The Two Witnesses of Revelation 11

[Pastor Scott Markle]

The Two Witnesses – Revelation 11:3-14

 

1.  The Work of the Two Witnesses

 

     “And they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” (verse 3)

 

2.  The Character of the Two Witnesses

 

     A.  “Clothed in sackcloth.” (verse 3)

 

     B.  “These are the two olive trees . . . standing before the God of the earth.” (verse 4)

 

     C.  “These are . . . the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.” (verse 4)

 

3.  The Power of the Two Witnesses

 

     A.  “And I will give power unto my two witnesses.” (verse 3)

 

     B.  “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.” (verse 5)

 

     C.  “These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy.” (verse 6)

 

     D.  “And have power over waters to turn them to blood.” (verse 6)

 

     E.  “And have power . . . to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.” (verse 6)

 

4.  The Ministry Length of the Two Witnesses

 

     A.  “And they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” (verse 3)

 

     B.  “And when they shall have finished their testimony.” (verse 7)

 

     C.  “The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.” (verse 14)

          (Note: The conclusion for the ministry of the two witnesses corresponds with the conclusion of the second “woe-trumpet,” which is the sixth of the seven “trumpet-judgments.”)

 

5.  The Ministry Conclusion of the Two Witnesses

 

     A.  “And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.” (verse 7)

 

     B.  “And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified [that is – Jerusalem].” (verse 8)

 

     C.  “And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.” (verse 9)

 

     D.  “And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.” (verse 10)

 

6.  The Resurrection of the Two Witnesses

 

     A.  “And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet.” (verse 11)

 

     B.  “And great fear fell upon them which saw them.” (verse 11)

 

     C.  “And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither.” (verse 12)

 

     D.  “And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.” (verse 12)

 

     E.  “And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city [Jerusalem] fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand.” (verse 13)

 

     F.  “And the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.”

 

 __________________________________________

 

Indeed, taking all of these details as they are precisely given by the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, this prophetic utterance can only refer unto two human individuals.

Edited June 6, 2016 by Pastor Scott Markle

[Invicta]

Rev. 1:20 tells us us that candlesticks are churches. The olive trees represent godly ministers that preach the true oil of the gospel.

[Pastor Scott Markle]

1 hour ago, Invicta said:

Rev. 1:20 tells us us that candlesticks are churches.

No, Revelation 1:20 tells us that "the seven candlesticks" which John saw in the vison of Revelation 1:10-16 represented "the seven churches" that were referenced in Revelation 1:11.  Revelation 1:20 does NOT tell us that any and all "candlesticks" which are employed in any and all prophetic utterances throughout God's Word represent churches.

By the way, which two of the seven churches of Revelation 1-3, do you believe, are represented by the two candlesticks of Revelation 11:4?
 

1 hour ago, Invicta said:

The olive trees represent godly ministers that preach the true oil of the gospel.

Now, since you gave a direct reference of Scripture as an "evidence" for your first statement, I wonder why you did not give a direct reference of Scripture as an "evidence" for this second statement.  Or, maybe there is NO reference of Scripture whatsoever at all which indicates that any church is ever represented by an olive tree.  If that is the case, then your second statement is wholly manufactured; and it becomes necessary that we should accept this second statement simply on the authority of your own word (which you know full well that I myself will NOT do).  In addition, I wonder if you have any reference of Scripture wherein the true gospel of Jesus Christ is represented as oil.

Edited June 6, 2016 by Pastor Scott Markle
Added the "by the way" statement after first paragraph.

[Pastor Scott Markle]

1 hour ago, Invicta said:

Rev. 1:20 tells us that candlesticks are churches. The olive trees represent godly ministers that preach the true oil of the gospel.

On the other hand, for the sake of the argument, let us accept your position as presented.  Then the reference unto two olive trees in Revelation 11:4 represent two specific ministers of the true gospel, and then the reference unto two candlesticks in Revelation 11:4 represent two specific churches.  Yet grammatically, Revelation 11:4 indicates that God's "two witnesses" themselves are BOTH "the two olive trees" that stand before God AND "the two candlesticks" that stand before God.  Now, I can understand how these two witnesses could be two specific ministers of the true gospel OR even two specific churches.  However, I do not understand how these two witnesses can be BOTH two specific ministers of the true gospel AND two specific churches.

[MikeWatson1]

Just to throw in another wrench

 

Stevenson wrote a commentary on Revelation and his thinking from putting scripture with scripture is that one of the witnesses was the Holy Spirit.  I will get back to you what he concluded the other witness was.  

I think he had a problem with calling them Elijah and Moses to do with the fact that if you take a stance on being symbolic of real things with one part of Revelation 11.. then you run into trouble with other parts that seem nonsense if they aren't just as they are in print. 

(Rev 11:5)  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.

(Rev 11:6)  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.
 

Here you have fire proceeding out of the witnesses mouth that devours the enemy.. do we take this to mean real fire?

Same sort of issue with the next verse.

And then if this part is symbolic of real things.. what about when the witnesses -- die and are raised again?

 

(Rev 11:7)  And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

(Rev 11:8)  And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
 

Rev 11:11  And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 
 

 

Is this part then not symbolic.. but is actually the witnesses dieing and being raised?

 

But then Stevenson saying that one of the witneses is the Holy Spirit..

 

How does the Holy Spirit then be 'dead, laying on the street' and then raised again?  Only way I could think of with this.. is if it is referring to the resurrection.

But then.. you are again taking a 'symbolic but representative of real things' approach.. with this part of scripture.  So you would need to do that with the rest...

I think this is where Stevenson can find harmony with the Holy Spirit then having 'figurative' fire coming out of the mouth that devours the adversaries earlier.

 

I want to go back and get the commentary from Stevenson again.  I have been studying Revelation with my pastor and we have been going thru Stevenson's commentary.. but parts like this require a lot of digging into other scriptures and comparisons.

 

Seems the issue comes back to which parts you take as just as they are and which parts are symbolic of real things.

[Pastor Scott Markle]

4 hours ago, 360watt said:

(Rev 11:5)  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.

(Rev 11:6)  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.
 

Here you have fire proceeding out of the witnesses mouth that devours the enemy.. do we take this to mean real fire?

Yes sir, I myself take this to mean "real fire" shall really proceed "out of their mouth" to devour their enemies; "and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed."

4 hours ago, 360watt said:

And then if this part is symbolic of real things.. what about when the witnesses -- die and are raised again?

(Rev 11:7)  And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

(Rev 11:8)  And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
 

Rev 11:11  And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 
 

Is this part then not symbolic.. but is actually the witnesses dieing and being raised?

I myself believe that God's two witnesses shall indeed die, that their dead bodies shall indeed "lie in the street of the great city," Jerusalem, for "three days and a half," and that "after three days and an half" they shall indeed be resurrected from the dead to ascend into heaven "in a cloud" within the sight of their enemies.  Indeed, I take it precisely literal in its details, as the God the Holy Spirit inspired it.

Seems as if Stevenson the commentator and I myself would NOT be in much agreement herein.

[Invicta]

If they are witnesses and candlesticks and olive trees they cannnot be literal.  I understand the fire to be the fire of the gospel which proceeds from their mouth.   Just as the sword that proceeds from the Lord's mouth.

Rev 1:16  And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
Rev 2:16  Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth 
Rev 19:21  And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse which sword proceeded out of his mouth: 

The literal understanding would be the understanding that the Lord wanted us to have.nn

[Alan]

Brethren,

I have, up to this point, tried to stay out of the conversation, for a couple of reasons. I would like to ask Invicta three questions; all three are important questions.

Invicta,

If the two witnesses are the church, at least the godly ministers of the church throughout the history of the church, and if then the two witnesses are symbolic and representative of the church, then my three questions are:

1. Does the Beast destroy the church: Revelation 11:7

2. Is the church, in Revelation 11:11-13, caught up into heaven in the Second Coming of Christ? Please take careful note that I did not use the word 'rapture.'

3. Because the two witnesses, the church, is openly caught up into heaven, there is no secret Second Coming of Christ commonly referred to as the 'rapture?'

Unless you really have to explain yourself yes and no answers are sufficient. I may, or may, not get involved after you reply to my three questions.

Alan

On ‎2016‎年‎6‎月‎6‎日 at 5:09 AM, Invicta said:

Rev. 1:20 tells us us that candlesticks are churches. The olive trees represent godly ministers that preach the true oil of the gospel.

 

[Pastor Scott Markle]

20 hours ago, Invicta said:

If they are witnesses and candlesticks and olive trees they cannnot be literal.

Inaccurate. 

More accurate -- If they are witnesses and candlesticks and olive trees, all three descriptions cannot be literal; but at least two of the descriptions must be figurative.

Since the entire rest of Revelation 11:3-14 describes the activities of two human individuals, we are able to conclude that the description of them as "witnesses" who "shall prophecy" is the literal description and that the descriptions of them as "candlesticks" and "olive trees" are figurative descriptions.

In a similar manner, our Lord Jesus Christ described His disciples in Matthew 5:13-16 as "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world."  Since therein He indicated that they were disciples and salt and light, would such mean that none of the three descriptions could be literal, but that all three must be figurative.  No, sir.  It would only mean that all three descriptions could not be literal; but it would allow for one of the descriptions to be literal, while the other two would be figurative.  Indeed, they were literal disciples who were figuratively described as salt and light, just as the two witnesses are two literal human witnesses who are figuratively described as candlesticks and olive trees.
 

20 hours ago, Invicta said:

Rev 1:16  And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

So then, did John in his vision actually and literally see "a sharp twoedged sword" coming out of the Lord's mouth, or not?

Edited June 8, 2016 by Pastor Scott Markle
grammar

[Invicta]

22 hours ago, Alan said:

Brethren,

I have, up to this point, tried to stay out of the conversation, for a couple of reasons. I would like to ask Invicta three questions; all three are important questions.

Invicta,

If the two witnesses are the church, at least the godly ministers of the church throughout the history of the church, and if then the two witnesses are symbolic and representative of the church, then my three questions are:

1. Does the Beast destroy the church: Revelation 11:7  Yes the papal beast did destroy the church to all appearances. They were revived at the reformation.

2. Is the church, in Revelation 11:11-13, caught up into heaven in the Second Coming of Christ? Please take careful note that I did not use the word 'rapture.' Yes, in symbol.

3. Because the two witnesses, the church, is openly caught up into heaven, there is no secret Second Coming of Christ commonly referred to as the 'rapture?' Of course there is no secret rapture.  If Paul intended to convey the idea of a secret rapture, he certainly used the wrong words.

Unless you really have to explain yourself yes and no answers are sufficient. I may, or may, not get involved after you reply to my three questions.

Alan

 

 

[Invicta]

8 hours ago, Pastor Scott Markle said:

Inaccurate. 

More accurate -- If they are witnesses and candlesticks and olive trees, all three descriptions cannot be literal; but at least two of the descriptions must be figurative.

Since the entire rest of Revelation 11:3-14 describes the activities of two human individuals, we are able to conclude that the description of them as "witnesses" who "shall prophecy" is the literal description and that the descriptions of them as "candlesticks" and "olive trees" are figurative descriptions.

In a similar manner, our Lord Jesus Christ described His disciples in Matthew 5:13-16 as "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world."  Since therein He indicated that they were disciples and salt and light, would such mean that none of the three descriptions could be literal, but that all three must be figurative.  No, sir.  It would only mean that all three descriptions could not be literal; but it would allow for one of the descriptions to be literal, while the other two would be figurative.  Indeed, they were literal disciples who were figuratively described as salt and light, just as the two witnesses are two literal human witnesses who are figuratively described as candlesticks and olive trees.
 

So then, did John in his vision actually and literally see "a sharp twoedged sword" coming out of the Lord's mouth, or not?

I have two olive trees in my garden and they don't look a bit like candlesticks or witnesses.

 

[Alan]

3 hours ago, Invicta said:

 

I was pretty sure that was your answer. All of your answers are in error. I kinda just wanted to let the brethren know which direction you were taking the rest of the passage.

I have been reading my commentary on, "More Than Conquerors, " by William Hendriksen, and noticed that a lot of your teaching (with some variation), follows the line of Hendriksen. Most of the variations have been with specific incidents within the Chruch Age that Hendriksen does not do and a couple of other points, but, the teaching is the same.

Permit me to give the brethren one or two quotes. It is an exact quote, the words that I have italicized were italicized by Hendriksen. I will only bold the quotes so all of us can know clearly what I quote.

Hendriksen said, "The true church is now represented under the symbolism of two witnesses. These two witnesses symbolize the church militant bearing testimony through its ministers and missionaries throughout the present dispensation." (page 154).

Hendriksen said, "In order that we may receive a very clear piecture of the church as a powerful missionary organization throughout the present Gospel age, it is here described under a fourfold symbolism"

     First of all, just as "the two olive-trees and the two candle-sticks" - Joshua and Zerubbabel? cf. Zech. 4 - represented the offices through which God blessed Israel, so throughout the Gospel era he blesses his church through the offices, that is, through the preaching of the Word and the administration of the sacraments.

     Secondly, just as the missionaires were sent out two by two, Lk10:1, so throughout this gospel age the church, as an organization, fufills its mission in the world.

      Thirdly, just as fire the fire of judgment and condemnation proceded out of Jeremiah's mouth devouring God's enemies, Jer 5:14, even so when the church of today, through its offices, condemns the wicked, on the basis of God's Word, this condemnation will actully result in their destruction. Matt. 18:18" (page 156).

I could go on and on but I will forbear. 

As Pastor Markle, DaveW, Ronda, and Jim Alaska, have all been doing an adequte job in correctly giving the interpretation of the passage involving the Two Witnesses I probably will not say much more.

Alan

 

Edited June 9, 2016 by Alan
spelling

[Jim_Alaska]

Bro. Alan, just for the record, I have not commented on this subject to date.

But I will now add that my understanding of the two witnesses is that they are literal men. I can see no reason to try to make them churches at all.

[Pastor Scott Markle]

16 hours ago, Invicta said:

I have two olive trees in my garden and they don't look a bit like candlesticks or witnesses.

Which comment does NOT go counter to anything that I presented in my posting, since I indicated that the "witnesses" description was the literal description and that the "candlesticks" description and the "olive trees" description were the figurative ones.

(By the way, I have two sons living in my house, one 15 years of age and one 21 years of age; and they do indeed look a bit like two witnesses.)

On ‎6‎/‎8‎/‎2016 at 9:48 AM, Pastor Scott Markle said:

Inaccurate. 

More accurate -- If they are witnesses and candlesticks and olive trees, all three descriptions cannot be literal; but at least two of the descriptions must be figurative.

Since the entire rest of Revelation 11:3-14 describes the activities of two human individuals, we are able to conclude that the description of them as "witnesses" who "shall prophecy" is the literal description and that the descriptions of them as "candlesticks" and "olive trees" are figurative descriptions. (emphasis added by Pastor Scott Markle)

In a similar manner, our Lord Jesus Christ described His disciples in Matthew 5:13-16 as "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world."  Since therein He indicated that they were disciples and salt and light, would such mean that none of the three descriptions could be literal, but that all three must be figurative.  No, sir.  It would only mean that all three descriptions could not be literal; but it would allow for one of the descriptions to be literal, while the other two would be figurative.  Indeed, they were literal disciples who were figuratively described as salt and light, just as the two witnesses are two literal human witnesses who are figuratively described as candlesticks and olive trees. (emphasis added by Pastor Scott Markle)

 

[Invicta]

5 hours ago, Pastor Scott Markle said:

Which comment does NOT go counter to anything that I presented in my posting, since I indicated that the "witnesses" description was the literal description and that the "candlesticks" description and the "olive trees" description were the figurative ones.

(By the way, I have two sons living in my house, one 15 years of age and one 21 years of age; and they do indeed look a bit like two witnesses.)

 

 

19 hours ago, Alan said:

I was pretty sure that was your answer. All of your answers are in error. I kinda just wanted to let the brethren know which direction you were taking the rest of the passage.

I have been reading my commentary on, "More Than Conquerors, " by William Hendriksen, and noticed that a lot of your teaching (with some variation), follows the line of Hendriksen. Most of the variations have been with specific incidents within the Chruch Age that Hendriksen does not do and a couple of other points, but, the teaching is the same.

Permit me to give the brethren one or two quotes. It is an exact quote, the words that I have italicized were italicized by Hendriksen. I will only bold the quotes so all of us can know clearly what I quote.

Hendriksen said, "The true church is now represented under the symbolism of two witnesses. These two witnesses symbolize the church militant bearing testimony through its ministers and missionaries throughout the present dispensation." (page 154).

Hendriksen said, "In order that we may receive a very clear piecture of the church as a powerful missionary organization throughout the present Gospel age, it is here described under a fourfold symbolism"

     First of all, just as "the two olive-trees and the two candle-sticks" - Joshua and Zerubbabel? cf. Zech. 4 - represented the offices through which God blessed Israel, so throughout the Gospel era he blesses his church through the offices, that is, through the preaching of the Word and the administration of the sacraments.

     Secondly, just as the missionaires were sent out two by two, Lk10:1, so throughout this gospel age the church, as an organization, fufills its mission in the world.

      Thirdly, just as fire the fire of judgment and condemnation proceded out of Jeremiah's mouth devouring God's enemies, Jer 5:14, even so when the church of today, through its offices, condemns the wicked, on the basis of God's Word, this condemnation will actully result in their destruction. Matt. 18:18" (page 156).

I could go on and on but I will forbear. 

As Pastor Markle, DaveW, Ronda, and Jim Alaska, have all been doing an adequte job in correctly giving the interpretation of the passage involving the Two Witnesses I probably will not say much more.

Alan

 

I have never read Hendriksen and from what I know of him his teaching is followed by many baptists over here. From speaking to Baptist pastors who I expect follow him, I don't agree with him.  One pastor we had believed that the witnesses  represent all the church throughout the church age.  I believe that they represent its history during the dark ages of tribulation when they were witnessing in sackcloth as it were in constant mourning or their loved ones.  The seven candlesticks represent the complete church, the two candlesticks represent the church in its most depleted state before the reformation.  Two or three being the minimum number of witnesses allowed.  God always had the minimum required to supply a witness until just before the reformation