The Tribulation is a time of great judgment but also a time of salvation to those who accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. After the Rapture of all Christians, 144,000 Jewish witnesses are sealed to proclaim the Gospel (Revelation 7:3-4). There is great persecution of the Tribulation Saints as many are martyrs and others survive seven years of the world's spiritual rebellion and nuclear wars (Revelation 6:9-10, 11). Two witnesses are two golden candlesticks in the darkness.

Temple Mount

There was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, altar, and them that worship. But 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-two months (Revelation 11:1-2).

In 1867, American author Mark Twain travels to Jerusalem and proclaims the Promised Land is desolate (Deuteronomy 29:22, 23, 24-25). Then God begins to return Israel back to their land (Deuteronomy 30:1, 3). That same year, archaeologists Charles Warren is sent by the British organization Palestine Exploration Fund to survey Jerusalem in Ottoman's territory (Zechariah 2:1-2, 12).

The covenant divides the land between Israel and Palestine causes the Tribulation, fall of America and Armageddon (Joel 3:2). Jerusalem and temple mount are split between Islam and Israel. Measure the temple and inner courts but not the court of the Gentiles. The Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque is Gentile land while Israel builds the third Jewish temple on the north part of the temple mount.

Palestine sits in sackcloth and ashes. Over it broods the spell of a curse that has withered its fields and fettered its energies. Where Sodom and Gomorrah [raised] their domes and towers, ... in whose bitter waters no living thing exists ... about whose borders nothing grows but weeds....
Palestine is desolate and unlovely. And why should it be otherwise? Can the curse of the Deity beautify a land?

Two Witnesses

I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouth, and devours their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 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 (Revelation 11:3-5, 6).

God calls two witnesses to counter the darkness. Enoch and Elijah were raptured in the Old Testament. Moses and Elijah represent the Law and prophets at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-3). After Babylon captivity, Governor Zerubbabel and High Priest Joshua return to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple (Haggai 1:1, Zechariah 4:12, 14). Two unnamed prophets are anointed by God who proclaim the Gospel and confront evil. They have special powers to defend themselves with fire from their mouths, stop the rain, turn water to blood and cause plagues.

Two witnesses proclaim the Word of God for half the Tribulation (1260 days). Prophecy scholars are split between when. At the beginning, Israel has a period of peace while the rest of the world has World War III and transitions from the European Union and United Nations to 10-king Beast (world government) (Daniel 7:7-8). At the middle, Antichrist (little horn/world dictator) takes control and Israel is a no go zone because of World War IV and World War V (Matthew 24:15-16). In the first half, they have a receptive audience who have not taken the mark but in the second half, they confront the Antichrist but overlap Armageddon and Second Coming. By the 6th seal, people plead for rocks to kill them (Ezekiel 38:16, 20, 21-22, Revelation 6:12, 15-16). No verse connects two witnesses and the 144,000.

When they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 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. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. They that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth (Revelation 11:7-8, 9-10).

What we want is a man of sufficient stature to hold the allegiance of all people, and to lift us out of the economic morass into which we are sinking. Send us such a man and be he god or devil, we will receive him.

----Paul Henri Spaak, Prime Minister of Belgium, President of the UN General Assembly, President European Parliament

At the middle of the Tribulation, ten kings select the Antichrist to rule the world (Revelation 17:12-13). On the 10th of Nisan (Lamb chosen) in Jerusalem where Jesus Christ was crucified, he has a coronation party as king of the world. Then two witnesses crash his party. Satan is the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit. He fights and kills them. The whole world see this confrontation live. Since they are righteous and enemies of the Unholy Trinity and the crowd, their dead bodies rot in the street as the people celebrate.

After three and a half days the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; great fear fell upon those which saw them. They heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. They ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. The same hour was a great earthquake, the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: the remnant were frightened, and gave glory to the God of heaven (Revelation 11:11-12, 13).

Three and a half days later, God resurrects two witnesses from death to life and then raptures them to heaven. Once again, the whole world sees what happens. A great earthquake destroys a tenth of the city and 7000 people die. Those who watch the event were overwhelmed. Some gave glory to God for salvation and others fear God without repentance.

The two witnesses fit better in the first half by matching the spring feast. Antichrist begins his reign on the 10th of Nisan (Lamb chosen). Two witnesses are killed on the 14th of Nisan (Passover). The image is set up in the temple so Antichrist sits in the Jewish temple and proclaim himself not only king of the world but as god and demand worship (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, Revelation 13:15). Two witnesses resurrect on the 18th of Nisan (Firstfruits, Unleavened Bread).

The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe comes quickly (Revelation 11:14).

There are three woes. Iraq War II in 2003 (Trumpet 5), World War III in the beginning of the Tribulation (Trumpets 6). China fights India, United States and the Far East killing about 2.7 billion people and ends at the middle of the Tribulation. Then Russia and Radical Islam (Iran, Libya, Turkey) usurp Antichrist authority, invades Israel and begin World War IV. Only God comes to Israel's defense and punishes their enemies (Seal 6). During the last six months of the Tribulation, Antichrist unifies the Middle East (Islam) and kings of the Far East to gather all nations at Armageddon. They begin World War V as they march south and capture Jerusalem.

When you see the abomination stand in the temple, those in Judea flee (Matthew 24:15-16). As Antichrist begins his reign, Jerusalem with have no more peace until the Prince of Peace comes.

Seraphim Gospel angels at the Throne of God (Revelation 4:7-8)
Beast from the bottomless pit (Revelation 11:7, 20:1-2, 10)
Little Horn (Daniel 7:8, Revelation 13:4-5, 6-7, 19:20)

Government (Daniel 2:33-34, 42-43, 7:7, Revelation 13:1-2, 3)
False Prophet rules the 2nd Beast (Revelation 13:11-13, 14, 15)
Animals (Revelation 6:8)

Three Woes Revelation 8:13
l  Trumpet 5     Iraq War II (2003) Revelation 9:12
l  Trumpet 6     World War III (M1/Y1) Revelation 11:14
l  Trumpet 7     World War V (M1/Y8) Revelation 10:7, 11:15, 17
    * (Month/Year) Tribulation begins and ends in Tishri.

End of the Tribulation

The seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. Twenty-four elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give you thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which are, and was, and is to come; because you have taken your great power, and have reigned. The nations were angry, and your wrath is come, the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that you should give reward unto your servants the prophets, to the saints, and them that fear your name, small and great; and should destroy them which destroy the earth. The temple of God was opened in heaven, there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, voices, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail (Revelation 11:15-16, 17, 18, 19).

The heavens shout "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ and He shall reign for ever and ever." The 7th seal, trumpet, bowl are linked by lighting, thunder, voices, earthquake, great hail, mountains and islands move as final judgment against the world. See Revelation Outline. At the Second Coming, Jesus Christ returns to earth with Christians and angels. The battle is the Lord's as Jesus Christ bring judgment and begins His reign. The Saints and angels witness His great victory and give Him all glory and praise.

References: 21st Century Revelation: World Wars, Iraq Wars & End Wars - Chapter 10: Seven Days of God, Chapter 11: The Feast of Trumpets, Chapter 12: Fall Jewish Feasts, Chapter 24: Between Iraq and a Hard Place, Chapter 25: Iraq War III, Spring Feasts, Fall Feasts, The Innocents Abroad, The Oracle: The Jubilean Mysteries Unveiled, Temple Location, Bible Chronology, Revelation Outline, Covenant, Tribulation, Revelation, 21st Century View, Daniel, America, Cities, Resurrection, Timeline of the Tribulation