The book of Revelation is the only book in the whole Bible that specifically tells us there is an important Blessing imparted to any person who reads or hears the book and HEEDS the WARNINGS that are contained in the book, because “the time is near”. How near is it and is it almost time for the TWO WITNESSES to come on the scene?
Revelation 1:3: Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
The book of Revelation was written in apocalyptic language and can be difficult to understand, especially when one is new to reading the Bible. To assist, we’re sharing our PRAYERFUL interpretations of these end time Prophecies, because the time FOR ALL TO BE FULFILLED is now VERY NEAR.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION
To briefly summarize, we posted an overview of the BASIC structure of Revelation, so we could get a better understanding of the order of end-time events. This FINAL BOOK of the Bible is truly the “Grand Finale” to God’s Great Plan of Restoration. What began as God’s PERFECT CREATION in Genesis, marred by sin, moved through both Old and New Testaments all pointing to REDEMPTION through the Messiah (Savior) Jesus Christ), and having it’s COMPLETE ENDING that will result in the FULL RESTORATION of God’s CREATION (mankind AND the earth) … in the Kingdom of God.
The word “Revelation ” (A·po·kaʹly·psis) means the UNVEILING or UNCOVERING. The Book of Revelation REVEALS or UNVEILS the TRUE and COMPLETE NATURE of our REDEEMER and KING, Jesus Christ. Jesus is NOT just a “good man”, HE IS GOD IN THE FLESH, the I AM, and the ONLY ONE CAPABLE of SAVING MANKIND. Like a symphony, the judgments in the book of Revelation BUILD in intensity, severity, and magnitude until they reach a POWERFUL crescendo, the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ.
the introduction of God’s TWO witnesses.
We are introduced to the TWO WITNESSES IN REVELATION 11. In this passage, the Temple of God is standing in Jerusalem.
Revelation 11: Then there was given to me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, “Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it.
2 Leave out the courtyard which is outside the temple and do not measure it, because it has been given to the nations (tfj: Gentiles); and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.
3 And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
In the Bible, both in the Old and New Testament, when an individual faces a charge of wrongdoing, a CONVICTION can only be secured on the TESTIMONY of two or three Witnesses. This stipulation serves to safeguard an individual from unjust punishment arising from false accusations. ⚖️
Deuteronomy 19:15: “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.
Matthew 18:16: But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.
In Revelation 11:1-2, the apostle John is given a measuring rod like a staff and told to conduct some “measurements”. In the Bible, this word “measure” (metreō) is often used metaphorically, as in “to judge according to any rule or standard, to estimate”.
What is NOT being measured? The Courtyard outside the Temple that is being given to the nations (gentiles).
What is being measured? The Temple, the altar, and “those who worship in it”.
The focus of the Two Witnesses is on the Jewish people, those worshipping inside the Temple in Jerusalem. God is “measuring” His people because JUDGEMENT IS COMING.
What standard of measurement is being used? The very next verses, Revelation 11:3-6 detail the “job” of the two witnesses. They are given authority to prophesy for 1260 days (3.5 years) clothed in sackcloth which is a metaphor for HUMILITY. Because these individuals are WITNESSES, they are likely prophesying to the Jewish people about the TRUE MESSIAH Jesus Christ (Yahshua HaMashiach) and the impending judgement.
The standard of measurement is TRUTH as prophesied by the TWO WITNESSES. Jesus Christ IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE. NOBODY comes to the FATHER but through HIM. (John 14:6) ✝️
Revelation 11:4: These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.
We see the metaphor of TREES symbolizing PEOPLE in Revelation 11:4. The Two witnesses ARE the two Olive Trees AND the two Lampstands (Menorahs). What comes from an Olive Tree? Olive Oil! And what is used to FUEL the LIGHT that burns in the LAMPSTAND? OLIVE OIL. In the Bible, Olive Oil represents the HOLY SPIRIT.
The Two end-time witnesses “typed” in Zechariah 4 (Old Testament)?
After the destruction of the 2nd Temple by the Babylonians c587BC, Zerubbabel, a descendant of David, was leading the charge to RETURN and rebuild the Jewish Temple. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah revolve around the rebuilding of Solomon’s Temple.
Zerubbabel felt immense discouragement upon witnessing the devastated state of the city and the Temple. He questioned how his limited group of people could possibly hope to REbuild Solomon’s Temple amidst such chaos. To exacerbate the situation, Israel’s neighbors were openly hostile and displeased by the return of the Jewish people (as they were now referred to). Historically, Israel’s neighbors have harbored animosity toward them.
Zerubbabel saw the massive building project as a GIANT MOUNTAIN too difficult to climb. But along comes the prophet Zechariah, who described to Zerubbabel a MYSTERIOUS vision that the Lord had given him about two Olive Trees, Two Lampstands, and the continuing flow of the oil that KEPT the lamps burning. The word of the Lord to Zerubbabel was this…
Zechariah 4: 5: Then he (the angel) said to me (Zechariah), “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, 🕊️’ says the Lord of hosts.
7 ‘What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’”
Through the prophet Zechariah, the Lord conveyed to Zerubbabel that the formidable mountain before him would be transformed into a plain, indicating that the LORD was poised to level that mountain. This signifies that with divine assistance, Zerubbabel would be able to complete the significant undertaking of constructing the Temple with greater ease. How could he achieve such a monumental task? Not through Zerubbabel’s own strength or any human capabilities, but by the SPIRIT of the LORD. The OIL that would CONSTANTLY FLOW into the two Lampstands would illuminate the path forward.
Zechariah 4:11: Then I said to him (angel), “What are these two olive trees on the right of the lampstand and on its left?”
12 And I answered the second time and said to him, “What are the two olive branches which are beside the two golden pipes, which empty the golden oil from themselves?”
13 So he answered me, saying, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.” 14 Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.”
Zechariah inquires of the angel regarding the two lampstands and the two olive trees, a question that resonates with many of us: “What are you revealing to me? What is it that I observe?” What do the Two Olive Trees THAT STAND BESIDE THE LAMPSTANDS represent? Clearly, they hold symbolic significance.
The vision experienced by Zechariah in the Old Testament bears striking similarities to the END TIME vision presented to the Apostle John in the book of Revelation.
Revelation 11:4: These ARE THE TWO OLIVE TREES and THE TWO LAMPSTANDS that stand before the Lord of the earth.
The ANGEL’S WORDS to Zechariah EXACTLY MIRROR what is told to the Apostle John in Revelation 11. The Two Olive Trees and the two Lamp Stands are the Two ANOINTED ONES who stand before the Lord of the whole earth.
The Old Testament Prophet Zechariah, who lived during the era of the REBUILDING OF THE 2ND TEMPLE, received revelations strikingly similar to those imparted to the Apostle John in Revelation 11. It is noteworthy that the initial verses of Revelation 11 address the REBUILT 3rd TEMPLE, reflecting themes akin to those found in Zechariah 4, where the Prophet Zechariah foretold events concerning the REBUILT 2ND TEMPLE. This similarity suggests a deliberate connection rather than mere coincidence. The presence of the Two Witnesses, described as the two “anointed ones standing before the Lord of the earth,” parallels the narrative of two rebuilt Temples. With God, there are no “coincidences.”
Just a quick note, we have mentioned that the human body is NOW the Temple of God, but we do believe that the verses in Revelation 11 pertain to the 3rd Temple (building) that will be built in Jerusalem. The Temple Institute already has the plans, all of the furniture, and they are even raising some red heifers in order to build and cleanse the Temple.
The Angel told Zechariah that the two witnesses are the two anointed ones who stand before the Lord of the whole earth. The word anointed usually refers to a person who has a special calling from God. This word carries with it the understanding that the Holy Spirit is involved. 🕊️Jesus Christ is THE ANOINTED ONE, where the word “CHRIST” actually means ANOINTED.
We see these MYSTERIOUS passages in Zechariah and Revelation 11, speaking of two anointed people who stand before the Lord of the earth, set apart for a very Holy purpose and powered by the Holy Spirit who continuously flows through them. 🕊️ They are also called two LAMPSTANDS, meaning that they carry the light. They are NOT the light, but they are LAMPSTANDS who carry the light. Jesus IS the Light of the world. 💡 Actually, in a sense, every Christian is a LAMPSTAND because the Holy Spirit dwells inside of us.
What else does Revelation 11 tell us about the Two Witnesses?
Revelation 11:3: And I WILL GRANT AUTHORITY TO MY TWO WITNESSES, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire flows out of their mouth and devours their enemies; so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way.
6 These 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.
So far, it sounds like the LORD will be displaying some of His AWESOME POWER THROUGH the two witnesses! They have fire 🔥that flows out of their mouth that will kill their enemies! They have the ability to cause a drought, and to turn the waters to blood! They can even strike the earth with plagues.
Plagues bring to mind the Old Testament prophet Moses, and the ten plagues of Egypt. The Two Witnesses will testify for 1260 days with GOD’S AUTHORITY.
It sounds like their message will be very unpopular because people will want to harm them.
Praises to God for sending His 2 Witnesses because Jesus warned us that His people (Jews) would be DECEIVED and RECEIVE the false messiah, the antichrist. 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
John 5:43: I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him. (prophesy about the antichrist).
What happens to the Two Witnesses?
Revelation 11:7: When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss (antichrist) will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt (tfj: Jerusalem), where also their Lord (YESHUA/JESUS) was crucified.
9 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. 10 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.
11: But after the three and a half days, the breath of life 🍃from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them.😱
12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, ⛅and their enemies watched them. 😱
13 And in 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.😱
Sadly, it sounds like many, many people (Jews and Gentiles) will REBEL against God and AGAINST HIS two witnesses and even REJOICE when they are finally killed. 💀But the RESURRECTION of the two witnesses will be the REAL DEAL🍃, will be VISIBLE for all to see, and will terrify the Jewish REMNANT into believing what the 2 witnesses had been PREACHING! Jesus CHRIST is GOD! God always has a remnant, in every generation.
WHO are the TWO WITNESSES?
You may have heard many THEORIES about the IDENTITY of the TWO WITNESSES. The most popular theory is that they are Elijah and Moses. The Jews are definitely expecting Elijah to return, so Elijah is a very high possibility. Also, the plagues that they will be performing include drought (performed by the Prophet Elijah during his earthly ministry), and water turning to blood (performed by Moses as he led the Israelites out of Egypt). Also, three of Jesus’ Disciples (John, James, and Peter) saw a glorified version of JESUS, ELIJAH, and MOSES at the MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION. I think these are EXCELLENT possibilities, and they COULD BE the Two witnesses. There is only one small problem with this theory…
Moses died and his bones were buried in the valley in the land of Moab. Could he be one of the two witnesses if he died once? We’re not too sure about that because the Two Witnesses are going to die in the Streets of Jerusalem and then be resurrected three and a half days later. God’s Word says that it is appointed for man to die ONCE and then comes judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)
Hebrews 9:27: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Deuteronomy 34:5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, as the LORD had said. And He (God) buried him (Moses) in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor; but no man knows his burial place to this day.
In contrast, Elijah never died. He was “taken up in a whirlwind” (A Rapture type event) and never seen again.
2 Kings 2:11: As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire🔥 and horses of fire 🐎which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.
It seems that Elijah is almost certainly one of the Two witnesses. He’s never tasted death. Is he standing before the Lord of the earth, anointed by God for the special end time purpose of speaking TRUTH to the Jewish Remnant, for the final 1260 days of mankind’s self-rule on earth? This seems very likely.
Although many think that Moses is the 2nd Witness, could there be any other possibilities? Is there anyone else who NEVER DIED..similar to Elijah? YES! In the antediluvian days (pre-flood), there was a man who was very close to God. Although the account in Genesis is a little vague, Hebrews 11 definitely shows that Enoch was also translated into Heaven, similar to Elijah.
Genesis 5:24: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
Hebrews 11:5: By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Like Elijah, Enoch was also translated into Heaven without seeing death. Hmm…so two people, Enoch and Elijah, one before the flood and one after the flood, were translated into Heaven without seeing death.
Could it be that these two individuals have a special ANOINTING, A special “job” to do at the end of days?
WHEN do the Two Witnesses Prophesy?
We have honestly gone back and forth trying to determine at what point in the end of days the Two Witnesses come on the scene. Some say they arrive in the first half of the seven-year Tribulation, others say they witness during the 2nd half. After prayerful consideration we now believe they are witnessing during the first half of the final seven years.
When the antichrist is “revealed” as the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION through his counterfeit resurrection (Rev. 13:12), the Jewish people are WARNED that they MUST FLEE Jerusalem (Matthew 24:15-16). To stay would mean certain death at this point.
Matthew 24:15: “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place—let the reader understand— 16 then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.
The abomination of desolation occurs at the midpoint of the seven-year tribulation. Following the AOD, which initiates the final 3.5 years, no Jewish worshippers will be present in Jerusalem to worship at the Temple.
While Revelation 11:14 implies a relationship with the deaths of the Two Witnesses in the context of the 6th Trumpet, which occurs in the latter half of the seven-year Tribulation, it is more reasonable to conclude that Revelation 11:14 does not correspond with the earlier verses of Revelation 11. Rather, it appears to extend the storyline presented in Revelation 9:20. The prior verses in Revelation 11 regarding the Two Witnesses appear to function as an “interlude” and an “interruption” to the sixth Trumpet Narrative initiated in Revelation 9 and continued in Revelation 9:14.
We assert that the two witnesses are indeed two literal individuals, specifically Enoch and Elijah; however, time will tell. We anticipate their appearance will coincide with the construction of the third Temple, where they will prophesy for a duration of 1260 days (3.5 years) during the initial phase of the seven-year Tribulation. The vast majority of humanity will harbor animosity towards them, as they will be preaching TRUTH. This tendency is evident EVEN TODAY, where those who speak the truth often face EXTREME HATRED and PERSECUTION.
Ultimately, the two witnesses will meet their demise at the hands of the beast emerging from the abyss. The world will celebrate their death💀, yet this rejoicing will swiftly transform into fear when the two witnesses are resurrected🍃 and taken up into the heavens three days later.😱
As we’ve said before, much of prophecy remains a MYSTERY until God REVEALS ALL. For now, we see in a mirror dimly.🪞
Maranatha!
