Introduction:

Fire breathers like jugglers, magicians, acrobats and sideshow performers amaze people when preforming as they seem to exhale a plume of fire as though it were as easy as taking a breath. The result appears as a pillar, a plume or a ball of fire. Fire breathing is the most dangerous of all the fire arts. The fuels are toxic and potentially carcinogenic, and a fire can get out of control quickly. People who breathe fire professionally have to go to great lengths to keep themselves and their audiences safe. Fire breathing is the most dangerous of all fire stunts. However, one day two men are going to exhale fire and it won’t be a stunt. In fact it will be a weapon liken to those marvel characters that weaponized fire from their mouths. They are the two mysterious Tribulation witnesses of God.

I The Two Witnesses (11:4- 12)

1. In 11:3 John says two witnesses would serve as God’s prophets for 1,260 days, or 3 ½ years. The identity of these two prophets is not disclosed in this passage. Some think they are Elijah and Moses. They were with Jesus on the Mountain of Transfiguration.
Others believe it could be Enoch and Elijah. Hapax- meaning once and for all. Hebrews 9:27
Hapax is used of what is so done as to never need repetition.

The witnesses will be able to perform miracles, such as destroying with fire anyone who would harm them (11:5). Like Elijah in the OT we read Malachi 3:1 and 4:5 Also, Elijah had power to shut up heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy, and like Moses, they have power over waters to turn them to blood and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

2) They witnesses will prophecy. They are sent forth as true prophets who condemn sin and proclaim the salvation in Jesus Christ the Lord. This is shown by the dress mentioned, that of sackcloth. This was the dress worn by the prophets of old. The point of the dress is to show that their message will be straightforward and without compromise. It will be a message against the sins of the Jews and of the world, a condemning message. But note: they will also be proclaiming the good news – the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.

God has given them power and authority to prophesy for 1,260, three and a half years. God always has His witnesses! Even in this time of great wickedness and absolute rebellion against God, He has His witnesses in this sin-cursed world.

3. Their Attitude
These two witnesses will put on sackcloth because they will call the people to repentance it also expresses their great sorrow for the wretched and unbelieving world. They will also mourn because of the desecration of the temple by anti-Christ. Jesus said to look for an abomination standing in the holy place, which would be the pivotal sign that the season of God’s wrath was upon the earth in Matthew 24:15-16 & 24:21.

They are the anointed of God the two Olive trees and two candlesticks bringing the light of the gospel to a sinful and dark world. Olive trees, Candlesticks – Spirit and Light. They will minister in the power of God’s Spirit preaching His Light.
2Cr 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

4. Their Power vv. 5
1)These witnesses will “fearlessly” proclaim God’s Word, judgment, wrath, vengeance, and the need for repentance. Today we are being told to tone it down, don’t say it if it is not politically correct. Our pulpits should be preaching the truth!

2) Because of their message they will be universally hated and many will try to kill them. Fire will flow from their mouth and devour their enemies. They will return in kind any assault upon them and they will bring drought and turn the water into blood. Is this a literal fire? I think this is as literal a fire as it needs to be to burn up a literal body.

Application:
In this day men will not be able to turn a deaf ear to the preaching of God’s word. They won’t quit, no one will be able to stop them. Not the ACLU, nor any other Christ hating organization. Too often people will just turn you off, brush you off, slam their doors, complaint or cancel you. There is coming a day God will be heard weather men want to hear it or not.

4. Their Death vv. 7

1. God will protect His witnesses until their work is done. (When your work is done it’s done!) In verse seven we are introduced to the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit and kills the two witnesses. However, this will happen only after they have finished their testimony (11:7). Like the murder of Christ, their deaths will not be a tragic accident; they will have finished their ministry.

2. This is the first mention of the beast that kills them, but he is mentioned more than 30 times in the remainder of the book. This killing is apparently his first act, and it will win him worldwide support. Their bodies will lie openly on the city street for everyone to see. The morbid gruesome display of hatred shows how hardened they are as they let those bodies just lie in the street decaying and the world rejoices!

II. Their Resurrection vv 8-12

1. After their bodies had been on display for 3 1 /2 days for all the world to *see (most likely thru the use of satellite television), the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them (11:11). The world’s party will quickly end as God breathe life into their dead bodies. Great fear falls upon all who see what is happening. Just like God resurrected Jesus from the dead he will bring the two witnesses back to life. God then calls them home and they immediately go to Heaven.

2. As the two witnesses are resurrected, a voice from heaven calls them, Come up hither, and they ascend up to heaven in a cloud in full view of their enemies (11:12). This will be one of many spectacular events of the last days. The breath of God will be breathed into the dead bodies of these two slain witnesses. They will stand to their feet, and when they do, fear will strike the hearts of all those who see them. Some wonder why the two witnesses were not permitted to preach after their resurrection, but signs and wonders do not make the gospel believable. Remember they didn’t listen to Moses, Elijah or Jesus. So as soon as they are finish the mission that God sent them to do the Lord takes them home.

6. Their Impact

1. The result of the treatment these two faithful witnesses received is felt immediately on the city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem’s leadership is in league with the Antichrist, it is easy to see how these titles apply. Any city in love with the Antichrist, or entering into a covenant with him, could be called Sodom for it immorally. Jerusalem is called Egypt for its slavery to sinfulness and Babylon as the headquarters of the Antichrist. God sends an earthquake destroying 10% of the city and 7,000 notable men die. God shows who is still in control. The remnant must admit that this is the work of God.

Conclusion:

We are all to be witnesses, that is who we are; no matter what our other calling, profession or vocation. Acts 1:8