145 The Revelation of Jesus Christ two men. And among those who rejoice over their downfall
will be the apostate church of Christendom. 3. Their Resurrection and Translation.
But in the midst of this terrible rejoicing, these God-defy ing men will receive an awful shock; for "the spirit of life from God entered into them (the witnesses), and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them (11 :11 ). Can you not picture the horror and fear which will grip the evil hearts of their enemies as the two witnesses rise to their feet? '"And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. -And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud."" ----,. Here again we have the cloud of Shekinah Glory. "And their enemies beheld thein." What a graphic pie , ture! THE GREAT EARTHQUAKE '"And the same hour was there a great earthquake ... and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven'" (11 :13). With the translation of the two witnesses comes an earth quake which shakes the city, causing a "tenth part" to fall. We are told that in that earthquake seven thousand men will be slain. Surely that will add to the terror of those who are left. Would you not think it would be enough to turn any man to God? But what happens? "The remnant were af frighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven." What that means I do not know; but it would seem as though those who will be left after the earthquake will give to God a glory which is inspired by fear, a fear which has in it no trace of repentance. Have you ever noticed, when some great catastrophe takes place, how men turn to God and call upon Him; and how after the terror is over, they go right back to their old ways again? That is because their call upon God was inspired by fear, a fear into which no hint of real repentance from sin enters. They do not love God. They know nothing of what it means to come in contact with the Son of God and "be born again." Theirs is a temporary state of awe and fear, which brings forth a terrified call upon God.
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