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==Identity==

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Growing interest in the identity of the two witnesses of Revelation 11 and the timing of their appearance, has inspired Eschatological debate for centuries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wcg.org/lit/bible/Rev/2witnesses.htm |title=The Two Witnesses |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Kroll |first=Paul |year=1999 |publisher=Worldwide Church of God}}</ref> Are they two literal individuals or are they symbolic of a concept (e.g., the Old and New Testaments of the Bible<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tagnet.org/cyberspace/Lessons/Fut-057/fut1-057.html|title=If I Were Told the Future -- Lesson 57: The Two Witnesses |accessdate=2007-06-26 |year=2002 |work=Cyberspace Ministry}}</ref>) or corporate entities which symbolize peoples? Are they here now<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/herenow.htm |title=Are The Two Witnesses Here Now? |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Blank |first=Wayne |work=Daily Bible Study |publisher=The Church of God}}</ref> if they are personified - or are they yet future, as millenarian [[Hal Lindsey]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:lQb5fAcu260J:www.raptureready.com/featured/HalLindsey.html+Hal+Lindsey+The+Two+Witnesses&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=5|title=Hal Lindsey}}</ref> claims they are - ready to appear on the [[Apocalypse|apocalyptic]] scene, along with the [[Antichrist]]? Perhaps they represent the witnessing Church<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.apocalipsis.org/downloads/revelatn.pdf |title=Revelation: A Reference Commentary |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Taylor |first=R A |date=[[2000]]-[[03-17]] |format=PDF |pages=~~111-112~~}} </ref> since Jesus sent out his disciples "two by two".<ref>Mark 6:7.</ref> On the other hand, could they be some form of reincarnation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elevated.fsnet.co.uk/index-page14.html |title=Reincarnation and Christianity |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Millett |first=Michael G |work=Elevated Therapy International}}</ref> of Moses and Elijah<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=77&cuItem_itemID=14532|title=WELS Topical Q&A: Endtime/Prophecies Two Witnesses|accessdate=2007-06-26 |year=2007 |work=Communication Services |publisher=Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod}}</ref> because both of them were prophets; Moses<ref>Exodus 7:16-18.</ref> struck the waters of the Nile and they turned into blood; and Elijah<ref>1 Kings 17:1-7.</ref> commanded the heavens that it rained not and did so for three-and-one-half years.<ref>James 5:17.</ref> Indeed, the other witness may be Enoch<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.apocalypsesoon.org/xfile-11.html |title=Eight Good Reasons Why Enoch Must Be One of the Two Witnesses! |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Wunderlich |first=Bob |work=Apocalypse Soon: The Xcellent Files}}</ref> (i.e., Elijah and Enoch), because he, like Elijah "was taken"<ref>Hebrews 11:5.</ref> (i.e., did not suffer physical death). They could simply be two Jewish prophets (as the ''[[Left Behind]] Series'' claims<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.leftbehind.com/channelfree.asp?pageid=1284&channelID=175 |title=Who Are the Two Witnesses? |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=LaHaye |first=Tim, et al. |year=2004 |work=The Authorized Left Behind Handbook}}</ref>) who in the period of the 70th Week of Daniel (yet future or partial<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/m.sion/70wedan9.htm|title=Daniel 9:24-27|accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Amy |first=Stephen |work=Worship at the Altar}}</ref> come in the power of Moses and Elijah and are representative of the law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah)).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://biblia.com/bible/rev11.htm |title=The Temple... and the Two Witnesses |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Dominguez |first=J}}</ref> Indeed, some claim that the notion of a yet future 70th Week of Daniel is a Catholic (Jesuit) conspiracy<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.godssabbathtruth.com/sabbath-antichrist.html |title=The Great Catholic Diversion Revealed |accessdate=2007-06-27 |year=2006 |work=Sabbath & Antichrist Truth Revealed |publisher=GodsSabbathTruth.com}}</ref> to take the heat off the papacy as the "seat of the antichrist system"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?2617&collectionID=795&contentID=4441&shortcutID=5297|title=Statement on the Antichrist |accessdate=2007-06-27 |year=2007 |work=CICR: WELS Doctrinal Statements |publisher=Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod}}</ref> and to place the onus on a yet future and literal person who will be the incarnation of Satan himself<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thepropheticyears.com/The%20book%20of%20Revelation/Revelation%20Chapter%2017.htm |title=Revelation chapter 17 commentary |accessdate=2007-06-27 |last=Koenig |first=Don |year=2004 |work=The Revelation of Jesus Christ Through the Ages}}</ref> - who, as the beast will "make war against them, overcome them, and kill them"<ref>Revelation 11:7.</ref> ~~-- hence~~, this prophecy of a future personification of "The Antichrist" is erroneous and has already been fulfilled<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/m.sion/da70fufu.htm |title=Daniel's 70th Week--Future or Fulfilled? |accessdate=2007-06-27 |publisher=Used by permission from Ralph Woodrow}}</ref> in history. To be certain - Roman Catholic eschatology affirms the coming of the Antichrist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01559a.htm |title=Antichrist |accessdate=2007-06-27 |year=1907 |work=The Catholic Encyclopedia}}</ref>

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Growing interest in the identity of the two witnesses of Revelation 11 and the timing of their appearance, has inspired Eschatological debate for centuries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wcg.org/lit/bible/Rev/2witnesses.htm |title=The Two Witnesses |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Kroll |first=Paul |year=1999 |publisher=Worldwide Church of God}}</ref> Are they two literal individuals or are they symbolic of a concept (e.g., the Old and New Testaments of the Bible<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tagnet.org/cyberspace/Lessons/Fut-057/fut1-057.html|title=If I Were Told the Future -- Lesson 57: The Two Witnesses |accessdate=2007-06-26 |year=2002 |work=Cyberspace Ministry}}</ref>) or corporate entities which symbolize peoples? Are they here now<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/herenow.htm |title=Are The Two Witnesses Here Now? |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Blank |first=Wayne |work=Daily Bible Study |publisher=The Church of God}}</ref> if they are personified - or are they yet future, as millenarian [[Hal Lindsey]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:lQb5fAcu260J:www.raptureready.com/featured/HalLindsey.html+Hal+Lindsey+The+Two+Witnesses&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=5|title=Hal Lindsey}}</ref> claims they are - ready to appear on the [[Apocalypse|apocalyptic]] scene, along with the [[Antichrist]]? Perhaps they represent the witnessing Church<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.apocalipsis.org/downloads/revelatn.pdf |title=Revelation: A Reference Commentary |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Taylor |first=R A |date=[[2000]]-[[03-17]] |format=PDF |pages=111–112}}</ref> since Jesus sent out his disciples "two by two".<ref>Mark 6:7.</ref> On the other hand, could they be some form of reincarnation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elevated.fsnet.co.uk/index-page14.html |title=Reincarnation and Christianity |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Millett |first=Michael G |work=Elevated Therapy International}}</ref> of Moses and Elijah<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=77&cuItem_itemID=14532|title=WELS Topical Q&A: Endtime/Prophecies Two Witnesses|accessdate=2007-06-26 |year=2007 |work=Communication Services |publisher=Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod}}</ref> because both of them were prophets; Moses<ref>Exodus 7:16-18.</ref> struck the waters of the Nile and they turned into blood; and Elijah<ref>1 Kings 17:1-7.</ref> commanded the heavens that it rained not and did so for three-and-one-half years.<ref>James 5:17.</ref> Indeed, the other witness may be Enoch<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.apocalypsesoon.org/xfile-11.html |title=Eight Good Reasons Why Enoch Must Be One of the Two Witnesses! |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Wunderlich |first=Bob |work=Apocalypse Soon: The Xcellent Files}}</ref> (i.e., Elijah and Enoch), because he, like Elijah "was taken"<ref>Hebrews 11:5.</ref> (i.e., did not suffer physical death). They could simply be two Jewish prophets (as the ''[[Left Behind]] Series'' claims<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.leftbehind.com/channelfree.asp?pageid=1284&channelID=175 |title=Who Are the Two Witnesses? |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=LaHaye |first=Tim, et al. |year=2004 |work=The Authorized Left Behind Handbook}}</ref>) who in the period of the 70th Week of Daniel (yet future or partial<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/m.sion/70wedan9.htm|title=Daniel 9:24-27|accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Amy |first=Stephen |work=Worship at the Altar}}</ref> come in the power of Moses and Elijah and are representative of the law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah)).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://biblia.com/bible/rev11.htm |title=The Temple... and the Two Witnesses |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Dominguez |first=J}}</ref> Indeed, some claim that the notion of a yet future 70th Week of Daniel is a Catholic (Jesuit) conspiracy<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.godssabbathtruth.com/sabbath-antichrist.html |title=The Great Catholic Diversion Revealed |accessdate=2007-06-27 |year=2006 |work=Sabbath & Antichrist Truth Revealed |publisher=GodsSabbathTruth.com}}</ref> to take the heat off the papacy as the "seat of the antichrist system"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?2617&collectionID=795&contentID=4441&shortcutID=5297|title=Statement on the Antichrist |accessdate=2007-06-27 |year=2007 |work=CICR: WELS Doctrinal Statements |publisher=Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod}}</ref> and to place the onus on a yet future and literal person who will be the incarnation of Satan himself<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thepropheticyears.com/The%20book%20of%20Revelation/Revelation%20Chapter%2017.htm |title=Revelation chapter 17 commentary |accessdate=2007-06-27 |last=Koenig |first=Don |year=2004 |work=The Revelation of Jesus Christ Through the Ages}}</ref> - who, as the beast will "make war against them, overcome them, and kill them"<ref>Revelation 11:7.</ref>—hence, this prophecy of a future personification of "The Antichrist" is erroneous and has already been fulfilled<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/m.sion/da70fufu.htm |title=Daniel's 70th Week--Future or Fulfilled? |accessdate=2007-06-27 |publisher=Used by permission from Ralph Woodrow}}</ref> in history. To be certain - Roman Catholic eschatology affirms the coming of the Antichrist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01559a.htm |title=Antichrist |accessdate=2007-06-27 |year=1907 |work=The Catholic Encyclopedia}}</ref>

Their description as "two olive trees and two lampstands"<ref>Revelation 11:4.</ref> is taken as symbolism and/or allegorical. This [[Hermeneutics|hermeneutical]] approach to the Bible is adjudged by some as "hyper-allegorical"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07303b.htm |title=Hesychius of Jerusalem |accessdate=2007-06-27 |year=1907 |work=The Catholic Encyclopedia}}</ref> juxtaposed to a more "[[Biblical literalism|literal"]] interpretation; however, those who adhere to a Christian fundamentalist reading of the Bible (i.e., [[Biblical inerrancy|inerrancy]]) do not find common ground on the exposition of the identity of these Two Witnesses. Through commentary and exposition<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.preceptaustin.org/tool_commentary.htm |title=Bible Commentaries |accessdate=2007-06-27 |date=[[2007]]-[[06-07]] |publisher=Precept Austin}}</ref> the Two Witnesses could be considered as both symbolic and as literal (i.e., representative of peoples). Controversy over the symbolic, as well as literal interpretations of the Two Witnesses, as Israel<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-tribulation-network.com/dougkrieger/two_witnesses.htm |title=Israel and the Church as the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11 and Daniel 12 |accessdate=2007-06-29 |publisher=The Tribulation Network}}</ref> (the "two olive trees") and the Church (the "two lampstands") creates a great deal of eschatological debate<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/lasttrumpet_2000/debate_1a.html |title=Dichotomy or Continuity Between the Present and Past Dispensations: Opening Argument |accessdate=2007-06-29 |last=Warner |first=Tim |date=[[2002]]-[[08-07]] |work=Progressive Dispensationalism: Debate Between Dr. Mal Couch & Tim Warner |publisher=Conservative Theological Society}}</ref> between strict Dispensationalists and Progressive Dispensationalists;<ref name="warner-intro">{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/~lasttrumpet/ |title=Introduction & Methodology |accessdate=2007-06-29 |last=Warner |first=Tim |date= |year=2002 |month=November |work=The Last Trumpet |publisher=Post-Trib Research Center}}</ref> whereas such debate may be considered as non sequitur insofar as [[Preterism|Preterists]] and Historicists<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historicism.net/ |title=Historicism Research Foundation |accessdate=2006-06-30}}</ref> whose views of the Two Witnesses place them outside the chronological timeline (70 AD for Preterists)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.preterist.org/whatispreterism.asp |title=What is the Preterist View of Bible Prophecy? |accessdate=2007-06-30 |year=2007 |publisher=International Preterist Association}}</ref> or wholly in the realm of the symbolic - relegated to the Church only in any future unfolding of prophecy as seen by many Historicists.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historicism.com/Haynes/2witness.htm |title=The Meaning of the "Two Witnesses" |accessdate=2007-06-30 |last=Haynes |first=J. L |work=Historicism.com}}</ref>

Views among those who adhere to a literal one-thousand years [[Premillennialism|premillennial]] earthly kingdom (i.e., the millennium is yet future) complicate the Church's participation in the 70th Week of Daniel (i.e., yet future). The three dominant positions among these Premillenarians (be they evangelical,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wheaton.edu/isae/defining_evangelicalism.html |title=Defining Evangelicalism |accessdate=2007-06-30 |year=2005 |month=April |publisher=Institute for the Study of American Evangelicals}}</ref> Catholic<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10307a.htm |title=Millennium and Millenarianism |accessdate=2007-06-30 |year=1911 |work=The Catholic Encyclopedia}}</ref> or Orthodox<ref>{{cite web|url=http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:F7d0BUBkjf4J:www.conservativeonline.org/journals/02_04_journal/1998v2n4_id02.htm+Early+Church+Fathers+Millenarians&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1 |title=The Early Church Fathers and the Foundations of Dispensationalism |accessdate=2007-06-30 |last=Crutchfield |first=Larry V}}</ref> Christians - and for that matter, among other Christian sects)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iupress.indiana.edu/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=21209 |title=Christian Millenarianism/Indiana University Press |accessdate=2007-06-30}}</ref> regarding the final 70th Week of Daniel insofar as the Church's participation concerns are: Pretribulational<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raptureready.com/rr-pretribulation-rapture.html |title=The Pretribulation Rapture |accessdate=2007-08-19 |last=Strandberg |first=Todd |work=Rapture Ready}}</ref> (the Church will rapture<ref>

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{{cite web |url=http://www.pre-trib.org/search-results.php?author=3&related=true |title=Other articles by Dr. Thomas Ice |accessdate=2007-08-19 |last=Ice |first=Thomas |year=2003 |publisher=Pre-Trib Research Center}}</ref> at the commencement of the 70th Week of Daniel),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jesus-is-the-way.com/RevOutline.html |title=Outline and Chronology of Endtimes in the Book of Revelation |accessdate=2007-08-19 |date=[[2007]]-[[05-27]]|work=Jesus-is-the-way.com}}</ref> whose commencement is normally announced by the infamous "Treaty of Hell and Death"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gotlinks.com/earticles/articles/107731-your-covenant-with-death___your-agreement-with-hell___the-u_s_-israel-strategic-alliance.html |title=Your Covenant with Death...Your Agreement With Hell...The U.S.-Israel Strategic Alliance |accessdate=2007-08-19 |last=Krieger |first=Doug |date=[[2005]]-[[12-25]]}}</ref> (i.e., the treaty or "defense pact" of the Antichrist with Israel);<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pre-trib.org/pdf/Ice-TheIsraeliElections.pdf |title=The Israeli Elections |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Ice |first=Thomas |format=PDF |work=Pre-trib.org}}</ref> Mid-Tribulational<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nobts.edu/Faculty/ItoR/LemkeSW/Personal/midtribulationism.html |title=The Biblical Case for Mid-Tribulationalism |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Lemke |first=Steve W}} </ref> or "Pre-Wrath"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/athens/forum/5951/prewrath.html |title=A review of the Pre-Wrath rapture of the Church |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Stanton |first=Gerald B}}</ref> (the Church will be raptured in the middle of Daniel's 70th Week - i.e., after approximately three-and-one-half years); and Post-Tribulational<ref name="warner-intro"/> (the Church will be raptured will take place at the end of the 70th Week of Daniel's prophecy<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.intergate.com/~subi/linksecc.htm |title=The Return of Jesus Christ |accessdate=2007-08-23}}</ref> just prior to the "wrath of God"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.solagroup.org/articles/faqs/faq_0026.html |title=Are the seals of Revelation 6 the wrath of God? |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Lee-Warner |first=Bill |work=Sola Scriptura}}</ref> or "wrath of the Lamb").<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/worldview_3/2prewrath.html |title=The "Pre-Wrath Rapture Teaching" Evaluated |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Totten |first=Rhett |year=1999 |work=The Second Coming of Christ and Rapture Site}}</ref> Some theologians believe that the two olive branches represent the peace on Earth that the witnesses try to bring to the sinful Earth, and the two lampstands represent the light for Christ that they shine for Christ.

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{{cite web |url=http://www.pre-trib.org/search-results.php?author=3&related=true |title=Other articles by Dr. Thomas Ice |accessdate=2007-08-19 |last=Ice |first=Thomas |year=2003 |publisher=Pre-Trib Research Center}}</ref> at the commencement of the 70th Week of Daniel),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jesus-is-the-way.com/RevOutline.html |title=Outline and Chronology of Endtimes in the Book of Revelation |accessdate=2007-08-19 |date=[[2007]]-[[05-27]]|work=Jesus-is-the-way.com}}</ref> whose commencement is normally announced by the infamous "Treaty of Hell and Death"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gotlinks.com/earticles/articles/107731-your-covenant-with-death___your-agreement-with-hell___the-u_s_-israel-strategic-alliance.html |title=Your Covenant with Death...Your Agreement With Hell...The U.S.-Israel Strategic Alliance |accessdate=2007-08-19 |last=Krieger |first=Doug |date=[[2005]]-[[12-25]]}}</ref> (i.e., the treaty or "defense pact" of the Antichrist with Israel);<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pre-trib.org/pdf/Ice-TheIsraeliElections.pdf |title=The Israeli Elections |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Ice |first=Thomas |format=PDF |work=Pre-trib.org}}</ref> Mid-Tribulational<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nobts.edu/Faculty/ItoR/LemkeSW/Personal/midtribulationism.html |title=The Biblical Case for Mid-Tribulationalism |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Lemke |first=Steve W}}</ref> or "Pre-Wrath"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/athens/forum/5951/prewrath.html |title=A review of the Pre-Wrath rapture of the Church |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Stanton |first=Gerald B}}</ref> (the Church will be raptured in the middle of Daniel's 70th Week - i.e., after approximately three-and-one-half years); and Post-Tribulational<ref name="warner-intro"/> (the Church will be raptured will take place at the end of the 70th Week of Daniel's prophecy<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.intergate.com/~subi/linksecc.htm |title=The Return of Jesus Christ |accessdate=2007-08-23}}</ref> just prior to the "wrath of God"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.solagroup.org/articles/faqs/faq_0026.html |title=Are the seals of Revelation 6 the wrath of God? |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Lee-Warner |first=Bill |work=Sola Scriptura}}</ref> or "wrath of the Lamb").<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/worldview_3/2prewrath.html |title=The "Pre-Wrath Rapture Teaching" Evaluated |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Totten |first=Rhett |year=1999 |work=The Second Coming of Christ and Rapture Site}}</ref> Some theologians believe that the two olive branches represent the peace on Earth that the witnesses try to bring to the sinful Earth, and the two lampstands represent the light for Christ that they shine for Christ.

Post-Tribulational icon Dr. Robert H. Gundry (Westmont College) states in his classic, ''The Church and the Tribulation'',<ref>ISBN 978-0310254010</ref> especially in reference to Post-tribulationalism and the identity of the Two Witnesses - having both the Church and Israel throughout the 70th Week of Daniel's prophecy presents formidable eschatological challenges to wit:

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What Gundry suggests is anathema to strict Dispensationalists<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.angelfire.com/ms/seanie/disp/disp2.html |title=Dispensationalism and its errors Part 2 |accessdate=2007-08-23 |work=Sean's Faith Website}}</ref> whose pre-tribulationalism demands a complete separation of the Church from Israel<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reformationtheology.com/2006/06/pretribpremillleft_behind.php |title=Pre-Trib?...Pre-Mill?....Left Behind |accessdate=2007-08-23 |date=[[2006]]-[[06-23]] |work=Reformation Theology}} Quoting from Samuel E. Waldron, ''The End Times Made Simple''.</ref> and a primary commitment of the Almighty to Israel within the crucible of the 70th Week of ~~Daniel--although~~ Dispensationalists recognize a redemptive witness to the Gentiles through the evangelistic witness of the 144,000<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.solagroup.org/articles/faqs/faq_0023.html |title=Who are the 144,000? |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Cooper |first=Charles |work=Sola Scriptura}}</ref> Jewish evangelists. Those "saints"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raptureready.com/rr-tribulation-saint.html |title=Tribulation Saint Wannabes |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Strandberg |first=Todd |work=Rapture Ready}}</ref> evangelized through this preaching of the "gospel of the kingdom"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raptureready.com/featured/ice/AnInterpretationofMatthew24_25_12.html |title=An Interpretation of Matthew 24—25, Part XII |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Ice |first=Thomas |work=Rapture Ready}}</ref> and who perish under the onslaught of the beast, constitute the tribulation saints<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.plymouthbrethren.com/cactrib.htm |title=Tribulation Saints (extract) |accessdate=2007-08-24 |last=Coates |first=C. A |work=PlymouthBrethren.com}}</ref> who "come out of great tribulation."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.grantjeffrey.com/article/why_some_reject.htm |title=Why Do Some Teach that the Church will Endure the Tribulation? |accessdate=2007-08-24 |last=Jeffrey |first=Grant R |work=Prophecy On Line |publisher=Grant R. Jeffrey Ministries}}</ref>

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What Gundry suggests is anathema to strict Dispensationalists<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.angelfire.com/ms/seanie/disp/disp2.html |title=Dispensationalism and its errors Part 2 |accessdate=2007-08-23 |work=Sean's Faith Website}}</ref> whose pre-tribulationalism demands a complete separation of the Church from Israel<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reformationtheology.com/2006/06/pretribpremillleft_behind.php |title=Pre-Trib?...Pre-Mill?....Left Behind |accessdate=2007-08-23 |date=[[2006]]-[[06-23]] |work=Reformation Theology}} Quoting from Samuel E. Waldron, ''The End Times Made Simple''.</ref> and a primary commitment of the Almighty to Israel within the crucible of the 70th Week of Daniel—although Dispensationalists recognize a redemptive witness to the Gentiles through the evangelistic witness of the 144,000<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.solagroup.org/articles/faqs/faq_0023.html |title=Who are the 144,000? |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Cooper |first=Charles |work=Sola Scriptura}}</ref> Jewish evangelists. Those "saints"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raptureready.com/rr-tribulation-saint.html |title=Tribulation Saint Wannabes |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Strandberg |first=Todd |work=Rapture Ready}}</ref> evangelized through this preaching of the "gospel of the kingdom"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raptureready.com/featured/ice/AnInterpretationofMatthew24_25_12.html |title=An Interpretation of Matthew 24—25, Part XII |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Ice |first=Thomas |work=Rapture Ready}}</ref> and who perish under the onslaught of the beast, constitute the tribulation saints<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.plymouthbrethren.com/cactrib.htm |title=Tribulation Saints (extract) |accessdate=2007-08-24 |last=Coates |first=C. A |work=PlymouthBrethren.com}}</ref> who "come out of great tribulation."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.grantjeffrey.com/article/why_some_reject.htm |title=Why Do Some Teach that the Church will Endure the Tribulation? |accessdate=2007-08-24 |last=Jeffrey |first=Grant R |work=Prophecy On Line |publisher=Grant R. Jeffrey Ministries}}</ref>

==Religious-political ramifications of Israel and the Church==

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Obvious collaboration between the "witnesses" is "eschatologically suggested" by those who espouse the two to be Israel and the ~~Church--what~~ form of cooperative witness seems crucial; especially with regards to the religious-political ramifications thereof. Naturally, evangelical support for the nation of Israel is viewed by a growing number of Israeli Jews, as well as diasporic Jews (especially Zionists), as beneficial to the survival of Israel and highly influential upon American foreign policy,<ref>{{cite news |first=David D |last=Kirkpatrick |title=For Evangelicals, Supporting Israel Is ‘God's Foreign Policy’ |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/14/washington/14israel.html?ex=1321160400&en=60ed9b6dede3816e&ei=5090 |work=The New York Times |date=[[2006]]-[[11-14]] |accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref> whether the imagery of the Two Witnesses is reflected in this Evangelical-Jewish Zionist alliance or not. Furthermore, if the book of Revelation is to be viewed as a cosmic courtroom wherein the "Great City" is on trial, and the "Judge of all the earth" is pending a conviction by calling forth witnesses to "testify" against Babylon the Great (i.e., "the Holy City" vs. the "Great City" or New Jerusalem vs. Babylon the Great)<ref>

+

Obvious collaboration between the "witnesses" is "eschatologically suggested" by those who espouse the two to be Israel and the Church—what form of cooperative witness seems crucial; especially with regards to the religious-political ramifications thereof. Naturally, evangelical support for the nation of Israel is viewed by a growing number of Israeli Jews, as well as diasporic Jews (especially Zionists), as beneficial to the survival of Israel and highly influential upon American foreign policy,<ref>{{cite news |first=David D |last=Kirkpatrick |title=For Evangelicals, Supporting Israel Is ‘God's Foreign Policy’ |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/14/washington/14israel.html?ex=1321160400&en=60ed9b6dede3816e&ei=5090 |work=The New York Times |date=[[2006]]-[[11-14]] |accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref> whether the imagery of the Two Witnesses is reflected in this Evangelical-Jewish Zionist alliance or not. Furthermore, if the book of Revelation is to be viewed as a cosmic courtroom wherein the "Great City" is on trial, and the "Judge of all the earth" is pending a conviction by calling forth witnesses to "testify" against Babylon the Great (i.e., "the Holy City" vs. the "Great City" or New Jerusalem vs. Babylon the Great)<ref>

{{cite web |url=http://www.antipasministries.com/html/file0000026.htm#26c |title=Chapter VIII: Tribulation & Judgment |accessdate=2007-08-24 |last=Shearer |first=S.R |work=The New Antipas Papers |publisher=Antipas Ministries}}</ref> - then "Biblical collaboration" at the mouth of "two witnesses"<ref>Deuteronomy 19:15.</ref> prior to a conviction and ultimate sentence would be mandatory.

David Brog, former chief counsel and later chief of staff to Senator Arlen Specter, recently highlighted the current support for Israel, among evangelical Christians in his book ''Stand with Israel: Why Christians Support the Jewish State''.<ref>ISBN 978-1591859062.</ref> Brog's central thesis, both as a Jewish American and as the current Executive Director of the newly-formed Christians United for Israel, is unabashedly pro-Israel,<ref>{{cite news |first=Margot |last=Patterson |title=Evangelicals rally for Israel, warn of Iran threat |url=http://ncronline.org/NCR_Online/archives2/2006c/072806/072806h.php |work=National Catholic Reporter |date=[[2006]]-[[07-28]] |accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref> and affirms that evangelical support for Israel should be encouraged by American Jews, as well as provide a forum for evangelical Christians to express their views on Capitol Hill. He is at the helm in galvanizing support for this newly-founded Evangelical-Jewish lobbying organization<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060814/new_christian_zionism |title=Birth Pangs of a New Christian Zionism |accessdate=2007-08-24 |last=Blumenthal |first=Max |date=[[2006]]-[[08-08]] |work=TheNation.com}}</ref> on behalf of Israel. Brog, who is Jewish-not a Christian, has an executive board for Christians United for Israel consisting of prominent evangelicals: Michael Little,<ref name="cufi">{{cite web |url=http://www.cufi.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_executive_board |title=Executive Board |accessdate=2007-08-25 |year=2007 |publisher=Christians United for Israel}}</ref> [[John Hagee]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3323758,00.html |title=A blessing or a curse? American evangelists explained |accessdate=2007-08-25 |last=Benhorin |first=Yitzhak |date=[[2006]]-[[11-05]] |work=Ynetnews.com}}</ref> Gary Bauer,<ref name="cufi"/> and George Morrison<ref name="cufi"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fbci.org/aboutus/george.html |title=Meet Pastor George |accessdate=2007-08-25 |publisher=Faith Bible Chapel}}</ref> — all evangelicals, and all actively engaged in pro-Israel activities — activities which include "A Night to Honor Israel"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jhm.org/honorisrael.asp |title=A Night To Honor Israel |accessdate=2007-08-26 |work=John Hagee Ministries}}</ref> held throughout North America, as well as recent involvement<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5193092.stm |title=Evangelical Christians plead for Israel |accessdate=2007-08-26 |last=Greene |first=Richard Allen |date=[[2006]]-[[07-19]] |work=BBC News}}</ref> in the annual AIPAC gathering in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:tyCLPx6SrFUJ:www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=w050523&s=baer052605+AIPAC+COURTS+EVANGELICALS&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=5 |title=Security Measures |accessdate=2007-08-26 |last=Baer |first=Kenneth |date=[[2005]]-[[05-26]] |work=TNR Online |publisher=The New Republic}}</ref> ([[Jerry Falwell]] was also a member of the executive board of Christians United for Israel until his death.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cufi.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_press_releases#Falwell |title=Dr. Jerry Falwell- A Pioneer of Christian Zionism |accessdate=2007-08-26 |last=Hagee |first=John |date=[[2007]]-[[05-16]] |work=Christians United for Israel}}</ref>) Such support for Israel is vehemently opposed by many on the left and right.

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Christian Zionism – a phenomenon commenced in Great Britain<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article4959.htm |title=Christians and Zion: British stirrings |accessdate=2007-09-08 |last=Wagner |first=Donald |date=[[2003]]-[[10-09]] |work=The Daily Star |publisher=Information Clearing House}}</ref> in support of the Jewish State and championed by many American evangelical leaders<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mb-soft.com/believe/text/czionism.htm |title=Christian Zionism: Advanced Information |accessdate=2007-09-08 |last=Rausch |first=D A |year=1997 |month=May |work=Elwell Evangelical Dictionary |publisher=BELIEVE Religious Information Source}}</ref> throughout the past century, sees in Israel's rebirth the fulfillment of Bible prophecy<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jewsonfirst.org/06bprint/fp013p.html |title=Mr. Hagee Draws Evangelicals By Arguing Jewish State Fulfills Biblical Prophecy |accessdate=2007-09-08 |last=Higgins |first=Andrew |date=[[2006]]-[[07-27]] |work=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=JewsOnFirst.org}}</ref> and the countdown to the Second Coming of Christ.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2002/07/10/MN17001.DTL |title=U.S. Christians find cause to aid Israel: Evangelicals financing immigrants, settlements |accessdate=2007-09-08 |last=Haas |first=Danielle |date=[[2002]]-[[07-10]] |work=San Francisco Chronicle |pages=A-1}}</ref> The proliferation of evangelical Christian organizations or Jewish organizations reaching out to one another with the common goal of supporting the survival of the nation of Israel in the U.S. and elsewhere includes: Bridges for Peace<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bridgesforpeace.com/h2n.php?fn=whoarewe.html |title=A Concise Summary of Who We Are |accessdate=2007-09-09 |year=2006 |publisher=Bridges for Peace}}</ref>; the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ifcj.org/site/PageServer?pagename=endorsements_ministries |title=Churches and Ministries that Support Israel |accessdate=2007-09-09 |year=2007 |publisher=International Fellowship of Christians and Jews}}</ref>; the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icej.org/articles/about_us |title=About Us: Your Embassy in Jerusalem |accessdate=2007-09-09 |publisher=International Christian Embassy Jerusalem}}</ref>; Operation Exodus<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.operation-exodus.org/Operation-Exodus/about_ebenezer |title=About Ebenezer |accessdate=2007-09-09 |year=2007 |work=Operation Exodus |publisher=Ebenezer Emergency Fund International}}</ref>; Israel Awareness Day<ref>

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Christian Zionism – a phenomenon commenced in Great Britain<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article4959.htm |title=Christians and Zion: British stirrings |accessdate=2007-09-08 |last=Wagner |first=Donald |date=[[2003]]-[[10-09]] |work=The Daily Star |publisher=Information Clearing House}}</ref> in support of the Jewish State and championed by many American evangelical leaders<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mb-soft.com/believe/text/czionism.htm |title=Christian Zionism: Advanced Information |accessdate=2007-09-08 |last=Rausch |first=D A |year=1997 |month=May |work=Elwell Evangelical Dictionary |publisher=BELIEVE Religious Information Source}}</ref> throughout the past century, sees in Israel's rebirth the fulfillment of Bible prophecy<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jewsonfirst.org/06bprint/fp013p.html |title=Mr. Hagee Draws Evangelicals By Arguing Jewish State Fulfills Biblical Prophecy |accessdate=2007-09-08 |last=Higgins |first=Andrew |date=[[2006]]-[[07-27]] |work=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=JewsOnFirst.org}}</ref> and the countdown to the Second Coming of Christ.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2002/07/10/MN17001.DTL |title=U.S. Christians find cause to aid Israel: Evangelicals financing immigrants, settlements |accessdate=2007-09-08 |last=Haas |first=Danielle |date=[[2002]]-[[07-10]] |work=San Francisco Chronicle |pages=A-1}}</ref> The proliferation of evangelical Christian organizations or Jewish organizations reaching out to one another with the common goal of supporting the survival of the nation of Israel in the U.S. and elsewhere includes: Bridges for Peace;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bridgesforpeace.com/h2n.php?fn=whoarewe.html |title=A Concise Summary of Who We Are |accessdate=2007-09-09 |year=2006 |publisher=Bridges for Peace}}</ref> the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ifcj.org/site/PageServer?pagename=endorsements_ministries |title=Churches and Ministries that Support Israel |accessdate=2007-09-09 |year=2007 |publisher=International Fellowship of Christians and Jews}}</ref> the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icej.org/articles/about_us |title=About Us: Your Embassy in Jerusalem |accessdate=2007-09-09 |publisher=International Christian Embassy Jerusalem}}</ref> Operation Exodus;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.operation-exodus.org/Operation-Exodus/about_ebenezer |title=About Ebenezer |accessdate=2007-09-09 |year=2007 |work=Operation Exodus |publisher=Ebenezer Emergency Fund International}}</ref> Israel Awareness Day<ref>

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{{cite web |url=http://www.easy-access.com/Ariel/Autumn96/Aut96-Page4.html |title=Faith Bible Chapel Adopts Ariel |accessdate=2007-12-16 |year=1996 |month=Autumn |work=Shalom Ariel |publisher=Ariel Development Fund |pages=~~4-5~~}}</ref> (and their writings<ref name="standing">{{cite book |last=Brog |first=David |title=Standing with Israel: Why Christians Support the Jewish State |year=2006 |publisher=Frontline |isbn=9781591859062}}</ref> attest as well). Likewise, but with less verbosity are those mainline Christian organizations<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.loveandjustice.org/AlternateVoice/index.htm |title=Alternative Voice to Christian Zionism |accessdate=2007-12-16 |publisher=First Congregational Church}}</ref> and some evangelical leaders<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2717 |title=The Evangelical-Jewish Alliance |accessdate=2007-12-16 |last=Wagner |first=Donald |date=[[2003]]-[[06-28]] |work=The Christian Century |pages=~~20-24~~}}</ref> (along with their writings)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.christianzionism.org/articlesN.asp |title=Challenging Christian Zionism |accessdate=2007-12-16 |year=2007}}</ref> who oppose the current alliance between Jews and evangelicals in support of Israel and her policies.

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{{cite web |url=http://www.easy-access.com/Ariel/Autumn96/Aut96-Page4.html |title=Faith Bible Chapel Adopts Ariel |accessdate=2007-12-16 |year=1996 |month=Autumn |work=Shalom Ariel |publisher=Ariel Development Fund |pages=4–5}}</ref> (and their writings<ref name="standing">{{cite book |last=Brog |first=David |title=Standing with Israel: Why Christians Support the Jewish State |year=2006 |publisher=Frontline |isbn=9781591859062}}</ref> attest as well). Likewise, but with less verbosity are those mainline Christian organizations<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.loveandjustice.org/AlternateVoice/index.htm |title=Alternative Voice to Christian Zionism |accessdate=2007-12-16 |publisher=First Congregational Church}}</ref> and some evangelical leaders<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2717 |title=The Evangelical-Jewish Alliance |accessdate=2007-12-16 |last=Wagner |first=Donald |date=[[2003]]-[[06-28]] |work=The Christian Century |pages=20–24}}</ref> (along with their writings)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.christianzionism.org/articlesN.asp |title=Challenging Christian Zionism |accessdate=2007-12-16 |year=2007}}</ref> who oppose the current alliance between Jews and evangelicals in support of Israel and her policies.

Most evangelical churches and organizations in the USA in support of Israel are Premillenarian<ref>{{cite web|url=http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:jCEzcYlEhh4J:psreview.org/content/view/45/99/+Premillenarian+support+for+Israel&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=12|title=Premillenarian}}</ref> in their ''Weltanschauung'' – with the majority being pretribulational;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:JPO9QHB5P2EJ:www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1746536/posts?page=14+Pre-Trib+and+Pro-Israel&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=4|title=pretribulational;}}</ref> hence, criticism on the part of many Jews that the main purpose of such support for Israel among evangelicals is self-interest and spurious at best,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jewsonfirst.org/christian_zionists.php |title=Christian Zionists: Fundamentalist Christians' support of Israel could blunt Jewish opposition to religious right agenda |accessdate=2007-12-16 |work=Jews On First!}}</ref> and conversionary<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Zionism/christianzionism.html |title=Christian Zionism |accessdate=2007-12-16 |last=Krusch |first=David |year=2007 |work=Jewish Virtual Library |publisher=American-Israeli Cooperative Exchange}}</ref> at worst. Furthermore, some evangelicals propose that the current Evangelical-Jewish alliance in support of Israel will not last and is contrary to Bible prophecy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.antipasministries.com/html/file0000140.htm |title=The Religious Right and Israel; A Relationship That Cannot Hold, Part III |accessdate=2007-12-16 |last=Shearer |first=S.R. |publisher=Antipas Ministries}}</ref>

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In addition to these suspicions from both Jews and evangelical Christians, there is religious-political angst expressed amongst co-religionists<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.antipasministries.com/html/file0000243.htm |title=The Neo-Conservatives |accessdate=2007-12-17 |last=Shearer |first=S. R |date=[[2006]]-[[12-12]] |publisher=Antipas Ministries}}</ref> (Jewish and Christian) who view this Jewish-Christian solidarity on behalf of Israel as a mixture of Church and State and ''ipso facto'' contrary to the American experiment;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?ID=1174 |title=Renewing the American Experiment: A Post Election Reflection |accessdate=2007-12-17 |last=Korten |first=David |date=2004-11-07 |work=Yes! Online}}</ref> especially, as it pertains to [[neoconservatives|neocons]] both within<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.counterpunch.org/green02282004.html |title=Serving Two Flags: Neo-Cons, Israel and the Bush Administration |accessdate=2007-12-17 |last=Green |first=Stephen |date=2004-02-28 |work=Counterpunch}}</ref> and without<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alternet.org/story/15481/ |title=All in the Neocon Family |accessdate=2007-12-18 |last=Lobe |first=Jim |date=2003-03-27 |work=AlterNet |publisher=Independent Media Institute}}</ref> the immediate US political administration, who some say are egging the alliance forward to suffice their own socio-political agenda and have little or no spiritual interest in the dynamic. They point out that ''theocons'' (in particular American Catholics),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/?p=518 |title=RJN: Neocons v. Theocons: The Sequel |accessdate=2007-12-18 |last=Neuhaus |first=Richard John |date=2006-11-03 |work=First Things: On the Square}}</ref> who are allied with neocons (notwithstanding Jewish suspicions from time to time among the neocons)<ref>{{cite journal |last=Moore |first=Scott H. |year=1998 |month=Winter |title=The End of Convenient Stereotypes: How the ''First Things'' and Baxter Controversies Inaugurate Extraordinary Politics |journal=Pro Ecclesia |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=17–47 |url=http://www3.baylor.edu/~Scott_Moore/essays/Stereotypes.html |accessdate= 2007-12-18}}</ref> are drawing American evangelicals, who affirm they are under "Biblical mandate" to "bless Israel",<ref name="standing"/> into a religio-politico maelstrom<ref>{{cite press release |title=Cliff Potts Releases Theocon Nation: The Unvarnished, Politically Incorrect Truth About the Roots, Threat and Response to the Religious Right Political Movement |date=[[2006]]-[[05-26]] |url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/5/prweb390704.htm |accessdate=2007-12-18}}</ref> which, in the end, will politicize the American Church<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-tribulation-network.com/dougkrieger/prophetic_sequence_pt12.htm |title=Theo-Neo-Paleo Cons: …I saw a woman mounted on a Scarlet-colored Beast (Rev. 17:3 – ASV/the Message: Part XII – The Prophetic Sequence |accessdate=2007-12-18 |last=Krieger |first=Doug |publisher=The Tribulation Network}}</ref> and compromise her "spiritual mission" and put America into a "crusader" mindset<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.damonlinker.com/ |title=Damon Linker |accessdate=2007-12-24 |last=Linker |first=Damon}}</ref> in defeating [[Islamism|radical Islamists]] and hedonist [[secularism]] in America, rather than fulfilling the ''Great Commission'' of Jesus in the saving of souls for the coming [[Premillennialism|premillenarian]] kingdom, not the Kingdom Now<ref>{{cite web| title=The Kingdom Now Movement| url=http://endtimepilgrim.org/70wks9.htm| author=Gavin Finley| publisher=Endtime Pilgrim.org}}</ref> Instead, Theocons are now about galvanizing Evangelicals and Catholics<ref>{{cite news |title=Evangelicals & Catholics Together: The Christian Mission in the Third Millennium |url=http://www.leaderu.com/ftissues/ft9405/articles/mission.html |work=First Things |pages=~~15-22~~ |date=May 1994 |accessdate=2007-12-24}}</ref> in a great crusade against American hedonistic secularization and, interestingly enough, Israel is inadvertently caught up within that dynamic.

+

In addition to these suspicions from both Jews and evangelical Christians, there is religious-political angst expressed amongst co-religionists<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.antipasministries.com/html/file0000243.htm |title=The Neo-Conservatives |accessdate=2007-12-17 |last=Shearer |first=S. R |date=[[2006]]-[[12-12]] |publisher=Antipas Ministries}}</ref> (Jewish and Christian) who view this Jewish-Christian solidarity on behalf of Israel as a mixture of Church and State and ''ipso facto'' contrary to the American experiment;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?ID=1174 |title=Renewing the American Experiment: A Post Election Reflection |accessdate=2007-12-17 |last=Korten |first=David |date=2004-11-07 |work=Yes! Online}}</ref> especially, as it pertains to [[neoconservatives|neocons]] both within<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.counterpunch.org/green02282004.html |title=Serving Two Flags: Neo-Cons, Israel and the Bush Administration |accessdate=2007-12-17 |last=Green |first=Stephen |date=2004-02-28 |work=Counterpunch}}</ref> and without<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alternet.org/story/15481/ |title=All in the Neocon Family |accessdate=2007-12-18 |last=Lobe |first=Jim |date=2003-03-27 |work=AlterNet |publisher=Independent Media Institute}}</ref> the immediate US political administration, who some say are egging the alliance forward to suffice their own socio-political agenda and have little or no spiritual interest in the dynamic. They point out that ''theocons'' (in particular American Catholics),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/?p=518 |title=RJN: Neocons v. Theocons: The Sequel |accessdate=2007-12-18 |last=Neuhaus |first=Richard John |date=2006-11-03 |work=First Things: On the Square}}</ref> who are allied with neocons (notwithstanding Jewish suspicions from time to time among the neocons)<ref>{{cite journal |last=Moore |first=Scott H. |year=1998 |month=Winter |title=The End of Convenient Stereotypes: How the ''First Things'' and Baxter Controversies Inaugurate Extraordinary Politics |journal=Pro Ecclesia |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=17–47 |url=http://www3.baylor.edu/~Scott_Moore/essays/Stereotypes.html |accessdate= 2007-12-18}}</ref> are drawing American evangelicals, who affirm they are under "Biblical mandate" to "bless Israel",<ref name="standing"/> into a religio-politico maelstrom<ref>{{cite press release |title=Cliff Potts Releases Theocon Nation: The Unvarnished, Politically Incorrect Truth About the Roots, Threat and Response to the Religious Right Political Movement |date=[[2006]]-[[05-26]] |url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/5/prweb390704.htm |accessdate=2007-12-18}}</ref> which, in the end, will politicize the American Church<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-tribulation-network.com/dougkrieger/prophetic_sequence_pt12.htm |title=Theo-Neo-Paleo Cons: …I saw a woman mounted on a Scarlet-colored Beast (Rev. 17:3 – ASV/the Message: Part XII – The Prophetic Sequence |accessdate=2007-12-18 |last=Krieger |first=Doug |publisher=The Tribulation Network}}</ref> and compromise her "spiritual mission" and put America into a "crusader" mindset<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.damonlinker.com/ |title=Damon Linker |accessdate=2007-12-24 |last=Linker |first=Damon}}</ref> in defeating [[Islamism|radical Islamists]] and hedonist [[secularism]] in America, rather than fulfilling the ''Great Commission'' of Jesus in the saving of souls for the coming [[Premillennialism|premillenarian]] kingdom, not the Kingdom Now<ref>{{cite web| title=The Kingdom Now Movement| url=http://endtimepilgrim.org/70wks9.htm| author=Gavin Finley| publisher=Endtime Pilgrim.org}}</ref> Instead, Theocons are now about galvanizing Evangelicals and Catholics<ref>{{cite news |title=Evangelicals & Catholics Together: The Christian Mission in the Third Millennium |url=http://www.leaderu.com/ftissues/ft9405/articles/mission.html |work=First Things |pages=15–22 |date=May 1994 |accessdate=2007-12-24}}</ref> in a great crusade against American hedonistic secularization and, interestingly enough, Israel is inadvertently caught up within that dynamic.

==Exegetical considerations==

Line 44: Line 44:

===Israel and the Church as the “corporate witness"===

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Interconnected with Revelation 11, as some commentators have acknowledged<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teachinghearts.org/dre17hrev11.html |title=Lesson 15: The Two Witnesses(Revelation 11)|accessdate=2007-08-26}}</ref>, is the imagery found in the latter part of {{bibleverse||Revelation|10:8-10|141}}:

+

Interconnected with Revelation 11, as some commentators have acknowledged,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teachinghearts.org/dre17hrev11.html |title=Lesson 15: The Two Witnesses(Revelation 11)|accessdate=2007-08-26}}</ref> is the imagery found in the latter part of {{bibleverse||Revelation|10:8-10|141}}:

Line 52: Line 52:

John becomes a symbol of prophetic witness to the world—becoming wholly identified with the prophetic message; and, subsequently, that prophetic witness must be declared: “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.” Then John is given a “reed like a measuring rod” and told to “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles . . . and they (the Gentiles) will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.”<ref>{{bibleverse||Revelation|11:2|141}}</ref>

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The “court” referenced here appears to be an allusion to the “Court of the Gentiles”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bible-history.com/jewishtemple/JEWISH_TEMPLEThe_Court_of_the_Gentiles.htm |title=The Court of the Gentiles |accessdate=2007-08-26}}</ref> which during the sacerdotal rites in ancient Jerusalem provided “uncircumcised gentiles” who were interested in the Jewish religion to venture into the temple complex but not into the area of the sacrificial altar; hence, they were not full participants and remained on the peripheral of full commitment; unless, of course, they were willing to be circumcised. Numerous Christian commentaries perceive the issue of circumcision as a matter of the heart and the cutting away of the “flesh” an experiential expression of Christian commitment to holiness and ~~sanctification--Paul~~, the Apostle, repeatedly enunciates deeper understanding of "spiritual circumcision"<ref>{{bibleverse||Romans|2:28-29|141}}; {{bibleverse||Philippians|3:8|141}}; {{bibleverse||Colossians|2:11|141}}.</ref>

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The “court” referenced here appears to be an allusion to the “Court of the Gentiles”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bible-history.com/jewishtemple/JEWISH_TEMPLEThe_Court_of_the_Gentiles.htm |title=The Court of the Gentiles |accessdate=2007-08-26}}</ref> which during the sacerdotal rites in ancient Jerusalem provided “uncircumcised gentiles” who were interested in the Jewish religion to venture into the temple complex but not into the area of the sacrificial altar; hence, they were not full participants and remained on the peripheral of full commitment; unless, of course, they were willing to be circumcised. Numerous Christian commentaries perceive the issue of circumcision as a matter of the heart and the cutting away of the “flesh” an experiential expression of Christian commitment to holiness and sanctification—Paul, the Apostle, repeatedly enunciates deeper understanding of "spiritual circumcision"<ref>{{bibleverse||Romans|2:28-29|141}}; {{bibleverse||Philippians|3:8|141}}; {{bibleverse||Colossians|2:11|141}}.</ref>

Those willing to “pay the price” – having their flesh cut off (i.e., their “hearts dealt with”) – are those “measured at the altar of sacrifice.”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pastorbryan.blogspot.com/2006/11/inner-life.html |title=The Inner Life |accessdate=2007-08-26 |last=Galloway |first=Bryan |date=[[2006-11-21]] |work=Praying for Revival!}}</ref> Hence, immediately following this imagery, the “holy city”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ucg.org/booklets/RV/twowomen.htm |title=The Two Women of Revelation |accessdate=2007-08-26 |year=2007 |work=The Book of Revelation Unveiled |publisher= United Church of God}}</ref> is mentioned for the first time in the Revelation. Some commentators have recognized this connection and affirm that the “holy city” and those measured at the altar are one in the same.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://users.bigpond.net.au/bkolberg/chapters/chapter20.html |title=Revelation 11 and the Two Witnesses |accessdate=2007-08-26 |last=Kolberg |first=Bruno |work=Daniel's Fourth Kingdom}}</ref> Ultimately, it is that “holy city” which is juxtaposed to the “great city” in other portions of the Revelation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wcg.org/lit/prophecy/babylon.htm |title=Who Is "Babylon"? |accessdate=2007-08-26 |last=Kroll |first=Paul |publisher=Worldwide Church of God}}</ref> Likewise, the first mentioning of the “great city” occurs in Revelation 11, verse 8. The ultimate expression of the "divine masterpiece" (i.e., the work of God, "the Woman, the Lamb's Bride" is viewed as the New Jerusalem in {{bibleverse||Revelation|21:10-21|141}}, along with two proper names describing her gates and foundations: "twelve gates . . . with names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel . . . twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb" (again, Israel and the Church). Once the holy city is announced as the receptacle of gentile antagonism (tread the holy city underfoot), there is the immediate prophetic declaration:

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And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. <ref>{{bibleverse||Revelation|11:3}}</ref>

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And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.<ref>{{bibleverse||Revelation|11:3}}</ref>

</blockquote>

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Furthermore, this imagery clearly harkens back to Zechariah 4 and the “two sons of oil” or “two olive trees” who astride the “golden lamp stand” seen by [[Zechariah]] the prophet.<ref>Zechariah 4:2-4, 11-14.</ref> Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua the High Priest (the kingship and the priesthood) are seen by the Almighty wholly empowered for the rebuilding of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem or ''Third Temple'' after its destruction under [[Nebuchadrezzar II|King Nebuchadnezzar II]]: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.”<ref>Zechariah 4:6.</ref>

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Extending Zechariah's vision to the Revelation, John sees in the midst of the seven golden lamp stands, “one like unto the Son of Man.” Therefore, as Zechariah's vision saw the “kingship and the priesthood” on either side of the “universal lamp stand” – even so, that prophetic illumination is seen in the Revelation as the Son of Man, the “spirit of prophecy” disseminating light and life to the churches as the present “work of God” – as the work of the Almighty was expressed in Zechariah 4 – the work of God is expressed in Revelation 1 and confirmed by the bringing together in testimony and witness the ministry of the prophet; thus, is Christ's work as “prophet, priest, and king”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:LKLx-OjNTEkJ:www.modernreformation.org/kr95triple.htm+Zechariah+4+-+Christ+is+Prophet,+Priest,+and+King&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=2|title=king"}}</ref> fully declared through the Two Witnesses.

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Extending Zechariah's vision to the Revelation, John sees in the midst of the seven golden lamp stands, “one like unto the Son of Man.” Therefore, as Zechariah's vision saw the “kingship and the priesthood” on either side of the “universal lamp stand” – even so, that prophetic illumination is seen in the Revelation as the Son of Man, the “spirit of prophecy” disseminating light and life to the churches as the present “work of God” – as the work of the Almighty was expressed in Zechariah 4 – the work of God is expressed in Revelation 1 and confirmed by the bringing together in testimony and witness the ministry of the prophet; thus, is Christ's work as “prophet, priest, and king”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:LKLx-OjNTEkJ:www.modernreformation.org/kr95triple.htm+Zechariah+4+-+Christ+is+Prophet,+Priest,+and+King&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=2|title=king}}</ref> fully declared through the Two Witnesses.

Again, those who hold to the “corporate nature” of these Two Witnesses point out that the further disclosures of what they “do” over against who they “are” does not negate their identities but affirms that their witness is to the earth (i.e., Israel – turning the waters into blood and striking “the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire”) and to the heavens (i.e., the Church – “have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy”). Here, the Apostle Paul's writings of the Church's “heavenly stature” confirms such a witness; whereas Israel's call to be a “light to the gentiles” confirms their original commission.<ref>Ephesians 6:10-13.</ref>

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</blockquote>

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The Revelation declares: “The Testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy”<ref>Revelation 19:10.</ref> – therefore, as their deliverer testified on earth for 3 ½ years,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carm.org/questions/Jesus_age.htm |title=How old was Jesus when He was crucified? |accessdate=2007-12-31 |year=2007 |work=Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry}}</ref> was crucified, arose from the dead, ascended to heaven – even so, this is the destiny of all those who will follow the ~~Messiah--this~~ is the "testimony of Jesus".<ref>Revelation 1:2.</ref> Furthermore, the extremity of believers who profess to have the "Testimony of Jesus" may be called to give the ultimate sacrifice in bearing witness to the One Who gave His all: "Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their '''witness''' to Jesus and for the word of God" (Rev. 20:4).

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The Revelation declares: “The Testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy”<ref>Revelation 19:10.</ref> – therefore, as their deliverer testified on earth for 3 ½ years,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carm.org/questions/Jesus_age.htm |title=How old was Jesus when He was crucified? |accessdate=2007-12-31 |year=2007 |work=Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry}}</ref> was crucified, arose from the dead, ascended to heaven – even so, this is the destiny of all those who will follow the Messiah—this is the "testimony of Jesus".<ref>Revelation 1:2.</ref> Furthermore, the extremity of believers who profess to have the "Testimony of Jesus" may be called to give the ultimate sacrifice in bearing witness to the One Who gave His all: "Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their '''witness''' to Jesus and for the word of God" (Rev. 20:4).

===Church or concepts===

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</blockquote>

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Hence, the Church is the “Israel of God”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://members.aol.com/twarren13/israel2.html |title=The True Israel of God |accessdate=2007-12-31 |last=Shelton |first=L. R. |work=The Mountain Retreat}}</ref> – and the concluding witness of the Church, as originally propounded by Augustine,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.religioustolerance.org/millenni.htm |title=Eschatology, End Times, and Millennialism: Competing Theories |accessdate=2007-12-31 |last=Robinson |first=B. A. |date=2006-08-18 |work=ReligiousTolerance.org |publisher=Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance}} </ref> will endure to the end of the age as a demonstration of “the age-long struggle of evil against Christ's rule.” Israel and the Church constitute one people of God—there is no literal seven-year tribulation on earth. Evangelical postmillennialism also sees Israel and the Church as the one people of God; however, the Millennium will be a literal 1,000-year reign of Christ, realized through the church's ministry of the kingdom of God.

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Hence, the Church is the “Israel of God”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://members.aol.com/twarren13/israel2.html |title=The True Israel of God |accessdate=2007-12-31 |last=Shelton |first=L. R. |work=The Mountain Retreat}}</ref> – and the concluding witness of the Church, as originally propounded by Augustine,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.religioustolerance.org/millenni.htm |title=Eschatology, End Times, and Millennialism: Competing Theories |accessdate=2007-12-31 |last=Robinson |first=B. A. |date=2006-08-18 |work=ReligiousTolerance.org |publisher=Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance}}</ref> will endure to the end of the age as a demonstration of “the age-long struggle of evil against Christ's rule.” Israel and the Church constitute one people of God—there is no literal seven-year tribulation on earth. Evangelical postmillennialism also sees Israel and the Church as the one people of God; however, the Millennium will be a literal 1,000-year reign of Christ, realized through the church's ministry of the kingdom of God.

They who adhere to the singular witness of the Church until the [[Second Coming]] of Christ, affirm the Church's unique testimony until the [[Eschatology|eschaton]].

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</blockquote>

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Ross Taylor's "Verse by Verse Commentary on Revelation"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apocalipsis.org/rev-11.htm|title=Revelation"}}</ref> clearly defines the Church as the "two olive trees and the two lampstands" . . .

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Ross Taylor's "Verse by Verse Commentary on Revelation"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apocalipsis.org/rev-11.htm|title=Revelation}}</ref> clearly defines the Church as the "two olive trees and the two lampstands" . . .

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</blockquote>

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Those adhering to the "individual theory" of the two witnesses point out that these are truly awesome figures. They are similar to [[Moses]] and [[Aaron]] or [[Elijah]] and [[Elisha]] - both sets wrought indisputable havoc upon their audiences (Egypt and [[Apostasy|Apostate]] Israel) and "nothing could harm them." Therefore, could not individuals be raised up in the "end of days" and do such world-wide miracles? Could they not prevail as Moses and Elijah did before the masses? Furthermore, "their dead body" (singular) does not signify any "corporate nature" of their ~~identity--to~~ the contrary, it simply means the visibility of a dead body in the street of Jerusalem for 3 1/2 days (not years). Their resurrection is peculiar to them ~~only--and~~ does not connote the ''Resurrection of the just'' nor the rapture, for the rapture of the Church (according to pretribulationists) takes place at the commencement of Daniel's 70th Week.

+

Those adhering to the "individual theory" of the two witnesses point out that these are truly awesome figures. They are similar to [[Moses]] and [[Aaron]] or [[Elijah]] and [[Elisha]] - both sets wrought indisputable havoc upon their audiences (Egypt and [[Apostasy|Apostate]] Israel) and "nothing could harm them." Therefore, could not individuals be raised up in the "end of days" and do such world-wide miracles? Could they not prevail as Moses and Elijah did before the masses? Furthermore, "their dead body" (singular) does not signify any "corporate nature" of their identity—to the contrary, it simply means the visibility of a dead body in the street of Jerusalem for 3 1/2 days (not years). Their resurrection is peculiar to them only—and does not connote the ''Resurrection of the just'' nor the rapture, for the rapture of the Church (according to pretribulationists) takes place at the commencement of Daniel's 70th Week.

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The "great city" mentioned in Revelation 11 is not the great city found elsewhere in the Revelation<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Bible.show/sVerseID/30881/eVerseID/30881 |title=Forerunner Commentary |accessdate=2008-01-27 |last=Ritenbaugh |first=John W. |year=2008 |work=BibleTools |publisher=Church of the Great God}}</ref>; and the "holy city" trampled under foot is physical Jerusalem,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn32/jerusalem.htm |title=Jerusalem: Focus of Biblical Prophecy |accessdate=2008-01-27 |last=McNeely |first=Darris |year=2001 |month=January/February |work=The Good News |publisher=United Church of God}}</ref> not the two witnesses. Likewise, the "temple" which is measured is the physical rebuilt temple<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raptureready.com/featured/price/7rp.html |title=An Overview of the Future Temples |accessdate=2008-01-27 |last=Price |first=Randall |work=Rapture Ready}}</ref> in Jerusalem, not the two witnesses.

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The "great city" mentioned in Revelation 11 is not the great city found elsewhere in the Revelation;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Bible.show/sVerseID/30881/eVerseID/30881 |title=Forerunner Commentary |accessdate=2008-01-27 |last=Ritenbaugh |first=John W. |year=2008 |work=BibleTools |publisher=Church of the Great God}}</ref> and the "holy city" trampled under foot is physical Jerusalem,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn32/jerusalem.htm |title=Jerusalem: Focus of Biblical Prophecy |accessdate=2008-01-27 |last=McNeely |first=Darris |year=2001 |month=January/February |work=The Good News |publisher=United Church of God}}</ref> not the two witnesses. Likewise, the "temple" which is measured is the physical rebuilt temple<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raptureready.com/featured/price/7rp.html |title=An Overview of the Future Temples |accessdate=2008-01-27 |last=Price |first=Randall |work=Rapture Ready}}</ref> in Jerusalem, not the two witnesses.

The late Dr. John Walvoord, president of Dallas Theological Seminary, in his ''Every Prophecy of the Bible''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armageddonbooks.com/walvoord.html|title=''Every Prophecy of the Bible''}}</ref> repeats the classical dispensational, pre-tribulational, literalist interpretation of the two witnesses . . . excerpts from his text:

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::Witness the death of Queen Victoria; the murder of President M’Kinley; or the American Yacht Race – all the stages of the latter were known the world over within a few minutes of the passing events.

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During the 1930s, when [[television]] became commercially available, Knoch stated that invention merely needed to be developed further for the literal fulfillment of the above scripture.<ref>Knoch, A. E. (1935). ''The Unveiling of Jesus Christ'' [p. 319]. Saugus, CA: Concordant Publishing Concern.</ref> Two years after the launch of [[Sputnik]], Bloomfield said the events of Revelation 11:9 would be covered by “some kind of television.”<ref> Bloomfield, A. E. (2002). ''The Key to Understanding Revelation'' [p.200]. Bloomington, MN: Bethany House Publishers. ISBN 0-7642-2593-6. Originally published 1959</ref> In 1962, the first satellite to relay a television signal from Europe to North America was Telstar. [[Hal Lindsey]] referred to that specific communication system in his explanation.<ref>Lindsey, H. (1977). ''There’s A New World Coming'' [p. 151]. New York, NY: Bantam Books, Incorporated. ISBN 0-553-10832-8. Originally published by Vision House Publishers in 1973.</ref> By 1999, John F. Walvoord,<ref>Walvoord, J. F. (1999). ''Every Prophecy of the Bible'' [p. 574]. Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Publishing. ISBN 1-56476-758-2. Formerly titled ''The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook'' (1990).</ref> Tim LaHaye,<ref>LaHaye, T. F. (1999). ''Revelation Unveiled'' [p. 188]. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. ISBN 0-310-23005-5.</ref> and Grant Jeffrey,<ref>Jeffrey, G. R. (1999). ''The Signature of God The Handwriting of God'' [p. 194]. New York, NY: Inspirational Press. ISBN 0-88486-255-0.</ref> leading proponents of the literalist view and authors of best sellers, had explained Revelation 11:9 in terms of literal fulfillments through some form of worldwide satellite television system.

+

During the 1930s, when [[television]] became commercially available, Knoch stated that invention merely needed to be developed further for the literal fulfillment of the above scripture.<ref>Knoch, A. E. (1935). ''The Unveiling of Jesus Christ'' [p. 319]. Saugus, CA: Concordant Publishing Concern.</ref> Two years after the launch of [[Sputnik]], Bloomfield said the events of Revelation 11:9 would be covered by “some kind of television.”<ref>Bloomfield, A. E. (2002). ''The Key to Understanding Revelation'' [p.200]. Bloomington, MN: Bethany House Publishers. ISBN 0-7642-2593-6. Originally published 1959</ref> In 1962, the first satellite to relay a television signal from Europe to North America was Telstar. [[Hal Lindsey]] referred to that specific communication system in his explanation.<ref>Lindsey, H. (1977). ''There’s A New World Coming'' [p. 151]. New York, NY: Bantam Books, Incorporated. ISBN 0-553-10832-8. Originally published by Vision House Publishers in 1973.</ref> By 1999, John F. Walvoord,<ref>Walvoord, J. F. (1999). ''Every Prophecy of the Bible'' [p. 574]. Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Publishing. ISBN 1-56476-758-2. Formerly titled ''The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook'' (1990).</ref> Tim LaHaye,<ref>LaHaye, T. F. (1999). ''Revelation Unveiled'' [p. 188]. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. ISBN 0-310-23005-5.</ref> and Grant Jeffrey,<ref>Jeffrey, G. R. (1999). ''The Signature of God The Handwriting of God'' [p. 194]. New York, NY: Inspirational Press. ISBN 0-88486-255-0.</ref> leading proponents of the literalist view and authors of best sellers, had explained Revelation 11:9 in terms of literal fulfillments through some form of worldwide satellite television system.

Finally, perhaps they are archangels.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/sbs777/snotes/note1204.html |title=The Two Witnesses |accessdate=2007-12-25 |last=Loughran |first=David B |year=1999 |work=Sermon Notes |publisher=Stewarton Bible School}}</ref>

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*[[Rapture]] - The rapture (''harpazo'' in Greek in 1 Thessalonians 4:17) is the common description of the event in Christian eschatology in which Christians will be "taken" or "caught up" from Earth to Heaven to be with Jesus Christ.

*[[Posttribulation rapture|Post Tribulation Rapture]] - This doctrine holds that there is a Resurrection-Rapture of living believers in Jesus Christ at the end of the age (or the "End times"). Posttribulationists believe that Christians will not be taken up into Heaven at the rapture, but will gathered by the angels to meet Christ in the air, then return with him to enter the millennium on earth.

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*Prewrath Rapture - The Prewrath View (also known as Mid Tribulation Raptureplaces the rapture of the Church after the mid-point of a yet future 70th Week of ~~Daniel--i~~.e., after the "abomination of desolation" - also holds that a side-by-side comparison of the wording of the sixth seal (Revelation 6:12-13) and the signs in Matthew 24:29 that announce the Second Coming of Jesus and the rapture of the Church indicate that they are the same event. Therefore, the rapture described in Matthew 24:29-31 can be placed after the sixth seal of Revelation.

+

*Prewrath Rapture - The Prewrath View (also known as Mid Tribulation Raptureplaces the rapture of the Church after the mid-point of a yet future 70th Week of Daniel—i.e., after the "abomination of desolation" - also holds that a side-by-side comparison of the wording of the sixth seal (Revelation 6:12-13) and the signs in Matthew 24:29 that announce the Second Coming of Jesus and the rapture of the Church indicate that they are the same event. Therefore, the rapture described in Matthew 24:29-31 can be placed after the sixth seal of Revelation.

*Thomas Ice and the Pre Tribulation Rapture - A Dispensational-Premillennarian eschatology which affirms that the believing Church will be raptured prior to the 70th Week of Daniel (i.e., before the "tribulation" or the final seven-years of this age); likewise, this eschatology sees the coming Antichrist as a real person energized by Satan who will implement a "defense pact" or "peace treaty" with Israel at the commencement of Daniel's 70th Week. Thomas Ice of the Pre-trib Research Center is an avowed proponent of this eschatology.

*[[Dispensationalism]] - In Christian theology, Dispensationalism teaches biblical history as a number of successive economies or administrations, called dispensations, each of which emphasizes the continuity of the Old Testament covenants God made with His chosen people through Abraham, Moses and King David.

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*Jeffrey, Grant R., ''Armageddon - Appointment with Destiny.'' Bantam Books, 1990. ISBN 0-553-28537-8

*Juster, Dan; Intrater, Keith, ''Israel, the Church and the Last Days.'' Destiny Image Publishers, 1991. ISBN 1-56043-061-3

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*Krieger, Doug, ''Unsealing the End of Days: The Visions and Prophecy of Zechariah.''<ref>{{cite web |url=~~http://~~http://www.the-tribulation network.com/dougkrieger/unsealing/unsealing_by_chapter.htm|title=Unsealing the End of Days: The Visions and Prophecy of Zechariah}}</ref> (date, 2004-08-30)

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*Krieger, Doug, ''Unsealing the End of Days: The Visions and Prophecy of Zechariah.''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-tribulation network.com/dougkrieger/unsealing/unsealing_by_chapter.htm|title=Unsealing the End of Days: The Visions and Prophecy of Zechariah}}</ref> (date, 2004-08-30)

*Ladd, George Eldon, ''"A Commentary on the Revelation of John".'' William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1972. ISBN 0-8028-1684-3

*Ladd, George Eldon, ''"The Blessed Hope: A Biblical Study of The Second Advent and the Rapture."'' Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1956. ISBN 0-8028-1111-6

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