I’ve combined a series of seven previous posts dealing with the soon-coming ministry of the Two Witnesses. This will make it easier to access this information in one place. I’ll also provide a permanent link below or on the right side. This article is of great importance to last-days Christians.
Part 1
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.
Part 2
In the last post I established the fact that these two witnesses of God described in Revelation chapter 11 are real male prophets that we must be watching for in the near future, as they will provide information we must have in order to navigate these last days. In this post, I’ll begin to establish who they are based on biblical sources. Let’s take them one at a time.
The vast majority of prophecy students and teachers agree that one of them is the Old Testament prophet Elijah. Or, at least, a man anointed with the similar spirit and power of Elijah. I agree. Orthodox Jews are unified in their expectation that Elijah will come just prior to the Messiah as prophesied in Malachi. At their Passover- Seder meals they ritually set out an empty chair for Elijah. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” (Malachi 4:5) This prophecy has yet to be fulfilled. The “day of the Lord” when God will wipe wickedness off the face of the earth will not happen until the end of the great tribulation. Of course, this implies that Elijah has not come yet, as well. In the scriptures, their is no other descriptive vehicle for Elijah’s coming than the two witnesses. If he is not one of them, there is no scenario presented in all new testament prophecy, where his coming is described. At this point, you may be thinking; didn’t John the Baptist fulfill this prophecy with his ministry as Jesus’ forerunner ? When asked if he was the Elijah who is to come, John flatly denied that he was. “And they asked him ‘what then ? Are you Elijah’. He said ‘I am not.’ ” (John 1:21) Jesus, however seemingly contradicted this when he said about John; “And if you are willing to receive it, he is the Elijah who is to come.” (Matthew 11:14) Luke clears up this apparent contradiction when recording what the angel told Johns father about his son; “He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah.” (Luke 1:17) Notice, he is not the Elijah, but goes in the “spirit and power of Elijah”. Jesus added this about Malachi’s prophecy after His transfiguration; “Indeed , Elijah is coming first and will restore all things.” (Matthew 17:11) Note the future tense. In essence, then, what Jesus taught is that John did fill part of the Elijah prophecy in his role as forerunner of Messiah’s first coming, but accomplished this through the spirit and power of Elijah. Elijah is also yet to come and “restore all things” just prior to the day of the Lord. More on what is meant by “restore all things” in a later post. It’s very important to understand this facet of his ministry. Some other characteristics that help identify this witness as Elijah are the fact that he can call down fire from heaven to vanquish their enemies and cause a drought on the land much like the OT Elijah. (verses 5&6)
I’m going to make an important observation here that reflects my opinion based on the scriptures. This witness will not be a resurrected Elijah, but a man of God’s choosing anointed by God to fulfill prophecy, who will function in the spirit and power of Elijah much like John the Baptist. John is the biblical prototype. Although there are many resurrections described in the bible, no individual goes on in any notable fashion in extraordinary ministry. (other than Jesus, of course). They all lived out their lives and died and are awaiting resurrection to judgment. I believe this includes Elijah. Considering this late date in end-time bible chronology, I believe the man God has chosen is already in preparation for his future ministry, though he may not realize this as yet. This will also be true of the second witness who I will discuss in the next blog.
Part 3
In the previous blog, I concluded that one of the two witnesses of Revelation chapter 11 was a man of the Lords choosing who will come in the “spirit and power” of the OT prophet Elijah, fulfilling prophecies by Malachi and Jesus. In this blog, I’ll address the second witness.
In Revelation chapter 10, just preceding the account of the two witnesses, the apostle John tells of a mighty angel who appeared with an open book in his hand crying out in a loud voice. When he cried out “seven thunders” uttered their voices. The apostle was about to write what he was hearing when a voice from heaven said to him: “Seal up what the seven thunders uttered and do not write them down” (Revelation 10:4). The angel then tells John about the culmination of the great tribulation, how the mystery of God would be finished with the sounding of the seventh trumpet. Then the voice from heaven spoke again to John: “Go take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel…..Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth” (Revelation 10:8-10). This John did, and the angel said further : “You must prophecy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings” (Revelation 10:11). Following right after this verse comes chapter 11 about the two witnesses. As there are no chapter breaks in the original manuscript of Revelation, these chapters should be read as a continuous text. The instruction given to John to eat the book, which would go down easy, but would later upset his stomach causing him to vomit it up is a metaphor for taking in the words of God and the subsequent urgency to speak them out as prophecy. The identical thing happened to Ezekiel, where he was to eat a scroll and later prophecy its contents. You can read this in Ezekiel 2:7 -3:4. The important thing to notice here is that John was to take in this information in the little book and what the seven thunders said and, at some point in the future, “prophecy again” about these things. John was an old man at this point, somewhere in his 90’s, and though he completed the book of Revelation, the time has not come when he “must” prophecy of these things. As this definitely has not happened yet, only one conclusion can be reached. The apostle John will be one of the two witnesses along with Elijah and will reveal what the little book contained and what the seven thunders spoke. This will probably occur during the first half of Daniel’s 70th week. The apostle John is a good fit for this 2nd witness both scripturally and logically. John is the lone man God chose to reveal the greatest treasure of knowledge about he end times to the church, the book of Revelation. Also, logically, Johns directive that he must prophesy again flows right into the description of the two witnesses in chapter 11.
As I stated in the previous blog about Elijah, it’s my opinion that this witness will not be the actual apostle John resurrected, but a man chosen by God to minister in the “spirit and power” of John. Again, John the Baptist is the prototype. In subsequent blogs I’ll simply call these two witnesses Elijah and John, but you will know what I mean. In the blogs that follow I’ll discuss the nature of their ministry and how we are to positively recognize them.
Part 4
So, how will we recognize these two witnesses beyond any doubt as the legitimate prophets of Revelation 11 sent by God? We must always keep in mind that deception is the order of the day, and false prophets are and will be everywhere. Jesus said: “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many” (Matthew 24:11). We need to be absolutely sure they are the ones, because God’s people will be hanging onto every word they speak. The wisdom, information, direction, and testimony they provide will be critical to how we conduct ourselves during this time.
It’s likely that they will both be Jewish men, as Elijah and John were both Jews, although they probably won’t go by those names. I don’t think the one akin to Elijah will want to be called Elijah the Tishbite. I also don’t think the one akin to John will call himself John son of Zebedee. We simply do not know at this time their names or if or how they they will interact with the names Elijah and John. They will be somewhat recognizable by their clothing. Verse three says they will be clothed in “sackcloth”. Sackcloth or camel’s hair was the humble dress associated with someone mourning, fasting, or in extended prayer. OT prophets often dressed this way so that they would be recognizable in public, as did Elijah and, in the NT, John the Baptist. Our nearest modern equivalent is probably burlap – gunny sacks. At any rate, we can expect these two to be dressed humbly, and perhaps ragged -certainly not in $5000 suits and big hair like modern TV evangelists masquerading as prophets. While Elijah’s origin will likely be Israel, John’s might not be. Remember, he spent a large part of, and his final ministry in Turkey. It’s possible he might hail from the area of the seven churches Revelation was written to. We do know for certain where they will end up; preaching together in Jerusalem. The earlier phases of their 42 month ministry may not be together or in Jerusalem, although they will certainly be aware of and compliment each others ministry. In fact, this may be one way of identification, they will acknowledge each other as genuine.
What will be difficult for imposters to duplicate will be their miraculous powers. If any try to derail their ministry, they will be destroyed by fire from their mouths (verse 5). In other words, they will merely speak destruction, and it will happen. They won’t need weapons or outside help to keep their enemies at bay. Their word will be sufficient. Nothing, and I mean nothing, will stop their ministry until they are finished. They will also have power over nature, with the ability to cause drought in the land (like Elijah) and cause various plagues to occur, and turn water into blood (like Moses) (verse 6). I think that even we in the US, a far off land, will be daily informed of their activities. It will be impossible even for a hostile media to ignore their actions. Imagine two prophets speaking death to their enemies, with no entity able to arrest them or stop their ministry.
The surest way for us to confirm their legitimacy will be to test their prophecy. “The prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die……when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing the Lord has not spoken.” (Deuteronomy 18:20, 22) If these men prophecy even one single thing that does not come to pass, we’ll know they are false. Over the three and one half year period of their prophesying, we will have many opportunities to verify their accuracy. Although they will bring some new revelation, we also, of necessity, must hold up all the words they speak to the bible . They will not speak anything contrary to the holy scriptures. If they do, they are false. God will not contradict himself. That is why we must strive to be competent in our handling of all of the scriptures, not just eschatology. This will be a tough and confusing time for the biblically illiterate. Finally, let me emphasize that we must rely on the one God sent to lead us into all truth, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will not fail us. And, I think, as the ministry of these two witnesses progresses, we’ll find wholesale agreement amongst our spirit filled brothers and sisters about the identity of these two prophets. In the next blog, I’ll discuss just what their ministry will consist of, which will also help to identify them.
Part 5
The two witnesses of Revelation chapter 11 have a precedent described in Zechariah chapter 4. Revelation says this of the two witnesses; “These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth” (Rev. 11:4). Zechariah says this about two Jewish prophets during the return to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity; “What are these two olive trees-at the right of the lampstand and at its left?….These are the two anointed ones who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth” (Zechariah 4:11, 14). During Zechariah’s time, the Jews were attempting to rebuild the burned out temple of the Lord and encountering many difficulties. An angel showed Zechariah a vision of two olive trees providing a continuous stream of oil to a lampstand. The lampstand represents Israel, oil, God’s Spirit, and the olive trees, two of God’s prophets. Israel’s governor Zerubbabel was encouraged by these two prophets that he would surely complete the temple, not through his human effort, but by the power of the Spirit. These two prophets were Zechariah and Haggai; “Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them. So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Joshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them, helping them” (Ezra 5:1-2). Revelation’s two “olive trees” are Elijah and John. Notice there are two lampstands in Revelation, whereas there was one in Zechariah. In my opinion these two lampstands represent Judaism and the Christian Church. Because Revelation links directly back to these prophets, we have a huge clue to a major part of the ministry of these two prophets. In order to fulfill prophecy, there needs to be a temple rebuilt in Jerusalem on the temple mount. It is evident that the two witnesses will have a large role to play in its construction early in the 70th week by direction and encouragement to those involved. And, as they will be operating under the power of the Holy Spirit, enemies interfering will be quickly dispatched. If you’ve been wondering how a temple could be rebuilt on the temple mount in spite of the seemingly insurmountable religious and political pressure, this may be the answer. As in the time of Zechariah, this temple won’t be built solely by human power, but by the power of God’s Spirit. In Ezekiel chapter 40 the prophet was given the task in a vision of measuring a future temple. Ezekiel was captive in Babylon at the time and Solomon’s temple was already destroyed. He was measuring a future temple. Revelation chapter 11 on the two witnesses begins with John also measuring a future temple; “Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angels stood saying ‘rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.”(Revelation 11:1) This was after 70 AD when the 2nd temple had already been destroyed. The reason John was instructed to do this was the same as for Ezekiel; to provide hope for the faithful remnant who will survive the tribulation of those days.
I conclude that from the above scriptures one of the major acts of the two witnesses that will serve to identify them will be their involvement and direct assistance in the building of a new temple in Jerusalem, just like their predecessors, the first two “olive trees”, Zechariah and Haggai. This should be clearly recognizable to all. In the next blog, I’ll continue to elaborate on the specific ministry of the two witnesses.
Part 6
The witness I’ve described as coming in the spirit and power of John can be further identified by what he is destined to prophesy. The angel said this to John; “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.” (Rev. 10:11) The word “about” here is better translated as against or toward. In other words, John will be compelled to confront many with God’s message for that time. In scripture, the prophets of old were primarily tasked with preaching the coming judgment of God on the nations who chose wickedness over following God. I don’t think John’s message will be any different as he will be powerfully warning peoples, nations, tongues, and kings about the day of the Lord when all will be judged for their actions. Notice that he will primarily be addressing nations other than Israel. He will be telling the people of the world and their leaders not to follow wickedness and deceptive teaching, but to follow Christ and His teaching. I think that we here in the US will receive quite a tongue lashing from John about our downward spiral from the Christian foundation of our country. I think we’ll hear the word repent a lot! John will also be free to reveal the contents of the “little scroll” which he was instructed to eat, and also the words spoken by the “seven thunders”. I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to learn what they contain, as I’m sure the message will be of huge significance for us at that time. John will truly be a prophet to the world.
Elijah, on the other hand, will have a ministry that is more focused or Israel. Jesus said this about Elijah’s future coming; “Indeed, Elijah is coming first, and will restore all things“(Matthew 17:11). It’s obvious that John the Baptist did not “restore all things”, so this statement refers to the future. Just what did Jesus mean by restore all things? In order for something to be restored, it must first have functionally existed, then disappeared or lapsed into disuse. In my opinion, the best fit to explain what is likely meant here is the abrupt end to the Jewish priesthood, and temple worship in Jerusalem in 70 AD. It is quite clear from other prophecy, that these two items must be restored in the near future. Evidently, the great influence Elijah will have with orthodox Judaism, will permit him to oversee this restoration. At this point, you may be wondering why would one of Jesus’ special witnesses be concerned about restoring temple worship complete with animal sacrifices? Didn’t Jesus fulfill all of that ? I believe It’s because of God’s promise to Israel. You can read about it in Deuteronomy 30:1-6. Then, God says this in Malachi; “Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, Which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, With the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” (Malachi 4:4-5) Certainly, Mosaic law in all it’s fulness will be restored and practiced during, at least, the 1st three and one half years of the 70th week. Then the antichrist (who had confirmed the Mosaic covenant for one week) will cause the sacrifice and offering to cease following the completion of the ministry of the two witnesses. (Daniel 11:31, 12:11). I’m certain that all the while this is going on, Elijah will be telling the Jews how Jesus their Messiah fulfilled all these things they are practicing. Eventually, at Jesus’ return, the entire Jewish remnant will be saved, and acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah.
All this public ministry of the two witnesses will not go unnoticed by the church but will be helpful to us both in identifying them and heeding what they preach. In the next blog, I’ll wrap up this series on the two witnesses.
Part 7
Only when the two witnesses have completed their mission and finish prophesying do they allow their enemies to prevail. And prevail they do, by killing them together in the streets of Jerusalem. This is done by the “destroyer” ascending from the abyss unlocked by satan himself. The destroyer kills the two witnesses by possessing the antichrist who will rejoice with the world that these trouble makers are finally reigned in. The shear pain these two inflicted on the world through plague, drought, and death while defending themselves will finally be over. In fact, they don’t even bury their bodies, but gloat over them by leaving them lie in the street for three and one half days. Like Christmas time, they’re so happy, they celebrate by giving gifts to one another. Their rejoicing is short lived, however, as shock and fear come on the world when the breath of God reanimates the two prophets and they stand to their feet! Even more amazing, they are caught up into a cloud in full view of the world, just as their Lord had experienced 2000 years ago. Adding to the great fear and shock is a great earthquake destroying a tenth of Jerusalem killing 7000 people. The rest of Jerusalem (the other 90%), out of fear, gives glory to God. Like others in scripture that God transported or relocated, we don’t know where God will take them. Heaven, of course just means sky. There may be a hint, however in the next chapter. Chapter 12 depicts a woman fleeing to a place prepared by God where she will be safe during the rest of the tribulation. “Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.” (Rev. 12:6). The word “they” in this verse has no antecedent. To find one, you have to go all the way back to the two witnesses. Is it possible they are taken to this place of safety to continue their ministry?
In this series of blogs, I’ve tried to unpack the mystery surrounding the two witnesses, with the goal of preparing you so that you will recognize and follow their instruction when their time comes. It will be immensely rewarding for you if you’re ready for them. Keep watching. Stay informed.
Maranatha, Jim