3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.” 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
As if there isn’t enough debate over different aspects of Revelation, there is much debate over the identity of these two witnesses. Many suggestions are given:
Old Testament and New Testament
Elijah and Enoch
Elijah and Moses
Zerubbabel and Joshua (two lampstands in Zechariah 4)
James and John
Peter and Paul
Law and Prophets
Israel and the Church
The general consensus is that they are Elijah and Moses. In Matthew 17 we are told of Jesus being transfigured and meeting with Moses and Elijah. Most believe these two are the spirits of these two. However, as J. Vernon McGee says, “If the identity of these two was essential for the understanding of this book, I think there would have been some indication given about their persons.” It is just as possible that these two are yet unnamed people who have yet to live.
These two witnesses will prophesy for 1,260 days, which is about 3 ½ years. One question is whether it is the first 3 ½ or the latter. Their appearance in sackcloth indicates that they are humble, grieved, in mourning, and seeking repentance. From olive trees come olive oil and that oil is used in lamps to provide light. One commentary therefore surmises that these two have come as bearers of the divine light of God.
For a time, if anyone seeks to harm them they are burnt up by fire. The Words the witnesses speak burn their souls and it kills them. It does not rain for 3 ½ years while they prophesy. This has a lot of similarity to Elijah. Remember his showdown on Mount Carmel with the prophets of Baal? He asked God to bring fire down on the alter that he had soaked with water three times and it burnt up both alters. Following that there was rain that ended the 3 ½ year drought.
Their mission also has the same feel as the mission of Moses to Pharaoh. There were plagues upon plagues until the mission was finished. Once it was finished the plagues stopped. These two witnesses can turn water into blood and cause plagues until their time and mission is completed. They can do this “as often as they want”. God trusts these faithful servants with this power. He can’t trust you or I with this kind of power. Some of us can’t even be trusted with too much money or authority. Most of us can’t be trusted with power. We will abuse it. Yet these two are trusted with a great power.
The Baptist missionary to China, Lottie Moon, said, “I have a firm conviction that I am immortal ‘til my work is done.” Jim Elliott had the same conviction and in a letter to his parents, he wrote: “Remember you are immortal until your work is done. But don’t let the sands of time get into the eyes of your vision to reach those who still sit in darkness. They simply must hear.” J. Vernon McGee also refers to this as he comments about his doubts as to whether he would finish the “Thru the Bible” series since he was battling cancer and other health problems. He says, “that all of God’s men are immortal until God is through with them is a wonderful, comforting thought for today.” We should take hope in this and realize that God has a work for us to do and He will give us the time to do it.
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