The Rise, Fall, and Triumph of Christ’s Church

Revelation 11:1-19

When the Catholic Church told Martin Luther to recant and stop preaching, he wouldn’t. What happened? He was persecuted. When Athanasius was told everyone opposed his teaching that Christ was God, he said he’d be against everyone. He was exiled. When Paul preached Christ, he was imprisoned. But he continued. When Moses experienced opposition from Pharaoh, and even the Israelites blamed him, he continued to say - “Let my people go!” When Elijah faced 400 Baal prophets, he didn’t shrink back. He asked the people how long they’d waver between God and Baal. Follow one or the other! Very often, the church is not bold. Why? We fear persecution and personal loss. But our Lord said, whoever is ashamed of me and my words, him will I be ashamed when I come in glory. But we must be honest. But if we’re not witnesses now, how can we be witnesses in greater tribulation?

So the message the 7 churches needed to internalize, as well as us, was simple. Stand for Christ in times of tribulation. Keep believing, keep preaching, keep on being holy. Remember, Christ wins in the end. True churches will still be witnesses. He who overcomes shall receive a crown. But there are times of intense persecution, even a time of ultimate persecution. Today in many places, the beast says you can’t buy or sell unless you use the pronouns they/their or zee/zim. It’s coming to Singapore. What do we do? We proclaim that God is thee/thou, he/him, and his title is Father. And they’ll hate the church. Today we see the 4 stages of the church. Firstly, our fearless proclamation of painful truth; secondly, our fiercest persecution by Satan; thirdly, our frightening promotion by the Spirit; and fourthly, our final position to heaven.

Firstly, our fearless proclamation of repentance. Verses 1-3 describe how John took a ruler to measure God’s temple, altar, and worshipers. But he wasn’t supposed to measure the outside. That belonged to the Gentiles - wicked unbelievers - who persecuted God’s city for 42 months. But during that time, God gave power to 2 witnesses to preach repentance for 1260 days. Now, what does this mean? In talking about the temple, images of Solomon’s or Herod’s temple come to mind. But the Scriptures show that the concept of the temple has been modified to refer to the church. In Revelation 3:12, Christ said all who overcome will be a pillar in the temple of God - it’s symbolic. Jesus also called himself the temple - destroy this temple, and I will rebuild it in 3 days. So Christ changed the meaning of temple from a building to himself. He’s the bread of life, the light of the world, the Great High Priest who prays at God’s altar. He’s the chief cornerstone of God’s temple. And believers are living stones being built up as a holy temple. So when it says God’s temple, it’s describing the people of God. Brethren, we can’t interpret the temple in Revelation as a physical temple when the New Testament has clearly changed the meaning to the people of God.

And John measured the temple. This refers to God’s protection of the church during tribulation. This image comes directly from Zechariah 2. There, an angel measures the length and breadth of Jerusalem, so God could protect her. Zechariah 2:5 - “For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.” He measured his city to protect every centimeter of her. That’s the meaning - God would protect his people in tribulation. It’s the same with the sealing of the 144,000. And this tribulation would last 42 months or 1260 days. Now again, it can’t mean to us what it never meant to the 7 churches. There are certain numbers that are meaningful to us in Singapore. Like, the shop is open 24/7. Or in the past, people talked about the 5C’s. Or I take bus number 11 - which we know is not a bus but your 2 legs. So the numbers 42 months or 1260 days were significant. In 167 BC, the Greek king of Syria Antiochus Epiphanes conquered Jerusalem and sacrificed a pig in the temple. He’d banned the Jews from keeping the Sabbath or owning Scriptures. So they went through horrific tribulation. Under Judas Maccabaeus, they revolted. It took 3 1/2 years, or 42 months, or 1260 days, before they were victorious. So in the book of Revelation, these numbers, and words like the time, or times, or half a time refer to periods of tribulation. Remember Revelation 1:3? It said “the time is at hand.” It wasn’t a tribulation in the far flung future - it was at hand. Dearly beloved, tribulation is always at hand. But God measures the temple - he takes note of his believers. Why? So they’d be protected to witness.

We see how they proclaim repentance and judgment. We see 2 witnesses that preached. Verses 4-6 describe them as 2 olive trees or 2 candlesticks. Fire will come out of their mouths to devour their enemies. They have power to shut heaven, so it doesn’t rain, they can turn water into blood and bring plagues. To be sure, the aren’t 2 future prophets with miraculous Old Testament powers. No. The 2 witnesses symbolize the church. They’re described as candle-sticks. Remember the 7 lamp stands? They’re churches. And their work was to preach. The number 2 is a nod to the repeated pattern in Scripture. God often sent his prophets by 2 - Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh, Joshua and Caleb before unbelieving Israel, Elijah and Elisha before idol worshipers. Jesus also sent his disciples by two. So the message of the church during tribulation is repentance - they wore sackcloth to call the wicked to mourn. Repent and believe the gospel, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand! But the church’s message is also judgment. That’s what fire from the mouth means. That image is taken directly from Jeremiah 5:14. There, God told Jeremiah to preach against a rebellious people - “I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.”

That’s what prophets did. Elijah preached; and he called fire from heaven against the Baal prophets; he shut up the heavens against a rebellious people. Moses cried - “Let my people go!” and turned water into blood and brought plagues against rebellious Pharaoh. So the church would still preach in times of tribulation, never backing down, preaching eternal judgment - that hell is a place of eternal fire, there’s no one to dip his finger in water to cool the tongue, that torment is forever! Martin Luther never backed down, even though his life was in danger. Stephen still preached when attacked. But the wicked are tormented by this message, verse 10. They hate it! And they’ll attack God’s city - the church. It’s tribulation.

But there’ll come even more intense times of persecution like the church has never seen. A time or times of greatest tribulation. Secondly, we see the fiercest persecution from Satan. In verses 7-10, we see that when the church has finished its witness, the beast from hell kills her - many will die in Sodom and Egypt - where Christ died. Many unbelievers will rejoice in the shame of the church during that period of time. What’s the meaning here? The Bible seems to imply that there’ll be one final great persecution before Christ’s second coming. This is how I view this event. It’s the final great tribulation before Christ comes. The great tribulation is so intense and fiery, that the church seems to disappear completely. But at the same time, I can’t deny that such occurrences have also taken place throughout history. So instead of being dogmatic, we should see the principles. We see that Satan is the source of persecution. He’s the beast who rises up out of the bottomless pit. Now, this doesn’t describe Satan’s future actions, merely his character. He’s the one from hell. But before the final judgment, Satan makes intense war against the church. And she seems to die. In fact, she’ll be in such a shameful and pathetic state. Verse 8 says, “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.” The public and official witness of the church has vanished. Verse 9 says their bodies are unburied. Like that of Saul and his sons; or Jesus’ naked body at his crucifixion - this was meant to shame. But why such an intense tribulation? Because the world is wicked. Their bodies were found in the great city spiritually or symbolically called Sodom and Gomorrah. The is symbolic of the whole ungodly world. In other places in Revelation, it’s called Babylon. John sees how the world delights in sin. Like the real Sodom - she was so degenerate they demanded perversion. Egypt practiced slavery. Babylon had unthinkable war practices. Dearly beloved, the world will have generations which are intensely Satanic. And they’ll hurt the church until it seems to have disappeared. This happened in Rome during Nero - the church was driven into the catacombs. We see this in North Korea - the church is driven underground. We think it can never happen in our time. But one day it will come. The world becomes like Jerusalem who rejected and killed Jesus. But before he comes, there’s a final tribulation where the church is decimated.

But we see the short-lived joy of the persecutors. Yes, this Satanic persecution will be horrific but it won’t last forever. Verse 9 says it’ll last only 3 1/2 days - “And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.” This is a contrast to 3 1/2 years. But during that short intense time, the world will rejoice. It pictures them partying and sending gifts - they congratulate each another because they destroyed the church. This is what the wicked do. You can imagine the Sanhedrin congratulating themselves on the crucifixion of Christ. But appearances can be deceiving. The church can never die. And the reason is because Christ preserves her. Although the Sanhedrin rejoiced, three days later, Christ arose and appeared to many. Christ prevails. We see this next.

Thirdly, our frightening promotion by the Spirit. In verses 11-13, we see a shock reversal. After that short time of intense persecution, the Spirit revived the church. The witnesses stood on their feet. And the wicked were afraid. There was a shout from heaven, and they were raptured up. All their enemies saw this. And almost immediately, there was a great earthquake - 10% of the wicked world fell and a cataclysmic earthquake slew 7000 men. The remaining gave glory to God. Dearly beloved, the church does not suffer eternally on earth. John was assured in Revelation 10, that when the 7th angel sounded, everything will be over. Yes, before that, there’s great tribulation - we’re shamed and despised - but God revives us. Verse 11 says, “they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.” How did this happen? By the power of the Spirit. The imagery here is drawn from Ezekiel 37. God breathed new life into his exiled and conquered people, they stood up on their feet like a great army, and God called them home. How does this happen? Verse 12 says a great voice from heaven said “come up hither!” And they did - in a cloud. This is the resurrection, the rapture, if you will. It’s what’s described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” But this is not some secret rapture - everyone saw. Just as the disciples saw Jesus ascend on a cloud to heaven, all people will see Christians ascend to heaven.

And we learn in verse 13 - “And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.” This tells us there’s a surprising result to the wicked by this resurrection. There was repentance. After an earthquake, some of the wicked died - a 10th of the city, and 7000 men. But everyone else - the remnant - that survived, were afraid and gave glory to God. This phrase “fear and give glory” refers to salvation - in Revelation 14:7 and 15:4 they’re expressions of faith and repentance. Does this happen? Yes! If you recall in Acts, after Christ died, resurrected, and ascended, the church grew. Almost immediately, the centurion proclaimed upon seeing the earthquake and graves open, “truly, this was the Son of God!” On Pentecost, those that shouted “crucify him” were now asking how they could be saved. Even the priests who had rejected him, were coming in droves to be saved. Meaning, many repented when they saw Christ’s victorious church. Only a 10th and 7000 were destroyed. Of course these numbers aren’t literal, but symbolic. In the Old Testament, God’s judgment usually fell on the vast majority of people. Only a tiny remnant were delivered. Like the 7000 who hadn’t bowed the knee to Baal. Or in Amos 5 and Isaiah 6, a tenth represented the righteous remnant. But here, there’s a surprising result. Those who were judged were called a tenth or 7000. Meaning, a great number repented and believed. There’s a global harvest of souls.

Dearly beloved. Why do we witness? Why do we preach the gospel? So people would believe and so that God can accomplish his purpose in hardening them. But in their hardening, the Church of Christ would be persecuted. Sometimes painfully. But it’s our witness of suffering and yet loving, being reviled but not reviling again, that would lead others to Christ. We often talk about sharing Christ through our lives. Life-style evangelism. But you can’t do that without first sharing Christ through your words. People who won’t hear the preaching of the Word at first, will see Christ in your suffering and believe. Suffering and dying to self can accomplish what preaching can’t. Suffering and forgiving will cause your enemies to say, “Truly, this is a child of God!”

Lastly, we see our final position into heaven. Verses 15-19 describe the blowing of the seventh trumpet. Details of what happens on earth will be given in later chapters. But we catch a vision here of what happens in heaven after that final resurrection. John heard great voices which said that the kingdoms of the world now belong to him and he reigns forever. Then the 24 elders worshiped Christ, acknowledging his eternality, power, and reign. And those who were angry, who didn’t repent, would be judged. And his people would be involved in that final judgment. And then he saw the temple of God in heaven, powerful in judgment. First, we see Christ’s reign. This is a declaration that what Satan had formerly ruled - the nations - Christ has conquered and subdued. 1 John 5:19 tells us that the whole world is under the control of Satan now. But one day, as we’ve seen in Revelation 11, Satan loses that power. If you recall, Satan offered dominion to Christ over the kingdoms of the world, if he’d bow down to him. But Christ chose instead to preach, suffer, die, and resurrect. And it’s by this that he inherits the kingdoms of the world. And he will reign forever and ever. The 24 elders call him the Lord God, the Almighty. This title Almighty, ??????????? in Greek, was used by Roman Caesars as their title. But the true ruler over all is Christ. They are the beasts, the kings and rulers of the world who take counsel together to rebel against Christ and oppress his people, but they will be conquered one day. Verse 18 says - they were wrathful, but Christ’s wrath is come.

But secondly, we see the church’s glory. John saw heaven open up in verse 19, and the church was there - the temple. We aren’t weak anymore. How does John’s vision picture us? We’re there, with the ark of the covenant, surrounded by lightning, thunder, hail, earthquake, and voices. This is not the 2 witnesses on earth suffering. This is the glorious church which comes to conquer. And who leads them? The Ark of God - Christ himself. When Israel went through the wilderness, the Ark of God led them. When Israel crossed the Jordan River, they carried the Ark. When Israel marched around Jericho, they carried the Ark. When the Church of Christ comes from heaven after her rapture and resurrection, she will conquer in the name of Christ. No weakness, no tribulation, only power and glory. This tells us that Christ will win. No power on earth can prevent this. No zee/zim, they/their, religious harmony restrictions now will prevent Christ.

Which side are you on, congregation? There are some here today; you’ve completely rejected the rule of Christ. Or you can’t wait to reject the rule of Christ. But congregation of Christ, you who truly believe. I know that some of you are struggling greatly now. Some of you are really affected by worldliness. You feel the weight of Satan on you. You’ve not gone through Great Tribulation yet - it may or may not come in our life time. But what do you do now? If you love this city now, like Lot’s wife - this Sodom, or like Achan, who loved that Babylonian garment - how can you ever suffer along with God’s people? If we are ever to share in the glory of Christ, to live forevermore in that heavenly city, how can we love life here? As Hebrews 13 says, “Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” Like Moses! When he grew up, he refused to be called the Prince of Egypt. He chose to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. He that suffering for Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. Because he knew his eternal reward. This is why he proclaimed and endured persecution. He knew his final promotion and position.

Are you, young people, finding your coolness, or satisfying your heart desires, or finding ultimate comfort in earthly things? Are you waiting to reject Christ? Do you really believe Christ? Will your godly parents, one day, come in the clouds with Christ to judge you? Oh dearly beloved, why do you try so hard to preserve what you have in this world; whether by preserving or building up treasures, or by ensuring the success of your children in this world, when this world will burn up. Church of God, what do we do now? Preach the gospel, live the gospel, suffer for the gospel. This is what Christians do.

1. Our Fearless Proclamation of Painful Truth

A. Christ’s church is protected

B. Christ’s church proclaims

2. Our Fiercest Persecution by Satan

A. The Satanic root of persecution

B. The short-lived joy of persecutors

3. Our Frightening Promotion by the Spirit

A. The shock reversal

B. The surprise repentance

4. Our Final Position to Heaven

A. A vision of Christ’s reign

B. An assurance of the Church’s glory