REVELATION - CHAPTER 11 - The Two Witnesses - The 7th Trumpet - Vision of Shekinah Glory

Pastor Carolyn Sissom \ August 8nd, 2012 (7646 views)

REVELATION – CHAPTER 11

            The Two Witnesses---The Seventh Trumpet

Vision of Shekinah Glory given to Carolyn Sissom

Pastor Carolyn Sissom

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

August 14, 2012, The Year of Our Lord

 

I will recap the opening of the seven seals to help us keep the flow of the Book of Revelation in perspective:

 

SEVEN SEALS:

Seal #1 – White horse -Outbreak of war of conquest.

Seal #2 - Red horse – war

Seal #3 - Black horse – famine

Seal #4 – Pale horse – death and hell

Seal #5 – Martyrdom of saints

Seal #6 - Great earthquake (seismos)

Seal #7 – The 7 trumpet angels

                        Trumpet #1 – 1/3 of the earth scorched

                        Trumpet #2 -   1/3 of sea bloodied

                        Trumpet #3 -   1/3 part of Rivers poisoned

                        Trumpet #4 -   1/3 part of the sun, moon and stars were darkened

                        Trumpet #5 –   Demons loosed (1^st woe)

                        Trumpet #6 -   Demonic Calvary under Abaddon (2^nd woe)

                        Trumpet #7 -   The Last Trumpet

 

As this chapter opens we are still waiting for the seventh trumpet to sound.  We are on hold as the Angel of the Lord (the Mighty Angel) continues to instruct the Apostle John.

 

Rev. 11:1-2: “There was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the Angel stood saying, rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.  But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles; and the holy city shall they tread under foot 42-months.”

 

I continue to be amazed at the providence of God that we are on his time with our study of 1 Cor. 3: 16-17:  “Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”

 

In Ezekiel 40:3, it is the interpreting angel who is instructed to measure the temple and not the prophet himself.  Here it is the Apostle who is instructed by the Angel of the Lord to measure the temple of the new common wealth, as in the measuring of New Jerusalem in Rev. 21:15.  The Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 A.D.

 

In the Old Testament, before the Day of Pentecost and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit,  the Presence of the Holy Spirit was only in the temple and certain anointed men of God. There are three The angel in Ezekiel measured all three courts, Outer Court, Holy Place and Most Holy Place.

 

1. Outer Court ------ Passover ---     Salvation.
2. Holy Place --------  Pentecost ---    Baptism of Holy Spirit
3. Most Holy Place – Tabernacles – Glory of God
   

There are three kinds of persons anointed in the Holy Bible:

 1.  The prophet---will speak and declare God unto men, producing righteousness.

2.   The Priest ---will speak and bring men unto God, producing peace.

3.  The King----will speak and rule with authority, producing joy.

 

The Holy Place is the realm of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  Here the apostle is told to exclude the outer court; do not measure it because it has been given to the Gentiles.  The outer court was not a place God ordained for worship.

 

The temple is now the people of God. The outer court is the assault by pagan imperialism as some Christians yield to the temptation to compromise with idolatry and so deny Christ.  But the true dwelling-place of God is immune from earthly invasion; the church’s life is “hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3)

 

The Outer court here is the realm of carnal, immature, worldly, and apostate Christians who have chosen to be socially acceptable to the political correctness ideology of the spirit of anti-christ.

 

Forty-two months (3-1/2 years) is the traditional apocalyptic term derived from Daniel and the Book of Revelation used for the fullness of time of Gentile and/or any evil domination.

 

The period of the defilement of the temple by the “abomination of desolation” set up by Antiochus IV from 167 to 164 B.C. is identical with the 1260 days of verse 3.  True to His Word, the Lord only gave Antiochus 3-1/2 years until is cup of iniquity was full. 

 

 The two witnesses are given 1260 days to prophecy.

 

Rev. 11: “I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy 1260 days clothed in sackcloth.  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.  If any man will hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies.  If any man hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.  These have power to shut heaven, that it does not rain the days of their prophecy; and they have power over the waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.”

 

Do we know who these two witnesses are? No! The two witnesses are interpreted by some as symbolic figures of the church in it’s royal and priestly functions, as is suggested by the two metaphors by which the witnesses are designated: 

 

(1)   The two olive trees

(2)   The two candlesticks

 

Jesus is the oil (Spirit) and the light (Holy Spirit of Truth) within each of us.  We are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  We are Christ’s and Christ is God’s. (1 Cor. 3:23).  We are Christ’s body of which He is the head.

 

Zech. 4: 2-14:  “…I looked and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof; and two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof…I spoke to the angel that talked with me, saying. What are these, my lord?...The angel answered and spoke to me.  This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, not my might, nor by power, but my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

 

This reveals two witnesses of Spirit and Truth.

 

Zech 4:7:  Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel that you shall become a plain and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shouting’s, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

 

Luke 3: 4-6:  “Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth.  And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

 

I cannot say if the two witnesses are symbolic of the church or if the Lord will rise up two prophets.  Whoever these figures, they denote the power of:

 

1. Zerubbabel, the governor, prince of the house of David. Hag. 1:1: “…the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest…”
2. Joshua, the high priest a type of Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest.
3. Elijah – “Fire comes from their mouth and devours their enemies” (2 Kg. 1: 10, 12).
4. Elijah - “Power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain” (1 Kg. 17:1).
5. Elijah -   The time they are prophesying lasts as long as Elijah drought. Lk. 4:25: “I tell you a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up 3-1/2 years, when great famine was throughout all the land.” James 5:17: “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it did not rain on the earth for 3-1/2 years.”
6. Moses – “They have power to turn the waters into blood”; “and to strike the           

earth with every …plague” (Ex. 4: 9: 7, 17).

7. The Glorified Christ of Rev. 1:12 stands in the midst of the seven golden

Candlesticks.  The golden candlestick of Zechariah is symbolic of the true vine (Christ) and the branches (us).  The Spirit of Christ and the Word of God are Spirit and Truth.

 

Revelation 11:7-10:  “When the two witnesses finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.  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 people of all kindred, tongues and nations shall see their bodies 3-1/2 days and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.  Those 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 dwell on the earth.”

 

That these two witnesses are indeed two persons seems more likely as the Apostle foretells their natural death.

 

The beast from the abyss indicates the same demonic origin and character of Abaddon in Rev. 9:11.  He reappears in Rev. 13:1 and 17:3, where he is plainly the imperial antichrist of the end-time in whom the power and malignity of the persecuting empires are finally embodied and brought to a head. 

 

The Greek word for beast is “therion”, “wild beast”, distinct from the “zoon” which is used for the “living creatures”.

 

The only way one can disgrace a dead man is to deny his body burial and expose it to the scorn and abuse of his enemies.  The bodies of the martyred witnesses are not buried, but put on display in the broad street of the “great city” which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt.

 

Jerusalem is called Sodom because of her unrighteousness in Isa. 1:10.  In this verse, that  Jerusalem is called Sodom indicates the increase in the last day of homosexuality, sexual whoredoms, and religious perversions.  This we are watching as the spirit of antichrist not only condones but validates homosexuality.  These sins will be predominant sins ending this age (Mt. 24:39; Lk. 17: 26-30).  We know  gay parades have been tolerated in Jerusalem.

 

But why is Jerusalem also called Egypt here?  Perhaps because Egypt is an apt symbol for the world system and  oppression of the people of God.  That the city is designated as the city where our Lord was crucified is definitive of  Jerusalem.

 

 

The inhabitants of the earth are synonymous with men from every people, tribe, language and nation.  That the two prophets tormented them is because the witness of the Godly is a condemnation to the ungodly (1 Ki. 18:17). 

 

Revelation 11: 11-12:  “After 3-1/2 days the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon those who saw them.  They heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither.  They ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.”

 

“Come up here” is the call to the prophets and was heard by Ezekiel 37:, 10, 12.  This was the summons to John in Rev. 4:1.  The Lord spoke to me in vision February 19, 1995 to “Come up here”.   The vision was during the night of 2/19/95.  I received a message from God:  “Do not move your feet!! Do not move!”  The message came with much power and authority.  I awoke Friday morning still surrounded by the heavy Cloud of God’s presence throughout the house.

 

I yielded to it and lay back on the sofa.  At once I was in the Spirit.  Immediately I was raptured into the prophetic ecstasy where a prophet is possessed in the Spirit and wholly under divine influence…The vision seemed to take me into several realms of the Spirit.  The first part or realm was stairs ascending upward and so was the voice of Revelation 4:1:  “Come up here”…” ( See continuation of Vision of Shekinah Glory at the end of this teaching).

 

  But here the rapture of the resurrected martyrs to heaven is described in language reminiscent of that in which Luke records the ascension of Christ (Acts. 1:9), "they ascended up into heaven in a cloud."

 

The Spirit of life in one makes the body live, but when the spirit leaves the body it dies (James 2:26).  Ecc. 12:6-7: “If ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken…then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”

 

For those who are of the persuasion that the two witnesses represent the church, they also believe this is the point in time when the church will be raptured out of the earth with the two witnesses.

Rev. 11:13:  “And the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth part of the city fell.  In the earthquake 7000 men were slain.  The remnant were afraid and gave glory to God.”

 

Unlike the survivors of (9:20) from the demonic Calvary, these survivors gave glory to God. 

 

Rev. 11:14: “The second woe is past; and behold, the third woe comes quickly.”

 

Mankind has a short time to repent and receive the Lord Jesus Christ before the sounding of the 7^th trumpet angel.

 

 We have covered some ground since the 6^th trumpet sounded. 

 

The third woe is heralded by the blowing of the last trumpet.  As we listen to the last trumpet, John will only give us a brief outline of the rest of the book---and that’s all.  Following the message of the “great voices” and”24 elders” of the 7^th trumpet, there will be the third woe which is the 7-Vial angel judgments (Chapter 15).   

 

Revelation 11: 15-17: “The seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.  The 24 elders who sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, We give you thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which are, and was, and are to come; because you have taken to thee your great power, and have reigned.”

 

The sovereignty of God has never ceased, but now it is universally manifested and acknowledged; at last the time has come for the full realization of the divine purpose that in Jesus name ‘every knee should bow,…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil 2:10), who is and was, but no longer “who is to come” as in Rev. 1:4:  “John to the seven churches which are in Asia; Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come…” and Rev. 4:8: “…The four beasts…saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”

 

The Coming One has now come. Excitement in heaven has been mounting as we come to this moment.  The great voices in heaven trigger a response from the 24 elders who then disclose the rest of God’s plan. 

 

The great voices shout the fact that the kingdom of this world has been removed from Satan’s hands and transferred to Jesus.  Jesus’ death secured all right and title to Satan’s domain.

 

We have thus far seen the 24-elders seated on thrones.  But now they are on their faces before God. It is my persuasion that the 24-elders are the celestial archetype of God Kingdom governmental elders on earth.  They understand that the time of God’s wrath has come.  They are given voice to declare and proclaim the program of God’s Kingdom to the inhabitants of the earth.  I believe there is even now an earthly counterpart to the celestial 24-elders.  I don’t know who they are.  However, I am sure there are many with egos large enough to claim to be in that elect company.

 

Message of the 24-Elders:

 

Rev. 11:18-19:  The nations were angry, and your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that you should give reward unto your servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear your name, small and great; and will destroy them which destroy the earth.  

 

Divine judgment and reward have been present in abundance in the previous stages of John’s vision, but they reach their climax at the 7^th trumpet.  It is an awe-some privilege to be given the reward of His servants, the prophets.  Yes, many of us prophesy with the Holy Spirit giftings of “seer”, “word of knowledge”, “word of wisdom”, “dreams”, “visions”, “discernment of spirits”, and “foretelling”.  Will we stand in that place of honor on that day to receive the reward due the prophets?  I cannot say that the Office I stand in could measure up to such an honor.

 

However, I stand as a Saint, a Minister of the Gospel in the Office granted to me; and in the fear of God.  It is to our comfort that rewards will be given to both the small and to the great.

 

Within the span of the 7^th Trumpet, there is still much to transpire before the culmination of all things:

 

The third woe is the climax of judgment.  Within the third woe are the 7-Vial Angels:

 

      1^st Vial Angel --- Sores

      2^nd Vial Angel – The sea becomes as blood.

      3^rd. Vial Angel -  Rivers become as blood.

      4^th Vial Angel -   Sun scorches mankind

      5^th Vial Angel -   Seat of the beast full of darkness

      6^th Vial Angel -   Three unclean spirits

      7^th Vial Angel -    Hail stones and Great earthquake

 

Preparation is made for the vision of the seven bowls by the opening of the heavenly sanctuary (Gk. naos)---implying God’s hidden counsel---with attendant thunder-peals and lightning-flashes such as preceded the sounding of the seven trumpets.

 

Revelation 11:19:  “The temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his Testament; and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.”

 

This is the first mention of the ark in Revelation.  It is the archetype of the ark in the Mosaic tabernacle and Solomon’s temple.  Its exposure now is a token that God will fulfill to the last detail His covenant-promises to His people.

 

We are the temple.  Within each of us is “the ark of His Testament” as we live, move and have our being in the Holy of Holies.  In 1995, I also had a vision of the “ark of his Testament”.  Because of this scripture, I could only assume the opening of this the Holy of Holies had transpired.  This was in the same time period as the Brownfield Revival and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at “His mercy seat”.  I can’t say that is what my vision meant.  However, in the Holy of Holies is the place of the Glory of God.  Since that time, the Lord has released the glory of His Holy Presence into His Assemblies through His servants who carry the Shekinah Glory.  The Glory of God is only found and released from one place.  That is the Holy of Holies.

 

Continuation:  Vision of the Shekinah Glory, February 20, 1995, given to Carolyn Sissom

 

After hearing the call, “Come up here”, I was ushered by angels to the first plateau of the stairs.  I was laid out on the plateau barefoot with my warm up suit on.  I remember thinking,  “I’m not dressed to be in this holy place.  I sure do look shabby to be in heaven”.

 

Many angels began ministering to me.  One with a turban headdress was standing over me.  One with a trumpet flew over me blowing it.  Then one flew over with a scroll unrolled.  There were many other angels ministering, not to my flesh, but to my spirit which was outside my body.

 

Then I saw Jesus, but not his head.  He was colossal in stature.  He held out his hand and my hand passed through His.  I was immediately lifted up to a higher place touching a golden ladder.  When I touched the ladder a spirit of intercession came upon me and for some time I interceded for friends and loved ones.

 

As I stood on the lower rung of the ladder, it began to extend down toward earth. (I felt the ladder represented the connection of intercession between Heaven and Earth).

 

Then immediately I was taken to a mountain great and high.  The place I was standing was flat like a mesa, but much higher.

 

Of course we know that the mountain of vision is described by Ezekiel and John when they were shown New Jerusalem.  At least 2-3 miles below was a sea.  I could touch Heaven with my hand and a dove was on my shoulder.  “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand”. 

 

As I looked,  the sea began to have great waves coming near and covering the lower hills and mountains.  But the waves did not touch me.

 

(Throughout the Bible the sea is symbolic of restless insubordination.  It casts up the system which incarnates hostility to God and His people.  However, in this vision I felt these waves were the glory of God covering the whole earth).

 

Isaiah 51:15 came to my attention in the vision:  “I am the Lord your God who churns up the sea so that it’s waves roar…The Lord Almighty is his name.  I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of My hand…I, who set the heavens in place, and laid the foundations of the earth and who say to Zion you are my people.”

 

Soon only the mountain I was standing on was left due to the powerful waves---every mountain, hill and island was removed from its place.  Then a great wave gently and tenderly lifted me up into the Heavens.  I was set before another pyramid of golden steps (like inside a temple).  Again, I could not see the top, but a beautiful light was shining on the steps from above.  “For God dwells in light and covers himself with light as with a garment.”  Hundreds of angels were ascending and descending the steps.  They were caring bowls up the right side of the steps and down the left. 

 

As I began to ascend the steps, the light supernaturally lifted me so that gravity was not relevant.  The closer I came to the top the brilliant light surrounded me. (for God is light).

 

Then is the midst of the light which is surely the Shekinah Glory of God, I again saw the colossal form of Jesus.  His form was all light.  I was also light.  My light was drawn into His light.  I knew that I was inside Him for some time.   I was then taken through the light streams coming through the palms of His left hand.

 

After this,  I was back in my body and the warmth of the light penetrated my whole body with healing.

 

Then came the last part or realm.  A giant eagle lifted me up (I was being lifted up on eagle’s wings). 

 

End of vision of Shekinah Glory given to Carolyn Sissom, Feb. 19, 1995, the Year of Our Lord.

 

Next week, chapter 12 and the Sun Clothed woman…

 

Within the 7^th Seal is the 7^th Trumpet.  Within the 7^th trumpet is:

 

1. The announcement of the great voices.
2. The statements of the 24 elders.
3. Opening of the heavenly temple

 

Chapter 12-14:

4. Travail of sun-clothed woman.
5. Dragon’s attack on the man-child.
6. The man-child caught up to Heaven.
7. Flight of the woman
8. War in heaven
9. Dragon’s attack on the woman
10. Rise of beast out of the sea
11. Rise of beast out of the earth.
12. Seven-Vial Angels

 

Pastor Carolyn Sissom

Eastgate Ministries, Inc.

www.eastgateministries.com

Scripture from K.J.V.; I entered into the labors of F. F. Bruce Bible Commentary.  Comments and conclusions are my own and not meant to reflect the views of those who I entered into their labors.  The Vision of the Shekinah Glory was given to Carolyn Sissom, February 19, 1995.