Faithful on Fridays Blog

Two Witnesses

If you’re not following this teaching with your Bible opened then you’re missing a lot. I can walk you through some of it but when you follow along there’s a promised blessing (Rev. 1:3). 

In this vision John was instructed to measure the Temple of God, the Altar (of Incense), and the worshippers. This symbolism is a reminder that we are the Temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16-17) and His Presence is burning in us, showing God’s capacity for grace is limitless. 

Notice the separation of the ‘outside’ of the Temple; the rebellious, without God’s measure of grace, will insult and harass followers of Christ for a period of time but God’s Plan will move forward as two witnesses step onto the stage.

These grieving men may represent Moses and Elijah-like believers, possibly the Church, whose fiery message of God’s judgment torments unbelievers. No one likes their soul judged for sin and told of consequences. You may remember Moses standing up to Pharaoh (Ex. 7-11) and the ultimate release of plagues or Elijah’s confrontation with the followers of Ba’al (1 Kings 18:20-35) and the miracles he performed. These two witnesses will have that same God-delegated authority to prove their messages.

I’ve never appreciated symbolism like I do now. Take the number two: olive trees and lampstands. The end-times prophet Zechariah explained two trees (chapter 4) as does Paul in Romans 11: Jew and Gentile, two become one in Christ. Scripture teaches that two witnesses establish a fact (Dt. 4:6; Matt. 18:16) so we’re assured these men speak truth.

We’ve already seen lampstands in Chapters 1-3 representing the Church and now John sets the stage for us to envision these two men with a mission to warn unbelievers, in a different way this time, of coming judgment. They suffer consequences from Satan’s beast as they’re hunted, trapped, and murdered for their message like prey; no one likes to be reminded that God will judge sin and Satan hates to be reminded of the cross. He thought he had won over God but it was short-lived then and it is now.

Sometimes it seems to us that wickedness is winning and believers suffer unjustly with God not responding. Well, hold onto your seats; victory is coming. These men will rise again and hear from heaven.

After a shorter period, 3½ days this time, the Spirit breathed life into the two witnesses, the Church, they stand up again, and rise to God in a cloud. Sound familiar? This may be a foreshadow of the Second Coming. As their enemies watch the devastation from an earthquake fear falls on them but some glorify God. That’s always the point of plagues, miracles, and judgments: That they may know that I Am God.

May our gospel message of repentance resulting in God’s mercy be clear today; it will change to judgment as the time draws closer and the opportunity is gone.