God will permit the wicked to overcome his witnesses, driving them from the cities of the earth, so that Satan may be permitted to express himself in the earth without constraint.

When wickedness has become fully ripened—at that moment the Lord Jesus will descend from Heaven with His witnesses, now in incorruptible bodies. When that day comes, woe unto those who have scorned the Lord's witnesses! They shall be led away into the everlasting fire. But the Lord's people shall rejoice and skip about like calves.

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (II Thessalonians 1:7-9)

Verses nine through eleven.

O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:9-11)

There appears to be some question on the part of the translators whether Zion and Jerusalem are the ones bringing the good tidings or whether the witnesses are bringing the good tidings to Zion and Jerusalem. Perhaps, at least in one sense, both are true. We personally favor the idea that tidings are being brought to Zion and to Jerusalem because this concept fits verse two: "Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished."

What does the witness say to the cities of Judah?

"Behold your God!"

It is the task of the two witnesses to prepare the way of the Lord by speaking words of comfort and healing to the Lord's people. When God's people have been healed they then can follow the Lord until they become oaks of righteousness. As soon as they become oaks of righteousness they will be ready to rebuild the ruins that self-seeking man has produced as he has sought to be his own God.

We think it is time now for the Spirit of the two witnesses to begin to operate in the churches.

God's witnesses are to proclaim the coming of the Lord. The power of the coming of the Lord will be great enough to immobilize the governments of the present world so the Lord Jesus may ascend His rightful throne as King and Lord of the heavens and the earth.

To be continued.