jaydam wrote:Quick question:
The two witnesses are killed by the beast from the abyss. Rev 11:3-7
This seems an easy parallel to Satan's short release from the abyss in Rev 20
What do you guys see this as referring to?
I would be interested in hearing from Robby and Matt if they get a chance.
Maybe it isn't parallel?
Thanks guys.
Hey jaydam,
IMHO, Rev 11:3-7 is more in line with Rev 17:8. But notice what is said to John - This beast is
ABOUT to come out of the abyss,
BUT it already WAS (that's means somewhere in history, short or long). Next,
IT IS NOT (that means presently it isn't revealed or on the scene).
I also find it fascinating how Rev 11 eludes to this beast before it's even discussed, God gives a fast-forward if you will????
As far as the two witnesses are concerned, the Word of God tells us who they are. It's found in
Zechariah 4:11-14 compare with
Rev 11:4. And sadly that's all we know. Anything more would be pure speculation on our part, which will bring me to my concluding remarks.
Brother jaydam, please bare with me, indulge me, if you will, as I make my case. As you know, I believe The Revelation, one prophecy, had its fulfillment, as stated in the time markers, from start to finish in the lifetime of the original audience. Another proof to this, regarding the two witnesses, is given in the internal evidence. Rev 11:3 says, they will prophesy for 1260 days. Daniel 9:24 says, in 70 weeks (490 years) there will be an end to prophets and visions. Therefore, whatever Rev 11:3-7 is talking about, there is no way it can go beyond the 70AD age ending event.
Sadly, we post 70AD Believers will NEVER know what all The Revelation symbology, spiritual and literal fulfillments emphatically meant or how they transpired. Why? Because we need prophets to decipher the meaning. You see, these letters were written to seven literal churches, whom God qualified and blessed to decipher its message. God's genius is unsurpassed even to this day! No Prophets, No understanding without error!
For 2000 years we've had a large percentage of speculation concerning something that was to shortly take place, requiring 100% accurate interpretation. Well, it wasn't for us, so I'm not surprised on the confusion, trying to accomplish the impossible. We clearly DO NOT and WILL NOT have any Prophets coming along to bring us clarity. Shouldn't this make everyone STOP and THINK?
Are we to believe that there is more INSPIRED text to be added? That would require a HOLY Prophet! But Dan 9 says, 490 years is all what Israel had left. I believe, just as every NT Writer and the Assemblies believed, their generation was the privileged one to witness all these things.
So jaydam, God knew what HE was doing to prevent HIS enemies from unlocking The Revelation message. Prophets were needed and The Church had them. The message was given and judgment came. We will just have to have fun speculating on how these things were accomplished. Of course, The Futurist camp will continue to see never ending signs and so forth and so on... But I'm pretty convinced it's over.
God Bless.