* Originally written 2/28/14. Revised 5/21/18.
Revelation 11:3-14 highlights the two witnesses. These faithful witnesses preach to a rebellious world in the Great Tribulation from Jerusalem. Their ministry likely occurs in the middle to the end of the Great Tribulation since it is part of the "2nd woe", which is well within the judgment timeline of the book of Revelation.
Some claim these witnesses could be Elijah, Moses, Enoch, Peter or Paul. Malachi 4:5, for example, seems to point to Elijah. They offer a testimony of judgment on the world for rejecting His Son, cursing God's people, accepting the Antichrist, and for their stubborn unrepentance and sin per Genesis 12:3 and II Thessalonians 2:1-12.
They witness according to the Bible for "1260 days" (same period noted elsewhere in the Bible such as in Revelation 12:6, or 42 months, or 3 1/2 years) which is within the 7-year Tribulation reign of the Antichrist.
They will be given great power. According to Revelation 11:5, "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." To Americans of thirty, fifty or 100 years ago, raised in a more Christian-friendly America, this type of hostility to men of God seems quite foreign. However, in the America of today and definitely in Europe and Muslim nations the hostility to the true Gospel is very real, reflecting the wickedness of the human heart.
In the Great Tribulation, God's judgment will be coming fast and furious. These two witnesses add to the Lord's judgment. Revelation 11:6 notes, "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."
Needless to say they won't be popular with their contemporaries on earth. Revelation notes that after their ministry is completed, the beast from the Abyss will have power to kill them. The people of the earth will gloat over their death, and refuse to bury them, but after 3 1/2 days they will be resurrected, striking terror in those who saw them.
I glean the following random insights and questions concerning the two witnesses:
1) The drought, the blood in the waters, the plagues, and the earthquake after the witnesses were raised from the dead all are clear, New Testament, yet extreme examples of the curse of Genesis 12:3. It still applies at the end of the Age just as it did for Abraham. And it applies today!
2) Judgment occurs quickly with a Rev. 13:13 earthquake. When God's timing is right, events happen fast.
3) Consider the Two Witnesses' style of ministry. It contrasts starkly with many "Seeker Sensitive" American churches that may avoid tough topics, focusing on the allegedly soft, grandfatherly love of God. Also, consider the style of ministry targeting many of America's youth. Often zany activities, free pizza, ski weekends, swimming parties are needed to be able to even be able to "talk to 'em about Jesus". And yet, many years ago, I recall at a Young Life camp week, in the midst of a week full of action-packed fun, even then many teens grumbled about the "Jesus talk."
4)My final thought is this...If these people knew the Two Witnesses were responsible for the judgment/calamities they were experiencing, then why not repent? I believe the answer lies in the desperately wicked, illogical human heart, referred to in Jeremiah 17:9. Furthermore, Daniel 8:23, referring to the Tribulation, describes the people of that time as. "when rebels have become completely wicked...". This observation is affirmed in Revelation 16:9 which notes, about these people, "they were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God...but they refused to repent and glorify Him."
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