This series of blogs will deal with the two witnesses described by the messenger of God (Jesus) to the apostle John in Revelation chapter 11. I’ll try to answer the what , who, why, where, and how questions that you may have about this chapter. In preparation, and before you read here any further, read the entire chapter and then also read Zechariah chapter 4. In this blog, I’ll address the what question and why we need to be as knowledgeable as possible about these two witnesses.
Prophecy teachers are not in general agreement about who and what these witnesses are. Typical theories revolve around resurrected OT saints such as Enoch and Elijah or Elijah and Moses, or, metaphors for Judaism and Christianity. While this type of speculation may be interesting, let’s try not to go beyond what’s written. First of all, they are men . Notice in verses 7 & 8 that when they are killed, their bodies lie in the street. Only real men have bodies and can be killed. It’s also stated in verse 10 that these men are prophets. Prophets are men that speak God’s messages to His people. In these final days before Jesus’ return we will absolutely need to know God’s mind and follow closely what these men have to say.
Here’s why we need to know everything about these men now, in our day. Quite simply, the appearance of these two prophets may be the next fully discernible event in the end-time calendar leading up to the kingdom. Notice that in verse 13, after their ministry is completed, several events have yet to take place before Jesus returns. A great earthquake (2nd woe), 3rd woe, 7th trumpet, etc. Since their ministry is 42 months (1260 days), (verses 2 &3), it is implied that their ministry begins before the antichrist is fully visible by setting up the AOD on the temple mount. In fact, I think it’s possible that the two witnesses start their ministry at the beginning of the 70th week, with their death three and one half years later at the midpoint of the tribulation. Here’s why; “When they finish their testimony, the beast that is coming out of the abyss will make war with them, overcome them, and kill them.” (Rev. 11:7) (Youngs Literal Translation) This beast comes out of the abyss when Satan is cast out of heaven, and unlocks this bottomless pit releasing the “destroyer”. This destroyer, called Abaddon or Apollyon (Hebrew and Greek) is the demon who takes possession of the antichrist. All this takes place mid-tribulation, placing the two witnesses 42 month ministry during the first half of the 70th week. This means that the two witnesses could be on the scene very early related to other end time events.
So, this begs the questions ; How are we to recognize them ? Who are they ? What will they be prophesying ? Where will they be prophesying from ? In the blogs that follow, I’ll answer these questions. It’s extremely important for us know these answers. Much of God’s guidance for us during the coming tribulation will probably come through these two prophets.
?