The Two Witnesses

The Two Witnesses

The two witnesses, discussed earlier in this book, have an important role to play in the end times and the span of their ministry provides us with another end times chronological parameter. Their ministry is described in Rev 11:3-15.

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Many over the years have debated their identity. My study of scripture has led me to believe that they may be Elijah and John. Elijah is the prophet who is to return to earth before the Lord returns (Mal 4:5,6), and John was told that he was to prophesy again (Rev 10:11).

These two witnesses--whoever they turn out to be--will prophesy and proclaim God’s message of salvation and repentance to the world from Jerusalem. They will also have power, like Moses before Pharaoh, to inflict the world with many judgments. The timing of their ministry has also been debated. However if you look to the end of Revelation 11, you will notice that right after the witnesses die and are resurrected, the second woe is past. The three woes are the last three trumpet judgments. Thus, their work on earth ends between the 6th and 7th trumpet judgment. (The last 30 days before Armageddon are for the seventh trumpet judgment, which consists of the seven bowl judgments.) Thus with their 1260 day ministry ending at the latest at day 2490 this would place the start of their ministry sometime before day 1230.

We also know that the 2 witnesses are to die and their bodies will lie in the street for 3½ days, which may be part of the 1260 they are allotted to minister or may be outside of it. If the 3½ days are part of the 1260 days and they are killed on day 2490 then their ministry would end on day 2494 and start on day 1234.

updated 3/15