Witnesses or Not?

In the spirit of not pretending that all of this is not lining up:

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." (Matthew 24:36-44)

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish." (Matthew 25:1-2)

Two were at the mill, two were in the field, ten were virgin. Only five of the virgins were ready, only one was taken from the field, and only one was taken from the mill. The truth is these statements do not describe unqualified assurance of salvation. These statements speak to those who are working the harvest and to those thinking to attend the marriage. He repeatedly describes the time when only half of those who are planning will be "ready." But in all honesty, it really does take so little to be ready.

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." (Matthew 25:13)

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; (2 Timothy 4:3)

The scarlet beast has a similar form to the beast from the sea. The beasts from the sea have been defined to be kings and kingdoms and they are distinguished from having come from the earth. This scarlet beast is then, likewise, a system, an institution, a system of institutions, and the harlot woman sits upon it. John was taken to the "wilderness" to see the harlot who sat on many "waters." The harlot as described prostituted with the kings of the earth, and the inhabitants were intoxicated by the polluted "wine" that she poured out for them. (Rev 17)

Again, all of this should be read in completion.

It may surprise many to learn of these truths because the message is fractured. The message is fractured because people don't want to here these truths and the audience would shrink if the "entertainment" tried to include them. The church has come from a time when believers had to sneak and risk life to assemble (and this is still the case in some countries) to a time when the number of buildings cannot be numerous enough, the sizes large enough, and the services apparently scripted enough. Many have called themselves "called" because they have a degree in church philosophy. Many have a bible that they do not read. And thus:

“We will eat our own food and wear our own apparel; Only let us be called by your name, To take away our reproach.” (Isiah 4:1)
"I sit as queen, and am no widow, and will not see sorrow." (Rev 18:7)

These verses, though scattered across multiple prophecies certainly ring coherently whereas the the challenge would be to find that one verse that suggests that these institutions will be revived from corruption and abuse as if by the will of God before His Son returns to rescue the faithful prior to their destruction. Such a passage would be in complete disagreement with Daniel and John.

In what way are/could the witnesses be dead?

The church is plagued:
- Weakness
- Controlled by the body through pride and affluence as influence
- Philosophical
- Has philosophized itself into the very philosophies that John guarded against
- Misguided
- In thinking it is prepared, the body does not prepare
- Not instructing the body to prepare
- Gospel music from just a few years ago promoted watching for this moment
- Modern Christian music not so much
- Same for the pulpits
- Fractured
- How many buildings and philosophies are necessary to unite for the gift of one Man?
- Self Righteous
- Has discarded the Spirit of God and fills the space with fantasy
- Self Assured
- In thinking it is prepared, the body does not prepare
- Self Appointed
- All that is required is a degree, an appointment, it's actually difficult to even type this one out...
- Prideful
- A lot of study, don't really know the answers, but will make some up for the books
- MONEY
- Pastors, it isn't your church, they aren't your people. They have entrusted you to respect their relationship with their Savior
- Their giving is not yours for the taking

And the church body assured by this church:
- Ignorant
- How many are looking for what's happening?
- Not seeking to prepare
- Self absorbed
- Check that 1-hour box on Sundays (or Saturday) or watch online
- Demanding/Controlling
- See above
- Sinful
- Going into the churches that do not condemn does not take away the condemnation

Did you repeat after the pastor at that church - that very thought out complete legal agreement of relationship between you and your Savior?
And then did you go home and put that relationship on hold? Did you make it out of the parking lot?
(I do not mean to be so insensitive and judgmental of that very precious moment, but the pastor who scripted you insulted that moment - not I!)

You do not need to be scripted into a relationship! You do not need to be coached! And it certainly isn't confined to the parking lot!
You just need to want to be in that relationship. In this case, He desires it!

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)
That's it! Do not seek unrighteousness. If it's in your heart, acknowledge it and address it. Seek His help first. Seek counsel from others too.
Define unrighteousness - in this world? Ugh!!! Define righteousness? Yes, it's probably been overly defined in the past. But seek!
Run the race as if you desire to win the prize. (1 Cor 9:24)

And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:23) (yes, yes, context, context... surely He doesn't hold all accountable to knowing Him...)

"Ruler of the world" "Outranking all others" is sitting on his throne. Once he pitches the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious Holy mountain, nothing can stop what is coming...

Be not offended, these are just the traits that have plagued the relationship between God and man for all of time.
And this is why he is perfectly fine standing before us and seeking our devotion to protect our/his institutions.
And this is why he seeks to protect us. Because when our trust is in him, to protect us within our trusted institutions, we are not trusting Him. The history tells us that He never desired for His people to be ruled by kings and kingdoms. His people rejected Him a kingdom as was those around them.