It Ain't Over Until It's Over

Being on The Right Side of History requires patience, not guess work

You think the concert’s over and you’re have way out the door; and boy do you feel stupid when they start to play some more.

Revelation 11 returned us to John’s on-going vision, and presented us with a picture of contrasts. On the one hand, the nations were allotted forty-two months during which time they would trample the temple of God (11:2). But on t he other hand, we see the powerful unquenchable witness of the two prophets, the two lampstands present in the world. Their witness would not be overcome (11:4-6).

But this vision takes yet another turn; and that is the subject of today’s post.

And when they [the prophets] have finished their testimony, the beast which rises from the pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them; and their dead bodies will lie on the streets of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because those two prophets had been a torment to those who lived on the earth (11:7-10)

Tnose words add additional information, and develop the vision further. How so?

First, there is a designated end to the testimony of the witness. The 1,260 days (11:3) have run their course. We can infer that their purpose has been achieved. We saw previously that the fire which came from the prophets’ mouths was a judgment inflicted upon the world’s inhabitants; by their rejection of the truth, they were hardened into their unbelief and opposition to the gospel. This is confirmed in v.10, when John notes that the two prophets had been “a torment to those who dwell on earth.”

But there is more. These words introduce yet another metaphor into this story: “For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb.” As with the forty-two months and the 1,260 days, so also with the three and a half days John is incorporating the vision of Daniel concerning the people of the Most High God and the war waged against them by “the little horn” (Daniel 7:25; 11:32-39)

John’s description of the world’s inhabitants make clear the full extent of the hatred toward the people of God by those who follow the beast. To be denied burial in the Ancient Near East was a social indignity of dramatic proportion. The dead, whether good or bad, were afforded the dignity of burial. To violate that norm was seen as unconsiounable.

(This is revealed in the Old Testament narrative concerning the king of Moab, who in desperation against a coalition of Israel, Judah, and Edom, took prisoner the son of the king of Edom, and set him afire to burn down to his very bones (2 Kings 3:26-27). It was this very act which brought on the Lord’s judgment through the prophet Amos (Amos 2:1-3))

This indignity is compounded by the festive atmosphere surrounding the death of the prophets (11:10). It takes on an almost Christmas-like celebration marked by the giving and receiveing of presents.

All told, the fate which the prophets experienced reveals a striking change which characterizes the three and a half days allotted to the world’s persecution. The beast and his followers are the apparent winners. But, as it is said, “It ain’t over until it’s over.” And in one moment that victory is suddenly subverted.

But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven say to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. (11:11-12)

That’s the way it works, of course. The Empire is about to strike, but at the last moment the Rebel Fleet breaks out into hyper space and disappears, leaving Darth Vader to ruminate in his oxygen chamber.

The evil organization SPECTRE has captured James Bond and gleefully reveals how their nefarious plans will be accomplished. But, of course, Bond escapes and finds a last minute way to end the threat.

This scenario has been so engrained into our stories that we know it’s coming. We know Gandalf will arrive with reinforcements. We know the Eagles will find Frodo and Sam, and carry them away to safety. We know that the Marvel heroes will regroup and win the unwinnable war. Rudy will make a tackle at game’s end and ensure his presence in the annals of Notre Dame football.

And none of this requires guess work. We don’t have to make it work. We have only to be patient enough to watch the right side of history take shape and come to fruition. This the perspective Scripture (especially the Prophets) invites us to embrace. The Little Horn’s end is already ordained. The Beast who rises from the sea will go down to destruction. Satan himself is destined for the lake of fire.

Just you wait.

Restore, O Lord, the honor of  thy Name
In words of sovereign power come shake the earth again.
That all may see and come in reverent fear
To the Living God, whose Kingdom shall outlast the years

Bend us, O Lord, where we are hard and cold
In your refiner's fire, come purify the gold.
Though suffering comes and evil crouches near,
Still our Living God is reigning; He is reigning here.
(Graham Kendrick, "Restore O Lord")