April 7, 2022
When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. Revelation 11:7
The “when” here refers specifically to the time period referenced in verse 3: the 1260 prophetic days. The political entity that steps forward is described as coming out of the bottomless pit (or abyss) which is the abode of Satan and his angels. The beautiful, blissful order of Eden, fresh from the hand of God, is contrasted once again: the influence of Satan and his angels on the earth has rendered it chaotic and without order. This beast that wages war against the witnesses comes into prominence in the form of atheism. The main two effects were: public assault on the Bible and the abolition of all religion.
And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. v.8
The original language actually reads “the dead body (singular) of them.” Christ’s followers are considered His body and He is the head. The forceful attempt to silence the preaching of His Word included public burnings of the Bible during the French Revolution. Anyone found with a copy of the Word of God was very severely punished. The Old Testament supplies a long list of prominent cities that stood in opposition to the LORD and His true people. The great city here has the characteristics of the moral degradation of Sodom, the godlessness of Egypt, and the same spirit of rebellion as professed people of God in Jesus’ day. Just as Jerusalem, where also our Lord was crucified, rejected and killed Jesus, this particular great city makes a public spectacle of killing the Christian church and the Bible.
Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead [body] three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead [body] to be put into graves. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. vv.9-10
Verse 9 above begins with a reference to the same many peoples, nations… of 10:11 where John was told, “You must prophesy again.” The three-and-a-half days is a day for every prophetic “year” of their witnessing clothed in sackcloth. The witness of Jesus on earth was a literal three and a half years. The description of the Dark Ages as “1260 days” or “42 months” or “a time, times, and half a time” is a prophetic representation of the Lord’s people following in His footsteps with a personal testimony of God’s love.
Following the French Revolution, there was much celebration and revelry over the “death” of Christianity. The idea of lying exposed and unburied is a further expression of hatred between those who dwell on the earth and the martyred. Their consciences had been repeatedly troubled by the truth of God’s Word regarding sin. A determination not to submit to His Word always torments the conscience. The cure lies in obedience! Beloved, be thankful for God’s way of wiring our brains with a sensitive conscience. It is the enemy’s plan to sear our consciences, and he accomplishes much of this in our day through conditioning. He manipulates our thinking through the media, incessantly packaging and repackaging sin as desirable and attractive while simultaneously representing obedience to God as dull or legalistic. When Paul attempted to reason with the governor Felix about righteousness, self-control, and the judgement to come (Acts 24:25) he clearly became uncomfortable and troubled. The first step to a conscience seared with a hot iron (1 Timothy 4:2) is procrastination… Here is Felix’s response:
“Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” Acts 24:25b