SCRIPTURE: Revelation 11
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want. [Revelation 11:6]
In the time that the judgments of God are being unleashed, God will raise up His witnesses [those who eat His message, both sweet and sour, Revelation 10:9-11].
They will speak with the same authority and power as Elijah (stopping the rain) and Moses (water to blood and other plagues).
It will not be their own power, but God’s power at work through them as they speak.
It will not be easy; they will suffer, some will die, for speaking for God… but they will be raised up in the end!
But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 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 looked on. [Revelation 11:11-12]
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” [Luke 10:17-20]
The disciples return from their first mission shocked and amazed that their words had power over the demons.
But this is the promise of God for all who believe in and speak for Him: He will display His power through them, through their words and their lives.
This is what Moses and Elijah experience, this is what the first disciples experience, and this is what we can experience too.
God’s message has power.
We do not need to make it powerful by our speaking skills, we just need to faithfully speak it and leave the results to God.
We do not need to convince anyone, that is God’s job.
In fact many witnesses have discovered that people are not convinced, and they and their message are rejected – some have even died in the process.
But the repeated promise of God is that they and their message will be vindicated.
Their names are written in heaven; even if they die, they will be resurrected.
And everyone will one day see it and know that the message was true.
Once again the vision is intended to encouraged Jesus’ followers to stand firm in their faith, and in their calling to witness for Jesus.
The sweet message of Jesus will make our stomachs sour, but God will use our testimony to make things happen, here on earth and also in heaven.
Like Moses and Elijah and the disciples, we will also see great things happen as a result of our testimony.
We can celebrate, not because of the amazing things that happen through us, but because we know that no matter what, we are safe and secure in the Lord, for our names are written in heaven, we are sealed, nothing can separate us from His love.
PRAYER:
Lord, this message should give me hope when I speak for you. Whether I see it or not, You are at work through me and my witness. Make me bold, and confident, in You!