Thread: Revelation 18
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Old 01-12-2019, 07:18 AM
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Re: Revelation 18

Quote:
Originally Posted by Esaias View Post
As for the identity of the Two Witnesses, the Bible tells us quite a bit.

They aren't just witnesses, but "My" witnesses, that is, God's. Whom does God say are His witnesses?

Isaiah 43:10, 43:12, and 44:8 specify that the sons of Jacob are God's witnesses in this world as to His Sovereignty and Lordship.

The sons of Jacob consisted of two Houses: The House of Judah, consisting of the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin and some of Levi, and the House of Israel, consisting of the other ten tribes led by Ephraim. And thus the House of Israel was also called Ephraim, and Joseph, after the predominant tribe, just as the House of Judah was called Judah after its predominant tribe.

The Two Houses were to be joined together as one under Messiah. The Two Witnesses are new covenant witnesses (as per the context of Revelation and the NT, because apart from Christ one is not a witness for God).

The reuniting of both Houses under Messiah to proclaim His truth to the nations is a major theme in Bible prophecy, both old and new testaments.

Jeremiah 11:16 calls Judah God's planted "green olive tree". Since God also planted the House of Israel, they too would be one of God's "olive trees". Thus God's two olive trees connected with being a witness to Him.

In Zechariah, the seer has a vision of a candlestick, and two olive trees on either side of it. The candlestick is essentially a menorah, seven lamped, and represents the light of God's truth. The two olive trees are witnesses of God's truth, and the oil that supplies the candlestick so it may be lit and give light originates from the olive trees. Thus the anointing OIL that is in the olive trees is the anointing upon the two witnesses by means of which the light of God's Word and Truth shines forth in this world.

The two anointed ones are the Houses of Israel and Judah, as it written in Psalm 105, where the people of God are identified as Jehovah's anointed. Anointing is for priesthood, and kingship. As Israel was called to be a kingdom of priests (Ex 19:6), and as the two Houses were together Jehovah's Dominion (kingship) and Sanctuary (priesthood) in this earth - Psalm 114:1-2.

The House of Israel was divorced by God for their idolatries and declared to not be His people (Hosea 1:9). This made them "gentiles". But they were prophesied to one day be called "sons of the living God" (Hosea 1:10) and would be joined together with Judah under Messiah (Hosea 1:11) as one people. Paul said this was being fulfilled in his day (Romans 9:25-26).

So the Two Witnesses are an apocalyptic representation of New Covenant Israel speaking forth the Word of God and pronouncing the Divine Judgments of God upon the heathen. They are two Houses, olive trees, planted by God, anointed as kings and priests by identification with Christ their Priest-King, representing God to an unbelieving world.


I see the heathen as those who rejected Christ.

Those who rejected the apostles teachings.

Those who killed all who were sent to the vineyard, and finally cast out the son to murder Him.
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