Verses 1-2
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This acts as a great sign for us that the end is near. During the end, the antichrist will stand in a temple of God and claim that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:4). This act of his will mean “the abomination of desolation” (Matthew 24:15-16), upon which we who are believers must flee into the wilderness. For at this time we will know that the end has begun.
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This temple is a physical temple, containing an altar, that will be able to be measured. It is a Jewish temple. However, outside the temple Gentiles will traverse.
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Apparently, there will be a temple for Jews to worship, as a sign of the end, but upon an outer-court property that belongs to the Gentiles. We expect this temple to be in Jerusalem (Luke 21:24). Gentiles—particularly followers of Islam—traverse the temple mount as we speak.
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If you notice a temple or place of worship being built or established in Jerusalem, this is a sign that the end is near.
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Verses 3-14
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During the Tribulation, there will be at least two individuals that will prophesy, work miracles, pronounce plagues, and destroy enemies with fire. These men are believers, and they will be helpful to the church, but a nuisance to the unbelieving world, since anyone who even looks at them to hurt them is consumed with fire.
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These two men are mentioned indirectly in the book of Zechariah (Zechariah 4:2-3,14) as olive trees, lampstands, and anointed ones.
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These men are likely members of a group of witnesses for the end. Similar to how the twelve apostles in the early church were “witnesses” for the beginning of the last days (Acts 1:8), there will be witnesses and/or apostles for the end of the world as well, when a final message will be preached. They will have powers from God that many prophets of old, like Moses and Elijah, possessed.
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These men could be anyone whom God chooses.
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Understand that believers, at least these men, will be involved in taking life. Believers will certainly not be pacifists during the end.
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After the testimony of the witnesses is finished, they will be overcome and killed by a “beast from the bottomless pit”. This beast is different from the figurative “beast from the sea” and the “beast from the earth” (which are the antichrist and false prophet) mentioned in chapter 13.
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Like the other beasts that come from the bottomless pit are terrible locust-like creatures (Revelation 9:1-11), this beast is also a physical, demonic, and extremely powerful creature. This monstrous being will physically kill the two witnesses, but they will be raised from the dead, as we know.
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This creature is of the same place, purpose, and power as, for example, “the angel of the bottomless pit” (Abaddon or Apollyon) that stands as king over the locusts of the bottomless pit.
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Verses 15-19
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When the seventh trumpet sounds, it will announce a great victory, that the time has come for the final judgments to begin.
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Rejoice in the thought of God's judgment, as it means salvation and deliverance from evil.
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