Introduction
(Rev 11:4-6)
(V.4)These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. (V.5)And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. (V.6)They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may 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 kind of plague, as often as they desire. (Revelation 11:4-6)
Biblical evidence for two witnesses to confirm an oath, a charge, a testimony, a settlement, a dispute, unrepentant sin.
Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15; Matthew 18:16; John 8:17; 2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 10:28 and Luke 10:1-24 where there are 35 groups of two witnesses each.
Identity
(11:4)
-two olive trees
-two lampstands
-standing before God
(Zech 3:1-8; Zech 4:1-7)
*The “Corporate” (all believers as part of the
new Israel of God) Identification of the Witnesses
is Warranted by Six Considerations
1. The witnesses are called “two lampstands” in v. 4 which should be identified as churches. (like the righteous Israelites of the end time to the lampstand of Zechariah 4:2-3 representing all Israel.
More importantly are the lampstands mentioned in Rev. 1:20 which identifies them as the churches – “the lampstands are the seven churches.” The entire church are also identified as “a kingdom and priests.”
2. Verse 7 says “that the beast… will make war with them and overcome them.” This is based on Daniel 7:21 where the last evil kingdom prophesied by Daniel persecutes not an individual, but a nation.
3. The corporate identification of the witnesses is further supported that the entire world will see them killed and resurrected. This is not referring to CNN or FOXNEWS; nor to satellite line of site broadcasting. But that His people are visible throughout the whole earth being witnesses for the gospel and The Lord Jesus Christ.
4. The two witnesses prophesy for 3 1/2 years – the same length of time that “the holy city,” “the woman,” and “those who dwell in heaven” are to be oppressed (Revelation 11:2; 12:6, 14; 13:6). These texts speak of the persecution of a community then it is plausible to identify the witnesses likewise.
5. Elsewhere in the book of Revelation, the entire community of believers is identified as the source of the testimony to Jesus (Rev 6:9; 12:11, 17; 19:10; 20:4).
6. A final hint that these two witnesses are two individuals but representing the entire company of believers, is that that powers given to them is not divided as with Moses and Elijah, but they are given prophetic powers equally – they are identical prophetic twins symbolic of the church at large.
(*SOURCE: adapted and quoted from G.K. Beale, NIGTC, the book of Revelation)
Ability
(11:5-6)
-fire from their mouth
-shut the sky
-plagues upon the earth
(1 Kings 18:20-46; Exodus 4-14; James 5:16)
