Jaw-dropping Jewels about Jesus
Rarely does Jesus, God the Son, do exactly what we expect of Him. It seems odd that He so frequently surprises us, given that He never changes. Hebrews 13:8 makes this absolute statement: “Jesus the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Still, though He is blessedly consistent in His goodness, Jesus does unforeseen things. Even when He does what is expected, He does not always do it in the way that we anticipate. Let us join with Jesus on a jaw-dropping journey. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
The two powerful preachers of Revelation 11 are specifically empowered by Jesus for their difficult ministry during the first half of the Tribulation: “And I will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth” (verses 3-4). Verses 5-6 are grim reminders of the intensity and irrationality of the Satanic opposition during the Tribulation: “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. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.” Because Satan’s influence is so great during that terrible time, great might is needed merely to survive his onerous onslaughts. The destruction wrought by the “two witnesses” is thus defensive in nature and is consistent with the Biblical concept of a just war fought in self-defense or to protect the oppressed. Because God is always doing multiple things, He will simultaneously protect His own and provide a compelling call to those who persist in resisting His mercy and grace. His unusual protection of this twosome is also one more testament to His strength and to His offer of eternal salvation.