Devotion 5: The Power of the Lord
Larry Gabbara
The book of Revelation is a challenge to understand. If we just open the book and expect a clear meaning to pop into our head, it probably will not happen. Over time, many Bible scholars have attempted to interpret this book.
Revelation 11:3 says, “And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” We must turn to Scripture to help us understand what the two representatives of God means. Reading through Revelation chapter 11, we find the two witnesses are placed by God in the holy city after the Gentiles have trampled the city for forty-two months.
The Bible calls the time that the two witnesses were here on Earth the second woe. The witnesses are given power from God to protect themselves with fire and plagues. We read that they have the power to turn water into blood, and the ability to consume their foes. If anyone attempted to harm them, they would be doomed to death. God also gave them power over nature.
Once their testimony is over, God then allows the Beast to rise from the bottomless pit to conquer and kill the two witnesses. Their dead bodies are left in the street of that great city where Jesus was crucified. Their bodies are left right there for all to see, for three and half days, people from all over the nation gaze and rejoice over their death. The two witnesses had been a torment to all the people of earth. The people refused to allow their bodies to be placed in a tomb.
What happens next shows the power and glory of God!
After three and half days, God breathed life into them, and He commanded them to come up to Heaven. The two witnesses stood up on their feet and were lifted to Heaven.
Revelation 11:13 adds, “And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.” In these verses, we can see the power and the might of our Lord.
If we do not believe and put our faith in the One True God, we will suffer terrible pain and plagues. We will miss out on spending eternity with the Lord!