Two Witnesses, Dragons, Beasts and VICTORY!

This is one artistic interpretation of the end times. The Australian Lutheran College collection contains many such depictions from the book of Revelation. I have to be honest. I struggle with interpreting chapter 11-13. I love science fiction novels and as I read these chapters dealing with the two witnesses, rotting corpses, dragons, and beasts from the sea, I think I am reading a great science fiction novel. 

"Then there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon -- the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world -- was thrown down to the earth with all his angels." (Revelation 12:7-9)

The long standing debate among biblical scholars is how to interpret John's visions. I fall into the camp of understanding this writing as highly symbolic. Although, I can be easily swayed to interpret from a literal stand point because it is much more dramatic. Could God carry out the end times EXACTLY as is written? ABSOLUTELY YES. However, I think God sent us the message of Revelation for a specific purpose, to be used right now. I would hope all believers would look past the grand imagery and focus on the reality of what Jesus is trying to tell us through these visions. 

I like viewing the two witnesses as representing the church. I believe the visions of revelation give us a hint of what we are facing now and how our witness to Jesus will become more difficult. Persecution will ramp up as we near the second coming. Even today, the church is under intense attack. Some of that is from evil outside its walls and some of it even comes from within. There is so much pressure for the church to conform to the world instead of standing bold as depicted by the two witnesses of Revelation.

"These two prophets are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands that stand before the Lord of all the earth. If anyone tries to harm them, fire flashes from their mouths and consumes their enemies. This how anyone who tries to harm them must die." (Revelation 11:4,5)

"When they complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit will declare war on them, and he will conquer them and kill them. And their bodies will lie in the streets of Jerusalem, the city that is figuratively call "Sodom" and Egypt, the city where the Lord was crucified." (Revelation 11:7,8)

I don't think anyone can argue that the church is under attack and I truly believe the book of Revelation is to warn us and prepare us for future, more intense attacks. In our country we, the church, have lived a protected status, but that protection and subtle attacks are ending. The enemy knows the time is near to his demise and he is ready to wage all out war on the church. It is time for the church to prepare. Spend more time in God's word, more time in prayer, more time in worship, and more time building unity within the ranks of the faithful. 

Regardless of the trials and tribulations on the horizon, we know the church does NOT die because just a few verses later in this book of prophecy, God breathes life into church. When the enemy thinks he has us defeated and begins celebration of our fall, God revives us and the heavenly battle begins in earnest. Michael and his angels step in and soundly defeat the Dragon and his forces. YES, we will see victory because of the power of Jesus who sits on the throne. 

PRAISE GOD! What a glorious way to victory!

"Therefore rejoice, O heaven! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing he has little time." (Revelation 12:12)

We are called to rejoice and to realize the battle, though won in the end, is just now beginning!