Revelation 11:3-4 – "And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands standing before the God of the earth."
Scripture tells us that there are two witnesses who will testify and prophesy for three and one-half years (1260 days) during the latter half of the tribulation period. Their primary purpose is to testify to Yeshua and denounce the Anti-Christ or Beast. Many believe that these two witnesses are Moses and Elijah. Others believe they are Enoch and Elijah. But what if they are none of the above?
Human Death
Hebrews 9:27 – "It is appointed for humans to die once and after this comes judgment."
Scripture tells us that there are only two types of death. The first type is the death of the body when the soul is either assigned to Sheol [Hell] or ascends to be with Yeshua (Philippians 1:23). Most human's bodies only die a physical death once, but there are some who have physically died more than once. Lazarus is one example scripture gives us John 11:43), and many have experienced what is called "Near Death". This first type of death is only temporary, as all will be resurrected.
Each human, once resurrected, will then be assigned to live eternally with Yahweh and Yeshua on the New Earth or in the New Jerusalem, or will be consigned to eternal death in the Lake of Fire. The second type of death is permanent.
Human Witnesses
Let's examine the possibilities of who those two witnesses may be, if they indeed be human beings:
- Elijah is considered to be the premier candidate for one of the two witnesses, as he would clearly represent the Prophets and/or the Jews for those who contend that the two witnesses portray either the Law and the Prophets, or the Gentiles and the Jews. As far as we are aware, he has never physically died, having been taken alive into heaven. Yeshua states that Elijah must come before the terrible and great day of the Lord, as prophesied in Malachi 4:5. He stood before Yahweh and stopped the rain from falling (1 Kings 17:1) and also was able to call fire down from heaven (2 Kings 1:10). Both witnesses are also able to cause the rain to stop and defend themselves with fire.
- Moses has only physically died once, as far as we are aware. Scripture clearly tells us that he died and was buried by Yahweh (Deuteronomy 34:4-7). His candidacy for being one of the two witnesses is based on the assumption that the two witnesses portray the Law and the Prophets. Moses, therefore, would represent Law. He also had the ability to turn water into blood and the power to plague the earth (Exodus 7:14-21), which the two witnesses will also be able to do.
Matthew 17:3, Mark 9:4 and Luke 9:30 tell us that both Moses and Elijah appeared before Yeshua just prior to his crucifixion and resurrection. Adding these three passages to the many scriptures above cause many to contend that Moses and Elijah are the two witnesses of Revelation.
- Enoch's primary qualification for being one of the two witnesses stems from his having been taken alive into heaven (Genesis 5:24 and Hebrews 11:5). He would portray Grace, for those who contend that the two witnesses portray Law and Grace. The first, second, and third century Church Fathers believed that Enoch would be the second witness to accompany Elijah.
Many contend that the two most likely candidates are Enoch and Elijah. Both were men of righteousness who were raptured to Heaven alive, never having to experience the first death. Both were prophets. Enoch was a Gentile and Elijah was a Jew.
Non-Human Witnesses
Let's examine the possibilities of who those two witnesses may be, if they indeed be someone other than humans:
Revelation 11:4 – "These are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands standing before the God of the earth."
- The two witnesses stand before Yahweh.
- They will be clothed in sackcloth, a symbol of humbleness, which today might easily be similar to denim!, a tough, durable fabric that could stand up for three years of service.
- The two witnesses have the power to destroy their enemies with fire from their mouths, control the weather, turn water into blood, and cause plagues.
- They will be killed in Jerusalem, and their bodies will lie in the street for three and one-half days.
- They will be resurrected and ascend into heaven while all the world watches.
Zechariah 4:14 gives us further insight into who the two lamp stands may be. They are the "two anointed ones who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth." Isaiah 6:1-7 gives us another picture of who these beings are who stand beside Yahweh: they are the two Seraphim!
In both the Revelation and the Zechariah accounts we see the same thing. The two olive trees were "two witnesses" or "two anointed ones" standing before Yahweh, and Isaiah tells us who they are. So does the Ark of the Covenant. The two who sat at either end of the Ark were Cherubim, another name for the Seraphim! These may very well be the same two "angels" who accompanied Yahweh when He came down to investigate Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis chapters 18-19).
Death Of The Witnesses
Hebrews 13:2 – "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it."
Can angels, Seraphim, or Cherubim become human and thus be subject to death and resurrection? Yeshua, who is God, came in human form, died a physical death, and was resurrected! Have we forgotten this? Scripture gives us many examples of angels who have taken on human form and interacted with human beings. Could the two witnesses be Seraphim / Cherubim who also come in human form, are killed, and are then resurrected? Perhaps so!
Matthew 12:25, Luke 11:17 – "Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand."
Satan, too, was a Cherubim / Seraphim. Have we forgotten this? How appropriate and fitting that Yahweh might use two members over whom Satan once had authority to divide his house and lay it waste! Are these witnesses in truth dragons who do not lose their ability to breathe fire from their mouths, even in human form? Perhaps so!
Conclusion
The two witnesses of Revelation will one day be revealed. Will they be human beings? Perhaps not! Scripture hints that they may indeed be the two Seraphim that stand before Yahweh who take on human form then testify to Yeshua and denounce the Anti-Christ or Beast. In their human form, do they, too, face death and resurrection just as did Yeshua? Perhaps so! With Yahweh, all things are possible.
Prophecy continues to unfold as foretold by the Hebrew prophets. The stage is being set. History is moving extremely quickly towards the prophesied one world government, the one world financial system, and the rise of both the Antichrist and the False Prophet. The birth pangs are just over the horizon. Yeshua Ha'Mashiach is coming soon – get busy reaching the lost.
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