The Two Witnesses In The Book Of Revelation

I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.  Revelation 11:3

One of the great mysteries in the Bible is the identity of the “two witnesses” in the book of Revelation.

During the three years after I became a Christian, my life became a witness to the faithfulness of God. I wasn’t a Christian, then I was a Christian, and afterward, I spent a considerable amount of time sharing my faith with others.

I still take advantage of being a witness for Jesus, but I’ve never had the same fruitful results as in my first three years as a disciple.

The “two witnesses” are a different level of impact, power, and results.

If anyone wants to harm them, fire flows out of their mouth and devours their enemies… They have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.  Revelation 11:5-6

For 1260 days or three and a half years, God will empower “two witnesses” to preach the testimony of Jesus to the entire world. They will have power to bring judgment on ungodliness; they will predict the future with 100 percent accuracy, and if you live in a farming community, you want to become their friend, as they have the power to hold or release rain.

The mystery of the identity of the “two witnesses” has been a debated topic.

Some say, Moses and Elijah, others Enoch and Elijah, and I’ve read a good study concluding Peter and Paul, but many think their identity is yet to be revealed.

HHHHMMMHHM… I think it would be cool to be one of these witnesses. Let me consider what the ability to call down fire from heaven would mean when the opposing team scores on my team, when someone cuts me off in traffic, or against that lunatic political party that I dislike.

With all this power, many don’t volunteer or pray for the honor of being one of the “two witnesses,” because…

When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them and overcome them and kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.  Revelation 11:7-8

The word for “witness” in the original Greek is “martur” which translated means both “witness” and “martyr.”

The “two witnesses” walking in both power and judgment lead the last crusade in history. They won’t trifle with truth, compromise holiness, or fear persecution as God gives them the ability to perform miracles unlike anyone else in history (except Jesus!).

Before Jesus returns for the Day of Judgment, for three and half years – the length of the ministry of Jesus, or half the time of the seven years tribulation (their witness will be during the Great Tribulation) – God will give an unchallengeable witness in both preaching (prophecy) and miracles.

God wants everyone to hear about Jesus, repent, and come live with Him for eternity.

What was the reaction of most of the people who heard and watched the ministry of the “two witnesses?”

Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate, and they will send gifts to one another because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.  Revelation 11:9-10

A witness of both powerful words and actions cannot overcome a hard heart. In the last days, evil celebrates evil. The early Pharisees and even atheists today ask for signs. The “two witnesses” will provide them in abundance.

But most of the world will scoff.

This last testimony to a lost world through the “two witnesses” will also bring a mighty harvest (taught in Acts 2) and unmatched persecution against the church (Revelation 6).

Jesus returns soon afterward. Until then we are to be witnesses and maybe martyrs.

Interruptions will feature the Book of Revelation in 2021. Read #280, #281, #295, #307, #316, #333, #343, #364, #380, #395, #406, #432, and #433 at www.grantedwardsauthor.com for previous blogs on Revelation. I’m writing 16 more blogs on Revelation in the next year.