The 144,000 adapted from Nelson Walters
The Second half of Daniel’s 70th week begins at Midpoint (The Abomination of Desolation)
The Temple of God, the altar, the people are turned over to the Gentiles to be trampled and abused.
The “Times of the Gentiles” can not end until the end of the 42 months.
The Two witnesses are men of God. Who are they? There are three main theories; a. two old testament saints. b. two contemporary men who act in the power of O.T. saints c. the Church and the Jews
Elijah is specifically mentioned as coming before the Day of the Lord Malachi 4:5-6
Moses and Elijah? On the Mt. of transfiguration with Jesus (Mt 17)
Enoch and Elijah? Two men who were raptured and never experienced death Heb 9:27. Mal 4:5-6
Two future saints who will be given the same Spirit and the power of the prophets already mentioned?
The Woman Israel and the Two Witnesses will see the Rapture of the 144,000 (timing unknown) and the resurrection/rapture of all the dead saints, the Great multitude that no man could number. Great Tribulation will be cut short.
The rest of the nation Israel will miss the rapture and the right to appear before the throne in heaven. They enter the millennial kingdom as human survivors in non-resurrection bodies. They do not rule and reign with Christ they are ruled. They die and a resurrected at the end of the millennial kingdom and are judged at the Second Resurrection, the great white throne judgment. Those who a written in the book of life go on into the internal state, those not written in the book of life or thrown into the lake of fire.
The 144,000 are the first fruits of Israel to be saved. Two Witnesses will see the Day of the Lord (phase 1) the 7 Trumpet judgments.
When is the 1260-day ministry finished the Antichrist will kill the Two Witnesses (the supernatural angelic spirit out of the abyss?)
Two Witnesses will remain dead for 3 1/2 days and then will be resurrected Rev 11:8-11.
Romans 11:25 A nation will be born (again) in a single day, when they see their Messiah at His Second Coming, when Jesus returns to earth with the saints.
Coming of Elijah BEFORE the great & terrible Day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5). Moses in the Torah, the law, announces “that prophet” to come = Jesus
This is part of the last prophecy in the O.T. It concerns the return of Elijah the prophet to the earth, shortly before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord (Mal. 4:5-6).
They are “eye” witnesses of some key event. The disciples were also called witnesses of Messiah’s ministry and His being risen.
Scripture requires evidence from two or three witnesses for a matter to be confirmed. Deut 19:15, compare with Matthew 18.
The sighting of the new moon on Yom Teruah (Rosh Hashanah, Feast of Trumpets) requires two witnesses.
Paul confirms that every scripture is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 2 Cor. 13:1.
What will the Two Witnesses testify about? Probably to the essence of the gospel Romans 10:9. Perhaps the Two Witnesses were eyewitnesses to Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Could God bring back two men that saw Jesus physically rise from the dead?
Might the Two Witnesses finally explain the sealed Book of Daniel and other hard to understand prophecies?
Who will the witnesses be witnessing to? The nation of Israel who will be saved at the end of Daniel’s 70th week. Many of Jewish hearts have been hardened until the end times Romans 11. Who would the Jews believe? Who would be the ideal witnesses? Modern day Gentile and messianic Christians have been witnessing to them for 2000 years with only limited success. The 12 apostles were resisted. Enoch was not a Jew. The most likely individuals would be Moses and Elijah.
The Two witnesses will stand before the Lord of the earth Rev. 11:4. Who is the Lord of the earth? The Antichrist? Who will rule most of the earth? Just as Moses and Aaron stood before Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Jewish captives. And how Elijah stood before Ahab. Two Witnesses will stand before the Antichrist on behalf o the Jewish remnant, the End Times Pharoah
Summary: Moses and Elijah meet all the criteria of the mission of the ministry Rev 11:3
“Eye” Witness to the remnant Israel concerning Jesus’ resurrection
Authority to interpret scriptures and unseal the book of Daniel for the Jews.
Jews that would be recognized and trusted. E.g. Moses, the law giver, and Elijah, one of the most prominent prophets. The law and the prophets are the word of God, personified in two men.
Authority to stand before the Antichrist
Have already been on earth once during Jesus’ ministry so they meet the criteria of the ministry
Two Witnesses will perform signs and wonders that exactly correlate with many of the plagues/judgments
Malachi 4:1-6. At every Passover Seder meal a chair is left empty for Elijah the Prophet.
Wasn’t John the Baptist Elijah? John says no. John 1:19-23. Jesus said Matt. 11:14 if you are willing to accept it, john is Elijah who would come. Luke 1:17 John came in the spirit and power of Elijah. Mark 9:12 Elijah does come first to restore all things. John did not do this. Two comings of Elijah, two comings of Jesus.
They are “eye” witnesses of some key event. The disciples were also called witnesses of Messiah’s ministry and His being risen.
Scripture requires evidence from two or three witnesses for a matter to be confirmed. Deut 19:15, compare with Matthew 18.
The Transfiguration Luke 9:26-27. Two men were talking with Jesus. Moses and Elijah were with him, and in glorified bodily form. A total other worldly event in the New Testament. Moses had been dead for over 1000 years. His soul should have been in heaven, in non-bodily form. Moses had been resurrected first, then transformed into a resurrection body. Is this why Michael contested for his body in Jude?
Elijah was raptured into heaven by means of a fiery chariot. But at the transfiguration he had a glorified body. Jesus told his disciples they would see the kingdom of heaven and what life will be like for those in glorified bodies. Long before the final Millennial kingdom on earth.
Luke 9:30-31 They were speaking to Jesus about His departure. Departure from his body at his death? His ascension and departure from earth? Both?
Luke 24:2-6 two men stood near them in dazzling clothes. Did Luke mean to say two angels? Or did he write exactly what he meant to say. Two men in dazzling clothing. Two men, in resurrection bodies. Same description of Moses and Elijah at the transfiguration.
Acts 1:10 at the ascension. Two men in white clothing. In resurrection bodies. Moses and Elijah. Probable eye-witnesses of both the resurrection and ascension of Jesus.
Zech. 4:1-6 refers to two olive trees (not one) and one candlestick. The candlesticks are the word of God. Olive Tree/oil represents he Holy Spirit.
Contrast Romans 11:17 There is one and only one olive tree with grafted branches and natural branches to say anything else is a stretch of the Scriptures. All are one in Jesus, there is neither Jew nor Greek is pretty clear.
Hebrews 9:27 it is appointed for men to die once. Not an exclusionary verse. Many have died twice, Lazarus, Paul, people Jesus raised from the dead. There are exceptions. Nearly a dozen people were raised to life in the Bible prior to Jesus. So, first fruits can’t mean first but something other than first. Perhaps first to never die again?
The timing of their ministry is very complex. 3 ½ days before Abomination on Passover? Insert 3 ½ years. New moon occurs on Rosh Hashanah, Feast of Trumpets the Jewish new year (Lev. 23) 9.8.21. Insert 7 (one week) days of awe or repentance, asking for forgiveness 9.15.21. Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement. Insert 5 days. Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles (Booths), lasting 3 days 9.20.21
At that time there will be one of the greatest spiritual awakenings in the history of mankind. The hearts of fathers and sons, all children and parents, will be turned toward one another; families will be united in Christ; the Holy Spirit will be poured out upon all flesh and even all of Israel will be saved as a result of the ministry of Elijah and Moses? as in Mal. 4:5-6; and Rev. 11:3-10; Acts 2:16-21; Rom. 11:25-29; Isa. 66:7-8