

You don't have to be some mighty boisterous person. I've had people call me before, "Hey Pastor Bill, can you come witness to this friend of mine? I know that you know this and that." It's like, are you a Christian? Yeah. You go do it. "Oh but I don't speak like you." Praise God you don't speak like me. God wants to use you right now. Go be used. "Oh but I'm going to blow it." I know, you probably will, but that's okay, it's not about you, God's going to cover that.

And we need to get over this thing that we need to be this mighty saint to do these things for God. We just need to be surrendered. We just need to be usable. We just need to be those who say yes to God instead of "no, I'm too busy right now" or "I'm too tired."

Look, these two guys, we don't know who they are. You'll probably be up in heaven at that time going, "Who do you think it is? I don't know, who do you think?" We see in the bullpen Elijah and Moses and Enoch. Who's it going to be? Send it down. None of you guys, go back, go sit down. But here and now God wants to use you for his glory. And if you believe anything else than that you're believing lies from hell. Remember that.

And by the way, "Well I'm too weak to do this, I'm too weak to do that." You are. Good thing you recognize it. Where does your strength come from? My strength comes from the Lord and the power of his might. And that is how we're to be. Walking forth in the power of the Spirit of God, not by my might, not by my power, but by his Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. We're going to read that in just a moment.

Now notice here in verse 4, "These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth." Now that can sound kind of weird. What do you mean these two are two olive trees, two lampstands? What does that mean? Let's go to the book of Zechariah. Go to Matthew and turn back a couple books to the left. Zechariah chapter 4. Turn with me there please. Zechariah chapter 4. I believe we're told who these two guys are right here in Zechariah chapter 4, starting in verse 2.

Zechariah chapter 4, verse 2, "And he said to me, 'What do you see?' So I said, 'I'm looking and there's a lampstand of solid gold and a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. Two olive trees are by it.'" Notice, two olive trees. Sound familiar? "One is at the right of the bowl and the other is at the left." So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked to me saying, "What are these, my lord?" Then the angel who talked with me answered and said, "Do you not know what these are?" And I said, "No, my lord."

So he answered and said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts." Again, remember these two witnesses are not going in their own power. Remember they've been given power by God.

Verse 7, "'Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of 'Grace, grace to it!'' Moreover the word of the Lord came to me saying: 'The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands shall also finish it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the Lord, which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.'"

Then I answered and said to him, "What are these two olive trees at the right of the lampstand and at its left?" And I further answered and said to him, "What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two golden pipes from which the golden oil drains?" Notice real quick that these two olive trees are plugged into the oil of God. They're receiving their oil. They're plugged into these golden pipes. To be plugged into the Spirit of God, to have the power of God.

Verse 13, "Then he answered me and said, 'Do you not know what these are?' And I said, 'No, my lord.' So he said, 'These are the two anointed ones who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.'" Does that sound familiar? Look back to our text, Revelation 11:4, "These are the two olive trees and two lampstands standing before the God of the earth." So that's what we see. It's a very interesting thing there.

I believe the lampstands too could represent again that they are the light of Jesus Christ to a world that is lost. Again the oil represents the power of God, the anointing of God that he had given to these men. And again the olive trees, I would say that this also says that these two men are Israelites, that they are from Israel. So it's a very interesting thing that we see here.

And notice that they're said to be standing before the God of the earth. I love this. In their eyes that's all that they were looking at. They're not standing before the world even though they're going to witness to the world for three and a half years. In their eyes they're standing before the God of the earth.

This to me is also a reference of God taking back the title deed of the earth from the false god of this world, Satan, who has been the false god ruling over this world. It's God taking it back. But also, these guys knew that they're standing before the Lord, the God of the earth. That was their focus.

What I see here is would we just be those who see that we stand before the Lord God of the earth in all that we're doing. It can be so hard not to look to others to try to please them, to look to others and say well I probably shouldn't say that they might get offended or they might hate me.

Well let's get that out of the way. If you're a Christian, Jesus promised, put this on your refrigerator, "You will be hated for my name's sake." Maybe make some plaques and sell them at the Christian bookstore. "You will be hated." I don't see that on too many walls in our homes. We always like the really gushy good ones. And praise God for those gushy good ones by the way. But also these that can be harder. But you see they knew this. They're going to be killed by the way. We're going to see that in a few minutes. But they knew they were standing before God, so they didn't care about anything else.

Guest (Male): This has been Simple Faith with Pastor Bill Henry from Simple Faith Calvary Chapel in Vancouver, Washington. Today we brought you a message from Pastor Bill's series in Revelation. It's our sincere hope and prayer that you've been blessed by the words you heard from Pastor Bill today.

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