Part T - Before the third woe starts
Prophesying among the nations

Revelation ch. 10:
Rev.10:1-4: Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke. And when the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said and do not write it down."
Chronologically, chapters 10 and 11 of Revelation belong still under the second woe or under the sixth trumpet. In other words, the events here portrayed transpire after partial destruction of the earth and its inhabitants, but before the third woe commences, when seven last plagues are poured out. We are given here brief description of events transpiring between the two judgments.

There is some confusion in regard to, who is that mighty angel standing with his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land. Notice in the first verse his description:
Rev.10:1: ... He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars.
In the first chapter of Revelation we can find very similar description of Jesus, when He is meeting John in the Holy place, in the heavenly temple.
Rev.1:15-16: His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
Notice the similarities:
Rev. ch 1: His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace
Rev. ch .10: his legs were like fiery pillars.

Rev. ch 1 : His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
Rev. ch.10: his face was like the sun

When a rainbow is mentioned in the Bible that does not describe the weather, but instead is connected with someone, it is always in association with the Lord.
Eze.1:15-16: I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.
No ordinary angels have the rainbow encircling them. Rainbow in the Bible surrounds always only God.
Rev.4:2-3: At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne.
In connection with the other verses of the Scriptures we can conclude that the mighty angel symbolically standing with his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land is none other than Jesus Himself.

At this point, when we understand who it really is standing symbolically on the sea and on the land, we shouldn’t have any difficulty in comprehending also, precisely which little scroll he is holding open in his hand. Revelation chapter five introduced us to it.
Rev.5:1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.
Rev.5:3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.
Rev.5:5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."
Rev.5:7 He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
Rev.5:9 And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
The fifth chapter of Revelation clearly specified that only one person in heaven or on the earth could open the scroll. Not only open it, but Jesus is the only one who could look inside it as well.
Rev.5:3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.
Jesus revealed to us the content of the scroll in chapter six, in seven seals. It is therefore only logical that in Revelation chapter ten, Jesus, this time looking like a mighty angel, holds the same scroll already open. Since nobody can even look inside it, no other angel could hold it open. Having his right foot on the sea and left one on the land symbolically signifies having power, control and authority over the whole earth. The message of the open scroll will be heard worldwide.

Do not be deceived by some who claim to receive great revelation from God, and pretend to know what the seven thunders spoke. If it was not revealed to John, then certainly it will not be shown to some self-proclaimed prophets. Rather, it will remain sealed till the end. Remember, in regard to the time of the end, the book of Revelation is offering to God’s followers fullness or completeness of God’s blessing (total of seven blessings). Therefore, any additional revelation pertaining to the time of the end delivered after John wrote this one (after approximately 90 A.D.) and brought to us by whom ever and how ever, even someone looking like Christ, did not, does not and will not originate from God and has not God’s blessing in it.

Since I do not have sufficient Bible evidence for support, following paragraph is my opinion only:
Revelation is giving to believer fullness of God’s blessing (seven blessings). It contains all important events and subjects. They are all revealed, but not in the plain language. All these events and subjects are encoded in symbolic language, so that they are not easily procured by just anyone. The only thing which is not revealed in Revelation are God appointed dates for various events to transpire. I am of the opinion that the seven thunders spoke God appointed dates for seven major events when they will transpire, but John was ordered not to write what they spoke. That is the only thing which Revelation does not reveal. Some of them may be encoded elsewhere in the Bible, but Revelation itself does not reveal any dates. The last book reveals only duration of time for some events
to transpire, but not the dates when they will start or when they end. Therefore, my educated guess is that the seven thunders spoke seven dates.

Rev.10:5-7: Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven. And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay! But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets."
The Bible in these verses indirectly implies that the end time events and mainly the coming of the Lord will be delayed and will seem to linger. The words “There will be no more delay” suggest previous lingering or postponement. The evidence that there will be some kind of delay in the coming of the Lord is also portrayed in the gospels, in the parable of the ten virgins:
Mat 25:5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
What is the mystery of God that will be accomplished at that time? The mystery in the Bible signifies anything that was or is hidden from knowing or understanding.
In the Old Testament the mysteries were revealed by God to prophets. The prime example can be considered Daniel. In the New Testament the mystery of God is always in association with Jesus Christ and the gospel of salvation.
Col 1:27: To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Col 2:2-3: My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
The mystery of God is the complete plan of salvation. In it everything is centered on Jesus. Therefore, in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God (which is the complete plan of salvation) will be accomplished. When studying the trumpets, we have already established that the seventh angel sounds his trumpet when seven last plagues are being poured out. In the “Part P” we have concluded that the seventh trumpet will sound not on the beginning of the plagues but rather on their end.
Rev.10:8-11: Then the voice that I had heard from heaven spoke to me once more: "Go, take the scroll that lies open in the hand of the angel who is standing on the sea and on the land." So I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, "Take it and eat it. It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey." I took the little scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. Then I was told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings."
When we have gained understanding of the seven seals, it was pleasant and sweet to us, because we have realized that the Lord is finally coming soon. However, the Bible warns us that when we will live through them, it will be an unpleasant experience. It will be at that time, when we must again warn peoples, nations, languages and kings about what is still coming and urge them to turn from their sins. The prophet Ezekiel received from God similar commission. (Read Eze. ch. 2 & 3)
Ezek 2:9 - 3:3: Then I looked, and I saw a hand stretched out to me. In it was a scroll, which he unrolled before me. On both sides of it were written words of lament and mourning and woe. And he said to me, "Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the house of Israel." So I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat. Then he said to me, "Son of man, eat this scroll I am giving you and fill your stomach with it." So I ate it, and it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth.
It is at this time when the whole secular and even a large part of religious world, will be turning against us for reproving them. The resentment will grow into the open persecution of the true believers, culminating with the killing of the saints. Revelation chapter 11 is an example of the hate and persecution inflicted on God’s people.

Revelation ch. 11
Rev.11:1-2: I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there. But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.
Part B, C and D of “Revelation A to Z” deals in details with measuring God’s temple. We are also informed here that the persecution of believers will last three and half years.

Rev.11:3-6: And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
The complete story about the lampstand and two olive trees is portrayed in the book of Zechariah chapter 4. Please read it first. In it the two olive trees stand for the priestly and royal offices of Joshua the priest and Zerubbabel from the line of David. The bowl with the golden oil in it and the solid gold lampstand with seven lights represent God’s Spirit. These two olive trees (Joshua and Zerubbabel) are anointed with the fullness (seven) of God’s Spirit to start and also finish God’s work assigned to them. At that time it was to build God’s temple. They also symbolically point to the Messianic King-Priest -- Jesus Christ.
The two witnesses in Revelation have very similar role to play in the time of the end. They also will be filled with fullness of God’s Spirit, and their role will be similar as well. As Joshua and Zerubbabel were building God’s temple, so the two witnesses in Revelation (Joshua and Zerubbabel of the end) will be responsible for building God’s temple in the time of the end also.
Firstly, they may be responsible for building new temple in Jerusalem as per Ezekiel plans, but more importantly they will be instrumental in erecting building made not from bricks and stones, but from the living stones, a living temple built from believers scattered throughout the world.
1 Pet 2:4-5: As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him– you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
The book of Haggai gives us clearer indication that Joshua and Zerubbabel symbolically represent someone in similar role in the time of the end. Notice that God promises to use someone He portrays as Zerubbabel of the end, as His signet ring.
Hag 2:4-7: But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,' declares the LORD. 'Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the LORD, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the LORD Almighty. 'This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.' "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty.
Hag 2:23 "'On that day,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,' declares the LORD, 'and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,' declares the LORD Almighty."
“On that day” is understood “the day of the Lord” or the time of the end. King’s signet ring worked as the royal seal which acted also as a signature. When something was sealed with signet ring, it was irreversible. The two witnesses in Revelation act as God’s signet ring. Their prophesying will not so much consist of warning the world of what is still coming on them, but the main purpose of these two witnesses will be to reprove people of their sins and turn them to the true God, because the false God will make at that time his appearance. As people reject their warnings, the two witnesses strike the earth with various plagues in an attempt to turn them from their sinful course. This is the main reason why the two witnesses will be hated by the world. There will be some who will attempt to assassinate them, but God for the duration of their prophesying will miraculously protect them.

Rev.11:7-10 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.
The people of the world will rejoice and celebrate their demise. The two witnesses will be viewed by them as the world enemies and the enemies of the God as well. They will be displayed in Jerusalem as a warning and demonstration of what to expect when someone starts opposing the strength and might of the emerging world government and the world religion. This beast system will claim to exercise its power on behalf of God.
The beast that comes up from the Abyss is a powerful world system that comes up from the ruin of the partial destruction of the earth, when third of the earth, third of the seas, third of the trees and third of the population is destroyed. This system is little more complex than just the world government as was mentioned when we have investigated the prophecies of Daniel. In the future study we will be dealing in detail with this beast. But for our purposes here the assignation of the beast as the world government will suffice. The two witnesses will eventually be brought to trail and killed by this emerging power. Notice the parallel. After three and half years of prophesying, same way as after three and half years of Jesus’ ministry, as Jesus was killed so the two witnesses will be killed also. But the similarities goes deeper yet.
Since these two witnesses are God’s signet ring in the time of the end, they act on behalf of (King-Priest) Jesus Christ or in His stead. In other words, before Jesus comes, they represent Him on the earth. By killing them, the world demonstrates that if Jesus would be here, they would kill Him all over again. That is why they are called the two witnesses. What happened to them will act as an evidence against the world and justification of the action taken by God as a result. In the seven last plagues God will totally destroy all His enemies.
Rev.11:11-14: But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on. At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.
A parallel can be drawn here. As the two witnesses tormented the inhabitants of the world for three and half years, so now God permits the world to enjoy and celebrate for three and half days their assumed victory over them. Day for a year. Similar way, as two thousand years ago enemies of God celebrated for three days victory over death of Christ, so the enemies of God will celebrate their victory at this time as well. When the two witnesses are raised by God from death it serves to the whole world as a final demonstration that they have sided with the enemy as the two witnesses claimed, and that while professing to serve God are fighting against Him. Their joy and celebration will turn into a terror when many will realize at that time that they have chosen the wrong side.
With rising the two witnesses from death and severe earthquake in Jerusalem, the second woe (sixth trumpet) concludes, and the third woe - the seventh trumpet is coming soon. This period of time under the second woe stretches for large part of the transition period after the partial destruction of the earth, its inhabitants and its environment all way to close of probation of everyone on this planet just before the seven last plagues are poured out. It will last a number of years. First after the destruction, the leopard beast power (Quad-alliance) will be formed, which gradually will be transforming self as situation worsens into the one world governing body of the fourth beast power.

In closing, the two chapters (10 & 11) of Revelation are depicting the work and the objective of God’s servants during that period of time. Throughout the world they will be prophesying - warning the world of what is yet to come and reproving people of their sins. Most people and that includes also a large portion of Christian churches and believers will oppose them. They will be convinced that the end is already past, that the partial destruction was the last battle of Armageddon and that the return of Jesus has already happened. They will also claim that by ignoring some of God’s commandments, they do not sin against God. When someone like Christ appears in different parts of the world and acknowledges their beliefs as the truth, majority of the world will accept him as the genuine Christ. And so controversy will arise. God’s true servants will warn against him, while God’s opponents professing worshiping God will try to get everyone to submit to his authority. Result will be the persecution of believers ending with the legislation permitting to kill everyone who opposes. In short, chapter 10 & 11 portray what God’s servants will have to do in the time of the end. On the other hand, what the enemies of God will do at that time is shown in chapter 13. This way, we have both sides and their activity depicted in Revelation. The end time events will polarize all people of the earth only into two different camps. Those who will be with God and those who will be against Him.

Revelation A to Z - Part T
Your friend in Jesus
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