“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.” (Revelation 11:12)
This Scripture is part of a great event in the last days. Let’s study this event. We know the last days on earth will cover a span of seven years which is known as the Tribulation. But the last 3.5 years is when the 3 “woes” are heralded by the fifth, sixth and seventh trumpets bringing great distress, sorrow and trouble on the earth. Also happening in the middle of the seven years of the Tribulation is the arrival of the “Two Witnesses.” No one knows who they are, but they come from heaven and preach the Gospel to those on the earth. They will be in a place the Bible calls Sodom and Egypt, but a modern day name for the place is unknown. What is known about this place is that it’s called Sodom because sodomy abounds and Egypt because of the idolatry. There are many guesses, because of the clues, but I think we will be surprised. We know the Two Witnesses will preach there, because that is where they will be killed and lie in the street for three days, so they must have been there.
Revelation 11 tells us of the Two Witnesses. They will preach the Gospel. Verse 4 calls them the two olive trees and the two candlesticks who stand before God. They are called that because of their ministry. Verse 5 tells us that they have power to hurt anyone who comes against them. Verse 6 tells us they stop the rain for 3.5 years, turn water into blood and will bring plagues at will. Verse 7 tells us they are killed by the beast from the bottomless pit. Verses 8-9 tell us they will lie in the street for three days and no one is allowed to bury them. Verse 10 tells us that there is a celebration because of their death. Verse 11 tells us that the Two Witness stand to their feet. And in verse 12, a voice from heaven is heard to say, “Come up hither” and the Two Witnesses ascend into heaven. In verse 13 there is an earthquake and 1/10th of the city is destroyed, and 7,000 men die. There is no mention of women or children.
Our study Scripture is verse 12. God calls the Two Witnesses to heaven. By now I’m sure you’re questioning, where am I in all of this? I don’t know because it depends on many factors. First and foremost, it is believed by theologians that those who are in Christ, who have made Jesus Lord and Savior have already been taken out of the earth before the Tribulation begins in what is known as the rapture or pre-tribulation rapture. But that is disputed by other theologians, some who believe Christians will go through the Tribulation, known as the post-tribulation rapture. And still other theologians believe Christians will be taken out of the earth at the middle of the Tribulation, known as mid-tribulation rapture. So, we cannot be sure where we will be. All this may happen years after we are gone, or not.
Regardless, all who belong to the Lord will hear, “Come up hither” on our appointed time. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27) We all have our appointed time. And none of us know when that will be. We are not guaranteed tomorrow, not even the next second. We may foolishly make plans for tomorrow without knowing that we won’t see those plans fulfilled. Job said, “In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” (Job 12:10)
We prepare for all things here on earth, for births, for marriages, for the future and even for death on earth. But are we prepared for eternity? There is an eternity after earth. Jesus told of a certain rich man and a beggar that give us a glimpse into life after death. Except that at that time, because Jesus had not redeemed man, he could not go to heaven yet. He waited in a place called Paradise. Many of these resurrected when Jesus resurrected and redeemed man. They were seen by many. “Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” (Matthew 27:50-53) Please read the account of the rich man and the beggar. It’s too long to add here. You will find it in Luke 16:19-31.
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