Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
God's Olive Trees
Today’s Verse:
These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. ~Revelation 11:4
The olive tree is very prominent in the Bible. It is a symbol of peace, accord, and association. An olive branch is a symbol of peace. It was an important tree in the economy of Israel and was useful as food, fuel, furniture, and a pharmaceutical. It was used for anointing and sacrifices. In our devotion this morning, we read about God’s two olive trees.
We see the ministry.
“And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.” They will be two righteous men who will be God’s key spokesmen for three and a half years during the Great Tribulation. They will prophesy against the wickedness of the world, the Beast, and wickedness that prevails. These are unusual men who will boldly proclaim God’s righteousness and judgment to come. The word witness is the same word describing what every believer is in this world (Acts 1:8). They are described as witnesses in their representation.
We see their might.
“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.” The two witnesses will be endued with unusual power to destroy their enemies with fire, shut the heavens from rain, turn the waters into blood, and afflict the world with plagues. Some students of prophecy say they will be Elijah and Moses, whom God will send back to Earth, due to the similarity to the same miracles that these two men performed. One thing is for sure: they will be men of God who will be entrusted with great power.
We see the martyrs.
“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.” When they finish the task that God sends them to do, the Beast (Antichrist) will murder them and leave their bodies in the streets. The people of the world will celebrate their death for three and a half days. These two witnesses will be hated by the world. These two witnesses will be part of the rank of thousands who will die for their faith and witness for the Lord. During the Great Tribulation. there will be many, many martyrs for the gospel.
We see that they’re motioned.
“And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.” The Lord will resurrect these two witnesses who have been lying on the streets of Jerusalem. Everyone in the world will see this great miracle and will be filled with fear. The Lord will then call them to ascend up to Heaven in the sight of the people. Even though they will be brutally murdered and mocked, God will openly acknowledge and reward them for their faithfulness. Their departure to Heaven will be a victorious statement to the world that God knows them that are His.
We see their message.
These men are a powerful reminder to us of our priority as witnesses of the gospel. We must be witnesses who are moved with persuasion. We must be witnesses who have God’s power. We must be witnesses who persevere in spite of pushback. We must be witnesses who will be promoted for faithfulness. Be faithful where God has placed you. Don’t become weary in well doing. Keep preaching the gospel until Jesus comes!
Have a witness-empowered God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Psalms 66-69
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