Revelation 11:3 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 proceeds out of their mouth, and devours 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 rains 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 ascends 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 a 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 a 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.
For clarity, those two witnesses being spoken of are the old, and new Testaments of the Bible. When it says that they prophesied for 1260 days clothed in
sackcloth, that is a reference to the period of the dark ages during which time concerted efforts were made to keep the word of God from the people.
The beast that ascended out of the bottomless pit, and killed them is a reference to atheism which took deep root in France just after the 1260 day period of papal darkness ended in 1798.
The nation mandated that Bibles be burned publicly in the streets. Hence the reason why the Bible says their dead bodies shall lie in the streets and would not be put into graves. It was a time when untold violence was done to the sacred Scriptures.
After three and a half days means after three and a half years, using the day for a year interpretation, for the first Republic of France outlawed religion in the year 1793, and then reinstated the privilege three and a half years later in June of 1797.
After that time printing presses went a buzzing and lo and behold, the Bible was being printed to the tune of many millions. In other words, all efforts to restrict access to Bible truths ultimately backfire and instead of restricting it, the flood gates are opened so that many more billions of people can access it.
The gospel commission has been given by God, and He has ordained that the truths of His word shall be preached in all the world, before Jesus comes again the second time. That is what He says, and there is no one to stop Him. Let’s read:
Matthew 24: 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
That mandate, coming from the Most-High God, is intended to supersede, and to override any earthly law to the contrary, so that howsoever man may try to brand it there isn’t anything, or anyone that can stop it.
As was stated before some tried to burn Bible truth in the public square, some folks tried chaining it to monasteries, others forbade their congregations to read, or interpret it, and some were burned at the stake for preaching it.
Yet, for all of that, the word of God is doing just fine, for instead of losing steam, it has gained worldwide fame, and circulation in so much that the result is that there are now more than two billion professed Christians in the world, thus making Christianity the dominant religion across the globe.
Therefore, all efforts to stymie, restrict, becloud and intimidate those two witnesses, have always ended in abject failure, and because history always repeats itself, any future efforts to stop the preaching of the truth, will also meet with signal failure.
This is what the spiritual leaders, and the politicians of old found out the hard way, for efforts to stop the spread of the true gospel, meant essentially to pick a fight with God Himself. And this is something you never want to do.
Nations may choose to pick a fight with Russia, Iran, or China, but when it comes to picking a fight with God, you will lose even before the fight begins. As a matter of fact, if you can’t win them, you are better off joining them as the saying goes. This is what had taken place just after the day of Pentecost.
Concerted efforts were made by those in authority to stop the spread of the gospel, as the apostles in Jerusalem were hunted down by Saul. The Lord’s servants were jailed, beaten, threatened, punished, ostracized, marginalized, fined and killed, and yet the gospel continued to spread like wild fire. Let’s read:
Acts 8:1 And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere, preaching the word.
Acts 5: 38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel, or this work be of men, it will come to nought.
39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
After the day of Pentecost, when The Holy Spirit was poured out upon the people, efforts were made by those in authority, to stop the preaching of truth. It backfired signally, for God took it personally, and He sent angels from heaven to make direct intervention into the human experience.
The apostles were then incarcerated for preaching Christ, but God sent an angel to open up the prison doors, and let the captives free, so that they could continue their God-given work.
The nature of the intervention must now be closely studied, for the human agent recoils from admitting the raw facts in the matter. Let’s then pay very close attention to what transpires in the following verses, for history will certainly be repeated in the not-too- distant future. Let’s read:
Acts 5:17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, which is the sect of Sadducees and were filled with indignation,
18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
The angel who came to set them free did so in ways that the enemies of the gospel would hardly admit to. According to the sacred records, security guards were stationed in front of the prison doors, guarding the inmates, but the angel opened the doors and he brought them out, while those security guards were still on their watch.
There was no noise, no commotion, no earthquake, no fire from heaven, nothing, zero, zilch. The Bible does not even say if the security guards were at that time immobilized. All it says is that the angel went in and brought them out and none of the guards had a clue of the intrusion that took place.
Therefore, the following morning, when they were scheduled to be arraigned, the authorities sent for them and the officers who went to get them found everything in their cell intact, and the prison guards standing at their station, but somehow, the apostles were strangely missing, and nowhere to be found. Let’s read:
Acts 5:22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,
23 Saying, the prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
This discovery presents a conundrum that persons in our day who are prone to explain everything via science would have a very difficult time explaining. How could the armed security guards not see, nor hear anything? According to mere finite knowledge there must be some other logical explanation as to what really transpired.
Thus, in order to better understand the grave nature of the apostles’ escape, we must take a look at two of the life experiences of El Chapo Guzman. After he was arrested and placed in a high security jail it was discovered that he went missing from his cell, even though there were several prison guards on duty to make certain that he couldn’t escape.
So, after the grim discovery, the very first question to be asked and answered was, “How did he make such a daring escape? Until that singular question was answered logically, all other questions would be irrelevant, and thus, the Mexican authorities went about diligently searching for answers.
They soon discovered that a tunnel was built under the ground, which led right up to the toilet in his cell and tracks were laid inside so that he could make an escape on a motorbike, which was also supplied in the tunnel.
Thus, even though it was a huge embarrassment to the Mexican authorities, at the very least they were able to settle that all important first question. Years later El Chapo was again caught, but this time he was extradited to the United Sates, where he was immediately placed in maximum security detention.
And no doubt, several heavily armed prison guards were again stationed all around. Therefore, when it came time for his arraignment in court if they didn’t find him in his cell, those who had the charge of him would have to come up with valid explanations as to how, and why he went missing.
And their explanation will also have to make sense to the intelligence community, because the justice department would never settle for any fairytale sort of explanation.
Therefore, if when asked, their explanation was that El Chapo simply vanished into thin air, the judiciary would make certain that the responsible individuals would pay a very high price; [1] For not guarding the felon in their custody and [2] For giving a very stupid reason as to how he went missing.
In the case of the apostles being freed from prison, the authorities would be forced to acknowledge the fact that some supernatural intervention had taken place, but to do so, would put them in a bind, for if such an admission was made, then, they would be acknowledging that they were fighting against God.
So, rather than do this and be humiliated in the eyes of the people, they pretend not to know what took place. Similarly, when the loud cry approaches its crescendo, there will be supernatural interventions by God on our planet, that will have the authorities scrambling to find valid explanations. Let’s read:
Acts 5:24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, (The very first logical question should be “how did you escape from prison?” But, to ask that question would risk exposing an inconvenient truth)
28 Saying, did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather than men.
This leads us to our case study for today: Phillip Did Not Take An Uber.
Phillip was one of the early Christians who was used by God in a mighty way, to bring salvation to people who were being made ready by the Holy Ghost. So, in harmony with the gospel commission, The Spirit of God directed him to go down by the road, from Jerusalem to Gaza, and he went.
At this point, Phillip used the conventional means of transportation available at the time, which was to walk on foot, or if one could afford, to ride on some animal. Phillip went on foot and there he met a man reading the Scriptures, returning from worship.
By the direction of The Holy Spirit, Phillip joined the Ethiopian Eunuch in his chariot to explain to him the word of God more clearly. The Eunuch then asks for baptism, and the rest is history. Let’s read:
Acts 8:26 And the angel of the Lord spoke unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goes down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
What happens next is where our study takes off, for after baptizing the Ethiopian, Phillip vanishes into thin air, and was found at Azotus, which is currently called Ashdod in Israel today, a distance of over 30 miles from where the recent baptism took place.
This time Phillip doesn’t use any conventional mode of travel known to man. He did not walk, or run, he did use a horse or mule, and Phillip didn’t even take an Uber just to put the scenario in a modern setting. Let’s read:
Acts 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
This singular occurrence or intervention by The Holy Ghost significantly raises prospect that finite man does not have a clue as to what will transpire under the loud cry, when the latter rain will be poured out upon planet earth. Remember, it was under the out pouring of the former rain that this unfolded.
Question: Is it true that there are methods of travel which are entirely foreign to conventional wisdom? In other words, to put it plainly, is it possible on our planet for a person under the auspices of The Holy Ghost, to move from point A to B, without using any conventional mode of transportation we know of?
And if so, does it raise the prospect that God is not really dependent on man-made technologies, ways and means in order to get His work done? As it stands, God employs the ways and means that are familiar to mortals, but that fact does not mean that He is restricted to using those ways and means.
In His dealings with the human family God employs the principle of “Gathering up the fragments so that nothing be lost”, meaning that He will often exhaust available ways and means before using supernatural power. But if and whenever these man-made means become unavailable, He can, and will use plan B as He sees fit.
In addition to this, much of the technology persons boast of today are really many centuries late, as far as God is concerned, since He has been employing them in ages past. For instance, in the preaching of the gospel in foreign lands missionaries can now use the various language apps, such as Babbel.
But God is the one who first introduced Babbel on our planet, almost four thousand years ago, when He confounded and then codified the languages of earth. Later on, on the day of Pentecost, He again used “Babbel” as the apostles were empowered to speak and understand all foreign languages of the then known world.
Again, long before the Wright brothers came upon the scene to invent the airplane, Jesus was flying back and forth from earth to heaven, not once not twice, not three times, but on several occasions. So, this is nothing new to God.
God also performed the very first surgery on earth, and He invented sea travel, and a host of other firsts on our planet. Therefore, for the time being, whilst the opportunity still lingers, He bids His servants to employ all available ways, and means, in spreading the gospel.
These include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, now X, TikTok, and those facilities provided by Elon Musk’s star link satellites. That is all well and good, but we should know for certain that if and when these ways and means become unavailable to the remnant, The God of heaven has a million, and one other ways of getting His work done.
In fact, as the world becomes more averse to Christ and His righteousness very severe restrictions to the preaching of the straight truth will be imposed. And as such, in the fullness of time, when the latter rain is approaching its climax, and the mark of the beast is being implemented, the facilities we have become accustomed to, may no longer be available.
These developments will pave the way for God to do some very strange things upon the earth such as the opening up of prison doors so that His people could continue to preach. And it is quite possible that God will again employ, and deploy other unconventional methods of travel, for believe it or not, Phillip didn’t take an Uber. Let’s read:
Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
5 Like the noise of chariots on the top of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war, and they shall march every one on his ways and they shall not break their ranks.
8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk everyone in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
9 They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.
11 And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executes his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
Revelation 14: 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worships the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand.
[Early Writings pp 270_271] Said the angel, “Look ye!” My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet. They moved in exact order like a company of soldiers. I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power. It had effect. Many had been bound; some wives by their husbands, and some children by their parents.
The honest who had been prevented from hearing the truth now eagerly laid hold upon it. All fear of their relatives was gone, and the truth alone was exalted to them. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth; it was dearer and more precious than life. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, “It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.”
Acts 3: 19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you.
Therefore, be not discouraged, nor intimidated by what man can do. Be not afraid of the tendency to brand truth as hate speech. Be not surprised by the restrictions that will be placed on those who preach present truth, like the restrictions currently placed in Canada.
Fear not you remnant people of God, as the world is becoming more averse and hostile to God, the Bible, and righteousness. It has all been predicted before in the Bible, God has already made ample provisions to meet every impending emergency, for, believe it or not, Phillip Didn’t Take An Uber.
In harmony with this solemn truth, we will end our discourse with two passages of Scripture that would be of encouragement to the remnant and to all who will decide, against all odds, to follow the One and only true God in obedience and true worship. Let’s read:
Joel 3: 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.
16 The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
God Bless!