The two witnesses

In Revelation chapter 11, John appoints two witnesses. These two witnesses are great representatives of every believer. I am sharing this with you today to encourage you to share with others what Jesus has done in your life.

These two witnesses bear strong resemblance to Moses and Elijah, two of God's mighty prophets. With God's power, Moses called plagues down upon the nation of Egypt. Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal. Both of these men appeared with Christ at his transfiguration.

I have never called any plagues down and you probably haven't either but we do have one thing in common with these prophets and that is we both believe in the story of Jesus Christ.

The Two Witnesses

And I will appoint my witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. They are  "the olive trees" and the two lampstands, and they strand before the Lord on earth. If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their months and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have the power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want. 

Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city-which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt-where also their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entreated 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 loud, while their enemies looked on. (Revelation 11:3-12)

These two witnesses are the perfect example for believers. They were believers, they witnessed, experienced death, were tormented and then went up to heaven in a cloud while their enemies watched.

As representatives of every believer who has witnessed for Jesus Christ, the two final, faithful witnesses are a picture of both invincibility and vulnerability. They win, they lose, they win again. Truth remains victorious, even though human channels fall. Their message-and God's plan-march on in spite of death, for even death proves to be a defeated foe.

"They win, they lose, they win again." I love that. We win when we commit to following Jesus and believe that he died on the cross for our sins. As soon we we make that decision we are on the winning team.

Let me ask you this, knowing that we are bound to eternal victory, how does that affect the way you think about sharing what Jesus has done in your life with others? Seldom we face the possibility of death when we share our faith. Why should Satan threaten our lives when fear of embarrassment or rejection is enough to keep us silent? But if Jesus has truly changed our lives, we will find a way to let others know. Not to witness represents more than just fear; it also reveals selfishness. Have those near you heard what Jesus has done for you?

Sharing what Jesus has done in your life is something that is hard for lots of people. It's as hard as it is for me for anyone else. I love talking about my faith when I am asked about it. I am not very good at being the who brings it up out of nowhere. If I can think of one major area where I want to approve on, it is sharing what Jesus has done in my life with others.

If I can remember this, it changes everything: "they win, they lose, they win again."

This is a challenge to you and a challenge to me to share what Jesus has done in your life with at least one person this week. Try to do it face to face. You could text somebody if you want but that is not as powerful as speaking about it face to face. If you don't know how to start that conversation, begin with asking the other person what Jesus has done in their life. I pray that you are able to have some conversations like that this week.