But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (Matthew 18:16)

The thing Satan fears most is the testimony of two witnesses—the elephant and the mouse. For the most part, the two thousand years of the Church Age have experienced the testimony of one witness—the mouse. During the closing days of the Age the testimony will be borne by two witnesses—the elephant and the mouse.

Introduction

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (Revelation 3:14)

"The faithful and true witness."

Once upon a time, it is told, there was a huge elephant who worked for a lumber company. Although elephants ordinarily do not like mice, I am told, this elephant was lonesome and asked a little mouse to be with him and help him with his work.

One day the elephant and the mouse were assigned to haul a giant tree to the river so it could be floated down to the sawmill. The elephant and the mouse put on their harnesses and began to pull with all their might. Slowly the great tree began to move along the path to the river.

When they got there the mouse wiped the sweat from his forehead and exclaimed, "It was hard work but we got the job done."

Ridiculous you say?

But this often has been the attitude of the Christian churches.

For two thousand years the churches, in many instances, have not recognized that it is the Elephant who does the work. Often they have tried to haul the log without the Elephant, supposing the work of the Kingdom is performed by their plans, programs, money, and talents.

They have been as one witness. Sometimes the other Witness has been present, sometimes not.

During the closing days of the Church Age there will be two witnesses. This is what Satan fears most—that the Christians will lay aside their own plans and programs and seek the Presence of the Lord. Satan will permit any type of religious activity (although Christian efforts may be irritating to him). But he is deathly afraid the believers will cease from their own works and permit the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to perform the work of the Kingdom, in their ministry, in bearing a true witness of God, in their personal growth in Christ—in all they are and do.

Bearing a True Witness

God needs witnesses today. There is an abundance of ministry but little witness of God. The purpose of ministry is to instruct and heal people, to help them find Christ and then walk in Him. The purpose of the witness, on the other hand, is to present a clear picture of the Person of God, His plan of salvation, His holiness, His desires, His demands on people, and the nature of the Kingdom He is about to install on the earth.

Gifts of ministry are given by the Holy Spirit and the believer becomes increasingly effective as he or she operates the gifts that have been given.

However, it requires a period of time, much pain, many trials and prisons, and endless instruction in order to form a true witness of God.

To be continued.