November 5, 2014
GOD ALWAYS GETS IT RIGHT
Revelation 11:1–14
Elizabeth Culbreth
Central Truth
Even when our circumstances suggest evil has won, God's sovereignty remains. In the midst of our struggles, we can trust that the goodness of God's plan far surpasses our own understanding.
Key Verse | Revelation 11:11
But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. (Revelation 11:11)
Revelation 11:1–14
The Two Witnesses
1 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, 2 but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. 3 And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5 And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. 6 They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. 7 And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit 1 11:7 Or the abyss will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, 8 and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically 2 11:8 Greek spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, 10 and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. 11 But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. 13 And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is soon to come.
Dive Deeper | Revelation 11:1–14
Sometimes, I struggle to trust God. Usually that plays out in small situations, like wondering if traffic will make me late, or in large situations, such as making decisions about buying a home. The truth, however, remains the same in all situations: "All the Lord's promises prove true." (Psalm 18:30b, NLT) I am sure those living through the chaos described in Revelation 11 will struggle the same way I do, wondering if God will really reign victorious.
After prophesying continually for three-and-a-half years, the two witnesses are finally killed by "the beast" (Revelation 11:7). They were not killed a moment too soon or too late. God's timing is perfect; their time to prophesy was finished (C. Swindoll, Insights on Revelation). I am sure many people tried in vain to end their teaching earlier, yet those people were killed in a fiery death as a result (verse 5). Those who have surrendered their lives to Christ and are watching these events unfold will have two choices: trust the Word of God that the two witnesses will rise from the dead (verse 11) or wallow in their circumstances and think God got it wrong. I would certainly be tempted to believe the lie that God will leave me and forsake me.
What an astounding moment it will be just days later when God breathes life into the dead men and tells them, "Come up here!" (verse 12). They will rise for all the world to see, overcome death, and enter into heaven to be with their Savior. The faith of those who trust in the Lord will grow, and mass confusion will reign for those whose hearts are hardened to Him.
This section of Scripture, though describing events in the future, is relevant today. We can trust that God's hand is in control of every aspect of our lives.
Discussion Questions
1. In what areas of your life do you struggle to give full control to God? Your finances? Your marriage? Your children? Your health?
2. Read 2 Timothy 1:7, Psalm 73:26, and John 16:33. We are guaranteed to have trouble in this life, but God's goodness is never in question. Can you identify things and practices in your life that keep you from God? How can you surrender control today to Christ and let Him be your ultimate joy?
3. What are tangible ways in which you can thank God even in the storms of your life? Ideas include writing a thank-you note, sharing your testimony, submitting a prayer report to a local church or friend, and spending more intentional quiet time with Him.