Insights in Prophecy Lesson 18

Revelation 11

America's 4th of July this year (2015) just happens to occur on the 17th of Tammuz on the Biblical/Jewish Calendar. The 17th of Tammuz marks the beginning of the annual "The Three Weeks" period of mourning which culminates on the 9th of Av, commemorating the conquest of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Holy Temple and the dispersion of the Jewish people. Weddings and other joyful events are not held during this period; like mourners, observers do not cut their hair, and various pleasurable activities are limited or proscribed.

The Word says, "Now, therefore," says the LORD, "Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning," Joel 2:12. An attitude of repentance is certainly needed in America, but national humility isn't expected. Sadly, celebration of liberty, freedom and hope can be turned into sorrow as September 11, 2001 proves. Final events can and likely will descend upon us and accelerate in the same sudden manner. War and financial ruin is certain for America, followed by destruction and the many other sorrows described in the prophecies.

This week's lesson focuses on two end-time Prophet witnesses. They will most likely arrive on Planet Earth at the Biblical Festival period, and the book of Revelation says, "I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth," Revelation 11:3. Sackcloth (Hebrew שַׂק saḳ) is a garment made from such cloth, which was chiefly worn as a token of mourning by the Israelites. It was furthermore a sign of submission (I Kings 20:31), and was occasionally worn by the Prophets. The clothing worn by the two Prophets signifies the counting times of the last days will include much sorrow and mourning, as the nations unravel into global chaos--starting with the Iran war, Middle East war, World War and the financial collapse of the nations.

When will these two Prophets arrive? Who are they likely to be? And, what Day will their 1,260 day ministry lead up to? We'll explore these questions and many others in our Revelation 11--Lesson 18 study.

Keep looking up!

Kevin Swift