📅 April 5, 2025

📖 DAILY BIBLE READING

✨ Revelation 11 – The Temple, the Two Witnesses, and the Seventh Trumpet
📯 God’s End-Time Witnesses and the Heavenly Consummation

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📜 Bible Text: Revelation 11 (King James Version)

¹ And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

² 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 and two months.

³ And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

⁴ These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

⁵ And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

⁶ 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.

⁷ And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

⁸ And 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.

⁹ 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.

¹⁰ And 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.

¹¹ And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

¹² And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

¹³ And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

¹⁴ The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

¹⁵ And 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.

¹⁶ And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

¹⁷ Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

¹⁸ And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

¹⁹ And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

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🔵 Introduction

Chapter 11 of Revelation deepens the prophetic commission from chapter 10. John is told to “measure” God’s sanctuary—a symbol of testing, purification, and preparing God’s people for judgment. Two “witnesses” appear, evoking Moses and Elijah as representatives of God’s prophetic word. Despite persecution and seeming defeat, they experience divine vindication and resurrection—a powerful image for the fate of faithful end-time witnesses. The seventh trumpet then announces the public revelation of Christ’s kingdom.

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🟡 Commentary

1. Measuring the Temple – God’s People Under Judgment (vv. 1–2)

   • John measures the temple, altar, and worshipers—symbolizing God’s examination and purification of His church.

   • The outer court is left to the nations for forty-two months, indicating a time of Gentile trampling and opposition.

2. The Two Witnesses – God’s Prophetic Message (vv. 3–14)

   • They prophesy for 1,260 days in sackcloth—representing a season of spiritual mourning and persecution.

   • Their powers mirror Moses (plagues, water to blood) and Elijah (shutting heaven).

   • Their death at the hands of the beast recalls the rejection of Scripture, notably around the French Revolution era.

   • After 3½ days they are revived and caught up to heaven, signifying God’s vindication of His testimony.

   • An earthquake and widespread fear emphasize God’s direct intervention and judgment.

3. The Seventh Trumpet – The Kingdom Made Visible (vv. 15–19)

   • Heaven erupts in praise: Christ’s eternal reign is proclaimed.

   • The twenty-four elders worship: God’s judgment begins, and His faithful are rewarded.

   • The heavenly temple opens to reveal the ark of the covenant—God’s law and promises at the heart of final judgment.

   • Cosmic phenomena (thunder, earthquake, hail) testify to the divine act.

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🟢 Summary

Revelation 11 weaves together judgment, witness, and hope. The measuring of the temple signifies God’s scrutiny of His people; the two witnesses endure suffering yet triumph; and the seventh trumpet heralds Christ’s visible, eternal kingship. The path to victory passes through trial but culminates in heavenly glory. God’s word stands unshakable, and His witnesses are upheld by His power.

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🔴 Message for Today

God calls for faithful witnesses who boldly proclaim His truth in a hostile world. The two witnesses model courageous testimony under persecution. We, too, are invited into this prophetic movement by grounding our lives in God’s word. The vision of the open heavenly temple and ark of the covenant reminds us that God is both judge and Savior. The time to decide is now—and the reward for faithfulness is eternal life with Christ.

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📆 March 30 – April 5, 2025

📆 WEEKLY READING OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY

📖 Ellen White | Steps to Christ – Chapter 11

✨ Prayer as a Gift of Grace

📖 Read here online

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🔵 Introduction

Prayer is more than a religious duty or a fleeting cry for help in distress—it is the bridge between the human heart and the throne of God. In Chapter 11 we learn that prayer is not only possible but a gift of grace, an incomparable privilege and means of communion with the almighty, loving Father. Yet this gift often remains unused, weakening our spiritual life.

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🟡 Commentary

1. The Necessity of Prayer (Paragraphs 1–4)

• God speaks to us in many ways—through nature, His Word, providence, and the Spirit.

• Without our personal response in prayer, this relationship remains incomplete.

• Prayer is more than speaking—it is opening the heart and turning toward God.

2. Christ’s Example in Prayer (Paragraphs 5–6)

• Jesus Himself—sinless and divine—felt the need for prayer.

• He sought the Father in solitude, bore our weaknesses, and interceded as our model.

• If the Son of God prayed, how much more do we need prayer!

3. God’s Readiness to Hear (Paragraphs 7–10)

• God longs to bless us—yet we pray so little!

• The angels scarcely understand our reluctance; for them, prayer is supreme joy.

• Without prayer we lose our connection to heaven and stand defenseless against temptation.

4. Conditions for Answered Prayer (Paragraphs 11–18)

• A sincere desire for God, repentance, confession, and forgiving others.

• Faith is essential—even if visible answers are delayed.

• God hears and answers in His timing according to the true needs of our hearts.

5. The Power of Personal and Persistent Prayer (Paragraphs 19–25)

• Prayer in the secret place has special value.

• Continual communion with God is possible amid daily life.

• Examples like Enoch and Nehemiah show that true prayer is a constant life posture.

6. The Danger of Neglecting Prayer (Paragraphs 26–30)

• Prayerlessness leads to estrangement from God and weakens faith.

• We should combine the fellowship of believers, devotional worship, and service.

• Those who isolate themselves or pray without action lose the joy of prayer.

7. The Joy of Prayer and Praise (Paragraphs 31–End)

• Thanksgiving should be central to our prayer life.

• God desires our worship to be marked by joy, trust, and love—not fear.

• Praise and thanks open our hearts to new blessings.

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🟢 Summary

Prayer is a holy gift of grace through which we can stand in intimate fellowship with God. It is the “key in the hand of faith” that unlocks heaven’s treasure chamber. Prayer is indispensable for spiritual life, yet its power emerges only under certain conditions: humility, faith, forgiveness, and perseverance. Christ Himself was our perfect model—and invites us to find strength, comfort, and divine nearness in prayer.

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🔴 Message for Today

In a world full of noise, distractions, and uncertainty, prayer remains our direct lifeline to heaven.

📜 “Ask, and it will be given to you…” (Matthew 7:7)

God waits to commune with us—not as a distant judge but as a loving Father. Prayer does not change God; it changes us: our trust grows, our vision clears, our hearts become still and receptive to the Spirit’s work.

👉 What does this mean for you today?

• Set aside time for silent prayer—not as a duty, but as a source of comfort and strength.

• Stay connected to God throughout your day. Let your heart speak to Him often—in thought, in whisper, in stillness.

• Trust His answer—even if it comes differently than expected.

• Forgive others. How can we ask for God’s mercy if we harbor unforgiveness?

• Praise God! Thanksgiving transforms our hearts and makes us ready for further blessings.

🌿 Prayer is not just talking to God—it is living with God.
Let us learn to live in the light of this gift of grace.