In the run-up to the pagan holiday that is modern day Christmas, I find it interesting that after the two witnesses in Revelation 11 are killed, people across the world celebrate in a way that sounds suspiciously like Christmas. Perhaps they really do die sometime around December 25th?
The hypocrisy of celebrating Christmas as the witnesses lie dead in the street can be expected in an unrepentent world.
I wonder if the tradition of gift-giving and making merry existed during the time/locale of John or even when the KJV was translated into English.
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 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. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven (Revelation 11: 7-13)
If you're spiritually struggling with something or are a troubled Christian and would like to talk, I offer my time freely to encourage others in their own walk with God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Send me a message through the contact form at my website below and we can schedule a conversation.
I doubt that the two witnesses were killed during Christmas.
You can't call the people hypocrites because they celebrated the deaths of the two witnesses. The people doing so are evil. They don't pretend to be righteous.
It's unclear if the death of the witnesses is the only reason for gift giving.
Also, I don't think the people will be calling themselves evil. Some might even consider themselves as Christians and believe in a different Jesus, if you know what I mean.