Join Bible teacher David Hawking as he unpacks the intertwined histories and futures of Zerubbabel, Joshua, Moses, and Elijah through the lens of scripture. Understand the cultural and theological implications of the two witnesses and their mission during the tribulation. This episode also provides a touching call to faith, encouraging individuals to deepen their relationship with God amidst an ever-changing world.
The longer we go, the more we’re seeing the literal fulfillment of all of God’s prophecies. And that’s really an exciting thing to me. I don’t allegorize any of them. I think they’re coming to pass exactly like God said. And it’s very interesting. I am absolutely positive that they’re going to build a temple in Jerusalem.
SPEAKER 1 :
Thank you.
SPEAKER 02 :
This is Hope for Today with Bible teacher David Hawking. As we step back into Revelation chapter 11 verses 1 through 4 today, we encounter again God’s two witnesses, men sent to Jerusalem during the tribulation with a message that no one can silence. They continue to proclaim the word of the Lord, calling down plagues and shutting the sky so that rain doesn’t fall and striking the earth with judgments that prove God is still in control. The world’s going to hate them, despise their message and celebrate their death. But their testimony, their testimony cannot, will not be erased. Today, David continues with our message called The Two Witnesses. First, a straight talk reminder. Summer is tough for ministries like Hope for Today. People get busy, they travel, they have many activities, and giving drops. But the cost to stay on the air and keep God’s Word streaming? Never take a vacation. And that’s why your gift right now particularly matters. It keeps this voice strong, putting truth in front of those who need it and pushing the gospel into places that may never hear it otherwise. So to stand with this ministry, to co-labor with us, call 800-75-BIBLE in the U.S. or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada. Bible by the numbers 24253. or write to Hope for Today, Box 3927, Tustin, California, 92781. In Canada, Hope for Today, Box 15011, RPO, Seven Oaks, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 8P1. And I’ll repeat that contact information at the close. Right now, though, here’s David with today’s study.
SPEAKER 04 :
Chapter 11, verse 1, There was given me a reed like a rod, and the angel stood, saying, Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and them that worship in it. But the court… which is, we would say, outside, without the temple, leave out and measure it not, for it is given unto the heathen, or the nations, the Gentiles, and the holy city shall they tread underfoot forty and two months. 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 or lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceeded 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. 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. 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. And they of the peoples and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and a half, and shall not allow or suffer or permit their dead bodies to be put in graves. And 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. And after three days and a half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet, and great fear fell upon them who saw them. And they heard a great or loud voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up here. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies beheld them. 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 or terrified, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past, and behold the third woe. cometh quickly. The last three trumpet judgments are called woe because of their seriousness. Now, if you’re outlining or following us in an organized manner through these opening four verses, first, the measurement of the temple. The very fact of mentioning the temple causes a great deal of consternation among those who study future events. The measurement of the temple, which is mentioned in verses 1 and 2. The second thing is the message of the two witnesses, verse 3. Now, in the third place, look at the meaning of these two witnesses from verse 4. Who are these? And the Bible says these are two olive trees. Amen? We can go home now. We understand. There are two olive trees. Oh, great. They’re olive trees. We’re supposed to know what that means. There are two olive trees. Oh, there are also two candlesticks, lampstands. And they’re standing before the God of the earth. But what’s he talking about? Take your Bibles and turn to Zechariah chapter 4. This is a direct reference to Zechariah chapter 4. Now, Zechariah is a prophet, along with Haggai and others, who prophesied to those Jewish people who returned after the Babylonian captivity, were settling in the land. They came back to build the temple of the Lord. That’s the original edict of Cyrus was to allow them to come back to do that. Well, they fooled around a little bit and didn’t do the project. Instead, they started building their own homes and forgot the temple of the Lord and weren’t worshiping. And so God sent prophets like Haggai and Zechariah to stir the people up. For instance, Haggai said, is it time for you to dwell in your sealed houses? You’ve sown much and you bring in little. You eat but you have not enough. You’re putting it into a bag of holes. Consider your ways. It’s time to turn our devotion to the Lord. That’s what these prophets were doing. Motivating the people and preaching to say, we came back here under the gracious love and permission and kindness of God and we came back to restore the worship of the Lord in this place. And now all we’re consumed with is the materialism of our culture. We need to get back to the Lord. Well, that was the message not only of Haggai, but of Zechariah. Zechariah had these visions, and it’s called the little revelation because there are 14 chapters that are quoted often in the book of Revelation, and it’s a book of prophecy, and it’s one terrific book. Well, when the children of Israel came back, there were two important leaders who brought them back to restore some sort of governmental life in Israel. Israel was a theocracy, and they needed some help and leadership. and one of the men was a civic ruler. He was actually in the line of King David. He was in the messianic line. His name was Zerubbabel. He is a civic political governor, a ruler, not a king, but he’s coming under the permission of the Persian government, and he’s leading the people back. We also need a high priest. And so the man in line was Joshua. So Zerubbabel and Joshua are the two men that are bringing these people back. Now they are referred to in the book of Zechariah as key instruments in the hands of God to get this project underway and to get the people back to the Lord. Zerubbabel and Joshua. They are called the two anointed ones who stand before the Lord of all the earth. Zechariah 4.14. Let’s read Zechariah 4. The angel who talked with me came again and waked me as a man that is waken out of his sleep, and said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick, a lampstand, all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and its seven lamps on it, and seven pipes to the seven lamps which are upon the top of it, and two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side of it. So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? Now, what we have here are pipes going out from the branches of the candlestick. Pipes, they circle around to a bowl that’s on top of it. In the bowl is the oil. The oil leaks out through the pipes to the branches, provides the oil by which the candlestick will be lit. The two olive trees, of course, show us where we get the oil from. The oil comes from the olive tree, is put in a central bowl, and then the pipes go from the bowl of the oil dripping out into the branches, and then we light the branches of the candlestick that way. So just so we have the picture clear in our mind, it is symbolic, but we need to understand what it actually is that we’re talking about. Now, verse six, he answered and spoken to me saying, this is the word of the Lord undesirable. This whole picture here saying, not by might nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. You ever quoted that or sung that in a song? Here’s where it comes from. It’s interesting when you learn what the context is behind that statement. Verse 7, Who art thou, O great mountain? Meaning tremendous obstacle to what God wanted him to do. Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain. God’s going to use him in such a way that all obstacles will be removed. And he shall bring forth the headstone of it with shoutings. Now what it’s talking about is when you finish the temple project or a building project and you put on the last stone on the top, Everybody cheers. It’s done. It’s a day of celebration. And what God says, when you put the headstone on and you finish this project, here’s what everybody’s going to be shouting. Not, we did it, we did it, we did it, as everybody says in a normal building project. But instead, they’re going to shout, grace, grace. In other words, God did it. Because of God’s grace, He has given to us what we do not deserve. And we have only been able to do this by His power. It isn’t by our might and our ability, because there are going to be lots of obstacles. There are going to be great mountains that need to become plains. And we know from the story in Nehemiah that this particular time was filled with opposition. opposition from the Samaritans, who were half-breeds in terms of being Jewish. The Assyrians had married the northern tribe, intermarried them, intermingled with them, and planted them. They became the Samaritans. And the Samaritans are trying to stop the Jews from Judah, who are coming back from Babylon to rebuild the temple. Lots of opposition. But before Zerubbabel, it’ll all become a plain. And when they put the top stone on, everybody’s going to shout, grace, grace to it. They’ll know that God did it. Keep reading. Moreover, the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, which had happened, and his hands shall also finish it. And thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts has sent me unto you. Remember, he’s in the direct line of King David. His name is listed in the genealogy of Matthew chapter 1. So he like King David, he like King Solomon, he like our Lord himself will finish the project. and you shall know the Lord of hosts has sent me unto you. And what was Jesus saying all the time through the Gospels? My heavenly Father has sent me unto you. He is the sent one, the anointed one, the Christ. Keep reading. For who hath despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven. They are the eyes of the Lord which run to and throw to the whole earth. That’s quoted also in the book of Revelation. Then answered I and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side of it? And I answered again and said unto him, What are these two olive branches which threw the two golden pipes, emptied the golden oil out of themselves. And he answered me and said, knowest thou not what these are? And I said, no, my Lord. Then he said, these are the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. And as Zechariah unravels his prophecy, he’s talking about Zerubbabel and Joshua, that God’s power will be upon them. And they are the two olive trees that are supplying the oil, so to speak. for the nation of Judah, which is the candlestick, represented by the candlestick, to shine brightly to the world by reestablishing the worship of the Lord in the land. Everybody still with me? So when we come to the book of Revelation and it quotes this, then we have a definite connection. So in giving you the meaning of the two witnesses, I want to give you two things. The historical meaning and the prophetic meaning. The historical meaning, it’s referring to Joshua and Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel is like the king or the governor. He’s not a king because Persia won’t allow that. But he is the civic ruler, the political ruler. And he is in the direct line of King David, the messianic line. We have Joshua, who’s also the high priest, the religious ruler. Now, prophetically, who does it refer to? Go back to Revelation chapter 11 and look at verse 4. These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks standing before the God of all the earth. Boy, you can’t miss that. That is a direct statement right out of Zechariah 4. Now, people say, well, then the two witnesses are going to be Zerubbabel and Joshua. You can understand that. If they were then, why couldn’t God bring them back and they would be the two witnesses? Well, let’s look at verse 5. 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. Who’s that remind you of? Moses and Elijah. Now some people say, no, it’s not Moses and Elijah, it’s Enoch and Elijah. Now why did they want Enoch in there? Because Enoch walked with God and was not, for God took him. In this passage it says to the two witnesses when the life of God comes back into them, come up here. So they see a picture of the rapture and they want Enoch in there. He walked with God, was not, God took him. And Elijah went up to heaven in a what? A whirlwind. Read it. Yes, there were chariots of fire, but he went up in a whirlwind. Okay, I think it’s Moses and Elijah. As a matter of fact, the text said, and I pointed out to you in verse 3, I’ll give power unto the two witnesses of mine, which means they’ve had to have been here before. Turn to Matthew chapter 17, verse 3. Jesus is on the mount. Hermon, the great high mountain north of Israel. Israel geographically goes from Mount Hermon down to Beersheba in the desert, 150 miles as the crow flies. It says, Behold, there appeared unto them, who? Moses and Elijah talking with him. Peter got so excited, he said, well, we’ll make three tents here. One for thee, one for Moses, one for Elijah. Voice comes out of the cloud and says, no. This is my beloved son in whom I’m well pleased. You hear him. Forget Moses and Elijah. The Lord’s who I want you to listen to. Peter’s really excited, of course, and he writes in 2 Peter chapter 1, we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. We were with him on the holy mount. We saw it with our own eyes. We saw the glory of God. Well, who were the two witnesses who appeared there talking with our Lord about his own decease and his death? Moses and Elijah, the Bible says. Turn to Luke chapter 24. Look at verses 4 to 7. And it’s interesting, just putting this together, it says, it came to pass as they were much perplexed about this, behold, two men, this is at the resurrection, two men stood by them in shining garments. Well, they had shining garments in Matthew 17. Why couldn’t it be Moses and Elijah again? Two men stood by them in shining garments. People say, well, there are two angels. It doesn’t say that. It says two men in shining garments. As they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He’s not here. He’s risen. What did Moses and Elijah talk to the Lord about? His coming to cease. And they’re back here now saying, oh, he’s not here. He’s risen. Remember how he spoke unto you when he was yet in Galilee, saying, the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words. Why couldn’t those two men there be Moses and Elijah? Let’s go over to the book of Acts, chapter 1. Let’s at least allow the possibility of that. Acts chapter 1, verse 9 to 11. Malachi chapter 4 tells us in verse 5 and 6 that God will bring Elijah back before the coming of the Messiah. I read in Acts 1, 9. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up in a cloud, received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two, what? Men stood by them in white apparel. Same thing that happened on Mount Transfiguration. Same thing at the resurrection. who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus who has taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven. It just seems to me that the three major, momentous, spectacular occasions of revealing the majesty and glory of Christ, transfiguration, resurrection, and ascension are all accompanied by the appearance of the same two men. I suggest to you that Moses and Elijah are the two witnesses and have been all along. You say, are you sure? No. But I think it’s a powerful connection. In verse 5, the manner in which they are protected even suggests Elijah. In verse 6, the means by which they demonstrate their power suggests Moses and Elijah. They stopped the rain. Elijah did that. They strike the waters and turn them into blood. Moses did that. They smite the earth with plagues. Moses did that. The fact is, the evidence here is overwhelming. It’s Moses and Elijah. They are the two witnesses. And Malachi says, the son, S-U-N, of righteousness, a name of the Messiah, will arise with healing in his wings. And Elijah the prophet will come back and prepare the way. That’s why many people thought of John the Baptist in that role. Jesus said, well, if you would accept the Messiah and set up his kingdom now, then this is Elijah. But John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah. He was not Elijah. Elijah is still coming. And at every Jewish Passover in the family Seder, the husband or father of the home will send a child out to the door saying, Near the end of the meal, he will open the door to see if Elijah is there. They do it every year. Every year. You see, there’s also a chair set at every Passover table with no one in it. It’s for the Messiah. For one day we will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of God. We will be there at the marriage supper of the Lamb with the King of kings and Lord of lords. So we go to the door to see if Elijah is there because Elijah must come before the Messiah. Lord, I thank you that you can save to the uttermost, as you say in the word, all who would come to God through Christ. Doesn’t matter where we are or how much junk and sin and mess is in our life. You are the God who will forgive because Jesus paid it all and all to him we owe. Lord, I pray by the power of your Holy Spirit, you draw many right now to turn to the Lord Jesus before it’s too late. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
SPEAKER 03 :
Have you given your heart to Him? We’d like to pray for you right now. Open your hearts, please, as we pray. Lord, You know who’s listening and who isn’t. And I pray for those that have never settled their relationship with You. O God, I pray that through Your powerful Holy Spirit, as they put their faith and trust in the finished work of our Lord, who died for our sins and rose again from the dead, ascended to heaven and is coming back. Lord, if they will believe in you, you have told us in your word that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. I pray, friends, that you’ll give your heart to him right now.
SPEAKER 02 :
That’s David Hawking, and this is Hope for Today. You know, if you’d like to know more about a relationship with Jesus Christ, boy, he loves you. He wants you to know him personally. If you want to know more about that, we’d love to send you David’s booklet, What is Christianity?, along with a simple Bible study by mail, and both of these resources completely free. If you don’t know Jesus, if you’re not yet a Christian, or if you’re new to the Christian faith, Call us at 800-75-BIBLE, that’s in the U.S., or 888-75-BIBLE in Canada. You can also get these resources, request them on our website, davidhawking.org. And just before David closes out our time today, his son Matt’s here, and we’re going to tell you about one of our special featured resources. We have David’s original sermon outlines and notes for each message in our Revelation radio series. These are wonderful for following along through the series and then into the future when you want to review or share it with others.
SPEAKER 01 :
Discover and experience Revelation in a deeper, more encouraging fashion with our Revelation radio series. and my dad’s message outlines in his notes. The Revelation Series Sermon Notes Pack is just $10. You can purchase and download at davidhocking.org or receive them by PDF CD when you call us. And then you can save and store all that you’re hearing in our current series with the Revelation Radio Series Message Pack on MP3. All 48 audio messages on MP3 format download or MP3 CD, special price this month, just $30. Or on DVD, a special price this month, Go to DavidHawking.org or call 1-800-75-BIBLE. In Canada, at 1-888-75-BIBLE. And Bible by the Numbers is 242-53.
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, and if God is pushing you to give more, more than just the cost of your resource order, jump in. Send your gift by mail, if you like, to Hope for Today, Box 3927. Tustin, California, 92781. In Canada, write to Hope for Today, Box 15011, RPO, Seven Oaks, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 8P1. Or call us at 1-800-75-BIBLE. In the U.S., 888-75-BIBLE-IN-CANADA. And again, Bible by the numbers 24253. And our website, davidhawking.org. As promised, once again, here’s David.
SPEAKER 03 :
Well, I hope that you’re excited as we are about teaching Revelation 11 about the two witnesses. It’s in Zechariah chapter 4 that we learn about the two anointed ones, and here are the details of their ministry. And thank God that he does have two witnesses. I personally think it’s Moses and Eliyahu, or Elijah. And I pray that your heart and mind will be open to everything that God wants to say. We’re not done with the two witnesses, by the way. We’re going to need about, oh, three more broadcasts, I think. So plan to be with every one of our broadcasts, and God bless you.
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, next time, David Hawking continues our study of the two witnesses in Revelation 11. They shut the sky, strike the earth with plagues, and cannot be stopped until their mission is complete. The world celebrates their death, but God, God raises them up again. Don’t miss the continuing study, the two witnesses of Revelation 11, as we go to verses 5 through 14, next time on Hope for Today.
Join Bible teacher David Hawking as he unpacks the intertwined histories and futures of Zerubbabel, Joshua, Moses, and Elijah through the lens of scripture. Understand the cultural and theological implications of the two witnesses and their mission during the tribulation. This episode also provides a touching call to faith, encouraging individuals to deepen their relationship with God amidst an ever-changing world.
