22 The Two Witnesses
We are drawing to the close of the second interval of the Revelation. There are six intervals in the Revelation that separate seven periods of time. As students of prophecy know, the Book of Revelation is a “base seven” book, meaning that the number seven punctuates it. There are seven sevens in Revelation - seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven personages, seven vials, seven dooms, and seven new things. Rightfully so, as seven is God’s number of completion and the Revelation is the completion of God’s prophetic scheme as well as time itself.
The intervals of Revelation offer a departure from the natural progression of time. They show the result of what has already been stated, the cause of what is to come, or some detail about the chronological events that we need to see and understand. The first interval came between sixth and the seven seal. It showed the sealing of 144,000 evangelists who will spread the gospel of the kingdom throughout the world during the Tribulation Period. The first interval also shows us the blood washed multitude that receive the message and turn to God. I believe this multitude is those who have not heard the gospel of grace and as a result missed the rapture. But they do accept and obey the gospel of the kingdom (the coming kingdom of Christ on earth). The second interval before us falls between the sixth and the seventh trumpets. This interval begins in chapter 10 verse 1 and goes through chapter 11 verse 14. In this interval we are introduced to three characters. The first was the “mighty angel” or the special angelic envoy of the Lamb to earth (Chapter 10). Now we are introduced to the “two witnesses.”
The identity of these two witnesses is a much-debated topic among prophetic scholars. I will offer my opinion on this score, but I emphasize that it is only an opinion. I believe that more important than the witness’s identity is the purpose of their ministry and God’s faithfulness in the worst kind of adversity. This is important because their ministry to the world after the rapture mirrors the church’s ministry to the world before the rapture.
Measure the Temple
“And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.” Rev 11:1
The mention of the temple of God brings us back into the Old Testament mindset and the Jewish people. If the Church were still on earth, John wouldn’t be measuring a temple in Jerusalem, because the Church itself is the dwelling place of God through the Spirit. There are two types of people implied in these two verses - Jews and Gentiles. There is no place on earth for the Church after chapter 3 of this book.
The “temple” here is the Temple proper - the holy place and the most holy place. The altar mentioned is the golden altar of incense in the holy place. Not only is the temple proper measured, but those that worship there are also measured or counted. God know who are His and He has them numbered.
But notice in verse two that the court, or the outer area of the temple complex is “given unto the Gentiles.”
“But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.” Rev 11:2
This shows the precarious situation of the Jews halfway through the Tribulation. Jesus said that Jerusalem would be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled, but now their control extends to the grounds surrounding the rebuilt temple.
A word about the temple - if you believe the temple has to be rebuilt before the rapture, think again. This is the halfway point. If the rapture happened today, the Jews would have 3 ½ years to rebuild the temple. Considering that it took Bezaleel and Aholiab less than a year to build the Tabernacle in the wilderness without the benefit of modern tools, this is very reasonable. If you are waiting for the temple to be rebuilt before getting ready for the rapture, you may be sorely disappointed!
Even though the world seems to be out of control, the Lord Jesus is orchestrating all events from Heaven. He is the One Who has “given” the outer court to the Gentiles. He also sets the limits to their times. They only have 3 ½ years of dominion remaining. The clock is ticking. “Forty and two months” - this measure of time is mentioned over and over in the prophetic writings.
- “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.” Rev 13:5
- “And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.” Rev 12:14
- “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.” Dan 7:25
God has the time determined and nothing Satan and the Antichrist can do will change God’s time.
Two Powerful Witnesses
“And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.” Rev 11:3-4
The Lord speaks through His special envoy, the “mighty angel.” He introduces us to the two witnesses and gives us the scope of their ministry. Their ministry corresponds with the last half of the Tribulation period. Their power comes from God.
In every age and in every circumstance, God has a witness. In the darkest of times, God will have someone who will embrace and proclaim the truth. The Lord will not leave Himself without a witness to the world. Even at the height of Satan’s power on this earth, God will have a people that are moved by His power. And they will not be silenced or overcome by evil.
In the final days before the Babylonian captivity, God had a prophet named Jeremiah. The prophet said that God’s word felt like fire shut up in his bones. We are the Jeremiah generation. We are the final witness to our world before God brings a change. And after the Church leaves this earth, God will raise up 144,000 to preach the gospel of the kingdom. God will raise up two witnesses to preach in the streets of Jerusalem during the worst of the tribulation. They will not be silenced and they will not be stopped.
These witnesses are the prophetic antitype of the governor and priest who rebuilt the temple in the days of Ezra. God showed Zechariah a vision that spoke of the ministry of Governor Zerubbabel and the priest Joshua.
“Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.” Zech 4:11-14
The two “anointed ones” or “sons of oil” find the New Testament antitype in the ministry of the two witnesses of Revelation eleven. What are they doing? They are emptying out the oil to provide light for others to do God’s work. These two witnesses provide encouragement and comfort to the 144,000 and the blood washed multitude. The anointing of God’s Spirit flows through them and God’s power is revealed to a wicked world. The light of God’s Truth burns bright because these sons of oil empty the golden oil of anointed truth out of themselves. Satan cannot put out the light of God’s truth as long as there are witnesses willing to let the anointing flow through them!
Can I say to you that this is the Church’s role today? We have no power in ourselves, but it comes from Jesus. As the Lord said through His envoy angel here - “..I will give power unto my two witnesses..” (vs3)
So said Jesus to you and me - “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8
And the Church will remain on earth until the Lord is ready to call us home. The enemy can’t do anything about that. The gates of hell will not prevail against the Church!
A Powerful Ministry
“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. 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.” Rev 11:5-6
It is really speculation, but I find clues to their identity in the description of their ministry. They are able to destroy their enemies with fire. They have power to shut up heaven for 3 ½ years. They have power to turn water into blood. They can smite the earth with plagues as often as they like.
Elijah called down fire from heaven on Mount Carmel. Back then it was to prove who the true God was. Elijah called down fire to devour the soldiers sent to capture him. God told Elijah to proclaim that there would be no rain until further notice. It did not rain for 3 ½ years, until God spoke through Elijah.
God used Moses to turn water into blood. God used Moses in several other types of plagues upon Egypt. In fact, four of the plagues of the seven vials are very similar to what happened in Egypt. These two witnesses are given power to “smite the earth with all plagues.” It could be that the Lord uses them in conjunction with the pouring out of these vials of wrath. This would certainly explain why the world hates these witnesses so much, just as the Egyptians hated Moses.
Now, I want to emphasize again that this is just my theory. I might be just as wrong as anything on the identity of these two witnesses. Anyone who tells you with certainty is just blowing smoke. I believe the two witnesses are Moses and Elijah. I believe Moses and Elijah received their marching orders for this mission from the Lord Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. The disciples could not stay awake or perhaps they could have recorded the conversation.
“And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.” Luke 9:29-32
Perhaps since the Lord spoke with Moses and Elijah about His decease, He assured them that they would likewise be resurrected and translated after their death in the streets of Jerusalem.
A Successful Ministry
“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.” Rev 11:7-8
After their ministry is finished, not before! God has a job for these witnesses and God will not be disappointed. There is a certain time for their ministry and a certain purpose. A person is very blessed who understands the time and purpose of their role in the plan of God.
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” Eccl 3:1
We all have a role to play in the plan of God. If we are willing to yield ourselves completely to the Lord, He will see that His purpose is fulfilled in our lives. There is nothing whatsoever the enemy can do to prevent God’s purpose being fulfilled in those who yield to His control.
I have more words of comfort from the story of these men’s ministry. If we are willing to yield completely to the Lord, our ministry is never really over … it just takes on a new phase. One would think that Moses and Elijah should be relegated to the Old Testament. But no! See them there on the Mount of Transfiguration. And, I believe, you can also see them here in Jerusalem. Now the Antichrist comes against them and kills them. But their ministry is still not over. Just give it another 3 ½ days!
Nothing Satan can do will stop the purpose of God being fulfilled in your life, if you yield completely to Jesus. It looks like the witnesses are down for the count.
“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.” Rev 11:9-10
It does not matter if the whole world is against you. When God is for you, He is all you need.
“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.” Rev 11:11-12
Even when the enemy kills them, their ministry is not done! Even when all the nations of the world rejoice and send each other gifts because the plague makers are dead, God has other plans! I’m not sure what the Lord does with these two witnesses after this, but you can be sure it is something very important.
The identity of these two witnesses is a much-debated topic among prophetic scholars. The bigger picture is God’s ability to use them to accomplish exactly what He desired in spite of everything done to stop them.
The two witnesses of Revelation chapter eleven fulfill the role during the Tribulation that the Church fulfills before the Rapture. They are conduits of God’s anointing to keep the light of God’s Truth burning. They are empowered by God’s Spirit to perform their ministry. Nothing the enemy does can erase their influence throughout the world. They remain in spite of all opposition until God’s purpose is completed. And even in death their ministry is not complete. Likewise we are the “anointed ones” or the “sons of oil” to our world.
© 2008 Nevin Bass. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced for the purpose of resale without written permission.
Theme image at top is by Ilian Rachov. The Lamb of God in Heaven on the ceiling of the Vatican Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria. www.ilianrachov.com
