Bible Discussion Thread

Olive trees and candlesticks and witnesses are all symbolic representing the same things. It is logical to think the witnesses are therefore not men but ideals. The witnesses are opposing sides of conflict that voice their opinions before God and man concerning rights to religion, laws and land. They are clothed in sackcloth meaning mourning over perceived injustice. They are the cause of World War 3 as shown in verse 5, they will kill for their beliefs. Today nations have the ability to manipulate weather but I think the ability to cause it not to rain means the ability to work out problems peacefully so that missiles and bombs do not rain from the sky. The beast that rises out of the bottomless pit is a nuclear weapon. Nuclear destruction can last for centuries. A nuclear bomb is not like the atomic bombs that were used in Japan. The areas around a nuclear blast can not be built upon and remain desolate because of fallout contamination, their destruction is bottomless meaning unmeasurable. They lie dead in the street is also symbolic meaning the time during which the peace treaty is on the table, the great city meaning conflict. The death of war is peace. People will rejoice when peace is declared and it will be shown on the news around the world. However, the peace treaty terms are not fair and the spirit of God, opposing beliefs in God, cause war to erupt once again and fighter jets take to the sky to fight for justice.