Who Are The Two Witnesses?

73

By John Z

3And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth."(Rev.11)(niv)

And the identities of these two witnesses are a source of controversy and speculation in the body of Christ today. Should it be? Let’s look at another verse, this time attributed to Paul.

4For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men? 5What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (1Cor.3)(niv)

How does this verse apply to the identities of the 2 witnesses? Paul is making a point to the Corinthian church that to adhere to the teachings or even stylings of a man is to be carnally minded. He is saying that it is God and His work that is important here and not the vessel He uses. So, to argue over the identity of the 2 witnesses should fall into the same category in my opinion.

What does it matter who it is? None of the men speculated to be one of the 2 has any power of his own. Elijah was translated (2kings2) and did not see physical death, but it is a logical fallacy to believe this translates into His reappearing as a witness. Bible Hermeneutics argue against this as well since there is no precedent for it in scripture.

Another argument in favor of Elijah is this verse:

5 "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."(Malachi 4 niv)

This prophecy may yet be fulfilled, but I contend it already has. What did Jesus say about Elijah? Read this verse:

10The disciples asked him, "Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" 11Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. 12But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." 13Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist. (Matt.17 niv) So, it appears that John the Baptist was identified with the ministry of Elijah by Jesus. This says or implies nothing about a future ministry.

Another candidate is the Apostle John. This is based on Jesus’ words in the Gospel of John:

(John21) 20Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") 21When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" 22Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." (niv)

This argument is specious at best. We can know this simply by reading the rest of the text.

 (John21) 23Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?" 24This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. (niv)

The writer is implying that the point of Jesus’ words was it was none of Peter’s business what was going to happen to John, his job was to follow Jesus.

So, I question the desire to identify the 2 witnesses. It is the message of the two witnesses that is important. And perhaps as equally important is why do they become necessary if there are Christians to preach the gospel? Their message is a pure unadulterated call to repentance. A recitation of the good news accompanied by power to confirm the word of God. They are not here to be recognized or receive accolades from adoring Christians. They are here to deliver the powerful, all consuming word of God and if anyone tries to harm them they will be destroyed by the fire that comes out of their mouths. They will have the power to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want. (Rev. 11 5, 6) These are the things that will identify the two witnesses for who they are. If the word of God is not enough then the power of God will be used to confirm his judgment.

It has been my contention for a long time now that the end of the world will not necessarily resemble the way the books and movies portray it. When Jesus arrived the first time people were looking for Messiah but did not recognize Him when He came. So, How, or why, do the 2 witnesses survive for 3 and one half years before being killed? Aside from the fact that God protects them, how will that protection look to us, the natural person? They indeed will wear sackcloth, but are they necessarily poor? Do they stand in front of the Western Wall for 3 and ½ years and preach repentance? Anything is possible with God. But could they also be on TV? In a secret location? On the internet as well? For 3 and ½ years they are not overcome. But then they are when the beast comes out of the pit. Does this mean the Beast is not on the scene until then? When He kills the two witnesses does this endear him to the world? Is the earthquake that happens when they rise from the dead 3 days later the last earthquake or only one in a series? Have you asked yourself any of these questions? Why not?

Let’s keep our eye on the ball people, we are here to save the lost and to preach the good news while it is yet light, for the night comes and no man will be able to work. Then it will be up to the two witnesses.

Comments

Judah's Daughter profile image

Judah's Daughter Level 6 Commenter 2 years ago

Yes, I've heard the two witnesses are the church (the olive tree represents the Messianic Jews, and the candlestick represents the Gentile Christian church), but because the witnesses are killed and left out in the streets of Jerusalem, that would then imply all the members of the church are killed? I believe in the rapture; I notice the Woman led out into the wilderness who is spared from the torment of the dragon, so I am inclined to believe these two witnesses are literally two people. I wonder if the Lord's church will even be here during the time of the two witnesses, for we are all witnesses. They may be here to witness to the lost ~ a last effort to evangelize the world.

I believe the lightning, thunder, earthquake and hailstorm represents the fall of Babylon, the beginning of the Lord's wrath ~ this is when the two witnesses are resurrected and ascend into heaven. I don't believe any believers will be here when Babylon falls and the wrath of God is poured out...but, who really knows but God Himself?

As believers, we are to realize the importance of spreading the gospel of salvation. That is our job, if we truly follow our Lord. Prophecy is a mystery that all of us are trying to figure out, but it's much easier to look backwards and see how God literally fulfilled all prophecy to date with accuracy.

Praise the Lord for your hub ~ I really enjoyed reading it and its message to us. God bless you.

febriedethan profile image

febriedethan 2 years ago

Thank you for this hub. I feel the urgent to spread the Word of God too, especially in end times like this. Sir, do you have a hub or some written materials of Jesus's second coming?

I'd like to ask you about this, based on Mat 24:27, many Indonesian Christian believe that Jesus will come from the East gate (Papua-Indonesia), what do you think ?

God Bless You.

SMIRNOFF 2 years ago

KINGDOM IN HEAVEN OF JAH DIRECTED BY JESUS CHRIST:

Once one reaches this number 144000 (Apocalypse14: 1) the secret saint of god will come to her end, this system of things of this world directed by Satan and its men will disappear, the kingdom in the sky of Jéhovah will direct also our ground. The paradise will install on the ground: the right ones will have the ground and on it they will reside for always (Psaumes37: 29, Matthieu5: 5, Proverbes2: 21, Isaîe11: 9, Ecclésiaste1: 4, Isaîe45: 18) what god proposed to do with a origin for the human ones and the ground will be carried out (Genesis 1: 28) The kingdom in heaven of Jéhovah directed by Jesus Christ is the only hope for the whole ground, face in this failing planetary diabolic system in any kind. Very soon, it will direct our ground.. There will be 144000 kings (queens) chosen by god among the human beings which reign with Jesus Christ in the sky after her deaths, they will direct the ground, Jesus Christ is the king of these kings… As the end of this world directed by Satan€$£ and its militaires6 as its peoples5 falls well at our era, there fore, it is necessary to dare to say by all the means for all the human ones that: what do not make the Jah will of God and what does not believe in the sacrifice of Jésus C. to deliver to us will die in Har-Maguédon (Apocalypse16: 14, 16)

LEGITIMACY OF THE SOVEREIGNTY OF JEHOVAH:

Why independence with Jah is not good? Because at the time of the rebellion Adam, Eve and Satan against Jéhovah our god creative, they chose to not depend on god by rejecting his councils, whereas: Jah god lets them move between them without intervening to prove if he is really good or bad to not depend on him in not having to follow its word (its councils). Jéhovah grants to its creatures FREEDOM TO CHOOSE between the good and the bad one, the good and the evil (Deutéronome 30:19). But, the consequences of this disobedience (independence) are thus: death, the disease, hatred, the slaughter6, selfishness of certain leaders,hypocrisy of the religion… Consequences of this test an independence which took place on our ground are very important to show with regard of the angels of the sky and the human beings also for this reason god Jah did not kill Satan, Adam and Eve at once.. Jéhovah was to bring an answer right to this dispute for the future of all, immediate execution of the rebels brings not an answer. This time, the way in which Jéhovah directs its creatures was called into question once for all, the rebellion of Satan raised a relative question with “the LEGITIMACY OF the SOVEREIGNTY OF JAH”, Adam and Eve chose to reject the sovereignty of Jah to take the advice of Satan, imagine that a diabetic neglects scrupulously to follow his mode which was prescribed to him for its good and that it continues to eat what makes him evil. Jah God is our creator thus is him only knows what will make us good or evil especially not Satan, who occupies also the good first place to advise us (to direct) There are my addresses email for anonymous contact: carnage6net@hotmail.fr, jesuschrist.est.notre.sauveur@hotmail.com, sixchaque6.monde@hotmail.com, cyclique-infini6..monde@hotmail.fr I advise with everyone to read these sites to know which is the Master of this world current? , secret signal…:

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done

http://www.watchtower.org/e/20080101/article_02.ht

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done

http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=f

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done

"Fears the true god and keeps its orders. For, this is there all the obligation of the man" Ecclesiastes 12: 13

The 144 000 are they only Jews natural?

Revelation 7:4 - 8: " I understood the number of those which were sealed: hundred forty-four thousand, sealed of any tribe of the wire d' Israel: (…) Juda (…) Ruben (…) Gad (…) Aser (…) Nephtali (…) Manassé (…) Siméon (…) Lévi (…) Issacar (…) Zabulon (…) Joseph (…) Benjamin." (It cannot to act of the tribes of Natural Israel for the following reasons: it there forever have tribe of Joseph; the tribes of Éphraïm and of Dan do not appear in the list; finally, the Levites had been put aside for the service at the temple, but they were not regarded as one of the twelve tribes. See 1:4 Numbers - 16.) Revelation 14:4 specifies well that the 144000 are people who are bought between the human ones. This general information shows well that the Jews are not the only ones with s' to be seen offering this priceless privilege to join Christ with the sky. Revelation that expression bought a between the humains' can twin with this one ' you bought for god of people of any tribe, and language, and populates, and nation.' Therefore, it is shown clearly that the 144000 bought ground come not only from the nation d' Israel, but also of the other nations (Revelation 5:9,10). On the other hand, if the 144000 are bought ground, it is not question with regard to large crowd. This one cannot be to count (fact qu' it s' increases at each week); it comes from large tribulation (that which will strike soon all the inhabited ground), without to be bought ground, it is also made up people coming from any tribe, and language, and populates, and nation; a lamb will carry out them to feed towards fountains of brandy; God will essuiera any tear of their eyes (this last expression is taken again concerning human obeying in Revelation 21:1 - 4) - Revelation chapter 17). Let us recapitulate: The 144000 are bought people d' between the human ones to form the kingdom (or government) of God at the sides of Christ. Large crowd will survive (with a remainder from these 144000) the great tribulation to form the new world or the new ground under the direction of this celestial government. They are Jews spiritules, in all the country of the world. The witnesses of Jéhovah will be happy to help you to identify you with this large crowd. (Matthieu 24:13 - 14) [...]. And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited ground, in testimony for all the nations; and then will come the end [...]

"The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government."

http://apocalypse88842.spaces.live.com

http://www.cannibalcaniche.com/forum/viewtopic.php

http://www.hi5.com/friend/group/3553327--APOCALYPS

Justin Fischer 2 years ago

Prophecy of the coming witness. Two lines given, line upon line. Revelation divine. The seven thunders uttered.

The seven thunders are seven sounds.

Seven sounds with seven voices.

Want to know what the voices are? All in due time.

Dave Mathews profile image

Dave Mathews Level 7 Commenter 23 months ago

The first witness shall be Hoah the Second Peter.

angel115707 profile image

angel115707 Level 2 Commenter 23 months ago

yes I have definatly asked myself these questions, and read Revelation, Isiah, Daniel many times. To me a lot is missing in main stream prophecy preaching, failing to use Isiah to help understand Revelation. ...

Glen 23 months ago

I think the questions your asking are answered on the web site freedomcatchthespirt.com and yes it is the message of the two witnesses that is all important not who they are and maybe that is why this site is anonymous. I think this could be the site that delivers the two witnesses' message to a world that has missed it.

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