The identity of the two Witnesses in the book of Revelations is one of the most intriguing topics among Christians today. The most popular candidates seem to be Enoch, Elijah (John the Baptist), Moses, the Apostle John. For those of you who do not know what the Witnesses of Revelations are, we will briefly discuss their importance. The two Witnesses come during the first three and a half years of the tribulation. They preach the word outside of the temple in Jerusalem. They are given power to burn those who come against them and shut the heavens so that it will not rain. The Witnesses are also given the power to turn the water into blood and strike the earth with as many plagues as they will. Revelation 11:3-6: "And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. (4) These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. (5) 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. (6) These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will." The purpose of the witnesses is to bring as many people to God by speaking the Truth. However, the bible tells us that most will not listen and will hate the Holy Witnesses. After 3.5 years of the tribulation the beast will kill the Witnesses and the people will celebrate for 3.5 days, then God will resurrect/rapture them into heaven so that the world can see. This article is going to give a little insight on who the Witnesses may be and what they could they represent? (No one knows who they are, this is just speculation.)
I believe that the best candidates are John the Baptist (Elias, Elijah) and Moses because they display the same powers as the 2 witnesses in Revelation. Moses had the power to turn water into blood and bring the plagues upon Egypt as often as he would. "....and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will." (Revelation 11:6). "And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone. (20) And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood." (Exodus 7:19-20). By following the clues, we can conclude that Moses fits the description according to the powers that he was given.
John the Baptist was the "voice in the wilderness" and was the greatest prophet of God. Luke 7:28 "For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." John the Baptist was born 6 months before Jesus in the spirit of Elijah. John loved the Lord so much that he leaped for joy in his mother's (Elizabeth) womb. John and Moses appear with Jesus on the mountain, displaying the relationship they share with Him. I believe that like the first coming of Jesus, John the Baptist will be "the voice in the wilderness" for the Lords second coming. The world will need the two greatest prophets in the bible to profess that Jesus is coming. Since Elias (John the Baptist) came in the spirit of Elijah, we can assume that they are the same people. In the old testament Eljiah had the power to stop the rain for three and a half years. In the new testament the witnesses will have the power to stop the rain. "These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will." (Revelation 11:6). Jesus gave John the power of Elijah so that he could testify in that great and dreadful day. Furthermore, John still must come as one of the two witnesses in the spirit of Elijah, thus fulfilling Malachi 4:1-6.
The witnesses of revelations are also a direct symbol of the Church and the Jews before the tribulation. In these last days, born again Christians figuratively, spit fire out of their mouths when they preach. The Word offends the laodicean lifestyle; therefore, it torments and devourers those who do not want to conform to the Truth. I believe that when the church is raptured (The witnesses dieing), the people will celebrate because they will be free to live their sinful lifestyles. Although, I believe the witnesses of revelation to be literal beings, I also feel that we are a representation of the witnesses before the tribulation. The same way the people celebrate the death of the witnesses will be the same way they celebrate the taking away of the church. What does the whole world seem to hate the most? True Christians and Jews! This prophecy also indicates the morals of the world right before the rapture takes place. In order for the rapture to take place, the Jews must be hated/surrounded by enemies and Christians will be seen as bad. It would seem that the rapture is right around the corner to those of us who are watching and eagerly awaiting the second advent of our Savior, Jesus Christ!
The 2 Witnesses of Revelations
