Read Revelation 11:3–14
Once again, people tend to have strong opinions about whether today’s passage is meant to be taken literally or figuratively. But once again, we will do our best to focus on what John wants us to do as a result of reading his writing. In fancier terms, what is the ethical imperative John is communicating, whether it is through historical predictions or apocalyptic imagery? In order to discern the imperative, two things are important to keep in mind. First, this passage is in the same line of thought as yesterday’s passage. There we saw a protected temple and a trampled courtyard, representing God’s protection of His people even while they experience physical persecution. Second, the two witnesses who are martyred (i.e. killed for their faith) are examples for us to follow. If you are a literalist, you will not think we can be exactly like the martyrs (I have not met a fire breathing, plague-striking Christian yet), but we can certainly replicate the boldness of their faith in sharing our faith to an unbelieving world!
But how do we get that kind of boldness? If we find ourselves surrounded by Sodom (a place where sin and immorality run wild) and Egypt (a place of slavery and injustice), how can we hold on to our faith, much less share it with humble confidence? And what if they threaten us with social persecution, economic hardship, or physical harm? How can we continue in that kind of environment?
The key to faithful endurance is in yesterday’s passage and the end of today’s. Even when the courtyard is trampled, even when the witnesses are killed, God protects His temple and raises His people from the dead. Our confidence in this life is that even when our physical circumstances are dire, we know we serve a faithful God who protects His people. We know that our hope is not ultimately in this world but in God and His Kingdom. When we focus on our hope for tomorrow, we are free to truly live today.
