Revelation 11:3-12 describes two witnesses who will prophesy during the end times, clothed in sackcloth, with the power to perform miracles like stopping rain and turning water to blood. There are three main views on their identity. One view suggests they will be Moses and Elijah, based on their biblical miracles and their appearance at the Transfiguration. A second view proposes they will be Enoch and Elijah, since these are the only two men in the Bible who did not experience death. The third view suggests the two witnesses will be two future men raised up by God, empowered to perform similar miracles as Moses and Elijah. The two witnesses call us, as believers, to live as witnesses of who God is and what He has done to a world that needs to see Him.
Since the coming of the two witnesses of Revelation 11 is still in the future, uncertainty exists regarding their identities . Three views are generally given. First, many suggest these two men will be Moses and Elijah. God used Moses and his brother Aaron to turn water into blood at the first plague of Egypt (Exodus 7:14-25), the same as the two witnesses (Revelation 11:6). When Elijah prayed, the sky stopped giving rain, just like will happen with the two witnesses (1 Kings 17—18; Revelation 11:6). Elijah also called fire down from heaven that destroyed people (2 Kings 1), and fire will come out of the witnesses' mouths and destroy their enemies (Revelation 11:5). In addition, both Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus at the Transfiguration, providing some precedent that they could return once again (Matthew 17:3-4).
A second view holds that these two witnesses will be Enoch and Elijah, as they are the only two men recorded in the Bible who were taken directly to heaven without dying. Enoch simply was "no more" and went to heaven (Genesis 5:23-24; Hebrews 11:5) while Elijah was taken to heaven with chariots of fire in the presence of his assistant Elisha (2 Kings 2:11). Since they have never experienced an earthly death, this view suggests these two men could return to die and experience resurrection in the future as the two witnesses.
A third view simply holds that the two witnesses will be two men in the future to whom God gives similar miraculous powers as He did to Moses and Elijah. While it is possible the two witnesses could be Moses, Elijah, or Enoch, the text does not require this interpretation. God may again raise up men who have the power to turn water to blood and stop rain from falling. These signs will confirm to many that their work and teaching are from the Lord. As a result of their actions and resurrection, many Jews (and likely Gentiles as well) will believe in the Lord. After their resurrection and ascension, we are told, "And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven" (Revelation 11:13).
All of these activities are said to take place leading up to the midpoint of the seven-year Tribulation predicted in the book of Revelation. It will be a time of great judgment during which a Jewish temple will be constructed, offerings will be made, and the Antichrist or future global ruler will desecrate the temple and declare himself to be a god. The work of these two witnesses will oppose this wicked leader and help point many to the true God during these final, difficult days. Likewise, we are to live as witnesses to God to a world that needs to see Him. First Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” May we proclaim who He is and what He has done to this world!
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
