The Coming Tribulation Length - Article 1
Some thoughts
Ken McDonald
11/5/2023
Rev. 11:1 ¶ And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
Rev. 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
Rev. 11:3 ¶ And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Rev. 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
Rev. 11:5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
Rev. 11:6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
Rev. 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
1 How long do the two witnesses Prophecy?
A. Rev. 11:3 ¶ And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
B. With a 30 day month it equals 42 months or 3 1/2 years.
2 During this time Jews only (Rev. 11:2) worship in the temple of God under the protection of God. (Rev. 11:5) Therefore they are NOT worshipping the Beast, and it is not the whole world who is worshipping in the Temple for Gentiles are limited to the court.
A. Rev. 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
B. The two witnesses (likely Moses and Elijah) are prophesying outside and inside of the temple in Jerusalem. It is also where they are killed. (Rev. 11:8)
C. During this 3 1/2 year time the Jewish sacrifices and oblations are being performed. "…in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease…" (Dan. 9:27)
Rev. 11:5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
Rev. 11:6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
Rev. 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
A. Three and a half years
B. Worshipping in the Temple protected by God. Notice - Standing before the God of the earth. (Rev. 11:4)
C. Killed by the beast at the end of 3 1/2 Years
The Beast
Rev. 13:1 ¶ And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Rev. 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Rev. 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
Rev. 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
Rev. 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
3 The Beast kills the two witnesses who have prophesied 3 1/2 years. Rev 11:7
A. Now that the two witnesses are dead, “all the world” (Rev 13:3-4) worships the Beast who had the deadly wound that was healed.
1. This is the IDOL shepherd - Zech. 11:17 Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.
4 How long does the Beast “continue”?
A. Rev. 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
1. He continues 3 1/2 years AFTER HE KILLS THE TWO WITNESSES.
A. He moves into the Temple and is worshipped by the world.
5 How many years does that make in total?
A. The two witnesses Phophesy - 3 1/2 years
B. The Beast kills the two witnesses and the Beast continues - 3 1/2 years
C. Total - 7 years