Attend a prophecy conference and you will probably hear someone ask, “Who are the Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:3-14)? It’s one of the most frequently asked questions that preachers and prophecy teachers get.
DIFFERENT OPINIONS
Some say, “Enoch and Elijah.” The Bible says, “It is appointed unto men once to die” (Hebrews 9:27). Some people know that Enoch and Elijah were Raptured into heaven without dying (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5; II Kings 2:11). So they have decided to believe that Enoch and Elijah are the Two Witnesses.
Others say, “Moses and Elijah.” They know that Moses and Elijah appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus when He revealed the Second Coming to Peter, James and John (Matthew 17:3). So they tie Moses and Elijah to the Second Coming and opine that they are the Two Witnesses. Additional evidence in favor of Elijah is the similarity of his miracles and those of the Two Witnesses (I Kings 17:1; 18:38; Rev. 11:5-6).
Still others say, “One of the Two Witnesses will be John the Baptist.” This group knows that God said, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD” (Malachi 4:5). They know that John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17). So they believe the Two Witnesses will be Enoch or Elijah and John the Baptist.
PROBLEMS
Some have a problem with Enoch because they believe the Two Witnesses will be Jews. But Enoch lived before the Flood. This was obviously before Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It was also before the Nation of Israel came into being. So some say Enoch was a Gentile and he could not be one of the Two Witnesses.
Moses and Elijah are probably the most popular opinion. Moses received the Law from God and he gave it to Israel. Elijah was a prophet who started a school of prophecy. The Jews sometimes refer to some of the Old Testament writings as “Moses” (the first five books of the Bible) and the “Prophets” (the books of prophecy). But some won’t accept Moses because they know he died (Deut. 34:5).
The biggest problem with John the Baptist is that he was asked if he was Elijah and he clearly said, “I am not” (John 1:21).
WHO ARE THEY
This writer does not know who they are. God didn’t say who they are. If He thought it was important, He probably would have identified them. This writer usually tells people that instead of focusing on what God didn’t say, it’s better and more important to focus on what He did say. He revealed what He wants people to know. Among other things, it is that the Two Witnesses will be killed, raised from the dead and Raptured into heaven. This writer believes their death, resurrection and ascension will take place at the middle of the Tribulation Period. By that time, there will be great deception on earth. And people will be denying the resurrection of the dead and the Rapture of the Church. Also, the Antichrist and False Prophet will be killing those who refuse the Mark. So with the whole world looking on God will raise the Two Witnesses from the dead and Rapture them into heaven. He will show the whole world that those things are real and people don’t have to be afraid to die. That’s because He can raise the dead and Rapture people into heaven. So when the Antichrist and false prophet threaten to kill people during the Tribulation Period they will just be threatening them with a trip to heaven and many wonderful things.
Prophecy Plus Ministries
Daymond & Rachel Duck