Revelation 11:10 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Revelation 11:10

Comments

Prophets dead a short time – they tormented the world with talk of sin and judgement. The universal nature of this celebration points to a final triumph of the world over the church. It has removed from their presence those who were responsible for depriving them of their peace of mind. They had been at least partly successful in suppressing their consciences but the gospel reawakened their sense of guilt. This cannot be tolerated. They will now hunt out and silence all preaching from their world. They will overcome by violence and many believers who are privileged to suffer for Christ at that time will be willing to lay down their lives. The world didn’t want such a message. This doesn’t mean all Christians will die. We are measured, we are protected, and only those appointed for martyrdom will die. But the true church at the end of history will be deprived of all power. ‘They that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and send gifts one to another, because these two prophets’ – the church of Christ – ‘tormented them.’ How did we torment them? We spoke about the love of Christ. We spoke about the most tender and wonderful things: Christ of glory coming and suffering and dying, and repentance and faith leading to life and eternal bliss. But it tormented them. It reminds you of Paul’s words: ‘For we are unto God a sweet savour [aroma] of Christ, in them that are saved’ (2 Corinthians 2:15). ‘And the savour of death unto death’ – we torment them – to those who perish, who hate the idea that they are sinners who need a Saviour, and must repent, and turn to Christ. They hate the idea that we are opposed to their views and try to persuade them otherwise.

Application

We see the beginning of such doors – creators scorned. A vicious militant humanism. Finally it will be as though our witness will be destroyed. We interpret this as a relative destruction, because we are told there will always be a witness and trophies of grace. But as a recognise forced the church will be banished.

The world is foolish in assuming victory over the church of God is so easily obtained. Have they forgotten Christ himself? Have they forgotten how he was raised on the third day? Do they imagine that death which God himself imposed on the human race can be successfully used as a weapon against his own people? Don’t they know that they too are under the curse of death and that it will soon have power over them? They have signed their own death warrants. Their rejoicing is shamefully premature. They have no understanding of the real situation. They are taken in by their own self-confidence and puffed up with a victory that God has given them only to expose the wickedness of their hearts.

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Revelation 11:10 Commentary and Bible Study