2 Witnesses

Who are the two witnesses dressed in gunny sacks and ashes?

Revelation 1:3 And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Revelation 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

Who are these two preachers or witnesses?

They are like olive trees and 2 candlesticks. Remember David talks about the light from the candlestick bringing light like the WORD of God does?

Psalm 119:105 Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Whenever the Bible gives a symbol, there is a nice deep truth hidden from those who just rush through Bible reading. Let's look at these olive trees.

OLIVE TREES Give Oil for making light

Remember Zechariah talks about olive trees and olive oil going into a bowl full of candles?

WHO IS SYMBOLIZED BY TWO OLIVE BRANCHES? (2 Anointed Ones standing in God's presence)

And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? . . . Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth." Zech. 4:1-14. {COL 406.3}

The mission of the two anointed ones is to communicate to God's people that heavenly grace which alone can make His WORD a lamp to the feet and a light to the path.

Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. God the Holy Spirit must make things clear or no light of understanding will happen.

From the two olive trees the golden oil was emptied through the golden pipes into the bowl of the candlestick, and thence into the golden lamps that gave light to the sanctuary. So from the holy ones that stand in God's presence His Spirit is imparted to the human instrumentalities who are consecrated to His service.

Just like the garden hose delivers water to the garden, these two anointed ones in heaven bring to your mind what God is saying in His Bible.

You cannot understand this on your own. You can try to understand Revelation but only after prayer and the help of God can you know what He is trying to say.

The mission of the two anointed ones is to communicate to God's people that heavenly grace which alone can make His word a lamp to the feet and a light to the path. "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." Zech. 4:6.

So from the anointed ones that stand in God's presence the fullness of divine light and love and power is imparted to His people, that they may impart to others light and joy and refreshing. Those who are thus enriched are to enrich others with the treasure of God's love.

Rev. 11:3 And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

The 2 witnesses are like olive trees and candlesticks. They declare the future for 2,300 years. Without the tree there is no oil for making light. Without the anointed ones imparting the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of what the Bible really says.

The olive tree makes olives for oil. The candlestick holds the oil which if lit makes light.

Revelation 11:5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

God's Bible was written as He asked His prophets to write it. It all is important. If anyone takes anything out, or changes it, he will be punished. God will take that person's name out of the book of life and out of the holy city. (Rev. 22:19) That means they will never even go to heaven.

If anyone burns up or hides the Bible from those who want it, they will be punished by God. We should treat the Bible with great respect. Never put anything on top of the Bible. It is always placed on top of all other books to show respect. God's Word is more important than books, magazines and papers.

11:6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

Remember the story of Elijah? Because the people were worshipping Baal the rain god, Elijah told them God would keep it from raining to show Who sends the rain. It was 3 years before they had realized it was only God who sends rain. It was not Elijah's power, but God's who stopped the rain.

Rev. 11:6 and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

Remember Moses in Egypt? As God's witness, as the rod touched the water, it turned to blood. As Moses and Aaron spoke, the plagues fell from God. It was not power in Moses, but from God alone.

Rev. 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascended out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

The bottomless pit is described in Revelation 20 again. That is where Satan waits for 1,000 years. That is the earth.

Rev. 11: 8 And their dead bodies [shall lie] in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

The Bible is talking about some people acting like Sodom and Egypt. The city of Sodom was known for its problems with adultery. They did not treat their bodies as the temple of God. (as Basic Bible lesson 20 on health discusses)

They did very wicked things in Sodom.

Egypt refused to believe in God of Creation. They were atheists. The country of France during the Revolution fits this description.

In France, during the time of the Revolution, the leaders said it was forbidden to have or study the Bible. They burned the Bibles.

Many tried to burn up the Bible so no one could read it.

The 7th day Sabbath was set aside, and every 10th day was made a special day for parties and wickedness. Baptism and the Lord's Supper were forbidden. It was declared that God did not exist. The country said the "goddess of Reason" was the only one to be worshipped. There were parades with wicked women held up high on carts in the parade. They went down the streets this way to the place of worship. God only knows all the terrible things they did in these places of so called worship.

On one occasion, during this time in France, there was a horrible plot to kill all Protestants in France. At midnight the bell in the tower of the royal palace in Paris sounded the signal. People sleeping quietly in their homes were dragged forth to death. Anyone who dared to show respect for the Bible was killed. The killing lasted several weeks. Old men, children, and women were also killed.

In one week almost 100,000 were killed. Dead bodies filled the rivers for many months so no fish were eaten by Frenchmen. This was called the massacre of St. Bartholomew. The kings of France got a special present from the Pope for killing these people. It was a golden rose that had precious rocks in it. Once a year this same golden rose is given by the pope as a gift to someone he thinks is worthy of the honor.

The royalty in France were promised by Rome that their sins would be forgiven if they would do this horrible deed of killing. The royalty had many parties and were drunk a lot. It was nothing for them to do this shocking deed.

Date: August 24, 1572

Incidentally in 1997 the Pope visited this place again on August 24. It was exactly 425 years since the massacre. His meeting was within a mile of where the bell rang that frightful midnight in Paris, France on August 24, 1572.

When the news of the St. Bartholomew killings reached the world, they gasped in horror. When news reached Rome, The Pope was so happy, he had a party. He had his guns go off in a salute making noise like one celebrates the end of a war. He had all the bells ring in every tower. Special bonfires blazed in celebration. Then he and all the priests had a fancy parade procession to the church. All the way they chanted a song. Was this party over the death of believers in God an example like you would expect from someone who claims to live like God?

Never in Scripture is it written that God has pleasure in the death of anyone whether good or bad. Jesus stopped during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on the donkey. He stopped the donkey and cried as He looked at the beautiful temple and realized His people would reject Him and be killed in the near future.

Revelation 11:9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

11:10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

11:11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

The Word of God cuts the heart like a sword. It shows us our sins. Those who don't want to believe God, are afraid of the truth.

Many years before the killings in France, John the disciple of Jesus wrote about it.

The details came to pass exactly as God said they would. The WORD of God can be trusted.

Revelation 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

Seven years after the wipe out of Bibles and people who believed in the Bible, the British and Foreign Bible society was organized. (1804) Then other Bible societies in Europe and America (1816) began making millions of copies of Bibles. They have been put in different languages. As more and more people began to study it, the next part of the prophecy was fulfilled. The two witnesses were taken up into the cloud. That meant they were honored among the people. The Bible is a valuable treasure to many. I hope you treasure YOUR BIBLE.

11:13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

So many were killed in uprisings. Their homes and property were disturbed. It was as if a disaster like an earthquake had come on them. "Those who had chosen the service of rebellion were left to reap its fruits until the land was filled with crimes too horrible for pen to trace. France was shaken as if by an earthquake. Religion, law, social order, the family, the state, and the church all were smitten down by the impious hand that was lifted against the LAW OF GOD. Truly spoke the wise man: 'the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.' " Great Controversy p. 286

Proverbs 11:5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

TIME PERIOD of this trouble: 1500's to 1793. When the French assembly banished Bibles. Three and 1/3 years later they took away the law (rescinded) and all could have Bibles again.

The great and terrible Lisbon earthquake was felt in France (1755). This date did not really fit the prediction "at the same hour" timing in Revelation that the witnesses were killed. The main point of this Bible text is a WARNING for all those who try to destroy or change the LAW of God. The lack of His law will result in murders, thefts, and violent behavior everywhere. No one can keep any control. All is hopeless like in France.

Satan did what He wanted in France.

He will do the same for every country who disobeys the law of God. The 10 commandments are rules for happy living.

True freedom and joy and safety is found in obedience to God's laws. It is written, Oh, that you had obeyed My commandment! Then your peace would be like a river. There is no peace for the wicked. (Isaiah 48:18,22) Whoever obeys God will dwell in safety, and will be quiet from fear of evil. (Proverbs 1:33)

Revelation 11:14 The second woe is past; [and], behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

Quiz:

1. Who are the witnesses?

2. Who is the Olive Tree?

3. Who are the branches of the olive tree?

4. What is oil a symbol of?

5. What is the light of the world?

6. How can God's people become the light of the world?

7. What happened to the two witnesses?

8. After they were beat up 3 1/2 years, where did they go so all could see them?

9. What happened at this time in prophecy that made the witnesses seen all over the world?

10. What year did the Pope visit the massacre site? How many years was it after the original mess?

11. What significance was it that the Pope was received with such honor even by Protestants?

12. Did you know what the name Protestant means? (protest) What were they protesting?

13. What was the date of St. Bartholomew's massacre?

14. What 5 celebration things were done?

15. Because these people were celebrating in Italy and the massacre happened in France, do you think they had anything to do with it?

16. Does God rejoice over the death of anyone?

Ezekiel 18:31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn [yourselves], and live ye.

17. What was done to the Bibles in France?

18. What happened in the Country of France after the Bibles and all the people that believed in Bibles were murdered?

19. What will happen to any country that destroys Bibles and Bible believers?

20. What happens to those who help Satan the dragon beat up Christians?

More information on Olive trees:

{COL 408.1} Christ Object Lessons by Ellen White

In the "Irish Times", on the WEB it was noted that Pope John Paul II presided in an open-air MASS for many people in Paris on Saint Bartholomew's Day (Aug. 24, 1997) exactly 425 years after the massacre of Protestant Huguenots. It was very well attended according to the Portland, Oregon, USA, PBS TV report in 1997. This was declared on the news during the time I was writing up these lessons and covering this topic. All heaven is interested in events here on this earth. This was a very important event. Many protested the commemoration but it seems others had forgotten history.

The mass occurred scarcely a mile from where the murders began on August 19, 1572. At midnight on August 24, 1572 the palace bells sounded. There were men on street corners ready to kill all in their portion of the city. It was a horrific mass murder. The pain lives on in the hearts of those who believe the whole Bible. What a sad result was seen as the country of France became crime ridden for lack of honest Christians. History leaves a powerful example of what happens when God's WORD has been trampled.