OTWHministries 

Revelation 11 Part 2 

The Two Witnesses 

I Trust you read over last week’s lesson about the rebuilding of the Temple.  We will have more on the Tribulation Temple at a later time. However, we left some questions unanswered from last week; namely: “Who are the two witnesses”. Let’s look at them again. 

Verse 3 calls them “my two witnesses” and it indicates that they are prophets.  Then, look at verses 4 and 5 which give us a few more hints. 

4. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 

5. If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies.  This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die.  

 

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Two witnesses – two is the number for witness in the Bible.  Jesus sent out the disciples two by two. There are other examples in the Bible as well.  Many believe that Moses and Elijah are the two witnesses. Others believe Elijah and Enoch.  Moses was buried on the mountain by God.  Elijah was taken to heaven in a fiery chariot.  As for Enoch, God took him and he was no more.   

First, let’s look at Elijah.  Malachi 3:1-3, 4:4,6 predict that Elijah would come to prepare the way for Messiah.  In fact the scripture was quoted by many with reference to Jesus Christ’s first coming.  The same sign that was given to Elijah regarding rain is mentioned in verse 6.  Elijah has already appeared once, at the Transfiguration of Christ on the mountain.  

Second, think about Moses.  He also appeared at the transfiguration.  He turned water into blood in Exodus 7.  As for Enoch, it is true that he never tasted death.  However, he was a Gentile, so it is unlikely that he is one of them.  Although, he may be one of the two in order to witness to the Gentiles at this time.   

Verse 4 says that they are the two olive trees AND the two lampstands. Let’s, go back and review for a moment what these two things represent.  The olive trees represent the Jews, God’s chosen people through which the Messiah would be born.  In the Holy Place in the temple there were two lampstands. Remember, that the lampstand represents the church in the beginning of our study of Revelation. This indicated that the church would be the light of the world to bring the people to salvation through Jesus.  

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These two have miraculous power to bring fire down from heaven.  They are filled with the Holy Spirit.  They are immortal and immune to all attacks until their mission is completed. It is encouraging that all God’s people are immortal until He has accomplished His purpose through them.  When He is through with you, He will remove you from the earth,   

We do not know for certain, who they are, but we do know they are human beings, and that there are two of them.  They testify for the first half of the tribulation.  They testify until the beast makes his appearance.  Who is the beast?  The antichrist! You can imagine how angry this man will be when he hears what they have to say. And he will become even more angry when he can do nothing to stop them.   

11:6 These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.  

They have unlimited authority. They can “control rainfall” suggests Elijah, and “turn water into blood, smite the earth with all plagues” describe the plagues Moses imposed on Egypt. “As often as they wish” reveals the confidence God places in these servants of His. Of course, Enoch never died since God took him, alive into heaven, so His purpose for God might not yet be over.   

11:7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them and overpower and kill them. 

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Notice it is only when they have accomplished their purpose for God that they can be killed.  Who determines when the two witnesses “have finished their testimony?” What do you think is God’s purpose in the ministry of the two witnesses during the Tribulation?  Their death will be the first great act that the antichrist will use to gain a following.   

11:8-11  

8.Their bodies will like in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.   

9.  For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial.  

10. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.  

11. But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them.  

Their dead bodies lie in the street 3 ½ days. Treated like dead animals.  The city is identified as Jerusalem.  It will be like a counterfeit Christmas with people giving gifts to each other and celebrating.  Why and what are they celebrating?  For one thing, these two have been witnessing and preaching to the people for over 3 years.  They were surely telling them about Jesus, the savior, about the rapture and what happened to all those “religious” people who disappeared.  They would be telling them that all antichrist has been telling them is a lie; telling them about the sins they have been led to believe are “OK” and that their lifestyles are sinful.  Sins that, today are being forced on our world as being just another way of living. Homosexuality, abortion, transgender, lifestyles that we are faced with today, is not ok.  Remember that, the Christians are now gone and evil is rampant in the world.  Look at how they celebrate just even one small victory in the courts today.  Imagine how much they will celebrate when the last of God’s witnesses are gone. 

But, then!!!!  Something remarkable happens. Amazing!!  

11…….a breath of life…….(from where?) from GOD enters them and they stood up and terror struck those who saw them, 

Can you imagine the TV Camera capturing all of this?  People all over the world watching in terror and amazement!  And if that wasn’t enough,: 

12. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.  WOW!!!! Unbelievable!!  But it will happen, just as God’s word says it will happen. 

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The world hears a voice from heaven calling the prophets to “Come up here” Life enters into them and they ascend to heaven in a cloud, while all the world watches. 

It is like another resurrection and the ascension all over again.  But, that’s not all.  Look. 

 

 

v. 13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed.  Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the  

God of heaven.   

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The two witnesses are raptured and the whole world recoils in fear; then there is an earthquake and 7000 are killed.  This number killed are added to those already dead.  The earthquake seems to be limited to Jerusalem. Just as when Christ rose from the dead in Matthew 28:2. Just as at His crucifixion, Matthew 27:51, 52.  The Remnant give the glory to God (that’s the 144,000 and their converts). 

14. The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon. 

The second woe is the same as the 6th trumpet.  This is now over, but the 7th trumpet blast isn’t far behind.  We will save that for next week. 

God bless, my friends, see you then. 

Maggie