Who Are the Two Witnesses in Revelation?
Two Witnesses Revealed As One
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” – Revelation 1:1-3 KJV
Popularized theology subscribes to the two witness as spoken of in Revelation chapter 11 to being that of two actual men returning to earth to prophesy against it, given the power to shut heaven, having the power over the waters and turning it into blood, tormenting the earth with all plagues at their will, and allowing for no rain to fall. However, this leave a large gap as to who these men are. Some say Moses for the passage in Jude says Michael the Arch Angel contends for the body of Moses with Satan. Therefore, its concluded that the devil must want his body for something. While the other two men Enoch and Elijah were taken up to heaven never seemingly dying here on earth thus, giving this viewpoint credibility. A combination of two from these three is therefore possible.
Whereas this is not intended to abolish other doctrines, but rather offer an additional position in regards to the spiritual, personal application of this scripture. For if we refuse to apply the word of God spiritually we will remain carnal. Revelation was given in the spirit to the Apostle John, having “Sodom and Egypt spiritually represented” in the very chapter speaking of the two witnesses, hence of this meaning. One would error in the spirit by looking for prophecies to be fulfilled by the nations of the world rather than through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Therefore, lets approach this a bit differently.
The word revelation means the same today as it did then which is; an unveiling, uncovering, or revealing. A unveiling of Jesus Christ to his servants of things that will, that must shortly come to pass. These crucial details of who this revealing is about, who it is directed to, and when it will happen seem to get lost in the grand scheme of things.
Let us look at the what, the who, and the when
What: This is the revealing of Jesus Christ.
Who: To His servants.
When: For a time that must shortly come to pass; meaning such is only spiritually discerned now for the reader having gone through the fiery persecution of the baptism of Jesus Christ, and the now time is at hand.
However, other types of doctrine look elsewhere stating that the revelation of Jesus Christ includes Elijah, Enoch, and or Moses. Sometimes including a commonly misquoted verse in that of Galatians 3:28 for justification which states “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” This is ‘ All One’ taken completely out of context to fit this agenda. Now that the people have changed from Jesus into other men, the recipients have also changed into the entire world opposed to the servants of Jesus Christ. This focuses that which must come to pass not within one’s own life, but through worldly events to take place instead. Now where this could happen as well, if we as disciples of Jesus Christ do not apply spiritual things with the spiritual first, we will always miss our true calling thereby, staying conformed unto the world.
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” – 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 KJV
Is not prophecy spiritual?
If someone had Dr. in front of their name or was representing a university, would such understanding be easily dismissed as it may be by some reading this now? Is this revealing that of a perceived laymen speaking things in foolishness and thereby be regarded simply as a personal interpretation? Nevertheless, Jesus said no sign will be given except for the Prophet Jonah. This not in offense for that is the point of repentance; it is pride that blinds us for we are the god of our own world. As Christians looking into eschatology, fear is usually produced and the interpretation of prophecy is regarded on the fringe as people judge the flesh rather than the words; we’ve simply been conditioned to think this way. If we are to be children, then why do we not consider the spirit first in all things and break the mold?
The Apostle Paul writes;
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 KJV
In 2nd Corinthians 13 we are given the example that telling someone they are in sin three times is counted as being in the mouth of two or three witnesses, for such is established in righteousness.
“This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.” 2 Corinthians 13:1-3 KJV
According to the Scriptures, there must be two witnesses to an act in order for the sentence of the Law to be carried out.
“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” – Revelation 14:9-12 KJV
Is there other evidence for the two witness being revealed as being one person in the bible? Yes there is.
“And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” – Genisis 32:28 KJV
“But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” – Isiah 43:1 KJV
Nine verses later…
“Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.” – Isiah 43:10 KJV
Jacob was called by two names, Jacob by men, Israel by God; two witnesses in one servant. God changes not and Jesus Christ h as become our doorway to the Father therefore;
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” – Revelation 2:17 KJV
“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” – Revelation 3:12 KJV
We are to be like the son of man who proclaimed two witnesses in himself
“The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true:
for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.” John 8:13-18 KJV
“And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.” – Revelation 11:3-4 KJV
“Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.” – John 14:10-11 KJV
When Jesus is with you in this world ye are two in one vessel, just as our Father was with him and he tells us he was two in one. Therefore, we abide in him and He in us.
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” – Romans 8:16 KJV
If you think otherwise and credit the two witnesses to Moses, Enoch, or Elijah, you’ll never do greater things in His name as you miss the point and such subverts your faith. Whence ye know the truth it will make you free. For whosoever the son sets free is free indeed.
Nevertheless if you believe that the two witness are a combination of any those three men, do you not then have faith in them? Remember though it is the revelation of Jesus Christ, no one else; we are to only follow Him, no one can enter the sheepfold through another door.
“And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.” – Revelation 11:3-5 KJV
“Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.” – Jeremiah 5:14 KJV
Is not eschatology in looking to the world the same as searching sky for a sign? Developing habits to look on the exterior opposed to the interior? Looking to worldly events to take place as indication for the return of Christ. Why? Most of such doctrines are tied to the rapture which was only developed in the 19th century, because people misinterpret the word of God leaning on their own understanding derived from certificates and degrees; and with this tradition such makes the power of God of non effect, worshiping the Lord with thy mouth while your heart is far from Him.
Where is Jesus in that picture? Why did the focus of it being the Revelation of Jesus Christ turn into the beast and harlot, into nations of the world and so forth? The only explanation is, to focus upon the things of the world derived from the wisdom of the spirit of the world, come out of her my people and partake no more of her sins!
Again,
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” – 1 Corinthians 2:12 KJV
“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” – Revelation 18:4 KJV
“No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.” – 2 Timothy 2:4-6 KJV
Know them by their fruits folks for life is but a vapor and there is only one truth, only one way, only one door into the sheepfold; that is our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
“The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.” – Matthew 16:1-3 KJV
Beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Saducees for a little leaven leavens the whole lump. Therefore, repent and believe for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, God bless and take care.