Why did Jesus explain his parables to only a few? That's just one of the questions we'll be

answering on this edition of Core Christianity. Hi, it's Bill Meyer, along with Pastor

Adriel Sanchez, and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. We'd love to hear from you, and our phone lines are open right now. We'll be taking calls for the next 25 minutes or so. Here's the number, 833-3-the-core-court. That's 1-833-843-2673. You can also post your question on one of our social media sites.

In fact, you can watch Adriel right now on Instagram or on YouTube and send him your question that way.

And you can always feel free to email us at Questions at CoreChristianity.com.

First up today, here's a voicemail from one of our listeners named Ray.

Hello, Brother Bill and Pastor Adriel. I have a question for you. What is the purpose of the

two witnesses? Thank you very much. Take care. And God bless you all.

Hey, Ray, thank you. You're referring to Revelation chapter 11. And I mean, just, just with regard to how they're, you know, identified their two witnesses. What do witnesses do they testify of something? And that's precisely what's happening in Revelation chapter 11. Now, there's a question about, you know, are these witnesses to literal people,

you know, living in the last days who have, it seems like miraculous power here, are they

symbolic of something else? Some have suggested, you know, the law and the prophets. We do have

to remember that we are reading apocalyptic prophecy here. So oftentimes you have these signs and symbols

like the seven lamp stands that John sees earlier in the book of Revelation. I'll just read

some of the text. This is verse three of Revelation chapter 11. I will grant authority to my two

witnesses and they will prophesy for 1,260 days clothed in sackcloth.

So there's morning here, there's prophesying or speaking forth the Word of God for a period of time.

And again, there's debate about, you know, well, that 1,260 days, is that literal days? This sort of three and a half

year period is that symbolic of the church age. There are a number of things to look at when you

get into that, but I'm going to just continue reading. Verse four says, these are the two olive trees,

the two lamp stands that stand before the Lord of all the earth.

Now, that's significant because earlier, what were lambs stands a sign of, the church.

Jesus is the one who walks in the midst of the seven golden lambs stands.

...