Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
My study on the two olive trees part 1
Revelation 11;3-4 (KJV) 3And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.4These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. Much discussion is made of the identity of the two witnesses who prophesy in Revelation 11. There are a few different theories about who they are. Many believe they will literally be Moses and Elijah resurrected or come down from heaven, some beleive this refers to the new and old testament in regards to the French revolution. Some believe they are a literal 144,000 Jewish male virgins which they get from Rev 7 and 14. However, there is another view which is not talked about much. This view holds that the two witnesses are actually symbolic of the new covenant Church i.e the Israel of God. Your view eschatology will likely influence how you view the two witnesses. Futurists will often take the view of them being Moses and Elijah resurrected or come down from heaven. Some fututists take the 144,000 view. Some Historicists like Seventh day Adventists take the French revolution view. However, most Historicists take the view that I will now put forward in that the two witnesses are symbolic of the new covenant Church. Just a quick recap on the Historicist view on eschatology: The Historicist view teaches that the events prophesied about in the book of Revelation have been unfolding since the ascension of Jehoshua and will continue to unfold all the way through the new heaven and new earth. This is actually the view that much of the Church had throughout history and it is the most balanced and reasonable view. Both Preterism and Futurism take extreme views that are not in harmony within the context of the book of Revelation. For example, the events prophesied about in the book of Revelation could in no way find all or much of their fulfillment by AD 70 such as Preterism teaches. Also the events prophesied about in the book of Revelation could in no way be pushed 2,000 years into the future such as Futurism teaches. Revelation 1:1-3 (KJV) 1The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:2Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. The above passage is significant in that these are the first 3 verses in the book of Revelation and phrases such as "must shortly come to pass" and "for the time is at hand" elminate the possibility of a Futurist view of the book of Revelation which says that much if not most of the prophesy of the book is to be fulfilled in the last 7 years of this age. Also, one has to do great allegorical violence to scripture to support the Preterist view that all these or even most of these things were fulfilled by AD 70. If we hold to the very biblical and reasonable Historicist view then it helps us identify the two witnesses. So let's begin our quest to understand just who are the two witnesses of Revelation 11. Let's look at the first two verses of Revelation 11: 1And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.2But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. The new covenant temple on earth is not a building but it is the actual Church. Futurists beleive this temple talked about in Revelation 11 to be talking about a physical future rebuilt temple. However the scriptures clearly teach that the Church is the temple of God (Revelation 1:20 1 Corinthians 3:16, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 2:19-22). Measuring the temple symbolizes God's protection, presence, and purifying of His people. In verse 2, the Gentiles are unbelievers who trample the holy city underfoot for the duration of the new covenant Church age symbolized by the number 42 months (1260 days). The Holy city in the new covenant is the Church not literal earthly Jerusalem. 1260 days were literal time frames in the days of Antiochus Epiphanes when he tread on Jerusalem i.e. abomination of desolation (167-164 BC). Also it was the time frame of the war leading to the destruction of Jerusalem (AD 66-70) by the Roman army. Hebrews 13:14 (KJV) 14For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. Earthly Jerusalem is no longer the holy city as the author of Hebrews says we seek the one to come (New Jerusalem). Galatians 4:25-26 (KJV) 25For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.26But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. Paul says that earthly Jerusalem is in bondage and that it is New Jerusalem that is our mother which is the true holy city. Hebrews 11 also makes it clear that even the old testament saints looked forward to the city built by God's hands (New Jerusalem) not the earthly one. Infact in verse 8 of Revelation 11 we read: "And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified." Far from being a holy city, modern Jerusalem is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt. The Church on earth is representative of the New Jerusalem in heaven. So it is the Church that is tread upon by the Gentiles. Remember, Gentiles of the flesh who are born again are no longer Gentiles but are now fellow citizens in the commonwealth of Israel. So if you are a beleiver in Jehoshua as the Son of God and Messiah of God then you are no longer a Gentile but rather you are a bona fide Israelite. In the new covenant, Gentiles are Messiah rejecters and Israelites are those who are born again into the Kingdom of God by their faith in the Son of God. For the duration of the new covenant Church age (42 symbolic months), the Gentiles of the spirit persecute Spiritual Israel (the Church). Let's look at verses 3 and 4 of Revelation 11 again: 3And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.4These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. In verse 3 we 1260 days mentioned which is identical to the 42 months of verse 2. The 1260 days are symbolic of the Church age. Jehoshua gives power to His two witnesses to prophesy for the duration of the new covenant Church age. Jehoshua gives this power by sending the Holy Spirit to them. Just as on the day of Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit is available to the saints of all ages. The word prophesy comes from the Greek word "propheteuo" (Strongs 4395) and means "to foretell events, speak under divine inspiration, excercise prophetic office, prophesy, divine. When any beleiver who is filled with the Holy Spirit speaks the words of scripture, which is the word of God, they are speaking under divine inspiration. Every beleiver is called to be a preacher of God's word. In Revelation 12:17, the remnant Church is characterized by having the testimony of Jehoshua Messiah. In Revelation 19:10, we learn that the testimony of Jehoshua is the Spirit of prophecy. Unlike what Seventh day Adventists teach, the Spirit of prophecy is not primarily given to one person for the benefit of the Church but rather the whole Church has the Spirit of prophecy as the scripture clearly says in Revelation 12:17. In order to be in the Church you must have the testimony of Jehoshua. So every single beleiver has the testimony of Jehoshua which is the Spirit of prophecy. The Church which has always been a remnant (Revelation 12:17) has prophesied during the whole Church age. Their prophesying was in declaring the testimony of Jehoshua Messiah which is the whole counsel of God as He the Word of God. When we preach the gospel of the Kingdom we are declaring the testimony of Jehoshua as the Kingdom is also called "the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah" and "the Kingdom of God's dear Son". Let's go to verse 4 now, the two witnesses are called the two olive trees and two candlesticks that stand before the God of the earth. Revelation 1:20 (KJV) 20The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Revelation 2:5 (KJV) 5Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Here we see that the candlesticks are referred to as the Church. Remember the Church testifies as witnesses of Jehoshua Messiah: Revelation 2:13 (KJV) 13I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. The Pergamos Church was faithful unto death in holding fast to Jehoshua's name and not denying His faith hence they were faithful witnesses of Jehoshua. Revelation 1:5 (KJV) 5And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, Jehoshua Himself is called the faithful witness. When the Church proclaims the gospel of Jehoshua Messiah they are witnesses of Jehoshua Himself. Deuteronomy 19:15 (ASV) 15One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established. Two witnesses were required for legal conviction of guilt in the old covenant. When the world rejects the Church's witness of the gospel of the Kingdom of Jehoshua they will be found guilty on judgement day. The Church is anointed with the Spirit (olive trees and candlesticks; Let's go to Zechariah 4: 1And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep.2And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have seen, and, behold, a candlestick all of gold, with its bowl upon the top of it, and its seven lamps thereon; there are seven pipes to each of the lamps, which are upon the top thereof;3and two olive-trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.4And I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?5Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these are? And I said, No, my lord.6Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of Jehovah unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts. Jehovah God supplies the Church with His Spirit to ensure the completion of the Temple which is the Church. Regardless of opposition and discouragements, the Church will continue to be given the Holy Spirit to fulfill the great commission. The candlestick- the Church and it's ministry to bear witness: the two olive trees- the Messiah from whom the Spirit proceeds. The seven pipes to the seven lamps represent the inexhaustible supply of the Holy Spirit. Verse 6 is a reminder to us as Messianic believers to rely on Jehovah's Holy Spirit for the work of the ministry. The Holy Spirit accomplishes success in God's work not man. Too often the modern Church substitutes administrative skills or seminars in an effort to advance the Kingdom. The lampstand (candlestick) is a wonderful picture of the Messianic's ministry to bear witness to Messiah while in union with Him. The lampstand was all of one piece, and the lights from the six branches represent the Church and the six branches shone toward the center shaft (symbolic of Messiah). Jehoshua is the light of the world, and beleivers are lights. These lamps burned with oil, which represents the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables beleivers to glorify Messiah in their service. Zechariah 4:11-14 (ASV) 11Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive-trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?12And I answered the second time, and said unto him, What are these two olive-branches, which are beside the two golden spouts, that empty the golden [oil] out of themselves?13And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these are? And I said, No, my lord.14Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. Once again Zechariah asks the angel what are the two olive trees. He first asked this question in verse 4. The angel had answered basically saying that the olive trees provide the Spirit of Jehovah by procession. Here in verse 14 of Zechariah the angel describes the two olive trees as the "two anointed ones" that stand by Jehovah God. When rendered in Hebrew the phrase "two anointed ones" means "two sons of oil". This typically points to the true Son of oil or anointed Messiah who unites in one Person each of the meditorial offices, two of which are in view in Zerubabbel and Joshua, the central figures in visions in chapters 4 and 5 in the book of Zechariah. Zerubabbel was govenor (possibly promoted to kingship) and He was from the kingly line of David. Joshua was the high priest. They are described as the two sons of oil prefiguring the one who would come to unite both offices into one. Zechariah 3:1 (ASV) 1And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of Jehovah, and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary. Joshua the high priest stands before Jehovah as one of the olive trees. The high priest was the representative of men before God. Zechariah 4:7-10 (ASV) 7Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel [thou shalt become] a plain; and he shall bring forth the top stone with shoutings of Grace, grace, unto it.8Moreover the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,9The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me unto you.10For who hath despised the day of small things? for these seven shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel; [these are] the eyes of Jehovah, which run to and fro through the whole earth. Zerubabbel is here seen as the other olive tree that is standing before Jehovah God. Joshua and Zerubabbel were not the olive trees per se but rather the offices that they performed were the olive trees. These offices were King and High Priest. It is the office of being the King of Israel and High Priest of Jehovah that are the two olive trees. Both Joshua and Zerubabbel prefigured the begotten Son of God Jehoshua. Let's go back to chapter 3 and see this being prophesied: 7Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou also shalt judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee a place of access among these that stand by.8Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou and thy fellows that sit before thee; for they are men that are a sign: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch.9For, behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; upon one stone are seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith Jehovah of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.10In that day, saith Jehovah of hosts, shall ye invite every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig-tree. Jehovah promises Joshua the right to judge the House of Israel and a place of access among the heavenly attendants in His (Jehovah's) sanctuary. This is contingent upon Joshua walking in Jehovah's commandments. This prefigures exactly what transpired with Jehoshua. Because Jehoshua kept His Father's commandments He was the authority to judge all men. Jehoshua was also given access to the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary at His ascension because He overcame the world and despised the shame and ensured the cross knowing the glory and joy that awaited Him in the most holy place by sitting on the throne at the right hand of Jehovah God. Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. In verse 8 of Joshua 3, we see that Joshua and his fellow priests were symbolic of Jehovah's servant "the Branch", a Messianic title meaning "shoot" or "sprout", "that which (where) grew (upon), spring (-ing)." Jehoshua was called the Branch because He grew up out of His place as the sprout, shoot, root and offspring of David not an angel or a god. Jehoshua had to be of the lineage of David to be the Messiah. This means He had to sprout as a Branch from the seed of David not the seed of an angel such as Michael. This means He had to come into existence after David. Jehoshua is before David in the sense of preeminence i.e. rank. Also, Jehoshua is uniquely God's dear Son in a way no one else is in that He was directly begotten by God in the womb of Mary. The Branch is seen as King in Jeremiah 23: 5Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called: Jehovah our righteousness.
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