![]() In other words, God’s power to sustain His work is flowing through two individuals set apart for the task. Zechariah asks about the meaning of the olive trees and the branches supplying the oil, and the angel who speaks to him says, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth” (Zechariah 4:14, ESV). God’s message to Zechariah was that God’s work (rebuilding the temple) would be accomplished “not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit” (verse 6). The lampstand gives its light without human maintenance, being constantly supplied by the olive oil flowing from the trees into the bowl. On top is a bowl of oil, and an olive tree stands on each side (verses 3–4). Zechariah has a vision in which he sees a solid gold lampstand. There is an interesting passage in Zechariah 4 that gives us a prototype of the two witnesses of Revelation. There is nothing in Revelation 11 that requires us to assume a “famous” identity for the two witnesses. God is perfectly capable of taking two “ordinary” believers and enabling them to perform the same signs and wonders that Moses and Elijah did. Scripture does not identify the two witnesses by name, and no well-known person is associated with their coming. (3) Two unknowns are seen as possibilities for the two witnesses because of the lack of specificity in Revelation 11. ![]() In addition, both Enoch and Elijah were prophets who pronounced God’s judgment (1 Kings 17:1 Jude 1:14–15). The fact that neither Enoch nor Elijah has yet experienced death seems to qualify them for the job of the two witnesses, who will be killed when their job is done. Proponents of this view point to Hebrews 9:27, which says that all men are appointed to die once. Enoch and Elijah, as far as we know, are the only two individuals whom God has taken directly to heaven without experiencing death (Genesis 5:23 2 Kings 2:11). (2) Enoch and Elijah are seen as possibilities for the two witnesses because of the unique circumstances surrounding their exit from the world. Further, Jewish tradition expects Moses and Elijah to return, based on the prophecy of Elijah’s coming in Malachi 4:5 and God’s promise to raise up a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15, 18), which some Jews believe necessitates Moses’ return. Also giving strength to this view is the fact that Moses and Elijah both appeared with Jesus at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:3–4). ![]() And the witnesses will have the power to destroy their enemies with fire (Revelation 11:5), which corresponds to an event in Elijah’s life (2 Kings 1). The witnesses will have the power to turn water into blood (Revelation 11:6), which duplicates a famous miracle of Moses (Exodus 7). ![]() (1) Moses and Elijah are seen as possibilities for the two witnesses due to the specific miracles that John says the witnesses will perform. There are three primary theories on the identity of the two witnesses in Revelation: (1) Moses and Elijah, (2) Enoch and Elijah, and (3) two unknown believers whom God calls to be His witnesses in the end times. Three and a half days later, however, God’s two witnesses will be resurrected and, in full view of their enemies, ascend to heaven (verses 11–12). At the end of their ministry, when they have said all they need to say, the beast will kill them and the wicked world will rejoice, allowing the bodies of the fallen prophets to lie in the streets (verses 7–10). The two witnesses in Revelation will have miraculous powers to accompany their message (Revelation 11:6), and no one will be able to stop them in their work (verse 5).
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