The Law, the New Covenant, and the Two Witnesses

The role of the law in the new covenant is to serve as the holy foundation of God's government, being written directly onto the hearts and minds of believers by the Spirit of the living God to enable perfect obedience through faith in Jesus Christ Hebrews 8:10SPCCSR 26.1+2. Rather than being abolished, the ten commandments remain the unchanging standard of righteousness that defines sin and guides the believer into a life of true liberty and harmony with the Divine will 1 John 3:4BSSL 149.1+2.

✍️ Written on the Heart

Under the first covenant, the law was engraved on tables of stone, but the new covenant fulfills the promise that God will put His laws into the minds and write them in the hearts of His people Jeremiah 31:33ARSH July 2, 1861, page 41.8+1. This internal transformation means that the law is no longer just an external code but becomes the very nature and delight of the believer Psalms 40:8SPCCSR 26.1+1.

• The Same Law: The law written in the heart under the new covenant is identical to the ten commandments originally given at SinaiSDSQ 27.2+2.

• A Spiritual Service: This allows Christians to serve in the "newness of spirit" rather than the "oldness of the letter," fulfilling the law through love Romans 7:6+1ARSH July 25, 1854, page 193.11.

🛡️ The Basis of the Covenant and Salvation

The law of God serves as the basis of the new covenant, which is an arrangement designed to bring humanity back into harmony with God's willPP 370.4+1.

• Defining Sin: The law must exist independently of the covenant to show what sin is, as the covenant itself is the system for removing that sin Romans 3:20BSSL 149.1.

• Establishing the Law through Faith: Faith does not make the law void; instead, the doctrine of justification by faith establishes the law by acknowledging its perfection and our need for a Savior to fulfill its righteousness in us Romans 3:31PP 373.1+1.

• The Mediator's Work: Jesus Christ, as the Mediator of the new covenant, seals the agreement with His own blood to provide pardon for the transgression of the law Hebrews 9:15BHB 91.13+1.

🕊️ True Liberty and Character

Obedience to the law under the new covenant is described as the "perfect law of liberty" James 1:25SPCCSR 26.1.

• Freedom from Sin: The new covenant provides freedom not to break the law, but freedom from the bondage of sin and the inability to keep the law in our own strength Romans 8:2-4SPCCSR 26.1+1.

• Reflecting Christ: Those who enter this covenant relation are known as those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus Revelation 14:12BDOC 63.3+1.

• A Perpetual Rule: The moral law is eternal and remains the rule of life for all mankind across all dispensations Psalms 119:144TSPL 14.2+1.

🏛️ The Heavenly Sanctuary

The new covenant points believers to the heavenly sanctuary, where the great original of the law is preserved in the ark of God Revelation 11:19HSFD 163.1. While the earthly sanctuary and its ceremonial shadows have passed away, the moral code remains in the presence of our High Priest, who ministers His atoning blood for those who have transgressed it Hebrews 8:1-6SC3 156.1+1.

Revelation 11

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.

The two witnesses of Revelation 11 represent the Scriptures of the Old and New TestamentsGC 267.1+1. These two holy oracles are the unique witnesses of God's revealed word and will to mankind throughout historySBBS 570.5+1.

📜 Identity of the Two Witnesses

The identity of the two witnesses is confirmed by several biblical symbols and characteristics that point directly to the Word of GodEVRR341+1.

• The Two Testaments: They are the Old and New Testaments, which provide a complete testimony of God's omnipotence, wisdom, justice, and mercySBBS 570.5+1. The Old Testament points forward to a Savior to come through types and prophecies, while the New Testament tells of the Savior who has come in the exact manner foretoldGC 267.1+1.

• Olive Trees and Candlesticks: The Scripture identifies the two witnesses as the "two olive trees" and the "two candlesticks" standing before God Revelation 11:4. Just as a candlestick is a means of light, the Word of God is a lamp to the feet and a light to the path Psalms 119:105MWV2 191.4.

• Not Literal Individuals: They cannot be any two men because the prophecy states they exist during the entire 1260-year period of the Papal beast, and no two individuals live for such a long durationARSH January 14, 1862, page 53.6.

• Fullness of Knowledge: They are symbolized by the two cherubim over the ark of the covenant, whose wings reached from the walls to the center, representing how the Old and New Testaments cover the entire history of the world and reveal all necessary knowledge of ChristMWV2 191.4+1.

🕯️ Their Prophetic Mission in Sackcloth

The prophecy describes the witnesses as prophesying in "sackcloth" for a specific period of time Revelation 11:3.

• The 1260-Year Period: The witnesses were to prophesy in sackcloth for 1260 days, which represents 1260 literal years in Bible prophecyEVRR344+1. This period began in AD 538 and concluded in 1798EVRR344+1.

• Meaning of Sackcloth: Sackcloth is a symbol of mourning, affliction, and obscurityEVRR343. This signifies the time when the Scriptures were suppressed, their testimony perverted, and their circulation restricted by the Papal powerHF 167.3+1.

• Unbroken Testimony: Even in the darkest times of this period, God gave faithful men the wisdom and power to declare His truth, ensuring the witnesses continued their work despite being in a state of obscurity4SP 188.1+1.

⚖️ The Power and Authority of the Word

The two witnesses are described as having great power to defend themselves and execute judgment Revelation 11:5-6.

• Fire from Their Mouth: The prophecy states that if anyone tries to hurt them, fire proceeds from their mouth to devour their enemies Revelation 11:5. This signifies that those who pervert, hinder, or defile God's Word will ultimately face destruction in the judgmentEVRR342.

• Power Over Nature: Like the prophets Moses and Elijah, they have power to shut heaven so that it rains not and to turn waters into bloodBDOC 51.39+1. This represents the spiritual famine and plagues that result when the connection between the church and the Word of God is severedSSP 197.1.

• The Spirit of Prophecy: The voice of Christ speaks through these witnesses, from the days of Adam to the closing scenes of time3SP 209.1+1.

⚔️ The War Against the Witnesses

At the end of their testimony in sackcloth, the witnesses face a fierce attack from a new power Revelation 11:7.

• The Beast from the Pit: A power described as the "beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit" makes war against them and kills them Revelation 11:7. This refers to an atheistical power that arose in France during the French RevolutionSBBS 572.7+1.

• The Great City: Their dead bodies lay in the street of the city spiritually called Sodom and Egypt Revelation 11:8. France exhibited the lust and infidelity of Sodom and the defiance of God seen in EgyptLJL 49.1.

• Abolition of Religion: In 1793, the French government legally abolished the Christian religion and the Bible, leading to public indignities against the Scriptures and a period of frenzied wickednessSBBS 572.7+1.

🌅 Resurrection and Exaltation

The suppression of the Word of God was only temporary, followed by a glorious restoration Revelation 11:11-12.

• The Three and a Half Days: The witnesses remained "dead" for three and a half prophetic days, or three and a half literal years, during which the world rejoiced over their silenceLJL 49.1.

• Restoration to Life: After this period, the "Spirit of life from God" entered them, and they stood on their feet, causing great fear to fall on their enemies Revelation 11:11. This was fulfilled when the Bible was again circulated and legalizedLJL 49.1.

• Exaltation to Heaven: They "ascended up to heaven in a cloud," representing a state of great exaltation Revelation 11:12. Since the early 19th century, Bible societies have translated and circulated the Scriptures in hundreds of languages across the entire globe, reaching a level of influence and respect never before seenSBBS 575.3+1. 🌍📖