We have the loud voice and the cloud that fit First Thessalonians. I believe the resurrection and ascension mentioned in connection with the two witnesses are equivalent to all other passages that refer to the historic return of Jesus Christ in the clouds of glory to gather together His saints. Here the emphasis is on the saints as being God's witnesses. In fact, all the true saints of history including the dead in Christ are God's eternal witnesses.

"Their enemies looked on." This is no secret "rapture" of the saints. This is the Lord Jesus calling to Himself His army in preparation for their descent in the Battle of Armageddon.

Immediately there is a severe earthquake in which seven thousand people are killed. This is the beginning of the Day of Wrath.

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." (Revelation 11:15—NIV)

The seventh trumpet blows the last trumpet.

Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. (I Corinthians 15:51,52—NIV)

What will take place now?

The Kingdom of God will swallow up all governments on the earth. The dead will be judged. The Lord's prophets and His saints will be rewarded. Those who destroy the earth will themselves be destroyed.

Then the Ark of the Covenant is seen, because the Ark symbolizes the Davidic reign of Christ and His "mighty men," to use an Old Testament figure.

How then are we to view the future?

It is time now for us to "eat the Word of God."

Next we will be judged and made ready for the worldwide witness of the soon coming of the Kingdom of God to the earth.

We then will bear witness of the Kingdom under an unprecedented anointing of the Holy Spirit, Christ working with us and confirming His Word with signs following.

When God's work has been completed the special anointing will be lifted. All who bore the witness plus those who heard them will be subjected to numerous temptations. The love of the majority will grow cold. The witness will be driven from the major cities of the earth.

The world will be free from the torment of the prophetic witness until they are saying "Peace and safety have come to us."

Suddenly the remnant of saints along with the witnesses of God of all ages will stand on their feet and then be called up into the heaven.

Then the hour of God's judgment will be at hand and the Kingdom of God will be established on the earth.

If you wish to be part of God's work in these last days, tell Him about it. He will be pleased with your request and will set about to prepare you for the greatest of all interventions of God in the affairs of man.

The time is now! (from The Two Lampstands)