When the Truth Hurts

Scripture: Those people will cheer at the spectacle, shouting ‘Good riddance!’ and calling for a celebration, for these two prophets pricked the conscience of all the people on earth, made it impossible for them to enjoy their sins. Revelation 11:10

Observation: In the vision of the two witnesses, their death is celebrated. In most classic interpretations, the reason for celebration is given as these two "tormented" the world, which is always interesting since they were in only Jerusalem for their entire existence. However, The Message describes this "torment" differently ... the witnesses made it impossible for people to "enjoy their sin".

In other words, the two witnesses were speaking truth over the world, and - unable to deny the supernatural power and authority of the witnesses - the world felt attacked. It was undeniable that the witnesses were both a) condemning certain behaviors and attitudes of the world, and b) in possession of an unexplainable authority to make such condemnations.

Confronted with the fact that the Lord God almighty has empowered two spokespeople to command all the world, how does everyone respond? They grow angry, and joyfully celebrate the violent attack and open murder of these two, all because they spoke truth about the behaviors that bring joy and life versus conflict and pain and death.

Application: While this may or may not be a proper interpretation of the language of Revelation, I am more than willing to agree that ... I totally see this scenario going down this way for exactly this motivation. The greatest "emotion" we see in societal group-think right now revolves around the permission to pursue sin. People celebrate their "freedom" and "rights" to take on activities that actively destroy their own lives, harm their families, and damage their psyche.

Anyone who loves people enough to speak the truth is labeled a 'hater' or even worse, so of course the two witnesses will receive such a backlash even more.

Prayer: Lord, the world is in so much pain. We pray for awakening and revival, but we also know that, in the end, whenever that is, the world will be at least as dark as it is today if not darker. Are we on that final path, or is there a wave of hope for the current souls in the world? For the sake of my children, I hope so. Amen.