Revelation 11:6; Power to Turn Waters to Blood
Revelation 11:6 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.
In the ministry of the two witnesses, we are reminded of how the gospel mandate is the call to gather out a people amongst the nations in bondage to sin since the fall of man, to be a people separated unto holiness, predestined by the foreknowledge of God and destined for heaven. This is the living organism called the church on earth that the Apostle Paul speaks about in his letter to the Ephesians.
Ephesians 1:3-14 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
The church, the Apostle Paul, by divine revelation is firstly, a privileged people separated from sin unto holiness (v1-4) – this is what it means to be “Chosen by the Father”.
Secondly, the church is a purchased people in intimate fellowship with the living and true God(v5-9) – this is what we mean when we say “Purchased by the Son”.
And thirdly, the church is a protected people destined for heaven(v10-14) – this is what we mean when we say “Sealed by the Holy Spirit”.
The enacting of this plan involves the formation of a nation of God’s people from which the Saviour of the world, Jesus Christ, will enter human history, in the fullness of time.
And the formation of this nation of Israel, we are tracing it through her history as a people in the bondage of slavery in Egypt for 430 years so that the descendants of Israel will grow to a great multitude.
And the time has come for them to receive the freedom to establish the worship of the God who made her. This is done through God’s man Moses, whom He called at the burning bush to be the deliverer.
We are reminded of the ministry of Moses when he confronted Pharaoh for his people Israel, slaves in Egypt, to be freed from their bondage. The deliverance of Israel out of Egypt was great. God sent ten plagues.
As Charles Lee Feinberg illustrated well God’s final battle plan, “Why need there be three series of these judgments? They evidently follow the pattern of warfare as men know it: first, the initial encounter; then, the intensive assaults; and finally, the consummating blows. Undoubtedly, the bowl judgments take place in the Great Tribulation in its last states. The inference seems to be that they will transpire in a very brief period of time. They will be both rapid and severe. The Revelation does deal repeatedly with judgment but not exclusively so, for the final prospect is bright.”[1]
When Moses was tasked by God to confront Pharaoh to let His people go out of slavery in Egypt, it followed the same pattern of assaults.
There was the initial encounter where Moses and Aaron spoke to Pharaoh seeking his permission to leave for three days to worship in the wilderness. A perfectly legitimately request from the example of Singaporean maids, there is plan for an off day of rest.
When Pharaoh refused, there was a series of nine plagues of heightening intensity unleashed before the consummating blow where the first born of Pharaoh, all Egypt men and cattle died.
Pharaoh gave chase to the fleeing Israelites out of Egypt for a final parting judgment at the Red Sea.
Thereafter, Moses looked back at the receding waters of the Red Sea that engulfed the pursuing Egyptian army.
[1] Charles Lee Feinberg, A Commentary on Revelation – The Grand Finale, BMH Books, 1985, 109.