During the Gospel age, the time between Pentecost and the Lord's return, it will become clear who the True Church is (Revelation 11:1-2). During that same time frame the Church (olive trees and lamp stands) will have a powerful prophetic ministry. The Church will have the powers of Moses and Elijah, proclaiming the Word of the Lord.
"We are plainly being sent back to Zechariah 4:1–14. There a single, gold seven-branched lampstand—the nation Israel—accompanied by two olive trees that “are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.” The lampstand in the Old Testament symbolized the Old Testament people of God; in Revelation the lampstand is his new people. Zechariah’s vision also included two olive trees (Zerubbabel and Joshua), distinct from the lampstand. In Revelation olive tree and lampstand have merged. Nevertheless, Zechariah 4 again provides a key, for the olive trees there provided oil to light the lampstand. Further, the oil is the power of the Spirit of God: ‘ “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty” (Zech. 4:6). The church prophetic is powerful not only when it is a Humble church but also when it is enabled by the Holy Spirit." [1]
But sometime before the Seventh Trumpet, before the End, the Church will lose it's power. The Beast will rise from the Pit and war on the Church, rendering many impotent. "The picture of the witnesses’ bodies lying on the “street of the great city” probably does not indicate literally that the entire church will be exterminated so that it cannot bear witness any longer. Rather it emphasizes by hyperbole that the true church will seem defeated in its role of witness, will appear small and insignificant, and will be treated with indignity." [2]
The Church will be mocked. The Church will be derided. But only for a short time, for again, God will come to the aid of His People.
“But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.” (Revelation 11:11–12, NIV).
This is the "not-so-secret-rapture" of the Church! Looking ahead, we see that immediately after these events, judgement comes. The Day of the Lord arrives.
“At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.” (Revelation 11:13, NIV)
"Neither the powerful witness nor the tragic death of the prophets had been persuasive, but their resurrection and ascent finally convinced the world that the God of heaven was the true God. That they gave glory to him does not mean that they were converted. They are making a terrified confession. (Compare this with the similar response to the earthquake of 6:15–17.) This marks the initial fulfillment of the time when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess Jesus’ name (Phil. 2:10–11)." [3]
Father you will be glorified. Your supremacy and glory demand that all you have made will bow before You in awe. These last days that predict the near demise of the Church are troubling. But Lord the end is better than the beginning. Grant Your Church a strong prophetic voice in these days. These are the Days of Elijah, may Your Word go forward into all the nations with power and conviction.
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1. Easley, K. H. (1998). Vol. 12: Revelation. Holman New Testament Commentary (191–192). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
2. Beale, G. K. (1999). The book of Revelation: A commentary on the Greek text. New International Greek Testament Commentary (590). Grand Rapids, MI; Carlisle, Cumbria: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press.
2. Easley, K. H. (1998). Vol. 12: Revelation. Holman New Testament Commentary (195–196). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
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