The two witnesses are two mysterious prophetic figures who are mentioned in Revelation 11:1-14. They appear during the tribulation period before Christ’s second coming. There has been much speculation throughout church history about the identity of the two witnesses. Here is a summary of what the Bible reveals about them:
Their Ministry
The two witnesses are described as having a powerful prophetic ministry during the first half of the tribulation period. Revelation 11:3 says that they “will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” This time frame is equivalent to 3.5 years or 42 months, matching the first half of the 7-year tribulation period (see Daniel 9:27). The two witnesses will preach repentance and deliver God’s message during a time of great wickedness on the earth.
Revelation 11:4 compares the two witnesses to “the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.” This imagery comes from Zechariah 4, where the lampstands and olive trees represented Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor who helped rebuild the temple after the Babylonian exile. In Revelation, the lampstands and olive trees symbolize the light and sustenance the two witnesses will provide to the world through their prophetic ministry.
The miraculous power given to the two witnesses is described in Revelation 11:5-6. They are granted authority to destroy their enemies with fire from their mouths, to prevent rain during their ministry, and to strike the earth with plagues as often as they desire. Like the Old Testament prophets Elijah and Moses, the two witnesses will have power to supernaturally validating their divine commission.
Their Identity
The Bible does not explicitly identify who the two witnesses are. However, Revelation 11:3-4 offers some clues. First, they are called “my two witnesses” by God, implying they will represent Him. Second, their ministry and powers are similar to the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17:1; 2 Kings 1:10) and Moses (Exodus 7:14-11:10). This has led many Bible scholars to speculate that the two witnesses will be either Elijah and Moses themselves, or two new prophets patterned after them.
Those who believe Elijah and Moses will literally return point to the fact that both did not experience normal deaths (2 Kings 2:11; Deuteronomy 34:5-6). Also, Moses and Elijah appeared with Christ at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:3), perhaps as a preview of their future ministry. Some propose the two witnesses could be Enoch and Elijah, since neither experienced death (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5). However, Revelation 11:7-12 indicates the two witnesses will be killed and raised to life, which would then disqualify Enoch who was taken directly to heaven.
Other interpreters believe the two witnesses symbolize a new prophetic ministry in the spirit and power of Elijah and Moses. This allows for the witnesses to be killed (unlike immortal Moses and Elijah). It also fits the symbolism of the lampstands and olive trees representing fresh light and oil for a new day. Candidates often proposed are figures like Peter, Paul, James, or a yet unknown prophet.
Their Death and Resurrection
After completing their ministry, the two witnesses will be killed by the beast that comes up from the Abyss, likely a powerful demonic figure or antichrist leader (Revelation 11:7). Their corpses will lie in the streets of Jerusalem for 3.5 days while the world celebrates their demise. But after this brief time, God will resurrect the two witnesses and call them to come up into heaven (Revelation 11:11-12). This dramatic event will strike fear in those who witness it and validate the authority of the two prophets.
Their Impact
The ministry of the two witnesses will have a significant impact according to Revelation 11:
- They will proclaim God’s truth and call the world to repentance during a time of great wickedness (vs. 3, 6)
- Their prophecies and miracles will validate their authority as they oppose the antichrist system (vs. 5-6)
- Their deaths and resurrection will demonstrate God’s power over evil (vs. 7-12)
- Their ascension to heaven will validate their role as God’s prophetic messengers (vs. 12)
Though hated and opposed by the unbelieving world, the two witnesses will powerfully achieve God’s purposes during the tribulation period. They will prepare the way for the coming kingdom of Christ.
Different Views on the Two Witnesses
While all evangelical interpreters agree the two witnesses will be future prophets ministering during the tribulation, there are four main views on the details:
- Literal Moses and Elijah View: The two witnesses will be literally Moses and Elijah, resurrected after their earthly lives.
- Symbolic Moses and Elijah View: The witnesses represent prophets ministering in the spirit and power of Moses and Elijah.
- Two New Prophets View: The witnesses are two new prophetic figures, unknown until the tribulation period.
- The Church View: The two witnesses symbolize the witnessing church, either Jewish believers or the combined Gentile and Jewish church.
Each viewpoint has strengths and weaknesses. The literal Moses and Elijah view recognizes similarities between the miracles of the witnesses and the ministries of Moses and Elijah. However, it requires previously immortal figures to experience death. The symbolic view fits the lampstand and olive tree imagery as representing a new prophetic ministry. But the witnesses are never explicitly identified as symbols. The two new prophets view allows the witnesses to be killed and resurrected. But it lacks significant exegetical support. The church view handles the death and resurrection of the witnesses as a corporate group rather than individuals. But the witnesses are described as two individuals, not a corporate group.
In conclusion, the symbolic Moses and Elijah view seems to have the fewest difficulties. It acknowledges the many connections to the ministries of Moses and Elijah while also recognizing the novelty of the lampstand and olive tree imagery. Two new prophets ministering in the spirit and power of their Old Testament forerunners allows for cohesion between the various details Revelation provides about the two witnesses.
Other Details about the Two Witnesses
Beyond their identity, ministry, death, and resurrection, the Bible gives some additional details about the two witnesses:
- They are granted authority by God to prophesy for 1,260 days (Revelation 11:3).
- They are described as the two olive trees and two lampstands (Revelation 11:4).
- They have power to destroy enemies with fire, prevent rain, and strike the earth with plagues (Revelation 11:5-6).
- They will operate in Jerusalem, called the great city symbolically called Sodom and Egypt (Revelation 11:8).
- People from every nation will see their dead bodies for 3.5 days (Revelation 11:9).
- Their resurrection after 3.5 days will lead to a great earthquake (Revelation 11:11-13).
- Their ascension to heaven will conclude the second woe of tribulation judgments (Revelation 11:14).
These details help create a fuller picture of what the ministry of the two witnesses will involve. They will have a worldwide audience, operate in the epicenter of Jerusalem, face intense persecution, and yet powerfully achieve God’s will in preparing for Christ’s return.
Parallels to Jesus Christ
Many commentators have noted the two witnesses seem to parallel the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ in a limited way:
- Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem (Luke 23:33); the two witnesses killed in Jerusalem (Revelation 11:8).
- Darkness fell when Jesus died (Luke 23:44); people will gloat over the deaths of the witnesses (Revelation 11:10).
- Jesus rose on the third day (Luke 24:7); the witnesses resurrect after 3.5 days (Revelation 11:11).
- Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11); the witnesses ascend to heaven (Revelation 11:12).
These parallels support the symbolic view of the witnesses as latter-day prophetic figures ministering in the power of Christ’s death and resurrection. The events surrounding the witnesses remind readers of Christ’s victory over death while previewing the ultimate triumph to come.
Connection to Revelation’s 7 Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls
The ministry of the two witnesses relates closely to the overall structure of the book of Revelation. John’s visions are arranged in sections describing 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 bowls of God’s end time judgments on the earth:
- Seals 1-5: Revelation 6
- Trumpets 1-4: Revelation 8-9
- Interlude (the witnesses): Revelation 10-11:14
- Trumpets 5-6: Revelation 11:15-18
- Bowl judgments: Revelation 15-16
The ministry and death of the two witnesses forms an interlude between the first set of trumpet judgments (Rev 8-9) and the final trumpet judgments (Rev 11:15-18). The witnesses are killed after finishing their 1,260 day ministry, right before the 7th trumpet sounds (Rev 11:14-15). Their ministry parallels the first 3.5 years of tribulation judgments before the rise of the antichrist and his regime.
Foreshadowing in Zechariah 4
The two witnesses of Revelation draw imagery from Zechariah’s vision of a lampstand and two olive trees in Zechariah 4:1-14. In Zechariah’s vision, the lampstand and olive trees represent Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor who helped rebuild the temple after exile. The lampstand provided light while the olive trees provided oil, symbolizing the kingly and priestly service needed to rebuild the temple.
In Revelation, John adapts this imagery to represent the fresh prophetic light and anointing that will come through the two witnesses to prepare for Christ’s kingdom. Just as Joshua and Zerubbabel prepared for a new physical temple, the two witnesses will prepare for the spiritual temple of Christ’s millennial reign (Rev 20:4-6).
Unanswered Questions
For all the details Revelation provides, some mysteries remain about the two witnesses, including:
- What miracle-working powers will they possess besides fire, plagues, and controlling the rain?
- How will they use their powers – for judgment only or also for blessing?
- Will they know each other’s identity and work together?
- Will their ministry be worldwide or focused only in Jerusalem?
- What kind of public opposition and persecution will they face?
- What impact will their resurrection and ascension have on any believers left after the rapture?
The unanswered questions lead to endless speculation. But the core truths about the ministry and purpose of the two witnesses are clear enough to understand their vital role in preparing the world for the return of Christ at the end of the tribulation period.
Conclusions
The mysterious two witnesses of Revelation provoke many questions. But their core purpose is clear: to proclaim God’s truth and prepare the way for Christ’s return during an intense time of judgment on the earth. Though hated and opposed by unbelievers, the two witnesses will accomplish God’s will through their prophetic ministry and miracles.
Key truths about the two witnesses include:
- They will minister during the first half of the 7 year tribulation period
- Their miracles validate their authority as God’s prophets
- They parallel Moses and Elijah but likely represent latter-day prophetic figures
- Their death and resurrection shows God’s power over evil
- They help complete the “woes” of tribulation judgments
- They prepare for the coming of Christ’s millennial kingdom
The two witnesses epitomize the powerful witness believers are called to provide in the face of opposition until Christ returns. As the end times approach, God will raise up prophetic voices to declare His truth until the day of His victory and reign on earth.
