Bible In Poetry: Revelation 11 Poem by Dr John Celes

The Two Witnesses:

1Given a reed-like measuring rod,
I’as told to “ Measure God’s temple,
Altar, and count the worshipers,
2 And to exclude the outer court,
That was given to the Gentiles.
They’ll trample the holy city
For forty-two months at a stretch;
3With my power, my two witnesses,
Will prophesy for a thousand,
Two-sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.'
4Two olive trees and the two lamp-stands
Stand before the Lord of the earth.
5If anyone tries to harm them,
Fire will come out of their mouths
And devours their enemies.
This is how those who harm must die.
6These men have pow’r to block the sky,
So that, it won’t rain at that time,
They’re prophesying; and have pow’r
To turn the waters into blood,
And to strike the earth with every plague
As often as they wish to do.
7Now when their testimony is o’er,
The beast from the Abyss will attack,
And overpower and kill them.
8Their bodies will lie in the street
Of cities of Sodom, Egypt,
Where their Lord was crucified.
9For days, three and a half, all men
From every tribe, language and nation,
Will gaze at their bodies, without burying.
10The earth’s inhabitants of the earth will gloat
O’er them and will celebrate the day
By sending one another gifts,
For these two prophets tormented
Those who lived upon the earth.
11But after three and a half days,
A breath of life from God entered
Them, and they stood upon their feet,
And terror struck those who saw them.
12Then they heard a voice from heaven
Saying aloud, 'You come up here.'
They went to heaven in a cloud,
While their enemies just looked on.
13 That very hour, there was a quake,
Collapsing tenth of the city.
Killing seven thousand people
And terrifying survivors
Who glorified God of heaven.
14The second woe had passed away;
The third woe was coming too soon.

The Seventh Trumpet:

15The seventh angel blew trumpet:
Loud voices in heaven, then said:
'The kingdom of the world of men
Is now the kingdom of Christ Lord,
And He will reign forever, ever.'
16 The twenty-four elders seated
On thrones before the God, Most High,
Fell on their faces, worshiped God,

17 Saying:

'We give you thanks God Almighty,
The One who is and always was,
Because you’ve taken your great pow’r
And have begun to reign on earth.
18 Your wrath has come over nations;
The time has come for judging dead,
Rewarding your servants- prophets,
And saints, those revering your name,
Both small and great— all deserving,
And destroying those who destroy earth.'
19 God's temple in heaven opened,
And within his temple was seen
The Ark of His great covenant.
And came there flashes of lightning,
Rumblings, peals of thunder, earthquake,
And a mighty hailstorm as well.

Copyright by Dr John Celes 7-20-2007