Wrath of God

 

If God is love, why is He angry with man? What does the book of Revelation say about the wrath of God? When and why will God pour out His wrath on humanity?

The book of Revelation is a vision of the future given to the apostle John, who recorded it for us in the Bible. The book begins with messages to seven churches and the opening of seven seals by Jesus Christ.

Six seals will be opened before the wrath of God

As explained in our article “The Book of Revelation,” which gives an overview of this book, these seals “reveal details of major events leading up to the return of Jesus Christ and even after. In brief, the first five include four symbolic horses (sometimes called ‘the four horsemen of the Apocalypse’) followed by great tribulation. Although the fulfillment of the first four of these seals has been ongoing since the time of Christ, they will intensify prior to Christ’s return.”

When we analyze the first five seals as recorded in Revelation 6, it becomes obvious that God has not been the author of these terrible events that have plagued and will continue to plague mankind well into the end times. They do not represent the wrath of God.

For example, God is not the source of religious deception—the meaning of the first seal represented by a white horse (verse 2). Neither is God responsible for the deaths of faithful martyrs who will lose their lives in the tribulation of the fifth seal (verses 9-12).

For a more detailed explanation of the first four seals, see “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: What Are They?”

As the vision of the sixth seal unfolds, John saw great cosmic disturbances, including a great earthquake, a darkened moon and stars falling to the earth (verses 12-14). After this, John saw men hiding “themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains” (verse 15). Their reason for hiding is the introduction to the wrath of God.

The wrath of the Lamb

Explaining why they have tried to burrow into the earth, these men “said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?’” (verses 16-17, emphasis added throughout).

This passage marks a turning point in end-time events. Satan, the one “who deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9) and the one whom Jesus described as a “liar” and “a murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44), has been the unseen power behind the horrible events that are part of the first five seals. Until this point in time, mankind has suffered from the wrath of Satan.

The sixth seal, accompanied by great supernatural signs, announces the wrath of God—the punishment that God is going to bring upon earth’s inhabitants because of disobedience to His laws and way of life.

The seventh seal includes the wrath of God

The seventh seal, which is also known as “the Day of the Lord,” is the major theme of the book of Revelation. It includes God’s wrath on rebellious humans at the end of this age and includes the return of Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth.

From the time of the Old Testament, God had warned that eventually this time of punishment would come. Speaking of this day of reckoning, which Isaiah called “the day of the LORD’s vengeance” (Isaiah 34:8), the prophet wrote, “For the indignation of the LORD is against all nations, and His fury against all their armies” (verse 2).

Later, Isaiah added: “For behold, the LORD will come with fire and with His chariots, like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword the LORD will judge all flesh; and the slain of the LORD shall be many. ‘Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves, to go to the gardens after an idol in the midst, eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and the mouse, shall be consumed together,’ says the LORD” (Isaiah 66:15-17).

Through the prophet Joel, God spoke of “the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD” (Joel 2:31).

This man of God wrote of God’s army that will vanquish all who come against it. “The LORD gives voice before His army, for His camp is very great; for strong is the One who executes His word. For the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; who can endure it?” (verse 11).

“The wrath of God is revealed”: What makes God angry?

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul warned people of this coming time of judgment saying, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” (Romans 1:18).

One of the multiple reasons for God’s anger against these people is “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God” (verse 21).

The full account of Paul’s warning, found in verses 18-32, is an insightful study showing why those who practice disobedience “are deserving of death” (verse 32).

Prelude to God’s wrath

Prior to pouring out His wrath upon earth’s inhabitants because of willful sin and refusal to obey His instructions, John saw God sending an angel to announce: “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads” (Revelation 7:3).

Although some faithful people will lose their lives as martyrs in Satan’s wrath, God here seals 144,000 of “the tribes of the children of Israel” (verse 4) and “a great multitude … of all nations” (verse 9).

The innumerable multitude that comes “out of the great tribulation” (verse 14) are people who will be “sealed” in order to mark or identify them for the supreme blessing of being before God and serving “Him day and night in His temple” (verse 15).

Apparently describing their change into spirit, the vision continues: “They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (verses 16-17).

The point behind this prelude to God’s wrath is to show that He cares for people and offers protection to those who obey Him. Because He loves mankind and is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9), God’s practice has always been to send prophets to warn people to repent of their sins prior to inflicting punishment for disobedience.

End-time warnings to avoid the wrath of God

Just as God sent prophets to warn the inhabitants of the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah to repent of their sins before He allowed their nations to be overthrown, God will send representatives at the end of this age to warn people to repent.Just as God sent prophets to warn the inhabitants of the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah to repent of their sins before He allowed their nations to be overthrown, God will send representatives at the end of this age to warn people to repent.

Through the prophet Malachi, God gave both advice and an announcement of a future prophet.

“Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:4-6).

Explaining this prophecy to His disciples, “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.’ Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist” (Matthew 17:11-13).

The spirit and power of Elijah

Prior to John’s birth, an angel had told his father, Zacharias, that after he grew up, his son would go “in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17).

While it is clear that John the Baptist was a fulfillment of this prophecy, the wording in Matthew 17:11-12 and Malachi 4:4-6 allows for the understanding that there could be another prophet or prophets who will come in the same “spirit and power of Elijah” at the end of this age.

The apparent reference to the second coming of Jesus Christ and the warning that He could come and strike the earth with a curse—that is, utter destruction—give this indication. The setting for these events is the end of this age—not the time of John the Baptist.

Just as the Elijah of the Old Testament turned the hearts of the ancient Israelites from the worship of Baal, a false god, to worship of the real God, it appears that an end-time Elijah or a similar work will help people repent of their sins and obey the laws God gave through Moses.

Two witnesses

The Bible also speaks of two witnesses who will come with Elijah-like powers and prophesy during the end time for 3½ years. These representatives of God will likewise warn people to repent.

Perhaps the 144,000 and the great multitude spoken of in Revelation 7 will largely come from the work of these representatives of God. For additional study, see the article “Two Witnesses.”

Why the wrath of God will come

Unfortunately, the Bible also indicates that most people during the end time will not heed the warnings to repent that God will give through His prophets. Even as God pours out His wrath upon the earth, the book of Revelation tells us that most humans will continue in their defiance of God and His instructions.

After several plagues representing God’s wrath are poured out upon mankind, we find this sobering statement: “But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts” (Revelation 9:20-21).

After more punishment has come, we again read: “And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory” (Revelation 16:9).

Rather than learning from what they had suffered, John added that “they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds” (verse 11).

What we should learn from the wrath of God

While punishment is never pleasant, there are important lessons we can learn from this future wrath of God. We need to understand that God’s wrath is real and that He has expectations of us. Even though He is a God of love, sin still exists and it carries a terrible penalty.

Because God loves us, He implores us to repent of our sins and begin living as He commands. As our Creator and as our wise Father in heaven, God knows what is best for us and urges us to choose the way of life that leads to happiness in this life and the reward of an eternal life of joy and happiness in the future. (Read more in our article “The Wrath of God: How to Survive.”)

After the wrath of God is complete, the Kingdom of God will be established here on earth. Satan will be bound so he will no longer be able to deceive and influence humanity. Humans will then have the opportunity to learn God’s ways and enjoy unprecedented peace and prosperity.

There is indeed good news after the bad. To learn more about this wonderful time, see “1,000 Years—the Millennium” and the “Kingdom of God” section of this website.

What Is the Day of the Lord?

 

While the Day of the Lord is spoken of in other books of the Bible, Revelation contains the most extensive explanation of this time of God’s intervention.

The major theme of the book of Revelation—the Day of the Lord—is introduced in the very beginning of this final book of the Bible.

John, who recorded what he saw in vision, begins by explaining whose revelation it was (it was the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God the Father gave Him, Revelation 1:1), who he was sending the message to (initially, seven churches in Asia, verse 4) and where he was (the island of Patmos, verse 9) when he received the vision.

The Lord’s Day and the Day of the Lord

After these brief introductory comments, John immediately explains, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day” (Revelation 1:10). Some mistakenly assume this meant John received this vision under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit on a Sunday—the day of the week on which some wrongly assume Christ was resurrected from the grave. (To discover what day the Bible clearly shows that Jesus was resurrected on, see the article “Sign of Jonah.”)

A careful study of Old Testament prophecies and what follows in the book of Revelation reveals that John was not trying to indicate on which day of the week he received the vision. Instead, he was referring to a time often spoken of by the Old Testament prophets.

Here the Lord’s Day is another way of saying the Day of the Lord—a time when God will intervene in world affairs to bring punishment to mankind for disobedience to His laws and to offer salvation to all who will repent of their sins.

When is the Day of the Lord?

After giving messages to seven churches in Asia (Revelation 2 and 3) and providing a glimpse of God’s throne in heaven (Revelation 4), John then proceeded to write about seven seals. These seals include seven trumpet blasts and seven last plagues. The seals represent progressive steps or events leading up to the return of Jesus Christ and what will happen after He returns.

The first four seals are described as horsemen riding throughout the earth to instigate false religious teaching, war, famine and pestilence. These figurative representations are commonly referred to as the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.” While these events have been happening since the time of Christ, they will intensify during the time before Christ’s return.

The fifth seal represents the Great Tribulation, and the sixth seal will bring cosmic disturbances (Matthew 24:29; Joel 2:30-31; Revelation 6:12-16). This sets the stage for the opening of the seventh seal and the beginning of the Day of the Lord.

The seventh seal and the Day of the Lord

At this point, John saw in vision the mighty men of the earth trying to hide from “the wrath of the Lamb” because “the great day of His wrath has come” (Revelation 6:16-17).

The wrath of God, which begins with the seventh seal, is part of the Day of the Lord and marks the start of this momentous time. The Day of the Lord then continues after the wrath of God has been fulfilled.

What is the Day of the Lord?

While many scriptures describe the Day of the Lord as God’s wrath, we should note that the “Lord’s Day” (as John’s vision is described in Revelation 1:10) includes more than just God’s wrath. It also includes the wonderful time referred to in Revelation 21 and 22.

We thus see that the primary subject of the book of Revelation—the Day of the Lord or age of God’s intervention—is presented as a period of time beginning shortly prior to Christ’s return and then continuing forever.

We find this same message included in the warnings about the Day of the Lord in the Old Testament prophets. After God brings judgment on the nations, He will restore the earth to prosperity and peace.

Old Testament prophecies of the Day of the Lord

Several Old Testament writers while under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit had already announced the coming Day of the Lord (Isaiah 2:2-4; Isaiah 13:6-13, 9; Ezekiel 30:3; Joel 1:15; Joel 2:1, Joel 2:11, Joel 2:31; Obadiah 1:15; Zephaniah 1:7-8, 14; Zechariah 14:1).

Based upon these scriptures and the direct teachings of Jesus, the apostle Peter likewise spoke and wrote about the Day of the Lord (Acts 2:20; 2 Peter 3:10).

Beginning with the seventh seal, the book of Revelation reveals the specific steps of punishment that God will bring upon mankind as part of the Day of the Lord.God’s Word makes it clear that this will begin as a time of punishment for rebellious humans. Isaiah referred to it as “the day of the LORD’s vengeance” (Isaiah 34:8). Describing this dreadful time, the prophet also wrote, “For the indignation of the LORD is against all nations, and His fury against all their armies” (verse 2).

Beginning with the seventh seal, the book of Revelation reveals the specific steps of punishment that God will bring upon mankind as part of the Day of the Lord. These punishments are included in the seven trumpet plagues and seven last plagues.

Why God will punish humanity during the Day of the Lord

When God created Adam and Eve, He gave them free will. God gave them the opportunity to choose how they would live. Of course, God continues to give us and all humanity this same freedom to choose what we will do.

Unfortunately, Adam and Eve chose to reject God’s instruction not to eat of the forbidden tree in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). Sadly, we humans have all followed Adam and Eve’s tragic example of disobedience to God. As Paul wrote, “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23) and thus deserve death (Romans 6:23).

Even though God has permitted humans to live as they choose—which has been and continues to be almost entirely in opposition to His instructions—God is going to eventually intervene by sending Jesus Christ to establish His Kingdom here on earth.

When God’s government is established, He will expect everyone to obey His laws and instructions (Isaiah 30:21; Zechariah 14:16-17).

The Day of the Lord is a call to repent

The prophet Joel wrote 2:1 says: “Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the LORD is coming, for it is at hand.

“‘Now, therefore,’ says the LORD, ‘Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.’ So rend your hearts, and not your garments; return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm” (Joel 2:1, 12-13).

Unfortunately, human nature is such that the majority of mankind is going to be deceived into fighting against Christ when He returns (Zechariah 14:1-3; Revelation 17:12-14). And then, as Christ delivers punishment after punishment, humans are still going to refuse to repent (Revelation 16:9, Revelation 16:11, Revelation 16:21).

Noting this hardened resistance to God, the apostle Paul wrote: “For the wrath of God [part of the Day of the Lord] is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18).

It is going to take a series of punishments from God to get through to humans that they must repent of their evil deeds and live as God commands.

Good news about the Day of the Lord

As the “day” or time of man’s blatant rebellion against God’s laws comes to an end and the Day of the Lord unfolds, humans are going to learn that obeying God’s instructions is the best way to live.As the “day” or time of man’s blatant rebellion against God’s laws comes to an end and the Day of the Lord unfolds, humans are going to learn that obeying God’s instructions is the best way to live.

Thoroughly humbled and chastened from having experienced the wrath of God, humans will finally be willing to listen to the great Creator God and repent of their sins.

After the wrath of God has concluded, conditions on earth will change. This ongoing part of the Day of the Lord will include the binding of Satan for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1-3)—an event that will make it easier for those who remain to choose God’s way of life.

Satan the devil is an invisible spirit being who is largely responsible for religious confusion and mankind’s rebellion against God. Although humans make their own choices, the Bible explains that this evil being “deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9).

With Satan bound, it will be easier for people to understand God’s laws and see the benefits of obeying Him.

The 1,000-year period during which Satan will be bound is commonly called the Millennium. With Christ as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the earth will be abundantly productive and peaceful. Wars will rapidly become nonexistent. Should disputes occur, Christ will judge with perfect judgment.

Everyone will have the opportunity to learn and choose God’s way of life, which will lead to a better physical life and eventually life eternal. People will be taught to get along and respect each other. (One of God’s annual festivals, the Feast of Tabernacles, pictures this wonderful age.)

Where will you be during the Day of the Lord and the wrath of God?

The book of Revelation reveals that some faithful people will be “sealed” for protection during the wrath of God that unfolds during the early part of the Day of the Lord (Revelation 7:2-3; Revelation 9:4).

Similarly, the church in Philadelphia was told: “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 3:10).

The faithful people of God are always described as ones who keep God’s commandments. The vision given to John identifies these people who persevere as “those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). The final chapter of the Bible adds: “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life” (Revelation 22:14).

Sadly, most people today do not keep all of God’s commandments. The Fourth Commandment—the one that says we are to remember to keep the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week (Saturday)—is ignored by many who claim to be Christians.

Even though Christ plainly said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15), many reject what He said. The truth is, Christ didn’t revoke the Fourth Commandment, and He didn’t change the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday.

To learn more about these clear commands of God, see the articles in the section “The 10 Commandments and God’s Way of Life.”

The 144,000 in Revelation

 

Who are the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation 7 and 14? When are they chosen? Do they represent the Church today? Is salvation limited to this special group?

The 144,000 in Revelation 7 and Revelation 14

The book of Revelation has three references to a group of people numbering 144,000.

Revelation 7:4 says, “One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed.” Of this group, 12,000 came from each tribe with the exception of the tribe of Dan (verses 5-8). Why Dan is not included is a matter of conjecture.

Revelation 14:1 speaks of “one hundred and forty-four thousand” standing with a Lamb on Mount Zion and having the name of God “written on their foreheads.”

The third reference describes this group singing before God and states that “no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth” (verse 3).

To understand who these people are, we need to answer a few basic questions.

When are the 144,000 sealed?

The first reference to this group of people in the book of Revelation comes after six seals have been opened, each bringing misery and destruction to earth’s inhabitants. These include four horses (representing false prophets, war, famine and pestilence) followed by a religious inquisition, resulting in the deaths of faithful Christians, and heavenly signs. (For further study on the seals of the book of Revelation, read our article on the “Seven Seals.”)

These events, which will come because of mankind’s misrule and Satan’s efforts to destroy humanity, were prophesied by Christ during His Olivet Prophecy.

In this teaching about the future, Jesus described this time as one of “great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened” (Matthew 24:21-22).

After this time of Great Tribulation orchestrated by Satan and misguided humans comes the punishment of God called “the wrath of the Lamb” and “the great day of His wrath” (Revelation 6:16-17).

The sealing of the 144,000 takes place after the Tribulation and prior to the wrath of God. As the following chapter explains, the four angels that are poised to bring punishment to the earth from God are told not to harm the earth until this group of people has been sealed (Revelation 7:1-3).

These passages show that the 144,000 will be people who survive the Great Tribulation. They are not faithful saints who have lived and died throughout the previous ages.

What is the spiritual state of the 144,000?

The 144,000 will be people who have been faithful to God. They are called “the servants of our God” (Revelation 7:3), ones “who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins [meaning, they are spiritually pure]. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb” (Revelation 14:4).

The book of Revelation identifies those faithful to God as people who “keep the commandments of God” (Revelation 12:17; Revelation 14:12). The last chapter notes: “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14). Unfortunately, many who claim to be Christians today do not keep all of God’s commandments. For additional study, see our articles on “Are the 10 Commandments Upheld in the New Testament?” and “Was the Sabbath Changed to Sunday?”

Are Church members today included in the 144,000?

Various churches and groups have claimed that their members or portions of their membership comprise the 144,000. Laying aside human claims, consider what the Bible says about when members of God’s Church are sealed compared to when the 144,000 will be sealed.

In Revelation 7:3 we previously noted that the angels were told not to harm the earth until the servants of God—the 144,000—had been sealed on their foreheads. A seal has the meaning of closing or sealing something up, such as a letter or a book. It also identifies or marks something as being genuine or approved. In Ezekiel 9:4 God told Ezekiel to put a mark on the foreheads of those who sighed and cried over the abominations committed within the city of Jerusalem. Whether this was a literal mark or symbolic because of the way these people thought, they were thus identified for God.

The New Testament also contains examples of people being marked or identified by God as genuine or the future recipients of a special blessing. John 6:27 speaks of Jesus, on whom “God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

Church “sealed with the Holy Spirit” now

Members of the Church are also sealed. Paul described members in Ephesus as people who, “having believed, … were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13). Later, he tells them, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). Writing to members at Corinth, Paul spoke of Jesus Christ “who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Corinthians 1:22).

Those who are led by God’s Holy Spirit are thus sealed, marked or identified as being genuine Christians, children of God and heirs who will receive eternal life (Romans 8:14-16). This sealing takes place at baptism when one receives the Holy Spirit following repentance of his or her sins and immersion in water (Acts 2:38; Acts 19:6).

An important distinction to note is that members of God’s true Church are sealed by God for eternal life when they receive and are led by the Holy Spirit.

144,000 chosen and sealed during the Great Tribulation

It thus seems that the 144,000 will be people who, during the Tribulation, repent of their sins and dedicate their lives to God through faith and obedience in order to be sealed for salvation.It thus seems that the 144,000 will be people who, during the Tribulation, repent of their sins and dedicate their lives to God through faith and obedience in order to be sealed for salvation.

Also note that the vision of the 144,000 singing before God’s throne in Revelation 14:1-3 occurs after these people have come through the Great Tribulation preceding Christ’s return and after they have been sealed and changed into spirit. It is not a vision of people currently in heaven as some mistakenly suppose.

Is salvation limited to only the 144,000?

Revelation 7 identifies the 144,000 as being 12,000 from each tribe of Israel with the exception of the tribe of Dan. Two significant points to note here include the fact that the descendants of the ancient nation of Israel are still important to God and that salvation is not limited to this group.

In addition to the 144,000, another innumerable multitude will likewise stand before God in “white robes” (Revelation 7:9, 13), symbolizing righteous living (Revelation 3:4-5).

This great multitude will include people from “all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues [languages]” (Revelation 7:9). As they stand before the Lamb (Christ), a question is asked about who these people are and where they came from.

The answer is: “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (verse 14). Because of their response to God, they will serve “before the throne of God” (verse 15).

What is going to be the cause of so many people turning to God during the Tribulation?

The Bible reveals that two representatives of God called the “two witnesses” will prophesy on God’s behalf for 3½ years (Revelation 11:3). During all the turmoil and difficult circumstances that will accompany the Tribulation, the ministry of these servants of God will bring about the addition of many sons and daughters to God’s eternal family. These people will come from both the 144,000 and the innumerable multitude.

For further study, see “12 Tribes of Israel Today” and “Two Witnesses of Revelation 11.”