The Two Witnesses

Revelation 11:

3    And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

4    These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

5    And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

6    These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

7    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.

8    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.

9    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.

10    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.

11    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.

12    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.

13    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.

I. Their ministry (v.3-6)

II. Their death (v.7-10)

III. Their reward (v.11-12)

IV. Their avengement (v.13)

God said that things are established in the mouth of two or three witnesses (Deut. 17:6; 19:15). A witness is one who gives testimony (v.7) to what he knows to be true. The two witnesses will testify in the great tribulation (last 3 ½ years) against the antichrist, apostate Israel, and concerning the second coming of the true Christ. 

Jesus Christ is the faithful witness (Jn. 18:37; Rev. 1:5). There are a number of similarities between the two witnesses and the faithful witness (v.8 connects them). 

1) Ministry in great power (signs and wonders)

2) Ministry of 3 ½ years

3) Invincible until ministry completed 

4) Killed at Jerusalem through instrumentality of the son of perdition 

5) Enemies rejoice at their death

6) Raised on the third day

7) Earthquake accompanied death and resurrection 

8) Ascended in a cloud 

The two witnesses are represented by the olive tree and candlestick. Olive trees produce olive oil used in the candlestick to send forth light which is symbolic of the Holy Spirit (Zech. 4). 

There are two passages that settle it in my mind that the two witnesses are Moses and Elijah (representing the law and prophets): Mal. 4 and Matt. 17:1-13. Elijah and Moses were seen in their bodies on the mount of transfiguration. They talked with Christ concerning His decease that He would accomplish at Jerusalem (Lk. 9:30-31) and saw Him in His kingdom glory (Matt. 16:27-28; 2 Pet. 1:16-18). Therefore they are witnesses that the suffering servant is also the coming King. Elijah was taken up bodily into heaven (2 Kings 2:11). Moses died but his body was taken by Michael the archangel (Jude 9).  

Both Moses and Elijah:

1. Were great prophets (Deut. 18:15-19; Mal. 4:5-6)

2. Stood before God (Ps. 106:23; 1 Kings 17:1)

3. Preached to types of the Antichrist (Pharaoh and Ahab)

4. Destroyed their enemies with fire (Num. 16:35; 2 Kings 1)

5. Smote the earth with plagues (Exodus 7-13; Jam. 5:17)

6. Mentioned together in the last chapter of the OT in the context of the coming day of the LORD (Mal. 4)

7. Were with Christ on the mount of transfiguration (Matt. 17)