Yesterday we saw the church has a bittersweet message, in Revelation 11 we see what the church can expect as she shares the message. The first thing she can expect is ultimate protection from God. In chapter 7, God marks His people as His own, sealing us with the gift of His Holy Spirit. Now the image of measuring is used to mark His people. Those who have taken refuge in Jesus are the temple of the Holy Spirit, they are protected from the coming judgment. They are marked as safe. But what should we expect from the world?
Surrounding God’s people there is opposition. God will protect Christians from the coming judgment, but as we wait for the final trumpet we can expect to be trampled on by the world. We will be laughed at, despised, and even in some cases killed. How long will this go on for? V2 tells us 42 months. Remember in Revelation, numbers are symbolic. 42 months means a limited period of suffering for God’s people while we wait for the promised land of heaven.
It’s a bit like the 42 years God’s people had to wander in the desert before entering the land in wilderness (2 years in the wilderness before judged for disobedience, then 40 years). 42 months is the same as 3.5 years, which is the time God looked after Elijah during persecution from Ahab. It is also 1260 days (using old calendar of 30days in a month) which is the time in v3 that the two witnesses are to get on with sharing the message.
It’s a time of persecution and ridicule but it’s also a time for witness. The two witnesses represent the church as we are told in v4 that they are two lampstands (remember from ch1 that this is used to describe the church). There are two witnesses, because this is the number required to proof truthfulness in the Old Testament. The church is to be the light of the world. Shining in a dark place, pointing people to Jesus, and calling them to repentance (that’s why they are wearing sackcloth).
The church’s message is a powerful message. Have a look at v5-6, now—clearly this is picture language! There have been some fiery preachers in church history, but I don’t know of anyone that breathed fire! Nor any preacher who has stopped it from raining. These are both reminders of the ministry of Elijah, and the water turning to blood happened when Moses spoke to Pharoah. Here is a picture of God’s ultimate protection, His judgment will come on those who oppose His church. There will be a time of ridicule, and at times it may even look like the church will be wiped out.
When John was writing this, the threat of the Roman Empire would have been in His mind. He had seen friends killed by this beast. It threatened to destroy anyone who didn’t worship the emperor. John was in prison because of His testimony. And throughout church history, other “beasts” have arisen that have sought to wipe the church out. At times it looks like the church has been defeated. Think of China—in 1960s after severe persecution, Mao announced Christianity was dead (a bit like v10). But what has happened. The church has experienced a resurrection, millions of Christians in China today (a bit like v11).
What should the church expect as we share the bittersweet message? There will be ridicule, opposition, but God will ultimately rescue his people and judge His enemies.
In chapter 9 we saw despite all the judgments, those who escaped plagues refused to repent, they would not turn back to God. But look what happens a result of the witness of the suffering church. In v14 we are told that there are some who gave glory to the God of heaven. Here is the right response! The witness of the church has been effective! Many are rescued. It is worth all the suffering, it’s worth proclaiming a bittersweet message to see some people saved for eternity with Christ! As share this message we can know God’s protection despite the ridicule and have confidence that some will respond by giving glory to God.
Light and Momentary Troubles 
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