1 Corinthians 10:11-12 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.Paul penned the above and…he himself was our example for what will be in the end of days. Before he became Paul, he, as Saul was “consenting unto his death, “ the death being of the apostle Stephen. Consider when reading these verses that Paul here is symbolic of the church, God’s children, in the end of days. This is an example of what will be going on during the great tribulation of Satan. This will be the play between the witnesses and those that are misled by Satan….of whom will be many Christians !
Acts 8:1-2 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
The “apostles” are symbolic of the witnesses and they will be in Jerusalem but there are many others that are scattered throughout the world. Paul takes responsibility for the part he played in Stephen's death.....
8:3-4 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and hauling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.Acts 22:20 And when the blood of Thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.’
The witnesses will be gathered for a testimony…it is God’s plan.
So Saul, thinking he was doing the work of God….held the coats of those that stoned Stephen. He then went and persecuted Christians every where…still believing he was doing the will of God. When I read that I think of the terrorists and their actions….killing others in the name of God. This event will be repeated in the end of days. Those, believing just as Saul did, that they are doing the will of God, will persecute God’s witnesses. Why? They will believe Christ is already on earth while the witnesses know and will be teaching that it is the fake. But remember, some of those persecuting us love God just as we do but they have been misled and blinded….just as Paul. The testimony of the witnesses will open the eyes of many in the church. They, as Paul, will receive their sight.After Saul was blinded by a “light from heaven” God instructed Ananias, a disciple..….Acts 9:19 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, That appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.” And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened.
God took his blinders off and Paul could then see truth. Even though he was well schooled in God’s Word he was still blind to what was written as most Christians are today. God fed him deeper lessons, the meat of the word and it strengthened him….as it does us.Paul was an example of the church coming alive in the end of days. The church thinks it is living but many are blinded by false religion…just as Paul was. Even though they will persecute us as Paul did the church, as the misled persecuted Christ….we should forgive them:Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” And they parted His raiment, and cast lots.
Notice that they that crucified Christ "parted His raiment" while Saul "kept the raiment of them." 
