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The two witnesses die at Jerusalem. Its character at the time is vividly presented
under the two similes Sodom and Egypt, and by the connection of the martyrdom of the
two witnesses with the crucifixion of their Lord. So far as God's purpose is concerned
Jerusalem is "the holy city", but viewed in its apostacy it is not even named, being
described instead by a threefold description which reveals its complicity with the dragon,
the beast, and the false prophet.
By reading chapter 13: it will be seen that while these two witnesses are working
their miracles, the false prophet is working his. It is a repetition of the days of Moses and
Aaron before Pharaoh. A short-lived rejoicing is followed by a great fear, for these
servants of the Lord are raised from the dead and a loud voice from heaven says:--
"Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in the cloud and their enemies
beheld them. At the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth part of the city
fell, and there were killed in the earthquake seven thousand names of men."
The result of this judgment causes great fear to fall upon men, and they give glory to
the God of heaven. No evidence is given that these men experience any change of nature,
and the giving of the glory may be a passing admission that "this is the finger of God".
On the other hand we do not limit God. The aionian gospel distinctly says, "Fear God
and give glory to Him, because the hour of His judgment is come" (14: 7), and therefore
we leave it without expressing an opinion. With this incident the second woe passes, and
the third woe is spoken of as coming quickly.
God has never left Himself without witness. In the utter corruption and apostacy of
the final three-and-a-half years of this world's Christless history two miraculously
endowed, and miraculously sustained, witnesses bear their testimony. The longsuffering
exhibited toward Pharaoh is repeated toward his antitype, and the miraculous ministry of
Moses and Aaron is repeated in that of the two witnesses. But, alas, as it was with
Pharaoh, so will it be again: the waters will cover the oppressor, and all his pomp will
descend to perdition.
The next sound to break forth is that of the seventh trumpet. Surely in those days the
urgent prayer will be, Even so, Come, Lord Jesus.