"For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth."
(Revelation 11:9-10)
The scene shows a slaughtering of Christians whose gospel work is completed. The brief time of three and a half days envisions a short period that the world exults over the destruction of Christianity and elimination of the gospel. “And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.” What the world has desired since the emergence of sin comes to fruition. The voice of the good news is silenced. Men are given over to their sin. The gospel that they considered to be tormenting is silenced. Only a few believers who desire to bury with dignity their fallen brethren are left. And even this dignity is denied to heap more shame and dishonor upon the church of Jesus Christ. Though now dead and silenced, the world continues to dredge up more hatred and animosity for the gospel that tormented them with conviction.
(Phil A. Newton)
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