With the recent understanding that the Son of Man in Matthew 24 is largely (if not exclusively) the heir of Jesus Christ rather than He Himself - I'm trying to piece together sequence--something I've admitted I haven't spent a great deal of time on. I was asked by a friend about how things will unfold: Here is my reply to him which is basically just my thoughts:
*Mein fren,*
I appreciate your thoughtful questions - I've been pondering this over the past few days regarding timing and the two witnesses.
The two witnesses will have opposition as they testify during their two years. Though we don't know who exactly will be opposing them, we know from Rev 11 that "any man" who will hurt them will be destroyed by the fire of their mouths.
We know from Isaiah 11 that it is the "wicked" who are destroyed by the breath of the lips of the Rod of Jesse.
Is that Jews? Christians? Muslims?
I try to focus on these details to help determine when. We know the Rod will be made bare to all nations (D&C 133 - make bare my holy arm - also in Isaiah + son of man coming in the clouds + who is this wearing red) etc. - so it stands to reason that nobody knows who the holy arm is before he's revealed to everyone--in fact Matthew 24's message is to the elect - do not believe anyone who says that Christ (anointed one) is in the secret chamber or in the desert.
Yet the two witnesses will be seen lying dead in the streets seen by all ...
Rev 11:9 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.
I guess it's possible that the Lord making bare his holy arm in the clouds of glory happens right after this - right after he ascends. He may be hidden by the fact there are two witnesses as silly as that seems. However, based off my recent studies - especially 2 Esdras 13 - I get the feeling that the great sign of the coming of the son of man happens first.
So how could the wicked resist someone who literally appears in the sky and breaths fire? Well, firstly the two witnesses breath fire and they're still opposed. They are protected from harm for 3.5 years. Jesus raised the dead and healed the sick - and the wicked said he did so by the power of the devil. See what I mean?
The proud are expecting end times events to unfold in a certain way. Evangelicals can't stop talking about the rapture which they think happens first. So what if the great sign appears first? What if a nation is literally born in a day per Isaiah 66?
Anyone who shows up working miracles who isn't Jesus -- most christians will immediately assume he's the antichrist unless they've enlisted the holy spirit as their guide (irony of ironies.)
Muslims will reject anyone who comes in the name of Jesus and doesn't praise Allah or Mohammed.
Jews will reject anyone who comes in the name of Jesus.
So if a person who is not Jesus who the christians think is the antichrist - who comes in the name of Jesus - see what I mean? He will literally be rejected by every major group even if he comes in power and glory first.
That all said, I don't know yet - hahaha
I'll be studying this next, but my main thought is this: "What will the two witnesses be preaching / prophesying?" One will say the other is the Holy Ghost incarnate - how will that news be received? Very poorly. The other will say Jesus will return and prepare the way by building ZION - well both will be saying that obviously but one will likely not witness of himself as being the Holy Ghost. The point is - what these guys will be saying will literally piss off every major religion. "How can the Holy Ghost and Jesus be separate? Blasphemy!" "How can Jesus be the Son of God? Blaspemy!" "How can you say Israel doesn't include the children of Ishmael? Blasphemy!"
I think Ezekiel is a good place for me to study next - the prince is supposed to enter Jerusalem through the eastern gate. Yet at some point the Lord appears on the mount of olives and cracks it open. The wounds of the hands are only mentioned (3rd and 4th tokens in the temple) so this could be a new patriarch whose witness is sealed by such wounds. This to me says this is post rejection / death / resurrection of the two witnesses. I'm also wondering if there's a sign of the son of man - and then later does he return in glory in the heavens?