The 2 Witnesses

The two witnesses of Revelation chapter 11 are a real enigma. We are told that they minister for 1260 days, which is three and a half years in the Jewish calendar. Evidently this is the same period of the Antichrist’s reign, for they are protected from his forces until the very end of the period, when God allows the two witnesses to be killed. What is their purpose? In a time of plagues and famine, they only make things worse by withholding rain and striking the earth with more plagues. Surely they will be hated by all who do not understand that God is judging the world, but surely some will repent at the sound of their preaching. What use is it for us to know about the two witnesses? They will bring such severe judgement that many will be offended at them. But since God has given us foresight of their ministry, we will have the power to resist such offence, and stand in faith.

Script Of Video

The 2 Witnesses.

Amidst all the catastrophic events of the Tribulation Period, the Book of Revelation talks about 2 witnesses who are going to preach to the world.

Imagine the scene.

A quarter of the earth’s population killed by the sword, hunger, disease and wild animals, cosmic signs like asteroids and super volcanoes, and throughout it all, two prophets of God preaching and prophesying for 3 and a half years.

Where will they minister from?

The Bible is not clear, but they are mentioned after verses which talk of the Temple of God.

We also know that when eventually the Antichrist kills them, their dead bodies will lie in the street of the city where Jesus was crucified, in Jerusalem.

What will they accomplish?

They will have a deep impact on the nation of Israel. Imagine hearing a real prophet of God preaching day in, day out, for 3 and a half years.

Their words will cut some to the heart, while causing the hearts of the unrepentant to harden even further.

What about the miracles?

Revelation 11 verse 5 says that if anyone wants to harm them, fire will come out of the mouths of the 2 witnesses, and devour their enemies.

Verse 6 says that they will have power to prevent rain from falling throughout the 1260 days of their prophecy.

No wonder there could be a wide spread famine, bringing more pain and suffering.

The fourth seal brings fatal diseases, but the two witnesses simply multiply the effect of this by striking the earth with all manner of plagues.

The second and third bowl judgements turn the sea and rivers to blood, but the two witnesses don’t solve the problem, they make it worse. 

The nations will hate these 2 prophets of God.

The end of their ministry.

When at last the Antichrist is allowed to kill them, their bodies lie unburied for 3 and a half days, amongst great rejoicing and celebration for those who hated them.

After this, God will resurrect them, and call them up to Heaven, causing great fear to fall on those who witness this event.

Who are the Two Witnesses?

This is the million dollar question, which no one knows the answer to.

They are described as the two olive trees, and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.

Therefore some have concluded that the 2 witnesses represent Israel and the Church.

But we know that neither Israel nor the Church is protected during the Tribulation Period, instead they are persecuted.

Since it is appointed once that a man should die, some look to Enoch and Elijah, whose bodies never died on earth, but were caught up to Heaven, one in a chariot.

Then again the kind of miracles that the 2 witnesses perform remind some of Moses, who turned water to blood, and Elijah, who prevented rain falling on the kingdom of Israel for exactly the same length of time, three and a half years, during the reign of King Ahab.

The bottom line is, we don’t need to know ahead of time who the 2 witnesses will be.

Conclusion.

All we need to understand is this. During the Tribulation Period, God will not be silent.

Through the Two Witnesses, and through preaching angels, God will send out His word to whoever may listen and repent, for the time is short.

We need to be aware that many will hate these prophets of God. For many it will be the last nail in the coffin, many will not be able to humble themselves, but will rage all the more at God.

It will be a time to stand firm in the strength that only God can give.