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Who are the two witnesses appointed by God when the end times come?

In the Book of Revelation 11:3–6, there were two individuals mentioned who will help accomplish God’s work during the “endgame.” It says, “I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth (verse 3).”

“They are ‘the two olive trees’ and the two lampstands, and ‘they stand before the Lord of the earth (verse 4).” “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 (verse 5).”

“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 (verse 6).”

But who are these people? Nowhere does the Holy Bible recognize or single out these two witnesses by name. But, bible scholars have speculated some personalities through the years. 

It is said that these two witnesses will have miraculous powers to deliver their message and nobody can stop them in their work. When their mission is already done,  the beast will vanish them and the wicked world will rejoice. 

Three theories have emerged, and pairs were pointed out Moses and Elijah, Enoch and Elijah, and two unnamed believers whom God calls to be His witnesses in the end times.

Why Moses and Elijah?

The name of Moses and Elijah were singled out because of the miracles that John says the witnesses will perform. The two witnesses will have the power and ability to turn water into blood (Revelation 11:6), that can be read in Exodus 7, when Moses turned the river in Egypt into blood, in front of Pharaoh. 

Second, these two witnesses can tear down their enemies with fire (Revelation 11:5), which correlates with Elijah’s life (2 Kings 1). 

Aside from that, Moses and Elijah both appeared with Jesus at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:3–4). 

In addition, God’s promise was to raise up a prophet like Moses and Elijah. That’s why, Jews believe that the two will rise again during tribulation. 

Why Enoch and Elijah?

It said that Enoch and Elijah can be the two witnesses due to their “death.” These two had been directly taken by God to heaven without experiencing actual death of their physical bodies. (Genesis 5:23; 2 Kings 2:11). 

Some scholars believe that they are still alive and the mission of being the two witnesses. 

In addition, both Enoch and Elijah were prophets who pronounced God’s judgment (1 Kings 17:1; Jude 1:14–15).

Two Unknown Persons

Aside from those pairs, two unidentified persons might be the two witnesses based on Revelation 11. In Zechariah 4, there were archetype descriptions of the two witnesses. Zechariah had seen a vision of a solid gold lampstand, on top of it was a bowl of oil, and an olive tree stands on each side (verses 3–4). 

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).

Why Two Witnesses?

According to an article entitled “Life, Hope & Truth,” we find that God often works with pairs of individuals throughout the bible. For instance, in the New Testament, Jesus Christ sent His disciples out “two by two” (Mark 6:7). And of course, the great ancestors of all humankind—Adam and Eve. 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.” It means, when two people are working or collaborating together, they can often be more productive than when working alone. It validates the old sayings “No man is an island” and “Two heads are better than one.”

Conclusion

The message that we can get from his tale of two witnesses is that God will send these two special representatives to give warning to people; to repent and change their evil way, and this is to turn their hearts again toward God.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Freepik