Saturday, August 31, 2013

The Confusion of Christianity, Part #1 The Law

Earl Gillespie
The Confusion of Christianity
The Law

It is hard to pass from one week to the other without becoming involved in a discussion of the Law.  There is a lot of controversy in todays religious arena.  There is controversy surrounding the healing virtues of God, there is controversy concerning the Law. There is a greater controversy concerning who should teach. Paul's ministry of times were derailed in his attempt to deal with controversy.  These, and I use the word "petty" controversies have made Christianity its worst enemy. 

In preparation for this year Martin L. King's celebration a controversy erupted over whether he said he was a drum major or not.  There were those who believed in their convictions so strongly that they allowed the wrong interpretation to be engraved in stone.  Dr. King never said he was a drum major, he used the word "IF" thus the word drum major became a metaphor.  When I was a child there was a great divide concerning the shape of the Earth.  Many of God's messengers preached a message that the earth was square.  When tower and skyscrapers began to dot the horizon God's messengers were there to predict doom.

If the religious community would pause for a moment and step outside of their immaculate sainturaries, look around in the communities the suppose to serve they would realize that Christianity is a dying religion.  The leaders of the religious orders are guilty of polluting the Gospel. Luke 18:8  I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?  Jesus posed this question when talking to his disciple.

The pious elite has divided the religious field into denominations,  and each denomination expressing a valid or stated truth.   It is the believability of God that suffers in all of this confusion.  A serious look at our nation, our community and our young people will validate this truth.  The truth is that most of these controversies have no value when it come to salvation as offered by Jesus Christ.  These controversies merely serve as a distraction, they pollute and destroy the real Gospel.  The book of Revelation contains seven letters to the churches, these letters are often ignored, but they hold a real message to the churches.   Revelation 2:14  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.  Revelation 2:20  Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.  

Our youth have become discombulated and are running to and fro in search of answers, and there is none forthcoming.  We speak of the healing virtues of of God while we rush to the doctor's office.  The churches are morphing into an arena of entertainment, and in all seriousness we are writing checks in the name of God and he is not honoring them.  

When the Devil approached Eve in the garden, he injected confusion in the word of God.  From that day forward deliberate confusion has been the greatest tool of the Devil.  At the top of the list is the attempt to blend the Law and the dispensation of Grace.  Next we will discuss why so many are claiming that God is doing so much, when according to his word in Revelation he is preparing to render judgement. 

The Scriptures make a clear distinction between "Law" and "Grace," putting "Law" in one Dispensation and "Grace" in another. This should be one of the simplest things in the Bible to understand, yet is one of the most confusing aspects of the scripture.  The basis of the dissent is formed upon Jesus quoting a scripture in Luke 4:4  And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.   "The Law was given by (through) Moses, but Grace and Truth came by (through) Jesus Christ." John 1:17. By the "Law" we are to understand the "Mosaic Law," the "Law" given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. It was threefold.

1. The Moral Law. Ex 20:1-17. (The Ten Commandments.)

2. The Civil Law. Ex 21:1-24:18.

3. The Ceremonial Law. Ex 25:1-40:38.

We do not teach that there was no "Law" before Moses, or no "Grace" before Jesus Christ, for "sin" is the "transgression of the law," (1John 3:4), and Adam's sin was the transgression of the law that God laid down as to the eating of the fruit of the Garden, and "Grace" was revealed and exercised when Adam and Eve were spared the penalty of their sin. In Roman 2:12 the Apostle Paul speaks of those who were "without law" from Eden until Moses. He does not mean that they were not accountable for their conduct, for by their actions they showed that there was an "unwritten law" in their hearts that their conscience bore witness to. Roman 2:14-15. There was no "Written Law," that is, no "Mosaic Law," before the days of Moses. Let it be understood then in this discussion that by "Law" is meant the "Mosaic Law," and that there can be no mixing or blending of "Law" and "Grace" in this or any other Dispensation.  To do so we need to admit it is a pollution of the Gospel.

I. THE LAW

1. THE "LAW" WAS NOT GIVEN TO THE GENTILES.

"When the Gentiles, WHICH HAVE NOT THE LAW do by nature the things contained in the Law, these, having NOT THE LAW, are a law unto themselves." Roman 2:14. (Creating their own law) 

The "Law" was given to Israel exclusively. For illustration take the "Law of the Sabbath." It was not given to the Gentiles. It was given as the "SIGN" of the "Mosaic Covenant." Ex 31:13; Eze 20:12,19-21. The "Sabbath Day" belongs to the Jews alone and is not binding on the Gentiles (the World), or on the Church (Christians), though Christians are expected to observe the "First Day of the Week" for rest and worship. Nowhere in the Bible do we find God finding fault with any nation or people, except the Jews, for not observing the Sabbath. As a Jewish ordinance it has never been abrogated, changed, or transferred to any other day of the week, or to any other people. It is now in abeyance as foretold in Hosea 2:11; 3:4-5, it would be. It is to be resumed when the Jews are nationally restored to their own land. Isaiah 66:23; Eze 44:24; 46:1-3. 

2. THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW.

The "Law" was not given to JUSTIFY men, for by the "deeds of the Law" shall no flesh be justified in God's sight. Ro 3:20; Ga 2:16. The "Law" was given that men might know what sin is, "for by the `Law' is the knowledge of sin," (Ro 3:20), for men would have not known that "covetousness" was sin, if the "Law" had not said-- "Thou shall not COVET." Ro 7:7. The "Law" was given to "stop men's mouths," and keep men from boasting of their own righteousness, and see themselves guilty before God. Ro 3:19. The "Law" was given to be a "Schoolmaster" to lead men to Christ. Ga 3:24-25. All the rites and ceremonies of the "Ceremonial Law" pointed to Christ, such as the Feasts and Offerings. Now that Christ has come neither Jew nor Gentile is under the "Mosaic Law." for He fulfilled the "Law," that is, all the rites and ceremonies of the "Law" found their fulfilment in Him. Christ then "is the `END OF THE LAW' for Righteousness to every one that BELIEVETH." Ro 10:4. Therefore Believers are "DEAD TO THE LAW," (Ro 7:4; Ga 2:19), that is, they are no longer under the bondage of "Legalism," but under GRACE.

II. GRACE

"By Grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the GIFT OF GOD; not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph 2:8-9.

From this scripture we see that "Grace" is a GIFT. If a man receive salvation in exchange for his works, then salvation is but another word for "wages." Or if Salvation is given in exchange for benefits bestowed, then it is simply a "reward." Now if a man receive Salvation as wages, or as a reward, then Salvation is not a GIFT but something that he was entitled to, and therefore is not of GRACE. Grace is not something given us to help us keep the Law, Grace is UNDESERVED MERCY.

The "Source" of Grace is GOD'S LOVE. "For God SO LOVED the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Joh 3:16.

The "Channel" of Grace is CHRIST. "Grace and Truth came BY JESUS CHRIST." Joh 1:17; Tit 2:11.

The "Instrument" of Grace is FAITH. "By Grace are ye saved THROUGH FAITH." Eph 2:8. Not faith in a thing, as some good deed we have done, but faith in a PERSON, and that person JESUS CHRIST.

That we may the better see the difference between "Law" and "Grace" let us contrast them.

1. "BLOOD" AND "WINE."

The first miracle that Moses performed as the representative of the "Law" was to turn water into BLOOD, typical of DEATH. Ex 7:19-21. The first miracle that Jesus performed as the representative of "Grace" was to turn water into WINE, typical of LIFE. Joh 2:7-11.

2. "DARKNESS" AND "LIGHT."

All the "Law" can do is to produce DARKNESS, as when Moses caused a "thick darkness" to cover the land of Egypt. Ex 10:22-23. But "Grace" gives LIGHT. Jesus said-- "I am the LIGHT of the World." Joh 9:5. Jesus came to give not only sight to the physically blind but to the spiritually blind as well.

3. "DEATH" AND "LIFE."

The last scene in Egypt was DEATH. The death of the first-born. Ex 12:29-30. The "End of the Law" is DEATH. Ro 6:23. One of the last miracles of Christ was to give LIFE, the resurrection of Lazarus. Joh 11:41-44. Jesus came to bring LIFE and IMMORTALITY to light, through the "Gospel of Grace." The first time the "Law" was proclaimed 3000 were KILLED. Ex 32:26-28. The first time that "Grace" was preached 3000 were SAVED. Ac 2:41.

4. "STRIPPED" AND "CLOTHED."

We are by nature like the man in the Parable of the Good Samaritan robbed and stripped and left by the wayside to die. Lu 10:30-37. The "Law," like the "Priest" and the "Levite," passes by and gives no help, while "Grace" comes where we are, and like the "Good Samaritan" pours in oil and wine, and puts us in his place on his beast, and provides for our future.

5. "SEEK" AND "SAVE."

The "Law" says-- "SEEK the Lord while He may be found." "Grace" says-- "The Son of Man is come to `SEEK AND TO SAVE' that which was lost." Lu 19:10. What a vista the Parable of the "Lost Sheep" opens up. It was not so much the sheep that was lost, as that a man had LOST A SHEEP. When Adam sinned and wandered away, God said-- "Adam, if you can do without me, I cannot do without you." Then it was that "Grace" began its work.

6. "DO AND LIVE," AND "LIVE AND DO."

The "Law" says-- "DO and thou shalt Live." Le 18:5. "Grace" says-- "IT IS FINISHED." No man is justified by his works, but as a Believer he will be rewarded for his works. We are not to work to the Cross, but from the Cross.

7. "SERVANTS" AND "SONS."

The "Law" said to Moses at the "Burning Bush"-- "Put OFF thy shoes." Ex 3:3-5. Why? Thou art a SERVANT. Heb 3:5. "Grace" said to the "Prodigal" when he returned home-- "Put ON thy shoes." Lu 15:22. Why? Because he was a SON. Lu 15:24.

THE LAW SAYS "Keep Off," GRACE SAYS "Embrace Him." THE LAW SAYS "Bow the Knee," GRACE SAYS "Kiss Him." THE LAW SAYS "Punish," GRACE SAYS "Forgive." THE LAW SAYS "Strip Him," GRACE SAYS "Best Robe." THE LAW "Kills," GRACE "Makes Alive."

Under the "Law" the "SHEEP" died for the "Shepherd." Under "Grace" the "SHEPHERD" died for the "Sheep." Joh 10:14-15.

THE LAW demands holiness.

GRACE gives holiness.

THE LAW says-- Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

GRACE says-- Blessed is the man whose iniquities are forgiven, whose sin is covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute iniquity.

THE LAW says-- Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.

GRACE says-- Herein is love: not that we love God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

THE LAW speaks of priestly sacrifices offered year by year continually, which could never make the comers thereunto perfect.

GRACE says-- But this Man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever . . . by one offering hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.

THE LAW declares-- That as many as have sinned in the Law, shall be judged by the Law.

GRACE declares-- That there is no condemnation (Judgment for Sin) for those who are in Christ Jesus for they HAVE PASSED from Death unto Life. Joh 5:24.

THE PURPOSE OF GRACE

The "Purpose" of God's Grace is revealed in Eph 2:7, as being-- "That in the `Ages to Come' He might show the EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE." In the British Museum there are gathered from every nation and land under the sun specimens of all kinds of animal, vegetable, and mineral life. No expense has been spared to make the collection complete. So God is gathering from every tribe, people, and nation specimens of His "Grace," so that in the "Ages to Come" He may exhibit these trophies of "Grace" as samples of what the Gospel can do, and the sweet thought of it is, that there are no duplicates. You may think that you are too bad, too vile, too cranky, too odd and peculiar to be saved, but that is why God wants you, for there will only be SPECIMEN SINNERS up there, and God wants to show the Universe that the Gospel is the "POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH." Roman 1:16.

Friday, August 30, 2013

A Study of The Book of Revelation, Part #37

Earl Gillespie


GOD’S TWO WITNESSES

Much of the last two months have been dedicated to a verse by verse study of the book of Revelation.  It has been an interesting study and I have learned much in the presentation.  A deeper understanding of God word is only possible when we step outside of our denominational doctrine and ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten us.  

Many are becoming disenchanted with the cliche driven messages that fail to impart and new knowledge  of God plan for humanity.  The Book of Revelation, Jesus message to the churches is often ignored.  Surgically removed excerpts from Bible verse  are presented out of context as if they are a complete thought.  A Holy Ghost inspired message now a day is a message filled with sound-bites and cliches that provide no spiritual support for those who are suffering. 


This is part #37 of our study of the Book of Revelation.  The letters to the churches occupied the first three chapters of the book, then in chapter four the Rapture of the church took place.  We were distracted for a moment when a reader stated that the word Rapture could not be found in the Bible.  For the sakes of being up-to-date I did a computer search and could not find it, I then did a search for the word "shopping" and could not find it either.  Sort of reminded me of the time the educated gentleman said he gave up on Christianity because Jesus embraced cannibalism when he told his disciples they had to eat his body and drink his blood.  

We learn that the Jews, Gentile and the church are three separate entities.  The Jews and the Gentiles are an earthly people and the church composed of Jews and Gentiles is a spiritual body. One does not replace or supersede the other, nor can one group clam the blessing and promises of the other.   When the wrath of God is poured out upon the earth the church will be in heaven attending the award ceremony, (being crowned) preparing to return with Christ to Judge the world.  

If you need validation read, A Study of The Book of Revelation, beganning with Part #1.   Now that brings us up to today's study If you missed part #36 you might need to go back and read it to bring yourself up to speed.

Revelation 11:3-12

3. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
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.
6. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have powerover waters to turn them to blood and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
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.
8. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies threedays and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall sendgifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
11. And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stoodupon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
The miracles recorded in the last part of verse 6 fit Moses in every detail. Read the account in Exodus, when God sent Moses to deliver His people from the hand of Pharaoh - and Pharaoh was certainly a type of the Antichrist. When Moses went down to meet Pharaoh, he turned the water to blood and called down ten  plagues upon the Egyptians. Read and study Exodus, chapters five through twelve. When it seemed that Israel would be crushed and destroyed by the iron hand of Pharaoh, it was Moses who came from the back side of the desert - called and commissioned by God - to deliver Israel out of Egyptian bondage. These chapters in Exodus tell the story of plague after plague being visited upon the godless nation of Egypt. God finally destroyed them at the bottom of the Red Sea. Under the hand of God, Moses delivered Israel from material and physical bondage. He led them on their way to Canaan’s land. Why should not God use this great deliverer again as one of the witnesses of Revelation 11?

Moses appeared to Israel in one of the darkest moments in history; why not again in this dark moment when it seems that Antichrist and the wicked Gentiles will completely annihilate the little band of Israelites? (The Jew can never be destroyed; he is the apple of God’s eye, and God will protect him. Many have tried to destroy Israel - and have failed. History records such instances even in your day and mine - Hitler was one of the last, and Adolph Eichman paid with his life for his part in attempting to wipe the Jew from the face of the earth.)

Moses and Elijah were the outstanding mountain-peak prophets in God’s program in dealing with Israel throughout the Old Testament era. And when Jesus went up on the Mount of Transfiguration it was Moses and Elijah (not Enoch and Elijah) who came down to meet Him and discuss His death on the Cross (Luke 9:27 -35). Jesus came not to destroy the Law, but to fulfill the Law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17). Since God gave the Law to Moses, and since Elijah was the chief of prophets, it seems reasonable that it would be these two with whom Jesus would discuss “. . . His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem.”

To the nation Israel, these two prophets of God represent spiritual and physical deliverance. There are three things about these two witnesses that cause me to believe they will be Moses and Elijah:
1. Their times
2. What they did
3. Their end

Their times were not Gospel times. They were called to prophecy in times of horror. The Jew will be back in his own land, his temple will have been rebuilt; but there is no trace of Gospel or of the grace of God at that moment. Believers under grace are not to render evil for evil; we are to return good for evil. We are to pray for them that despitefully use us and persecute us. We are to rejoice and be exceeding glad when we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Jesus had power to call down fire and destroy His enemies - but He did not. He said He came to save . . . not to destroy (Luke 9:56). He told Peter to put up his sword, and informed him that He could call down twelve legions of angels if He needed help. But it will be quite different when Moses and Elijah prophesy. These two witnesses will have the power to destroy men - and they WILL destroy men with fire whichissueth out of their mouth.” Imagine Moses and Elijah prophesying on a street corner in Jerusalem. Henchmen of the Antichrist walk up and begin to mock. Elijah simply blows his breath on them - and they turn to a handful of ashes!

Oh, yes - the Word of God is true. It makes no difference what modernists and liberals say about it, these prophets will blow their breath upon men and cremate them! The preaching of the Gospel is good news (Isaiah 52:7), but the message of the two witnesses will be a message of literal fire.  These prophets are clothed in sackcloth, a symbol of calamity and judgment. Nature rejoices at the message of grace (Isaiah 55:12,13), but the message of these two mighty men will shut up Heaven and no rain will fall for three-and-a-half years. They will speak - and rivers will turn to blood. Plagues of sores and diseases . . . things too terrible to name . . . come upon men because of them. They remind us of the time when Jeroboam’s hand was withered by the unnamed man of God (I Kings 13:4) and of the time when fire from Heaven consumed the soldiers of Ahaziah who came to Elijah on the hill (II Kings 1). The times of these two witnesses will be times of exceeding evil and of fiery judgment.

- Jacob wore sackcloth when he mourned for his sons.
- David wore sackcloth when he grieved deeply because Abner was unjustly killed.
- Daniel wore sackcloth when he came before the Lord to weep and pray about the sins of Israel.
- Hezekiah wore sackcloth when he heard of the terrible blasphemies of Sennacherib.
- The priest of God wore sackcloth when the holy services of the temple were interrupted.

In like manner, the two witnesses will wear sackcloth, and during the time they prophesy, hell will have literally moved to this earth. From the abyss there will come a mysterious beast to whom Satan will give power and authority as his chosen agent for prime minister. The beast will blaspheme God and the temple and all that is holy. He will have power to perform miracles that will cause the mass of earth’s dwellers to accept him as Messiah. The times will become so terrible, the war against God and against righteousness will become so fierce, that the fire-producing witnesses themselves will finally be overcome and killed by the powerful counterfeit messiah. Peoples of earth will be so wicked and vile that they will send gifts to each other and rejoice with dancing in the streets because God’s witnesses have been slain! It will be a time of jubilee among the enemies of God!

The time of the two witnesses will be a time of supernaturalism - both from Heaven and from the underworldIt seems that all natural laws will fail during this time.  God’s witnesses will shut up the heavens, turn rivers to blood, smite the earth with all kinds of plagues. Not only will these men have supernatural power - but the beast out of the abyss will demonstrate like power (Revelation 13). There will be a giant image, and the beast will cause the image to speak. He will pull fire down from Heaven in the sight of men. In the days of Moses, hell’s ministers performed miracles, too. Read Exodus 7:10-13. Today people are looking for the supernatural, the sensational. If a preacher is just an ordinary preacher, he does not get far. He must claim some super-duper gift. He must announce that he is able to perform tremendous miracles - and then the crowd comes. Those who are sponsored by liberals and modernists also have a large following, but ministers who preach pure Grace, pure Gospel, pure Salvation, will not draw a crowd, generally speaking. The fact that a man performs some miracle that seems supernatural does not mean that he is God’s minister. Satan is powerful, too. I John 4:1 admonishes us to try the spirits, and be sure the spirit we follow is the Holy Spirit.

These are dangerous days, and we cannot be too careful. When the two witnesses are here, the powers of Heaven and hell will lock horns in the last gigantic conflict. This old world will be stained with blood, it will reel and rock - and great convulsions will shake the very fiber of the universe. During this time, Antichrist and his prime minister will perform miracles that would deceive the very elect of God if that were possible. This will occur during the “day of the Lord.” Read Amos 5:16-20 very carefully, and study it. These verses will enlighten you concerning the “day of the Lord.” When the seventh angel sounds, that will bring in the consummation of all things. The seventh angel is standing ready to sound, the moment these witnesses pass from the scene of action. The two witnesses are here on earth at the time when judgment from God is hastening to a climax. The affairs of earth are being swiftly brought to a close. Now let us look at the nature of the work of these two witnesses: They are armed with fire (Hebrews 12:29).  During the time of their ministry in Jerusalem, if anyone tries to stop them or hurt them they will consume their enemies with fire.  During the first days of Christianity many of God’s dear children paid with their lives. They sealed their testimony at the burning stake, or were fed to beasts in the arena at Rome. But it will not be so in this day. These men not only work through supernatural power, but they also have at their command any and all things to protect them from death. “Thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron. The Lord shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed” (Deuteronomy 28:23,24). During the time of their witnessing, these messengers will shut up Heaven, and the sky will become as brass.  Without any rain for three-and-a-half years the ground will become hard as iron, and the elements will be filled with dust. Their work will not only consist of shutting up the sky and turning the earth into a dustbowl but what water is left will be turned into blood.

That is not all, beloved! These men have power to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they wish. They prove by this unusual supernatural power that they are sent by Almighty God, and that He has power to utterly put down and destroy all who resist Him and follow ungodlinessThe prophecy of these two witnesses . . . the miracles they perform, the plagues they bring upon the earth . . . will not turn the masses from Antichrist to Christ. But their prophecy will cause a remnant to turn from the beast. During the closing days of time, before the great eternity of eternities begins, God will send to earth a message of mercy through these two witnesses and other ordained ministers of God whom we have discussed in previous chapters. Concerning the days of the Antichrist, we read, “I will send you Elijah the prophet . . . and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:5,6). Scholars tell us that the word here used for curse is the same Hebrew word God used when He told Israel to curse (EXTERMINATE) the Canaanites . . . that is, utterly destroy their cities and annihilate the people.”

If Elijah and Moses did not come at this time, there would be universal acceptance of the Antichrist as God, and God would completely exterminate all creatures on earth; but the message of Elijah, Moses and others will cause a remnant to believe on the Lord Jesus as God’s Christ, and God will have mercy on that remnant (Acts 16:31). It is true that the masses will worship Antichrist and accept him as God. The career of these two witnesses, though illustrious and crowded with miracles from start to finish, will be very brief - only three and one-half years . . . 1,260 days - a very short ministry for such great witnesses as Moses and Elijah. They will be God-protected. No power on earth or in hell can touch them until they have completed their testimony. When their work is finished, they then become vanquishable - and are vanquished. Verse 7 tells us that when the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that ascended out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, will overcome them, and kill them. What form of death they will suffer is not stated, although during the reign of the Antichrist, beheading is prevalent (Revelation 20:4).  We are told that they will not be buried. Their dead bodies will be left lying in the streets of Jerusalem, “spiritually called Sodom and Egypt.” (Note how careful the Holy Spirit is to tell us that the city is spiritually, not literally, Sodom and Egypt.) Thank God, the Holy Spirit makes it clear when something is to be spiritualized or symbolized. I take Revelation literally except where it is clear that it is symbolic or spiritual. Men mistake God’s mind and pervert His Word when they refuse to accept and interpret the Bible just as the Holy Spirit dictated it to holy men of old, and they wrote it down.

Jerusalem is not literally Sodom, but spiritually is likened unto that city. Read Isaiah 1:9,10; Deuteronomy 32:30-33; Jeremiah 23:14. Jerusalem is spiritually likened unto Egypt because of its gross idolatry; and idolatry will prevail in the days of the two witnesses (Ezekiel 23:3-19). The statement “where also our Lord was crucified” identifies the city as Jerusalem. The place where the bodies of the witnesses were left was in the city street - a public thoroughfare - a place where more people passed than any other spot. The fact that they were denied burial is an outrage on common decency and humanity. It is filled with significance. It was no accident that the bodies of these two witnesses were not buried. Even the vilest of criminals were granted
burial the same day of their execution (Deuteronomy 21:22, 23). But all law and decency is set aside in regard to these fire-blowing prophets who had tormented the area for three-and-a-half years, and who, for that length of time, could not be destroyed.

The bodies of these men lying in the public street testified to the most extraordinary malignity, spite and hatred with which they were regarded. Their enemies were not satisfied to kill them - they actually gloated over their decaying bodies for eighty-four long hours! People passed the dead bodies - and mocked. “They that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.”