Chapter 2 - TWO WITNESSES  

CHAPTER 2 TWO WITNESSES

Many teachers of Rev.11:1-12 are of the opinion that for the final 31/2 years of the beast's supposed 7 year reign of terror, there will be two men who will prophecy and witness of the glory , power and holiness of God. They will do so in great power, and as a result of their ministry, many thousands will finally accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Within this camp of teachers there is near unanimity in the belief that one of these two men will be Elijah. The reason for this agreement appears to be centered around their understanding of the prophecy contained in Mal.4:5 which reads in part as follows: "... See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes..." If this Scripture is viewed as mandating the physical reappearance on the earth of the Old Testament prophet Elijah between now and the physical return of Jesus, then I feel compelled to caution those who hold this view that they are in direct conflict with the clear teaching of Jesus Himself. 

During Jesus' earthly ministry He was constantly confronted by those who "knew" what the Scriptures had to say on virtually every topic. Some of these teachers likewise were of the opinion that the only way Mal.4:5 could be fulfilled was with the physical reappearance of Elijah (see John 1:21). Jesus however had other ideas. Please note that according to Matt.11: 14 Jesus specifically refers to John the Baptist as THE Elijah who was to come. Not one of several Elijahs that we are to expect in the end time, but the one and only Elijah who was to come. 

This is something that even John himself failed to recognize, as is evident from his response to the questions put to him in John 1:21. However, even John's failure to correctly understand what had been written in Malachi did not change the fact that Jesus considered the ministry of John the Baptist to be the fulfillment of that Old Testament prophecy. After all, John's confusion about the identity of Jesus did not change the fact that Jesus was the Messiah (Matt.11:2 & Lk. 7:18). Did it? Of Course not. 

His confusion was merely evidence of the fact that in spite of his position as the voice in the wilderness who prepared the way of the Lord (Matt.3:3; Mk.1:3 & Lk.3:4), he still did not totally understand the nature of the ministry of the Messiah that he was preparing the way for. Likewise, is denial in John 1:21 of his position as the Elijah who was to come in no way changes the fact that that is exactly who he was. Rather, it was again evidence of his failure to totally understand both the nature of his ministry, and the part it played in God's overall plan of redemption. 

It would seem that confusion over this issue persisted even as late as Jesus' transfiguration experience, for soon after that event Jesus had to reiterate the fact that "Elijah has already come and they did not recognize him ..." (Matt.17:12). What Jesus was saying was that John the Baptist fulfilled his ministry with the same power and spirit (ie. in the same manner) as Elijah fulfilled his (Lk.1:17), and it was this fact (that John walked in the spirit and power of Elijah) that fulfilled the prophecy of Mal.4:5, not the appearance of Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration, and certainly not some future reappearance. This is not an easy thing to understand, which is why Jesus cautioned His disciples to seek spiritual ears so that they could clearly understand that which was being said to them concerning this topic. 

While this may at first glance seem to be a relatively unimportant topic to examine in such detail, I urge you to consider this. If we are to watch for Jesus' return (and He clearly directs us to do just that in Mk.13:36), and if we are to maintain this vigil by being aware of the signs of the times (Lk.21:31), how much do you think it is going to help us to be watching for Elijah's physical reappearance on the earth based upon the prophecy of Mal.4:5, if that prophecy was fulfilled almost 2,000 years ago? In spite of the clear Scriptural evidence to the contrary, the identity of Elijah as one of the two witnesses in Rev.11:1-2 seems to persist within the pretribulation rapture teacher's camp. 

While there appears to be a consensus of opinion among them as to the identity of Elijah as one witness, there is some division as to the identity of the second one. Some favor Moses, and some favor Enoch. Those who favor the combination of Elijah and Enoch do so because, according to their interpretation of Scripture, Elijah and Enoch are the only two people on earth who have never physically died (Heb.11:5 & II Ki.2:11), and since Heb.9:27 says that it is appointed unto all men once to die, the killing of the two witnesses in Rev. 11:7 would finally bring physical death to the only two men who had thus far escaped the jaws of death. This interpretation however fails to take into consideration several critical points. First of all, by insisting that Enoch and Elijah are the only two men to have never physically died, they are ignoring Heb.7:8's clear reference to the physical immortality of the priest Melchizedek. (Even though Melchezedek is likened unto the Son of Man in Heb.7:3, it is clear that he is not Jesus). 

Furthermore, those who hold to this position are ignoring the possibility that Jesus Himself left open, which was that the Apostle John might not physically die (John 21:22-23). Most importantly however, they are ignoring the clear statement of the Holy Spirit when He speaks by the Apostle Paul in I Cor.15:51, "Listen I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep..." And the one He makes in I Thes.4:17 "...we who are still alive ... will be caught up ... to meet the Lord in the air." Why is it necessary to kill off Elijah and Enoch in order to fulfill Heb. 9:27 when the Holy Spirit clearly says that there will be many who do in fact not physically die? There is no doubt in my mind that all men have an appointment with physical death; however, there is also no doubt in my mind that this is one appointment which will not have to be kept by those in the final generation who walk in such a way as to please God (Heb.11:5). 

Enoch and Elijah should not be viewed as the only two men who must yet face the grim reaper. Rather, they should be viewed as part of the pattern which God has set up showing us that His desire for us is not death and destruction, but life in its fullest (John 10:10-12). And that life includes the possibility held out for us in I Cor.15:51-54, which is being alive and remaining at the coming of the Lord with out first having tasted of physical death. To insist upon the physical death of Enoch and Elijah is in fact an instance on our part that God break His own pattern. There is not enough room in this chapter to go into detail on how Enoch and Elijah clearly fit God's pattern for bringing us into the realm of immortality. That will be the topic of the next chapter. For now suffice it to say that to break God's pattern will not lead to life, but to physical death (Nu.20:11-12). 

Those who favor the team of Elijah and Moses base their position upon Rev.11:6 which indicates that the two witnesses will perform miracles which are virtually identical to those which were performed by Moses in Ex.7:20 and by Elijah in I Ki.17:1. However, both the Elijah/Enoch and Elijah/Moses viewpoints seem to ignore the clear teachings of Jesus in Lk.18:19-31 which contains the account of Lazarus and the Rich Man. As you will notice from verse 27, the Rich Man was requesting that some former resident of earth return from paradise to witness to his five brothers so that they would believe and not end up as did the Rich Man. Abraham's response was clear, "... if they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead." (Lk.16:31). Now I ask you, "At that time did the Rich Man's brothers have Moses and Elijah or Enoch to physically talk to?" Of course not. They did however have Moses and the Prophets in the form of the written Word, just as we do today. And as was true then, repentence and salvation comes about only when the Word is implanted in the soul and acted upon by the Holy Spirit (Lk.8:5&11). 

If it would have been ineffectual to send Elijah and Moses/Enoch back to earth then, (and God, who does not lie, said it would), why would it now all of a sudden be more effectual to physically send them to a world which has not only rejected them before, but has also rejected the very Savior they were preaching about? (Acts 3:24 & 7:52) Please consider this, On the Mount of Transfiguration Moses and Elijah did reappear on the earth. But they were not there to minister to or converse with the world. Rather, they spoke only to Jesus (Matt. 17:3; Mk.9:4 & Lk.9:30-31). In fact, we are specifically shown that Moses (representing the Law), and Elijah (symbolizing the prophets) disappeared, leaving only Jesus (Matt.17:8 & Lk.9:36). 

In Lk.24:44 Jesus said that "Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the prophets and the Psalms" (emphasis added). Jesus also said that He would fulfill the law (Matt.5:17-18), and it is clear from Scripture that He did just that (Ro.7:6; Col. 2:13-14 & Eph.2:15). Therefore, the witness of Moses is no longer required, which is why on the Mount of Transfiguration, he disappeared. In fact, it is the continual witness of Moses today - ie. the law he represents - which hinders so many people in the receiving of their salvation experience (II Cor.3:15). 

Similarly, Jesus said in Matt.11:13 that all the prophets prophesied until John the baptist. On the Mount of Transfiguration we see that Elijah, who symbolized the prophets, also disappeared. Just as salvation does not come about from the witness of the Law, so also does it not come about from the witness of the prophets. Jesus was the only one of the three who remained on the Mount of Transfiguration. Jesus is the Psalms of Lk.24:44. It is the Psalms, the songs of love, ie. the love of God for the World (John 3: 16) that will witness to the world in these end times, not Moses & Elijah/ Enoch. The world will know we are Christians by our love (John 13:35), not by our outward actions (Law) or knowledge (prophets) (see I Cor. 13:1-3). 

The love of God is to be made manifest in the world through the Church. The Church of Jesus Christ has been given the commission of making disciples of the whole world (Matt. 28:19 & Mk.16:15), and she is to do this in the power of Jesus Christ (John 14:12), not merely that of two Old Testament men of God (Acts 1:8). Please do not misunderstand what I am saying. I am in no way downgrading Moses, Enoch or Elijah. Yet Jesus said that the least in His kingdom today is greater than John the Baptist, and not even Moses, Elijah or Enoch could compare to John (Matt. 11:11). I am not attempting to disparage them. Anyone who has read the previous 4 books in this series knows that we believe that the Old Testament is a valuable, indeed necessary component in our search for the knowledge, wisdom and fear of the Lord. Rather than disparage, I am endeavoring to point out that their task has been fulfilled, and it is dangerous for us to now assign to Moses, Elijah and Enoch something which Jesus has specifically commissioned His Church to do. Taking Matt. 11:11 into consideration allow me to ask this question. Do you believe that the Father will send Elijah and Moses/Enoch to complete the task that He has assigned to His Church? 

Jesus is the Word (John 1:1), and He was sent forth from the Father to complete a task (I John 3:8), and He has now returned to the Father (Acts 1:11; 2:35 & 3:21). Since God's Word does not return to Him without first fulfilling the purpose for which it was sent forth (Isaiah 55:11), we can clearly see why Jesus did not return until He had fulfilled His task (John 19:30). The Church also has a task. We, like Jesus have been sent out (John 17:18), and like Jesus, who is our older brother (Heb.2:11), we will not return to Him until that task has been completed. 

If the Church has some relationship to the two witnesses of Rev.11:1-2, why would pretrib teachers continue to insist upon identifying them as either Elijah and Enoch/Moses? The answer to this question again brings us back to the issue of pretribulation rapture. You see, according to the pre-trib position, the Church is taken off the earth before the ministry of the two witnesses begins. They are therefore forced into taking either the Moses/Elijah or Enoch/Elijah position regardless of the fact that each of these two positions are in direct conflict with all the Scriptures we have thus far discussed. 

Their almost fanatical desire to hold on to pretribulation rapture has once more tainted their theology, thereby causing them to again break God's pattern. This in no way calls their salvation into question. But it does call into question their ability to be alive and remaining at the Lord's return. Remember, had Moses not broken God's pattern, he to could have been alive and gone into the promised land. Even though he eventually made it with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, he had to physically die in order to get there. I believe the same will be true of all those who, in the final generation, persist in their reliance upon teachings such as pretribulation rapture, that likewise breaks God's pattern. 

An investigation into the origin of the Elijah/Enoch viewpoint proves to be quite revealing. As was true in the case of the teaching which holds that satan is a fallen angel, the doctrine which claims that Elijah and Enoch are the two witnesses of Rev.11 has non-Biblical origins. (As to the issue of satan being a fallen angel, see Chapter 3 of A Closer Walk) The Enoch/ Elijah story can be found in the Book of Nicodemus 20:3-4 (this book was formally known as the Acts of Pontius Pilate). While some early Christians gave credence to this book, the vast majority of the early Church fathers, as well as all modern theologians attribute its origin to a third century source. Among other reasons for its rejection is Nicodemus' assertion that Jesus will return to earth 5,500 years after the time of Adam (Nicodemus 15:5-6) which is in direct violation of Matt.4:36 which says that no one save the Father knows when Jesus will return. (Note, the Book of Adam and Eve, which is of Egyptian origin, makes the same assertion in Chapter 3:2-6) 

The logical question to raise at this point is,"How can we say that the Church (singular) comprises the two witnesses (plural) of Rev.11:1-13?" For a partial answer to that question turn to Rev.11:4 wherein we read, "These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth." (You may also want to turn to Zech.4:1-14, which is the only other place in the Bible where lampstands and olive trees are shown standing before the Lord of the earth, for we will be referring to those verses in a moment.) To begin this discussion let us momentarily set aside the number "2," and concentrate on the identity of the lampstands and olive trees. After having accomplished that we will return to the number "2." 

In regards to the lampstand, I ask you to recall from our discussion of Moses' Tabernacle that the lampstand clearly was a typology and foreshadow for the Church (see Chapter 4 of God's Pattern). Without repeating all that was said in God's Pattern, I believe that if you will turn to Rev.1:20 you will see that it is correct to say that lampstands represent the Church. Zech.4:1-14 also clearly shows the relationship between the lampstand and the temple of God. Only in this day and age the temple that is being built is the living Church of God (I Pe.2:5; I Cor.3:16-17; II Cor.6:16 with Col.1:18 and Matt.16:18). Like Zerubbabel's temple however, this end time living one will be built not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the living God (Zech.4:6). 

The channels in a lampstand (see Zech.4:3) carry the oil through the lamp so that it can reach the flame and then shine forth. The oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit (Ex.30:24&30 & Acts 10:38) who has been given to the Church (Acts 1:7 & 2:4). And just as the lampstand is to give light (Nu.8:1-3 & 4:9), so also is the Church to be a light unto the world (Matt.5:14). Indeed, the Spirit of God is to flow from the Church (Zech.4:1&10 with Rev.4:5 and Ex.40:24 with Ez.47:1 & John 7:38), and be made known to the world through the Church (Eph.3:10). It is the Church of Jesus Christ that is to be a witness to the whole world (Acts 1:8). Clearly then, the lampstand is the Church. 

Concerning the olive tree and its relationship to the Church, please turn to Ro.11:17-21. Note carefully that in verse 17 the word "you" and "wild olive shoot" are used to refer to the Gentiles of verse 11. The "wild olive shoot" has been grafted into the olive tree in order to gain nourishment from the "olive root." The "olive root" can be none other than the root of Jessie (Isa.11:10 & Ro.15:12), our Lord Jesus Christ (Rev.22:16). The point is, the olive tree is composed of both Jewish branches (believers) and Gentile branches (believers) (Ro.11:23-24). The olive tree is not limited to the physical nation of Israel. In fact, Ro.11:23 clearly shows that Jews who do not accept Jesus as their Messiah are not part of the olive tree. The spiritual Israel of God is composed of all believers, both Jew and Gentile (Gal.6:16 JB). The olive tree is the tree of believers, both Jewish and Gentiles (Eph.3:6) - one body, one tree, one Church (Col.1:24). 

Therefore, the lampstand and the olive tree are each clearly characterized as the Church; yet, we know that there is only one Church. According to Zech.4:14 there are 2 that are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth. Rev.11:4 says that these are the 2 who stand before the Lord of all the earth. BUT THE TWO ARE IN REALITY ONE. Is Jesus not the Head whom the mature Church is to grow up into (Eph.4:15)? Of course! But is not the Head part of the body (I Cor.12:21)? Of Course! Now, even though the body is one (I Cor.12:1& 20), and the body and the Head are of the same family (Heb.2:11), is not the Head a separate entity from the body? Again, the answer must be "of course!" THEY ARE TWO, BUT AT THE SAME TIME THEY ARE ONE. 

This should not seem strange to us, for is this not also what Jesus said in regards to His earthly relationship with the Father? "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). And yet at the same time they were 2, for John 8:17 says, "In you own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. I am one who testifies for myself; My other witness is the one who sent me - the Father." (emphasis added) Note the clear relationship between the number "2" and the word "witness" - see also Matt.18:16 & Deut. 19:15). It has been said by some proponents of the Elijah and Moses/Enoch viewpoint that the Greek word for witness used in Rev.11:3 is used to refer only to people, but Ro.1:9; II Cor.1:23 and Phil.1:8 use this same word to refer to God as a witness. 

Just as Jesus (1) is the head of the body (1) which equals the Church (1+1=2), so is the Father the Head of Christ (I Cor.11:3). Just as Jesus was anointed to serve (Phil.2:7), so also have we, the Church, been anointed to serve (Rev.22:3; 7:3; Gal.1:10 & Phil2:5). As the Son was sent by the Father; so also has the Church been sent by the Son (John 17:18). As the Son on earth and the Father in heaven were "2" who were "1", so also is the Church on earth and the Son in heaven to be the "2" who are "1." As the Son was to the Father, so are we to be to the Son (John 17:11). The "2" witnesses then are the Church which is the body of Christ which is itself composed of both the Head in heaven and the many members on the earth. The two will minister as one. In other words, just as Jesus said or did nothing that was not of or from the Father (John 7:16; John 12:50 & John 14:10&31), so also will the end time overcoming Church say or do nothing which is not of or from the Spirit of God. 

Even those who advocate the Elijah and Moses/Enoch position are forced to acknowledge that in a sense the "2" equals "1"interpretation is completely correct. Rev.11:4 tells us that the "2" witnesses are "... the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth." Two lampstands and two olive trees make a total of four separate entities, and no one is looking for four separate individuals to reappear in the end times Therefore, the pretribbers say one of two things. Either the two lampstands represent Elijah and Moses/Enoch, and the two olive trees also represent Elijah and Moses/Enoch much like Pharaoh's cows and corn of Gen. 41:1-7 each represented the same thing, or Elijah is represented by the two olive trees and Moses/Enoch is represented by the two lampstands. 

For the limited purposes of this portion of our discussion, it makes no difference which one of these views is held. For either one acknowledges the point being made, which is - if the lampstands are viewed as representing Elijah and the olive trees represent Moses, then 2 lampstands = 1 Elijah and 2 olive trees = 1 Moses. Likewise, if 1 lampstand represents Elijah and other lampstand represents Moses/Enoch and 1 olive tree represents Elijah and the other tree represents Moses/Enoch, then 2 pairs of symbols = 1 pair of witnesses. 

The power which the two witnesses walk in according to Rev.11:16 is the power which the Father will be able to funnel through an obedient, trustworthy and mature Church (Acts 5:32; Heb.5:8 & Phil.2:8-9). Allow me to ask this question in regards to the fire which comes from the mouth of the two witnesses as described in Rev.11:5. Does it follow that God will now give Elijah and Moses the power to physically kill men by fire when He had earlier rebuked James and John for wanting to do the same thing (Lk.9:54-56), and even went so far as to indicate that the spirit which caused them to desire that destruction was not from God (see footnote "c" NIV)? How incredulous this sounds especially in light of Matt.11:11 which told us that James and John were greater than Elijah and Moses/Enoch. 

This is not to say that the end time army of the Lord will not be walking in miraculous and sometimes devastating power. The Word of God is clear that they will (see Joel chapter 2). However, rather than being on the look out for two fire breathing Old Testament prophets, we need to be looking for and more importantly, seeking to become part of the Holy, pure, dedicated, powerful, obedient and mature Church that allows the Word of God to be the fire from its mouth which consumes the enemies of Christ (Jer.5:14; Isaiah 11:4; Ps.29:7; Ps.46:6 & John 12:49). 

The witnesses of Rev.11 will not need literal flame throwers to protect them during their ministry. Remember, Jesus could not be killed during His ministry, and He didn't need flame throwers to protect Him (John 7:30; Lk.4:30; John 8:58 & 10:39). Jesus was called "Son of the Most High" (Lk.1:31 & John 17:11), and it is in the secret place of the Most High that protection from all attacks if found (Ps.9:2&10; Dan.6:23; Ps.91:9 and Ps.50:1-4-15). The Jews were given credit for having killed Jesus (Acts 4:10 & 7:52), but the fact is, He laid down His own life voluntarily. I believe the same thing is being shown to us in Rev.11:7. The beast is said to have killed the witnesses, but I believe that like Jesus, those witnesses who die will have voluntarily laid down their lives. 

For 3 1/2 years Jesus was, as we have seen, totally protected by the Most High. 3 1/2 is one half of 7, which is God's perfect/ complete number (Gen.2:2; Ps.12:6; Rev.4:5 & 7:5). Jesus' public ministry comprised the first half of Daniel's 70th week (see Chapter 1). There are 3 1/2 years left in that final week of years. That will be the final powerful public ministry of the Body of Christ. After that 3 1/2 year period the Body of Christ will be in a position to be glorified just as the Head was glorified forevermore when His ministry was fulfilled. In the meantime however, that part of the Body which walks in a similar relationship to the Most High as did Jesus, will receive an equal amount of protection. Remember though, that relationship carries with it a willingness to do anything desired by the Father, even if that means lying down our lives (Matt.26:42). Unless and until that time would come however, protection is promised, even though like Elijah in I Ki.17:5-6, Jeremiah in Jer.38:6 and David in I Sam.19: 10, we may be a little confused as to the method of God's protection. 

Make no mistake though, for protection will be needed. Dan.7:15-27 makes it clear that during the 3 1/2 year preeminence of the beast, the saints of the Most High will be under attack, but the rest of Scripture makes it clear that those in the secret place will be safe. At the end of this 3 1/2 year period it may be that many members of the body will, like Jesus before them, be asked to lay down their lives. Not for salvation of mankind, for we know that Jesus' sacrifice was all sufficient (Heb.10:10& 14), but in service to the Most High, perhaps in order to save the physical life of another (John 15:13). However, the physical bodies of those members of the Church who thus die will, like that of Jesus, not rot in the grave (Act 2:31; 13:37 & Phil.3:21), for Rev.11:11 makes it clear that after 3 1/2 days those bodies rise in victory. That completes the 70th week, and as the voices in heaven say in Rev.11:15, the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ and He will reign forever and ever.