Two lampstands
The first 3.5 years of Daniel’s 70th week constitute a pivotal period in eschatological prophecy, marked by the ministry of the two witnesses, the unveiling of key symbolic narratives in Revelation, and significant cosmic and earthly judgments. This essay explores the prophetic events during this period, integrating scriptural insights and theological interpretations.
The Two Witnesses and Their Ministry
The two witnesses described in Revelation 11:3-12 are central figures in the first half of Daniel’s 70th week. They prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth, symbolizing repentance and mourning. Revelation 11:6 states, “These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.” These abilities echo the ministries of Elijah and Moses, reinforcing their role as representatives of the Law and the Prophets, which testify against the world’s rebellion.
Their prophetic mission takes place in Jerusalem, the spiritual epicenter of end-time events. As representatives of God’s truth, their ministry serves both as a warning to the unrepentant and as a source of hope for those who turn to God. Their testimony is corroborated by the seven trumpet judgments, which occur concurrently and serve to validate their divine message. The conclusion of their ministry—their martyrdom and subsequent resurrection—marks a significant turning point in the eschatological timeline.
Revelation 12 and Its Symbology
Revelation 12 provides a symbolic overview of the spiritual realities underlying the events of the first 3.5 years. The chapter opens with the vision of a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars. Revelation 12:1 states, “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.” This woman represents Heavenly Jerusalem, as supported by Galatians 4:26, which states, “But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.” Hebrews 12:22-24 further emphasizes this heavenly city as the dwelling place of the saints: “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”
Isaiah 54:1 describes Jerusalem as a barren woman who will have more children than the married wife: “Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.” This symbolizes the abundance of spiritual offspring resulting from God’s redemptive work. In Revelation 12, the woman gives birth to a male child, identified as a compound entity representing the glorified Church. Romans 8:19 reveals the Church’s destiny as the “revelation of the sons of God”: “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.” This aligns with the concept of Christ as the head and the Church as His body, as seen in Ephesians 1:22-23 (“And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.”) and Colossians 1:18 (“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”). The male child’s rapture to God and His throne signifies the glorification of the Church following the rapture.
The two witnesses—linked to the woman—represent Heavenly Jerusalem’s presence on earth. Their ministry manifests the woman’s travail, symbolizing the Church’s ongoing mission of witness and proclamation during the tribulation.
The Resurrection of the Two Witnesses
At the end of their 1,260-day ministry, the two witnesses are killed by the Beast but are resurrected after three and a half days. Revelation 11:11-12 describes this event: “And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.” Their ascension to heaven parallels the woman being given the wings of a great eagle to fly into the wilderness, as described in Revelation 12:14: “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.” This imagery signifies God’s divine protection and deliverance, further reinforcing the connection between the two witnesses and the woman.
The Sealing of the 144,000
Revelation 7 introduces the 144,000, who are sealed by God as a protective measure against the judgments to come. Revelation 7:3 states, “Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” These individuals are likely called up to heaven with the two witnesses, as suggested in Revelation 14:1-3: “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.” Their role as firstfruits unto God and the Lamb highlights their unique place in the unfolding eschatological drama.
The Seven Trumpets and Their Testimony
The seven trumpet judgments (Revelation 8-11) unfold during the first half of Daniel’s 70th week, serving as divine testimony validating the ministry of the two witnesses. Each trumpet brings escalating judgments, from natural disasters to demonic invasions, demonstrating God’s sovereignty and calling humanity to repentance. These judgments underscore the gravity of rejecting the two witnesses’ testimony and serve as a prelude to the more severe bowl judgments to come.
The Abomination That Makes Desolate
The midpoint of Daniel’s 70th week is marked by the abomination of desolation, described in Daniel 9:27: “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” This event likely coincides with the seventh trumpet, signaling a transition from the trumpet judgments to the bowl judgments. At this point, the Antichrist breaks his covenant with many, desecrates the temple, and demands worship, fully revealing his blasphemous nature.
The Emergence of the Beast Empire and the Devil’s Confinement
Simultaneously, Revelation 12:7-9 describes a war in heaven, culminating in Satan and his angels being cast down to earth: “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Restricted to the earthly realm, the devil’s wrath intensifies, leading to the rise of the Beast Empire. This marks the beginning of the Great Tribulation, as the Antichrist consolidates his power and persecutes the saints. The woman’s flight into the wilderness signifies God’s provision and protection for the faithful during this dark period.
It is worth noting that whilst the woman is in the pangs of birth, in heaven--the Devil is there too waiting. However as soon as she gives birth, her son is taken up. Immediately thereafter there is a description of war in heaven. Which is to say that the Devil is likely vigilantly waiting for the rapture; trying to prevent it as much as he can--because he knows that this event is the beginning of the end for him. Once it happens, war erupts and he is driven from the heavens; which includes the "air" of which he has thus far been prince over. He is restricted to the earth; wherein he thereafter fixes his focus. The consequence of which is the emergence of the Beast empire; of which Mystery Babylon is a part. I will touch on this in the next posting.
The history of Israel from 1948 to the present serves as a profound setup for the fulfillment of Daniel’s 70th week and the return of Christ. This period reflects the convergence of prophetic events, divine covenantal faithfulness, and the preparation for the eschatological climax.
The Establishment of Israel: The Beginning of Prophetic Fulfillment
The rebirth of Israel in 1948 marked the fulfilment of key biblical prophecies. Isaiah 66:8 foretells, “Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.” The establishment of the modern state of Israel fulfilled this prophecy, signifying God’s continued faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3).
This event also aligns with Ezekiel 37, where the vision of the dry bones coming to life symbolizes the restoration of Israel. The regathering of the Jewish people from the diaspora to their ancestral homeland set the stage for the events of the last days, as Israel’s existence is central to the fulfilment of end-time prophecies.
Jerusalem: The Spiritual and Political Epicenter
The unification of Jerusalem in 1967 during the Six-Day War further solidified Israel’s prophetic significance. Zechariah 12:2-3 declares, “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.”
Jerusalem remains a focal point of global contention, reflecting its role as the city where pivotal eschatological events will unfold, including the abomination of desolation (Daniel 9:27) and Christ’s eventual return (Zechariah 14:4).
Israel’s Covenant and the Rise of the Antichrist
The modern political dynamics surrounding Israel, including peace treaties (Egypt, Jordan, Abraham Accords..) and alliances (USA and the West), set-up and mirror the prophetic framework of Daniel 9:27: “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate.”
The eventual covenant confirmed by the Antichrist (after the rapture of the Church) will likely emerge from the ongoing geopolitical tensions and efforts for peace in the Middle East--the closest closure of which was reached in 2000 under Clinton, Ehud Barrack and Yassar Arafat. This coming agreement will signal the beginning of Daniel’s 70th week, setting the stage for the Great Tribulation and the ultimate confrontation between Christ and the forces of darkness. Pray you are not there to witness it.
Spiritual Restoration and Preparation
While Israel’s physical restoration has been remarkable, the nation’s spiritual restoration is equally significant. Romans 11:25-26 prophesies, “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.”
The current period allows for the grafting in of Gentiles (Romans 11:17-24) while preserving God’s covenantal promises to Israel. The spiritual awakening of Israel will culminate during the events of the 70th week, settting up space for the natural branch of the olive tree to be grafted back into the tree--particularly as the remnant nation recognises Jesus as the Messiah (Zechariah 12:10).
Global Context and the Alignment of Nations
The re-emergence of Israel as a nation has catalyzed global political, economic, and spiritual alignments. Matthew 24:6-8 describes “wars and rumors of wars” and other signs of the end times, which have intensified since Israel’s establishment. The alignment of nations against Israel, as seen in Ezekiel 38-39, further demonstrates the preparation for the climactic battles leading to Christ’s return.
Conclusion
The history of Israel from 1948 to the present represents a divine orchestration of events leading to the fulfillment of Daniel’s 70th week and the return of Christ. From its miraculous rebirth as a nation to its centrality in global affairs, Israel’s existence underscores God’s covenantal faithfulness and prophetic precision. As we approach the eschatological horizon, Israel’s role as a key player in God’s redemptive plan becomes increasingly evident, affirming the certainty of Christ’s imminent return and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.
Conclusion
The first 3.5 years of Daniel’s 70th week are characterized by the interplay of divine testimony, cosmic conflict, and escalating judgment. The two witnesses serve as the focal point of God’s redemptive work, while Revelation 12 provides a symbolic framework for understanding the spiritual realities of this time. The sealing of the 144,000, the sounding of the trumpets, and the eventual abomination of desolation underscore the intensifying clash between God’s kingdom and the forces of darkness. This period sets the stage for the Great Tribulation and the ultimate fulfillment of God’s eschatological plan.
