The Call of the Two Witnesses. Deuteronomy 19: 15 Zechariah 3 and 4 Revelation 11

Transcription

1 The Call of the Two Witnesses Deuteronomy 19: 15 Zechariah 3 and 4 Revelation 11

2 Heavens and Earth Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ØBefore anything in the entire universe was put into place, our Elohim put into place the heavens and earth, first. After there creation, they would be a witness that would be called from this point forward in every heavenly case that had to do with man: 2 Peter 3: 7 But by the same word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire kept until the Day of Judgment and the destruction of ungodly people. The principle of two witnesses in the heavenly courts is established, since all creation would have to be judged because of the sin of Adam.

3 The Case of two witnesses At Mt. Sinai, this principle of two witnesses was formalized into law in the following verses: Deuteronomy 19: 15 A single witness shall not rise up against a person for any offense or sin that he commits. By the word of two or three witnesses is a case to be established. 16 Suppose a hostile witness rises up against someone to accuse him of wrongdoing. 17 Then both people who have the dispute will stand before Adonai, before the kohanim and judges in charge at that time. 18 The judges are to investigate thoroughly, and if indeed the witness is a false witness and has testified falsely against his brother, 19 then you are to do to him just as he had plotted to do to his brother. So you will purge the evil from your midst.

4 The Case of two witnesses Example of this Torah principle in the Gospels: Matthew 18: 15 Now if your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault while you re with him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take with you one or two more, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may stand. John 8: 17 Even in your Torah it is written that the testimony of two men is true. 2 Corinthians 13: 1 This is the third time I am coming to you. By the testimony[a] of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

5 The Case of two witnesses Numbers 35: 30 'If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death at the evidence of witnesses, but no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness. So When final judgment comes, we are told in the Book of Hebrews: Hebrews 10: 28 Anyone who rejected the Torah of Moses dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses. [h] 29 How much more severe do you think the punishment will be for the one who has trampled Ben-Elohim underfoot, and has regarded as unholy the blood of the covenant by which he was made holy, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? ØSo all mankind will be judged based on the following criteria: the rejection of YHVH s commandments, and the rejection of Yeshua in both cases they are rejecting the Spirit of Elohim.

6 Pattern of discernment from false teachings ØFor generations a many preacher, pastor or priest has taken liberty with the scriptures. They have taken a free license with verses to tell their congregations what they want them to think. ØFor the wise student, you must first discern all theology in two ways. First, read the entire context of the message, even if it stretches over multiple chapters. Second, find scriptures that back up the message from either, the Tanakh (Torah, Prophets, and Writings) or the Apostolic writings as your two or three witnesses before your brother. ØExample: When it comes to keeping the Feast of Tabernacles, we have at least portions of six chapters, from Genesis to Revelations telling us to observe this Feast. No man can come against this commandment since it has been shown to apply to both Israel and the nations.

7 Parallelism Today we re going to try to understand who are the two witnesses of the Book of Revelation. What is their mission What will be there message Finally, what does that have to do with you and I, who live thousands of miles from Jerusalem. This concept of using a two witness principle, is brought out in Zerubbabel, and Joshua who are compared to Eliyahu and Moses. An example of this, will be to show the witnesses of the rebuilding of the Second Temple, parallel the mission of the rebuilding of the third temple in the Book of Revelation.

8 Rebuilding of the Second Temple

9 Rebuilding of the First Temple After Solomon s Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians 70 years later a 400 year process to rebuild the Temple began at the hands of the First two witnesses. These two were known as Zerubbabel, and Joshua. To understand the character and nature of these two, will give us clues to the the two witness of the Book of Revelation: 2 Chronicles 36: 14 Furthermore, all the leading kohanim and the people became very unfaithful, following all the abominations of the nations. They defiled the House of Adonai, which He had consecrated in Jerusalem. 19 They (Babylonians) burned the House of God, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all the palaces with fire and destroyed everything of value.

10 Rebuilding of the First Temple In 538 BC the Persian King Cyrus issued the decree allowing for a large number of the Jewish exiles to leave Babylon and return to Israel to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. Two years later, in 536 BC, the Jews succeeded in setting the foundation of the Temple and then they began to build the Temple itself. As the work began many of Israel s enemies became worried and tried to discourage the builders. Eventually their harassment succeeded, and the work on the Temple stopped for more than a decade until the second year of King Darius of Persia. This was when the prophet Haggai stepped up to encourage the Jews who were living in Jerusalem to turn back to their task of rebuilding the Temple. The two chapters of the book of Haggai document how he at first scolded the Jews for building comfortable homes for themselves, while God s house remained unfinished. Then he focused his attention on Zerubbabel, who was the political leader and governor of Judah, and also on Joshua, who was the religious leader and high priest. These two men listened to Haggai and led the Jews to finally finish their job of rebuilding the Temple in the sixth year of Darius. Zerubbabel and Joshua were two men who were very important to God, and the prophets Haggai and Zechariah had much to say about them.

11 Rebuilding of the First Temple Haggai 1:1 In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of Adonai came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah[a], and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, kohen gadol[b]: 2 Thus says Adonai- Tzva ot: This people say the time has not come the time for the House of Adonai to be rebuilt. Now these two are essential for the rebuilding of YHVH s House. With out these two, which we will find out are called two witnesses, Yeshua would never be circumcised after the 8 th day of His birth, let alone minister to Israel in the First century.

12 Joshua the Priest Zechariah 3: 1 Then he showed me Joshua the kohen gadol standing before the angel of Adonai and the satan[a], standing at his right hand to accuse him. [b] 2 Adonai said to the satan, Adonai rebukes you, the satan. Indeed Adonai, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you.[c] Is not this man a brand plucked out of the fire? 3 Now Joshua was wearing filthy garments and standing before the angel 4 who answered and spoke to those standing before him saying, Remove the filthy garments from him. Then to Joshua he said, See, I have removed your iniquity from you and will dress you with fine clothing.

13 Joshua the Priest Zechariah 3: 7 Thus says Adonai-Tzva ot, If you will walk in My ways and keep My charge, then you will judge My House and watch over My courts and I will give you a place to walk among these standing here. 8 Listen well, Joshua kohen gadol, both you and your companions seated before you, because they are men who are a sign behold, I will bring forth My servant the Branch. ØJoshua the Kohen Gadol came back from exile in Babylon, and would be given the responsibility of reestablishing the Priesthood, as they built the Temple of YHVH. Like all of us, He was sinful, and had to be restored, consecrated, and elevated back to the position that had been established on Mt. Sinai.

14 Zerubbabel Governor of Judah Zerubbabel is introduced in the Bible as a son of Pedaiah, son of the deported king Jeconiah (1 Chronicles 3:19), also known as king Jehoiachin. But frequently he's called a son of Shealtiel (Ezra 3:2, Matthew 1:12), the brother of Pedaiah. Josephus mentions Zerubbabel as one of three personal guards of emperor Darius, who's debating skills had swayed Darius into giving anything he asked for, including the return to Jerusalem. We have a prince from the line of Judah, and a Priest, of the line of Aaron restoring the Temple, the land, and the people after exile. When we take a look at the future return of Messiah, and the restoration of the Third Temple, this will be a shadow of things to come.

15 Two witnesses being established Haggai 2:1 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of Adonai came through Haggai the prophet: 2 Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, kohen gadol, and to the remnant of the people:. 6 For thus says Adonai-Tzva ot: In just a little while I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land, [a] 7 and I will shake all the nations. The treasures of all the nations will come, and I will fill this House with glory, says Adonai-Tzva ot. 8 The silver is mine and the gold is mine! it is a declaration of Adonai- Tzva ot. 9 The glory of this latter House will be greater than the former, says Adonai-Tzva ot. In this place, I will grant shalom it is a declaration of Adonai-Tzva ot. ØAs these two men are being established in their position YHVH calls His two witnesses Heaven and Earth to bring about an end of the Judgment on the House of Judah. - the 70 years have come to an end!

16 Zerubbabel and Joshua set as Two Witnesses Zechariah 4:1 Then the angel who had been speaking with me returned and woke me like a man who is wakened from his sleep. 2 He asked me, What do you see? I replied, Behold, I see a solid gold menorah with its bowl at the top of it, and its seven lamps on it with seven pipes for the lamps that are on the top of it. 3 Also two olive trees are by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on the left side of it. [a] 4 Then I responded by saying to the angel speaking with me, What are these, my lord? 5 The angel who spoke with me responded by asking me, You do not know what these are? Does anyone know what this Menorah, and two olive trees stand for?

17 Zerubbabel and Joshua set as Two Witnesses Zechariah 4:6 Then he responded to me by saying, This is the word of Adonai to Zerubbabel saying: Not by might, nor by power, but by My Ruach! says Adonai-Tzva ot. 7 What are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. He will bring out the capstone with shouts of Grace, grace to it. So who is the Word of Adonai? 1. He is the light of the World the Great Menorah. 2. He is the Word mentioned in John 1 3. He is the Capstone, left off by the builders. 4. He is Yeshua HaMashiach

18 Zerubbabel and Joshua set as Two Witnesses Zechariah 4: 11 Then I responded by asking him, What are these two olive trees, on the right and on the left of the menorah? 12 Again I asked him, What are these two olive branches beside the two golden pipes that empty the golden oil out of them? 13 He said to me, You do not know what these are? I said, No, my lord. 14 So he said, These are the two anointed ones, who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth. ØEven though the ministry of Joshua the Priest, and Zerubbabel where about the rebuilding of the Second Temple- they represented a shadow of the future witnesses.

19 The Two Witnesses and Messiah The work of the Two Witnesses, or the Two Olive Trees, or the Two Anointed ones is always connected to the Messiah, and His return: Zechariah 6: 11 Take silver and gold, make crowns and set on the head of Joshua son of Johozadak, the kohen gadol. 12 Then speak to him saying, Thus says Adonai-Tzva ot: Behold, a man whose Name is the Branch will branch out from his place and build the Temple of Adonai. 13 He will build the Temple of Adonai. He will bear splendor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus He will be a kohen on His throne. So a counsel of shalom will be between them both.

20 The Two Witnesses and Messiah Yes, before the coming of Messiah in the First century - He raised up two witnesses who built the Temple of YHVH. Three and ½ centuries later, the Temple was desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes a) Did this negate the fact that this was YHVH house? b) Did it negate the work of the Two witnesses (Zerubbabel, and Joshua)? c) Did it negate the fact that Yeshua would return to a Consecrated Temple 170 years later? The answer is of course not. When YHVH, sends His two witnesses He is laying the groundwork for His return. No matter what the enemy does YHVH plan will be accomplished.

21 Connecting the Two Witnesses to End Times Before we look at the Two Witnesses of the Book of Revelation, let s take a look at one of the responsibilities, which Zerubbabel was called to do a shadow of things at the end of this age? Haggai 2: 20 Then the word of Adonai came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, 21 Say to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah: I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, 22 and I will overturn the throne of kingdoms and destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations. I will overturn the chariot and its rider, so horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother. 23 On that day it is a declaration of Adonai-Tzva ot I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant it is a declaration of Adonai and I will set you like a signet ring. For I have chosen you. It is a declaration of Adonai-Tzva ot.

22 Connecting the Two Witnesses to End Times Haggai predicted that God would take Zerubbabel and make him as a signet at a time that would include the following events: 1. The shaking of the heavens and the earth. 2. The overthrow of the "throne of kingdoms." 3. The destruction of the strength of the heathen nations. 4. The destruction of an invading army from internal fighting. All of these events will occur at the very beginning of the end-times tribulation. The Day of the Lord will begin with the shaking of the heavens and the earth as shown after the sixth seal is broken. Babylon, referred to as the ruler over the kings of the earth in Revelation 17:18, is referred to here as the "throne of kingdoms," and is predicted to be overthrown at this same time early in the tribulation. We witness in this week s Haftarah portion, the breaking up of an alliance led by Gog and the sons of Japheth - Ezekiel 38:21. In the aftermath of these events the final seven years of Daniel s great prophecy will begin, and at this time Zerubbabel will be made God s signet.

23 Two Witnesses of Daniel s th 70 Week

24 Tribulation prepares a Bride To understand the purpose of the Two Witnesses in the Book of Revelation, we need to take a look at a Midrash by Apostle Paul: Romans 14: 10 But you, why do you judge your brother?[a] Or you too, why do you look down on your brother? For we all will stand before the judgment seat of God. [b] 11 For it is written, As I live, says Adonai, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. 12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God. 2 Corinthians 5: 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Messiah, so that each one may receive what is due for the things he did while in the body whether good or bad.

25 Tribulation prepares a Bride 1 Corinthians 3: 13 each one s work will become clear. For the Day will show it, because it is to be revealed by fire; and the fire itself will test each one s work what sort it is. 14 If anyone s work built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone s work is burned up, he will suffer loss he himself will be saved, but as through fire. "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12) "Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:8) "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." (1 Peter 5:4)

26 Tribulation prepares a Bride To understand the tribulation that came to those who built the Temple, we have to go to the book of Nehemiah: Nehemiah 1: 3 They said to me, The remnant who have survived the captivity there in the province are in great distress and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates have been burned with fire. Nehemiah 3: 33 Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he became very angry and was greatly enraged. He mocked the Jews Nehemiah 4:1 Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabians, the Ammonites, and the people of Ashdod heard that restoration of the walls of Jerusalem was proceeding and that the breaches had begun to be closed, they became extremely angry. 2 They all conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to stir up trouble against it.

27 Tribulation prepares a Bride Nehemiah 5: 1 Then there was a great outcry from the people and their wives to their fellow Jews. 2 There were those who said, We and our sons and our daughters are numerous. We must take grain, so we may eat and live. 3 There were others who said, We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our houses in order to obtain grain during the famine. 4 Still others were saying, We have borrowed money to pay the king s tax on our fields and vineyards. Chapter 6: Their enemies attempted to discredit them, and make it look there was an insurrection against the Persian King. In the book of Ezra, it tells us that they even attempted law suits against the building. When the wall was built, and the Temple was complete there was great joy in Judea, and the kept Sukkot for the first time in over 200 years. Tribulation comes, we will be refined by fire before Yeshua comes and Tabernacles with us.

28 Two Witnesses of Revelation Zechariah 4: 14 "These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. -This foreshadows the Witnesses in Revelation: Revelation 11: 11 Then a measuring rod like a staff was given to me, saying, Get up and measure the Temple of God and the altar, and count those worshiping in it. [a] 2 But do not measure the court outside the Temple leave it out, because it has been given to the nations, and they shall trample the holy city for forty-two months. [b] 3 And I will grant authority to My two witnesses and they will prophesy for 1,260 days,[c] dressed in sackcloth.

29 Two Witnesses of Revelation For a 3 ½ year period of time these two men will be Prophesying before the nations So what is the message of these Two Witnesses? When we turn back to Revelation 10, this is what we read: Revelation 10: 9 So I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little scroll. And he tells me, Take and eat it. It will be bitter to your stomach, but sweet as honey in your mouth. [e] 10 So I took the little scroll from the angel s hand and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth; but when I had swallowed it, my stomach was made bitter. 11 And they tell me, You must prophesy again about many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.

30 The Message The scroll is the message in Torah the word of God is compared to Honey. The Hebrew word for Word is: Dabar The Hebrew word for Honey is: Debash There is a similar root Dalet, and Bet Door to the House. The issue comes when your are now confronted with turning from your evil ways to some there is great bitterness and gnashing of teeth to give up your habits and sins. To others, the price is to heavy, and bitterness settles in. The Two Witnesses will be calling believers, and those in Covenant to Teshuvah. Great tribulation is coming, and to prepare for this before the Day of the Lord.

31 The Message Revelation 11: 4 These are the two olive trees and the two menorot that are standing before the Lord of the earth. [d] 5 If anyone wishes to harm them, fire comes out of their mouths and consumes their enemies. If anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way. [e] 6 These two have the power to shut the heavens, so that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying.[f] And they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish. Zechariah 4: 14 "These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. Part of their message it for all to repent the second aspect of their message is these leaders who torment and scheme, and try to destroy the plans of YHVH.

32 The Message For Believers, if we want to be the Bride, there must be repentance. Change won t come with out tribulation. In the days of Nehemiah what kind of Tribulation did they go through? 1. Financial ruin and poverty 2. Legal battles and threats against their beliefs and religion. 3. Physical harm, even death. 4. Mocking from every corner if you don t conform to the worlds morality humiliation will be common. 5. Heavy taxes, debt. We re starting to see the first signs of these, and the Temple hasn t even begun to be rebuilt.

33 The Message Revelation 11: 7 When they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the abyss will make war on them, and overcome them and kill them. [h] 8 And their corpses will lie in the open street[i] of the great city that figuratively is called Sodom and Egypt where also their[j] Lord was crucified. 9 Some from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their corpses for three and a half days, not allowing them to be placed into a grave. [k] 10 Those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them. They will celebrate and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. 11 But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet;[l] and great fear fell on those who were watching them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, Come up here! And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies watched them.

34 The Message Once the messengers are gone, the Great Tribulation will be ushered in. However, through this great misery, the Bride will become stronger, more resolute. Prayer, study, and keeping the commandments of YHVH will spread throughout the Earth. The witnesses had multiple purposes. Bring a case against those in Covenant to repent and keep His commandments. Bring a message directly from the Heavenly throne room and eliminate mixed messages, false teachings and theology and get those of us in Covenant back on Kingdom business, and not our own agendas. Finally, this message will go to the nations, to people of every tounge that their time is short, and consider that what they have worshipped will bring them no security. This also includes a message to the Kings of the nations that they will be judged, and their ways will be destroyed. - It was for this reason, they passed out candies, and gave each other presents, because with the death of the two witnesses, we can go back to business as usual this time would be different all people would witness the resurrection of these two Olive trees, and Menorah s.