NT Fire Starters – Day 351: Revelation 11:1-19

READ: Revelation 11:1-19

THINK: Many people in the world talk about compassion, civility and open-mindedness. They pride themselves on their “tolerance” of different ideas, views, faiths and lifestyles. But in reality, people have little patience or tolerance for anyone or anything that challenges or contradicts their own self-indulgent lifestyles. The harsh reality is that many people would celebrate the death and demise of those whose godly lifestyle exposes the wicked ways of the world at large. Throughout history, God’s people have suffered terrible persecution at the hands of ungodly people, and in the days ahead, this will only intensify. After all, many people feel that the world would be a better place without radically devoted followers of Christ. In the end-times, they will get a glimpse of such a dark world–and it will be nothing to celebrate.

RESPOND: Where do the events of chapter 11 take place and what does the measuring of the temple and altar symbolize? (See 11:1 note.) To what period does this vision pertain, and what’s the spiritual condition of Israel at that point? What does God intend to do by this “measurement”? (See 11:1 note.) What will happen to Israel and the city of Jerusalem during the tribulation, and why? (See 11:2 note.) What are the differing views regarding the identity of the “two witnesses”? (See 11:3 note.) What is represented by two olive trees and lamp stands? (See 11:4 note.) What will happen to the two witnesses, and how will this affect their purpose? (See 11:7 note.) Why is “the great city…figuratively called Sodom and Egypt”? Why will people celebrate the demise of the two prophets? (See 11:9 note.) What happens after the prophets have been dead and silenced for three days, and what will this mean? (See 11:11 note.) For those who think the witnesses represent the church and its influence (see 11:3 note), how do they view this event? (See 11:11 note, second paragraph.) When the seventh trumpet sounds, what happens in heaven and why? (See 11:15 note.) What will be the culmination of events beginning with that trumpet blast? Contrary to some interpreters’ views, why is it unlikely that this is the “last trumpet” (1Corinthians 15:52; 1Thessalonians 4:16), which signals the rapture of the church? (See 11:15 note.) What do the twenty-four elders prophesy will happen when Christ returns to earth? (See 11:16 note.)

PRAY: Pray for the spiritual salvation of the people of Israel, that they would be receptive and responsive to the truth of Jesus. Pray that you will be a more effective witness for Jesus in the days ahead.

ACT: Do something today that will stretch or enhance your witness for Christ. Make a deliberate effort to talk about Jesus or God’s work in your life. Enlist the help of Christian friends to influence a specific individual for Jesus. Refer to “101 Ways to Be a Witness,” “Topics and Transitions,” and “30 Questions to Spark Spiritual Conversations,” pp. 2282–2286 in the Campus Missions Training Helps section of the FBSE.