The persecution of the church did not continue throughout the entire period of the 1260 years . God in mercy to His people cut short the time of their fiery trial . In foretelling the " great tribulation " to befall the church , the Saviour said : " Except those days should be shortened , there should no flesh be saved : but for the elect ' s sake those days shall be shortened ." Matthew 24:22 . Through the influence of the Reformation the persecution was brought to an end prior to 1798 .
Concerning the two witnesses the prophet declares further : " These are the two olive trees , and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth ." " Thy word ," said the psalmist , " is a lamp unto my feet , and a light unto my path ." Revelation 11:4 ; Psalm 119:105 . The two witnesses represent the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament . Both are important testimonies to the origin and perpetuity of the law of God . Both are witnesses also to the plan of salvation . The types , sacrifices , and prophecies of the Old Testament point forward to a Saviour to come . The Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament tell of a Saviour who has come in the exact manner foretold by type and prophecy .
" They shall prophecy a thousand two hundred and three-score days , clothed in sackcloth ." During the greater part of this period , God ' s witnesses remained in a state of obscurity . The papal power sought to hide from the people the word of truth , and set before them false witnesses to contradict its testimony . When the Bible was proscribed by religious and secular authority ; when its testimony was perverted , and every effort made that men and demons could invent to turn the minds of the people from it ; when those who dared proclaim its sacred truths were hunted , betrayed , tortured , buried in dungeon cells , martyred for their faith , or compelled to flee to mountain fastnesses , and to dens and caves of the earth--then the faithful witnesses prophesied in sackcloth . Yet they continued their testimony throughout the entire period of 1260 years . In the darkest times there were faithful men who loved God ' s word and were jealous for His honour . To these loyal servants were given wisdom , power , and authority to declare His truth during the whole of this time .
" 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 ." Revelation 11:5 . Men cannot with impunity trample upon the word of God . The meaning of this fearful denunciation is set forth in the closing chapter of the Revelation : " I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book , If any man shall add unto these things , God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book : and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy , God shall take away his part out of the book of life , and out of the holy city , and from the things which are written in this book ." Revelation 22:18 , 19 .
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