onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=73351″>The Two Witnesses have a burning desire to see Jerusalem fulfill her calling and.they won’t rest their case until they’ve won (Isaiah 62:1, 6-7). This focus on Jews, Jerusalem and Israel appears as a tedious preoccupation to some, but others recognize it as an inspired occupation: God’s Mideast Work and Church Commission!
A Faithful Few
A dedicated few cleansed the Temple Mount during the days of the Macabbees. (Hanukkah commemorates their miraculous victory. Jesus kept the “Feast of Dedication” – John 10:22). They didn’t wait for every last Jew to repent before they acted upon their convictions. They put their faith into practice – and GOD WAS WITH THEM!
After they took action, others joined with them and rallied to the cause (Daniel 11:32). That was God’s Work in those days. Jewish spiritual survival was at stake! The occupying enemy forces, in league with Jewish traitors, were bent on destroying what truth God had preserved among Judah. The Sabbath, circumcision, dietary laws and other embers of divine revelation were banned upon penalty of death! The Temple itself was polluted with pig’s blood and an idol! Thankfully, a holy remnant, “Gideon’s army,” the Macabbees, rose up and fought back! They saved the nation, cleansed the Temple, and enabled Christ to later appear there right on time (Malachi 3:1).
Jesus’ presence gave God’s Temple a GREATER GLORY than Solomon’s Temple ever enjoyed! (Haggai 2:9). And the Second Temple was only prophesied in one place. Isaiah spoke of Cyrus – an unlikely, pagan Gentile king (Isaiah 44:28; 45:9) –