In life, man seeks after happiness, while sorrows, tragedies and sadness are ever present. He will find ways and means to get rid of the pain and sorrows that he is going through so as to make himself feel happy and joyful. The basis of sinful man’s joy is usually self-centred and self-serving. Revelation 11:7-14 proves this when the people on earth will rejoice over the death of the 2 witnesses whom God will send to earth to point man to Christ during the Tribulation period.

1 The Joy of Silencing the Messengers (Rev 11:7-8)

After the works of the 2 witnesses are accomplished, the Omnipotent God will allow “the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit” (Rev 11:7) to kill them. Their bodies will remain on the street of the great city (Jerusalem) which at that point in time will have become as evil and sinful as Sodom and Egypt (Rev 11:8).

Christians are called to be holy witnesses for Christ in this world, and must be prepared to be persecuted for Christ’s sake. We must hold on to our holy testimony by fixing our eyes on God, knowing that He is in control of all things, so that our witness for Christ will not be tarnished by the persecutions we face.

2 The Joy of Silencing the Message (Rev 11:9-10)

The bodies of the 2 witnesses will be left purposely on the streets for 3.5 days in order to nullify the 2 witnesses’ message which points sinful man to Christ. And the people will rejoice because they will be tormented and afflicted by the message of the 2 witnesses which points out their sins and evil. These afflictions are to help them get out of their evil ways and to run to God’s love and mercies. Sadly, the people will regard the message as a message of torment rather than a message of salvation.

3 The Joy that will Turn to Fear (Rev 11:11-14)

God will demonstrate His power by raising the 2 witnesses from the dead and by bringing more devastations to earth. Then “great fear fell upon” (Rev 11:11) the people on seeing the resurrection of the 2 witnesses. They will see the reality of the spiritual realm and glorify God (Rev 11:13). Despite the sins of man, God is still merciful and desire that sinful man will come to Him and be saved. Likewise, our conviction as holy witnesses for God in this world today must always be for the salvation of man, and not to rejoice in their punishment.