The Two Witnesses

This morning we resume her series in the last week of the Bible, the book of Revelation we previously covered the first 10 chapters so this morning I invite you to determine your Bible.

I guess the last book of the Bible to Revelation 11 and were going to be looking at the first 14 verses if you are interested the previous messages that online or you can buy the CDs in the wardroom and that before looking at the first 14 verses of Revelation 11. Let me just set the stage a little bit.

The next event in God's prophetic calendar is what is called the rapture of the church of Jesus Christ that is at any moment the Lord Jesus will descend from heaven and will come for his followers. The church believers in Christ who have already died who are buried will be raised.

First, the Bible says, then Paul says in first Thessalonians 4. Then we who are alive, who are left will be caught up together with them in the air and Paul says, and so we shall always be with the Lord to believe that I do I believe in any moment. These heavens will open and I that trumpet will sound, and their brothers and sisters have already died will be raised and we who are alive are going to be caught up together with them in the air will meet the Lord in the air and we will be forever with the Lord Jesus certainly believe that he said to John 14 as he was about to leave his disciples if I go I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am that is inhabited there. You will be also. This is our blessed hope. This is one of the great realities of being a follower of Jesus Christ that we have this eternal future and whatever may happen in this world and who knows we know from Scripture.

Of course, many of the things that will happen. But who knows what will happen tomorrow in your life or in my life.

For this I do know that my eternal destiny through faith in Jesus Christ is absolutely assured. Whether I die or whether I'm alive when Jesus comes this will be true. I will be forever with the Lord.

And this is what the book of Revelation are saying that Jesus is coming back and he's coming soon. What a great way to begin the new year with this reality that we would always have this before us that Jesus is coming back now after the church's rapture to heaven. Certain events will occur on our during what is called the tribulation the tribulation is a terrible time of persecution of believers. She is a will there be believers during the tribulation. Absolutely God's going to raise up 144,000 witnesses, according to Revelation 7 and these Jewish believers will go throughout the art of preaching the gospel, and many will come to saving faith in Jesus Christ and many of those who do so will be monitored and will be killed for their faith because the tribulation was a time of judgment the time when God's judgment falls on the art.

I know the subject of judgment is the popular one. Many people many churches on even believing don't preach it but it is basic to the message of Scripture. Notice. Call the tribulation.

A period of seven years consists in a hope with all this in our minds. If you've been following the serious and consists of seven seals, seven trumpets and seven bowls as we see on the screen and then as we begin. Revelation 11 the seals have already been opened the seventh seal.

The last seal contains the seven trumpets and as we come to Revelation 11.

Six of the seven trumpets have already blown the seventh trumpet is going to be blown and verse 15 of chapter 11 as we will see next week. So where in the interlude in the chronology of the tribulation were in the interlude between the six and the seventh trumpet at the end of the tribulation. The Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of lords is going to come back to this earth with his people and will set up his millennial kingdom on earth because the book of Revelation we must never forget this is all about Jesus Christ is what John says in chapter 1 verse one it is the revelation of Jesus Christ, so that briefly competent reduction. Let's look at some of the particulars of the first 14 verses of Revelation 11 or 31st of all with you verses one and two. As we learn about the temple. Revelation 11 verse one. Then I was giving a measuring lock rod like a staff and I was told prize and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship there but do not measure the court outside the temple leave that out for it is given over to the nation's and they will trample the holy city for 42 months was just up there a little bit. John is given, this measuring rod and is told verse one to measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship there measuring the temple symbolizes God's protection, God's sovereign control God's interests in those who are worshiping in the temple another temple consists of the outer court, the holy place and then the holy of holies, which contains the mark of the covenant. John is told to measure that with these told verse to not to measure the court outside the temple that outer court as we read is to be given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city, the holy city Jerusalem 414 two months the holy city is Jerusalem for the temple is built within this before, that the tribulation period is divided into two equal half's of 3 1/2 years, or 42 months or 1260 days as John sometimes says here.

He says the 1260 days 3 1/2 years at the beginning of the tribulation.

There's going to be a world ruler going to be learning about him. He is the antichrist and hear the beginning of the tribulation period is going to make it tricky with a particular nation.

In fact, a nation that is mentioned in the news almost every day. I heard about her this morning as I was driving here listening to BBC world news Israel again is in the news this little nation of Israel. At the very center of our world.

The antichrist is going to make a treaty with Israel guaranteeing its safety and its protection. We know how there is such hostility today on this will continue in effect increased during the tribulation. So this world ruler is going to rise enter into this treaty regarding tearing the security of Israel but halfway through the tribulation is world rail ruler, this evil man.

The antichrist will break his treaty with Israel. Then Jerusalem the holy city will be, as we see here will be under the foods of the Gentiles. They will trample the holy city for 42 months. 3 1/2 years now Jesus talked about that turn with me to Luke chapter 1 Luke chapter 21 the third gospel Matthew Mark Luke Luke chapter 21 and Jesus as he talks about the future events talks in verse 23 about the great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people, this people Israel. Verse 24 they will fall by the edge of the sort and be led captive among all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot same word as we have here in the Revelation 11 verse two. Jerusalem will be under the fruit will be trampled by the Gentiles until now going to continue forever until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled now as we look back and find this very intriguing as you look in the first two verses of Revelation 11 you will see in this is critical to understand the command that God gives John to measure the temple implies the existence of a temple at this time. When you agree with me. Of course, you will the command to measure the temple implies that there is a temple there to be measured.

Someone or something a little bit of the temple and I want to give it a little bit of historical background first of all think with me of Solomon's Temple number four there is a temple there was a tabernacle.

It was a movable tens but then during the reign of King David. This great King David understandably wants to build for God a permanent structure, not just to have this tent called the tabernacle, but to have a permanent temple, and he expresses that to the Lord and the Lord says no David you're not going to build the temple euro man-of-war however your son Solomon. He'll be given that privilege and so Solomon builds this magnificent structure. The first temple we call it Solomon's Temple second Chronicles 3 verse one says it's built what is this is the house of the Lord in Jerusalem on my roots. Mariah, as you know your Bible you know about my Mariah what was Mount Moriah famous for was obviously famous for is for the temple is built but before Solomon. There was this great man Abraham one day is told to sacrifice his son and to go to my Mariah Mariah are my Mariah Lamont in the range of Mariah is when Abraham was commanded to sacrifice his son Isaac. He didn't actually do that. Remember the story, God intervenes, but this is the spots where Solomon is told in Jerusalem on my desire on my Mariah you're going to build this temple and it is the house of the Lord.

And so the temple was built and once is build it becomes a focal point of Israel. It is the most sacred spots in Israel's real estate why because it's there when God himself dwells. It's a house of the Lord and in the temple rights in the inner 10 temple that is what is called the holy of holies the sanctum sanctorum the holy of holies and then the holy of holies the SWAT. There's the ark of the covenant, the very symbol of the presence of the Lord. So here is Jerusalem so the whole the holy city, Jerusalem, the center of the earth and in the middle of Jerusalem on the mountain of Jerusalem. Solomon builds his temple. This magnificent structure where the people come to sacrifice to offer their sacrifices to the Lord with the priests and the high priest and all of this and then something terrible happens or it stands for almost 400 years, but then over the years Israel falls into idolatry falls into sin and God through his prophet warns them over and over again to repent or judgment will come, but they don't listen and in 586 BC the Babylonian king, King Nebuchadnezzar marches into Jerusalem, and in his final act. He utterly destroys the temple. Solomon's Temple, and he takes himself all of the Golden and the temple utensils, but he takes them back. Most of them become captives back to babble new member Daniel.

The young man is one of them, and Israel is in captivity for 70 long years, the destruction of the temple as a sign of the judgment of God on his people because of their sin and idolatry. But God is gracious and God is a gracious God, and around 515 BC. That is what is called the second Temple, the Israelites allowed by King Cyrus to return from Babylon to Jerusalem. This wonderful King. This pagan king allows the Israelites the freedom to go back to Jerusalem. And when the bank he encourages them to build their temple, as were the books of Ezra and Nehemiah are all about is what the sum of the minor prophets at about such as high guy who is saying to the people continue to allow you the house of the Lord to be so desolate when you live in your beautiful houses and can you do that. So, under the leadership of man legs observable like Ezra and Nehemiah. The second temple is built towards not as magnificent as Solomon's Temple, but is built on the same location on Martin Zion but over the years. The second temple falls into disrepair and then just a few years prior to the birth of our Lord Jesus. There is this King. He's a wicked king but he loves to build and that I'm 19 BC King Herod begins the huge project of rebuilding the second Temple in the present temple mount demonstrates that King Herod enlarged the temple esplanade. He builds a huge retaining wall. So when you go to Israel as all of you should.

Some of us were there just a few months ago we go to the Western wall used to be called the Wailing Wall's on the wall of the temple is a picture of it. It's not the wall of the temple but is the wall of the retaining wall is headed builds this magnificent temple and to do so as to enlarge the temple complex.

The temple esplanade in this temple that Herod builds is much bigger is much more impressive than the rebuilt one by Ezra and Nehemiah and it totally dominates the skyline of Jerusalem so the Lord Jesus is growing up as a boy of 12. He goes to the temple. This is the temple Herod's Temple is there that he dialogue to the Pharisees and the scribes. This is the temple Herod's Temple, the time of Christ and then in Matthew chapter 24 verse two is Jesus is meeting with his disciples.

I think on mind, olive mind of olives and as they're looking at the magnificent temple and their marveling at Jesus says to them. No one you to understand this. There will not be left one stone upon another that will not be thrown down. Jesus predicts that Herod's Temple is going to be destroyed. Herod's Temple was one of the marvels of the ancient world. It was said that you really hadn't seen a building.

If you haven't seen Herod's building within fulfillment of the words of the Lord again because of the sin and the failure of the nation of Israel. In A.D. 70 Roman Gen. Titus, the son of the Roman Emperor Vespasian marches into Jerusalem and he once and for all is going to deal with these very very difficult Jewish people who have rebelled against them. Time and time again and this time he's going to wipe them out of the face of the art and so he calms the proceeds Jerusalem and after quite a lot of effort to destroy the temple. It is totally destroyed. Very buildings of this the very stones of this magnificent temple are thrown down in fulfillment of the teaching of Jesus. What happens to the Jewish nation. It is dispatched to the four corners of the world is not going to be until 1948 almost 17 years ago that made that Israel is going to return to the land as a nation whereby the temple.

To this day the temple has not been built for Israel. There is no temple. This is a picture of the present temple mount.

This is the temple moment this is where the temple used to be Solomon's Temple, the second Temple, Herod's Temple, but no on the Temple Mount. There is no temple there is in fact a Muslim mosque in the famous dome of the rock billed by the Muslims in 690 1AD and a few of us in a recent trip.

We had the privilege of walking on the temple esplanade looking at the dorm of the rock learning number of things about it. Although being non-Muslims. We were not allowed into the dome of the rock many years ago when Greg and I first went Israel we were delighted we have been into the dome of the rock, but no, you're not allowed in. Unless you're Muslim, and in fact the Muslims don't allow you to pray or to open your Bible on the Temple Mount effusively see open your Bible. They're going to come to you and tell you to stop and recently UNESCO and surely one of the most bizarre resolutions ever. And there have been many in the United Nations. They pass the resolution that the Temple Mount is sacred exclusively to the Muslims. I quote from the UNESCO resolution. There is no connection between Jews and the temple might. I took that picture in my recent visit to Israel was outside a store asking people to sign a petition, I'm glad to say the United States and the United Kingdom voted against that silly bizarre resolution saying that there is no connection between the Temple Mount and the Jewish nation was the very center of the Jewish nation. The very place where Solomon built his wonderful temple, but now there is no temple has only come to Revelation 11 and we read that John is told to rise and measure the temple of God, we have to understand that the temple will be rebuilt in future usage on how was I going to be done with the dome of the rock.

I don't know that is not my problem but this I know because I believe Scripture and I believe this is the word of God that there will be a temple built on the temple mount during the tribulation. Turn to Matthew chapter 24, Jesus himself talked about this is not getting some bizarre interpretation I have of Revelation 1100 all Matthew chapter 24. Again Jesus teaching on the future events. Matthew chapter 24 verse 15 so when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by the prophet Daniel standing in the holy place was a holy place the temple let the reader understand what the reference to Daniel, you're taking notes right done. Daniel 924 through 27 Daniel 924 through 27. Daniel prophesied profit sizes of this that there is going to be this temple and during the time of the tribulation.

There's going to be this terrible abomination of desolation when the Antichrist himself goes into the temple and sets himself up to be worshiped as God was read about in second Thessalonians is Paul saying the same thing.

Second Thessalonians 2 other new Bible over Christmas and new year is a good chance to use it. Second Thessalonians chapter 2 Paul is writing is one now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to that is the context let's go to verse three let no one deceive you in any way for that day will not come unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness. The antichrist, the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction… Is verse four very key who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat where in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

Could you imagine the blasphemy of here is the temple rebuilt by the Jewish nation, or the doing of the nonbelief. But they rebuild the temple, the antichrist, the man of destruction guarantees their protection and then and then he breaks his treaty and he goes into the temple, and he declares himself God were going to read some more of the details in chapter 13 where if you don't have his Mark 666. If you're not prepared to worship him.

You won't be able to buy or sell in the world. I Revelation this book that were reading was written after the Temple's destruction by Rome in A.D. 70, and once the antichrist break breaks his treaty with Israel will call on everyone to worship him and will take his place in the temple and this will be the time verse two when the temple is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months, as he designates the temple and one of her visits to Israel Jim Caswell some person sitting as there is a member. Jim and I and some others we went to the temple institutes in Jerusalem used was the Temple Institute in a Christian organization the Jewish organization and their they are building the instruments. The vessels in preparation for the temple is an interesting today. Revelation is written in the first century is interesting today that Israel today remains the center of the world and it hits the headlines. As I said almost on a daily basis.

There will be a temple built on the temple might know what about these witnesses that we read of in verses three through 12 which would first of all that identity. In verses three and four and I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1260 days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth who are the weather's two witnesses are described as my witnesses, they belong to the Lord of their names are not given the clothed in sackcloth. They prophesies of these are prophets.

Obviously, and they prophesied during the second half of the tribulation.

And they do so for 1260 days that the description the two olive trees and the two lampstands signs to us very strange.

You know your Bible very well. That should remind you of Zechariah and I'm going to relate some of you can't find others very easy to find because the last book in the Old Testament is Malachi and the one before it is Zechariah nominal read from Zechariah 4 verse two was the context of Zechariah Zechariah receives a vision after the Babylonian captivity, and Zechariah is one of these Old Testament prophets calling on Israel to rebuild the temple and reminding them that God has not dissected his people that there will be a restoration of the nation. Zechariah 4, then verse two. What do you see I said I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold with a bowl on the top of it in seven lamps on it is that it's a menorah with seven lips on each of the lambs that are on the top of it and there are two olive trees by two olive trees mentioned in chapter 11 verse 42 olive trees mention here in Zechariah chapter 4 the two olive trees, one on the right of the ball and the other on the left and I said to the angel who talk with me.

One of these, my Lord Angel said. Talk with me answered and said to me do not know what these are certainly Lord, and he said to me this is the word of the Lord to the observable, not by might talk about the rebuilding of the second Temple, not by might nor by power but by six, but my spirit says the Lord of hosts. Verse 11 then I said to him, what are these two olive trees on the rights on the left of the lampstand and the second time I answered and said to him, whether these two branches of the olive trees which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil is poured out.

He said to me do not know what these are. I said no, my Lord. Then he said these are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth. Now that was a vision given to Zechariah the time of the rebuilding of the second Temple. So here are the two witnesses as we go back to Revelation 11.

Who are appointed by God anointed by God's special witnesses to bring a prophetic message of restoration for Israel to preach the gospel, and also to bring a message of judgment to those who reject the Lord Jesus there lampstand they Charlene in the darkness they are anointed by the Holy Spirit symbolized that they are two olive trees, the picture of the Holy Spirit doing over these two witnesses are. Some people think they are generic and Elijah in Nick and Elijah were two of the Old Testament men, godly men who didn't die but went directly to heaven. Others see them as Moses and Elijah, Moses, the great lawgiver Elijah, the great prophet and if you look at verse six. It seems that they are reminiscent of Elijah. They have the power to shut the sky that no rain may fall during the words of their prophesy.

Elijah was like that was in the and this is like Moses, they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they desire you member Pharaoh before Egypt had this power apart from God.

Furthermore, Moses and Elijah appeared with the Lord on the Mount of Transfiguration in the band, which was a kind of precursor of the coming kingdom of God. So these two witnesses raised up by God during the tribulation. Could be Moses and Elijah week we can be certain many commentators think they are. My own view is that the not specifically identified. So why don't we just leave it that these are two men dressed as prophets they are prophets given supernatural power by God's which gets people's attention and the raised up by the Lord himself and we just don't know their names without their power and their testimony. Verses five and six if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their photos there not seeker friendly preachers. If anyone would harm them. This is how he is doomed to be killed. They have the power to shut the sky that no rain may fall during the days of the prophesy and their power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as the desire they have tremendous power and amazing defense strategy for anyone opposes them fire goes out of their mouth and consumes them or their filled with the spirit there, filled with the power of the living God. Zechariah 4 verse six. This is the word of the Lord, not by might nor by power, but my spirit says the Lord. This testimony which I believe takes place during the second half of the tribulation.

The Antichrist is broken is treated with Israel he's taken his place in the temple and in the middle of the darkness and horror and violence of the tribulation.

God raises up these two witnesses. The main Street I believe is going to be in Jerusalem itself there there to preach the gospel there there to call Israel to repentance.

There there to tell everyone the whole world of coming judgment and this amazing power that they have will get worldwide publicity. Could you imagine two witnesses for 3 1/2 years. During this whole world is going to know about them. God is giving the whole world an opportunity to repent were not surprised that there is opposition to them verses seven through 10 and when they finish their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit. This is our introduction to the beast. The Antichrist will you learn much more about the beast.

He rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where the Lord was crucified its Jerusalem for 3 1/2 days, some from the People's and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in the tomb, and those who dwell on their unbelievers will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presence because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. Amazing.

Are you surprised that there is opposition to the voice of God was and is always opposition to the truth but through annual into a den of lions. The put Jeremiah into a dungeon. They decapitated John the Baptist. Satan unbelievers are always opposed to truth out. NMA always wants to silence the voice of God are NMA always wants to silence the voice of his messengers. The last thing that Satan wants is for this book, the word of God to be preached here. There is tremendous opposition.

Incidentally, when you speak for God, expect a position when you live for God, expect opposition, and no in verse seven were introduced to the beast that rises from the bottomless pit does not Satan is the antichrist who empowers and directs Satan himself, and he makes war on them and he succeeds he conquers them and kills them. Verse seven, but the only does so after their work for God is done when there killed in Jerusalem.

Contrary to the Old Testament law. Their bodies are going to lie in the streets of Jerusalem for 3 1/2 days that her burial will not be permitted and what do we need verse nine that the people tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies. The whole world is watching. I was that done very easily. Now, satellite communication, we know beamed into our homes and event can happen with its Fort Lauderdale, Baghdad, Timbuktu halfway around the world and in a split second. We're watching what takes place in this is what will happen all world will know about these witnesses with her supernatural power as they are proclaiming a message of the gospel and the message of judgment and people will rejoice when they are killed and there is joyful celebration – 10 that making Mary and exchanging presence. That is not of theirs for the Christmas cards. By the way they're doing that because they're evil. They're doing that because they are delighted that the voice of God has ended, but something absolutely amazing is going to happen. Verse 11.

The going to be released from the can you imagine the world rejoicing. Can you imagine the commentators on on CNN and ABC Fox News. Whatever rejoicing and single find the ladies weird prophets are gone.

No more fire from them. None of this silly nonsense about God's judgment coming.

It's all over. And then verse 11 but after the three and half days the bodies are lying in the streets, not even given the decency of a funeral after the 3 1/2 days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet when you like to see the faces of the commentators, and great fear fell on those who saw them. You better believe it. Then they had a loud voice from heaven saying to them, come up here and they went up to heaven in a cloud and that NMA's watch them with the world watching something incredible takes place. God is God resurrects his two witnesses, and not only does he resurrect them. He takes them up to heaven in a cloud with the whole world watching. Imagine the fear. Imagine the uncertainty. Imagine the commentators trying to grapple with what's actually taken place. The rejoice that these men were finally killed and now they're taken up to heaven not only resurrected but going up to heaven. Yes, the beast and the Antichrist are powerful, but God is all-powerful and is more powerful than Satan, the beast and the host of hell itself. Finally, verses 13 and 14. The judgment befalling this and at that hour there was a great earthquake and 1/10 of the city fell 7000 people were killed in the earthquake and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

The second wall has passed, will hold the third rule that the seventh trumpet as soon to come. Great earthquake, 1/10 of Jerusalem destroyed 7000 people killed and people are terrified and give glory to the God of heaven.

I don't think that means that everyone is saved or comes the dependence the people realize that there is a God that he's great and that he promotes fear and that this occurs in Jerusalem. It may well be referring to the salvation of the Jews member policies and revelation in the in in Romans 11. Excuse me policies in Romans 11 and so all Israel will be saved. And so, in front of the world is these men a resurrected, there will be great fear and people would glory to God. The second wall is the sixth trumpet has now gone the third in the final wall of the seventh trumpet is about to blow verse 15 and will consider that next week measure with you what are we to make of all of this while all this is future. This is future. This is going to happen and will happen after the church's rapture in the midst of the violence in the midst of the darkness in the midst of the blasphemy and the evil of the tribulation.

God's voice will still be hurt of those can be very difficult to live for Christ during the tribulation through the ministry of the hundred and 44,000 witnesses, and these two witnesses. Many will come to saving faith in Jesus Christ's the messages that God's judgment is coming to God's judgment is coming. If you have not trusted in Jesus Christ. I urge you, I urge you to flee from the coming wrath of God to put your trust in Jesus yesterday at the funeral. The family asked me to speak on John 316, and I was delighted to do so.

But even in John 316. There is an implicit warning is in third with his essay for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life is the good news of the gospel of you today. Place your faith in Jesus Christ, you will have everlasting life. But if you don't believe that you don't trust Jesus Christ you will not have everlasting life. But you will in fact perish.

And this is the message of the tribulation. This is the message of the two witnesses as in the MS as in the middle of the blasphemy and the violence in the naked evil of the of the Antichrist and Satan. God raises up these two men give them special powers so that people will once again hear the voice of God and repent and trust Christ by these were two special witnesses would utilize if you're a follower of Jesus. Your witness. Christ calls us to be witnesses.

When did you last witness produces resume is pretty tough where I am, I'm a student I met him in this tough neighborhood. My office on the only believer my my family, my home are people whose terrible language. John is doing much much worse. Do you know that God will give you a little of the strength, all of the help you need to be a voice for him, who are world needs to hear the voice of God. Yes, there will be opposition as the beast attacks the two witnesses is reading this week about during World War II. Hitler tried to silence the gospel and try to silence the voice of the few godly German pastors who stood up to him. Many of them, of course water but afraid and just went along with his evil acts with Dietrich Bonhoeffer Puffer refuse to be silent. Dr. Fisher pulse from and that's a physician at the Rosenberg where Bonhoeffer was imprisoned.

Remember what he'd observed on the day of Bonhoeffer's execution. He says this is an unbeliever writing about the death of a man who was a faithful witness for God. I saw Pastor Bonhoeffer kneeling on the floor praying fervently to his God. I was most deeply moved by the way this unusually lovable man prayed so devout and so certain that God had to sprayer the place of execution. He again said a short prayer, and then climbed the steps to the gallows brave and composed his death ensued after a few seconds, Miss Dr. Saiz and the almost 50 years I worked as a doctor. I have hardly ever seen a man die so utterly submissive to the will of God. Could Bonhoeffer could anyone die in such circumstances. In the face of such evil, and yet dined with such a surrender, such as serenity because his trust was in Christ, he knew that his sins were forgiven. He knew that he did eternal life, and he knew that although Satan and Hitler and the forces of darkness could kill his body. They could never ever tell his soul and that one day he would be raised from the dead to be forever with the Lord to believe that I do and I believe that you and I as followers of Christ we are protected by God as these witnesses are where until your work on is protected.

We need men and women who are strong. We need men and women who are courageous to go into the difficult circumstances over of the world. Yes, right here in Charlotte but across our world into the darkness yes into the violence as it were called by God standing for God strong in his grace. Be strong, be courageous, Christ is coming in judgment is coming for those who don't know Christ. Make sure your trust and faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ and this week.

Pray that God will give you an opportunity to stand and tell people the wonderful story of Jesus. Father, help us to do that with activities is not only dying for sins, but he rose again and he's alive because he lives, we shall live also. We think her even as we prayed for those of her brothers and sisters during 2017, 2016 were taken into the presence of the Lord, some from our own families, some from Calvary church and we thank you for this. We buried them. We did so in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection of the dead. This gives us a boldness father that there is nothing that this world can do to take away the eternal life that we have in Jesus Christ, we thank you for this passage is difficult for his father, thank you for helping us with it and I pray for those here who don't know Christ that this word of warning will come into their hearts that they will turn to Christ and and trust him and those of us who know the Savior will be strong will be courageous as we witness of Jesus Christ that he is alive in these coming back blesses. Then we pray in his name