Rev 11 - The 2 Witnesses

Examining the Book of Revelation ...

We have mentioned before that in the book of Revelation zooms backwards and forwards to clarify events and timing of certain things.

We jump now to Revelation 11 followed by 12 before returning to the trumpet judgments per Revelation, chapter 8 & 9. The reason for doing this is to illustrate how these two witnesses have a relationship to the timing of the trumpet judgments.

For greater clarity, let us quickly recap on the scriptures relating to these 2 witnesses ...

They will be prophets and servants of God (Rev 11 )
They will be dressed in sack-clothe. (Rev 11 : 3 - 4)
John saw them in heaven standing besides God ( Rev 11 : 4)
These men will die when the beast from the Abyss "Pit" destroys than after there testimony is completed.
They are the 2 olive trees standing before God and are of the Earth.

It is clear from the scriptures that these 2 witnesses will appear in Israel. John is asked to measure the temple. And where was the temple of God? Correct, In Israel. Many people believe that one of these witnesses is the prophet "Elijah" ,as this was mentioned in the book of Daniel.

The witnesses are given the authority to prophecy to the people of Israel for 1260 days. Remember, prophecy occurs in 30 days. Therefore, 1260 days = 3.5 years (1 260 / 30 days). Also notice that the first half of the tribulation is 1 260 days; and this is when there is relative peace in Israel. These scriptures also tells us that the Holy city is to be trampled on for 42 months or 1 260 days.
In fact, many speculate, saying that after the antichrist signs the peace treaty with Israel, he gives them ratification to construct the temple. (Remember, we know why the antichrist wants the temple constructed, yes, he wants to claim to be God)

As these witnesses have great authority, there is no wonder the antichrist does not break the treaty whilst those witnesses are there! The first witness is without any doubt, the prophet Elijah. We are told in Malaci 4:5 that God will send the prophet Elijah back to the earth before the dreadful day of the Lord falls on the earth; the period where Gods wrath occurs.

Take note, Elijah never physically died on earth. He was swept up into heaven. Now we also note that we are appointed to die once only. [ Heb 9 : 27].

Now the problem comes in with the 2nd witness; as according to bible scholars their are two possibilities:

The Biblical search for the 2^nd Witness

Enoch

Moses

The only other person who, according to the Bible, did not physically die was Enoch.

Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away [Gen 5:24 NIV]

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away.

For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God [ Heb 11:5 NIV]

However, Enoch has the following pitfall. He was not a Jew as he existed before the flood and taken away. The Bible specifically links these 2 witnesses to the Olive tree. We read in Zechariah 4, the following :

Then I asked the angel, "What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lamp stand?" Again I asked him, "What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?" He replied, "Do you not know what these are?" "No, my lord," I said. So he said, "These are the two who are anointed to [1] serve the Lord of all the earth." [ Zech. 4:11-14 NIV]

So what are we saying? Enoch was not a Jew as He existed before the flood and before the Jews entered the land of Canaan; thereby identifying themselves as the Jewish nation. However, as he did not die; we can never rule this out.

One must also consider that the 2nd Witness might be Moses as the scriptures provides the following :

Remember that these 2 witnesses had awesome powers. They were able to turn water into blood and call and defer the rain as often as they wanted.

Now we read in the 2nd book of the Bible, the powers that Moses had at his disposal.

Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded. He raised his staff in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was changed into blood. [ Exo 7:20 NIV]

Now it is also necessary to mention that when Jesus was transfigured before His disciples, Both Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with the 2 disciples. (Mat 17:3)

Also in Jude 1:9 ; a picture is given over the battle over Moses' body between Michael and Satan.

Many view this scripture as significant as God was protecting the body of Moses super-naturally for this great period of witnessing to occur.

Well; the one thing we are sure of; the first witness is without a doubt Elijah; whilst the second witness could either be Moses or Enoch. Now these 2 witnesses only prophecy for the 1st 3 1/2 years of the tribulation; thereafter they are killed. But before we can understand the prophetic significance of there witnessing or where they fit in the grand scheme of the tribulation; lets first introduce the signs in Revelation 12 and then analyse the trumpet judgments into the equation; before we rap up on these 2 witnesses.

Next Section - Revelation 12: The Two Signs

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