In (Revelation 11:1-14) the two witnesses are mentioned, however there is much debate within the Christian community as to whom these two witnesses will truly be. Many believe they would be Elijah and Moses or Elijah and Enoch. Both have very strong arguments as Elijah had amazing God given powers and never died but was called up to heaven (2 Kings 2:9-11), Moses also had extraordinary powers from God (Exodus 7:17-19), however Moses had died, Enoch in (Hebrews 11:5) never saw death and was taken directly to heaven. There has to be some reason for God to spare these men from death. Since there is very little consensus to the identity of the two individuals, this leaves us all guessing and left in wonder.
Revelation 11:1-14 KJV
“And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.” - Revelation 11:1-14 KJV
I was present a few days ago with a few videos (both found at the bottom of this page) that hold a strong argument that the two witnesses are more than just two individuals but more of a group of individuals. These videos together are about three hours long (however I highly recommend watching them), so I wrote up a summary. This is mind blowing and exciting stuff!
Olive Trees
In (Revelation 11:4), the Bible states that the two witnesses are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. So what exactly do the two olive trees represent in the Bible? Olive trees and olive oil were a very important commodity for the children of Israel. Let’s start from (Zachariah 4:1-6), Zachariah had many end time prophesies from the lord.
“And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my Lord? Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my Lord. Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” - Zechariah 4:1-6 KJV
Notice the Angel seems as though Zachariah should know the answer, but Zachariah asked again, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?
, The Angel answers in (Zechariah 4:14) These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
“Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my Lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” - Zechariah 4:11-14 KJV
Let’s now jump to (Jeremiah 11:16-17);
“The Lord called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken. For the Lord of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.” Jeremiah 11:16-17 KJV
Notice how it state the olive tree as a reference to a body of people, the Jewish people, also notice that branches have been broken off due to falling away from god. (Tree One).
Now let’s jump to (Romans 11:13)Paul states that he is writing to the Gentiles (a person who is not Jewish)
“For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:” Romans 11:13 KJV
Paul continues to write in (Romans 11:17-18) that when you believe in Christ, you also will become an olive tree, the Gentiles have been grafted into the Olive tree.
“And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.” Romans 11:17-18 KJV
Paul states however that you should not get arrogant and feel above the Jewish that have fallen off as the Olive tree of the Jewish people will not be forgotten by God, once they come back to faith, they will be grafted back in again.
“Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.” - Romans 11:19-23 KJV
We have as gentiles been grafted into our own Olive tree through faith in Christ alone.
“For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?” Romans 11:24 KJV
Paul then states in (romans 11:25-26) to not be ignorant of this mystery, so you are not conceited. Israel has experienced a hardening until the full number of Gentiles come in, in this way, all Israel will be saved.
“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.” - Revelation 11:6 KJV
Thats TWO olive trees serving the ONE true God.
Back to (Revelations 11:4), the angel states that They are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands and they stand before the Lord of the Earth.
"These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.” - Revelation 11:4 KJV
Once the Jewish people come to repentance in Christ the two Olive Trees will stand, the powers will be for all to see.
“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.” Revelation 11:6 KJV
Lampstands
Now for the lamp stands, in (Revelations 1:12). John sees a vision of the glorified Christ, also sees of seven golden lampstands, the angel interprets the visions for John.
“And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;” - Revelation 1:12 KJV
In (Revelations 1:20) the Angels declares that the seven stars represent the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.
“The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.” - Revelation 1:20 KJV
Conclusion
Revelations uses a lot of symbolism, we are told through the Bible what the symbols represent, when decoded we are able to find answers. In the instance the stars represent angels and the candle sticks represent churches. Judging by what we have to go off of, it appears the witnesses are not representing two single entities, but representing two churches, two bodies of believers.
The two candle sticks represents the two churches (two bodies of believers), the two olive trees represent the Jewish / Gentile believers. Two Churches, two groups of people. We are the lampstands, we are the light. Like it says in (Luke 12:35) Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning.
, reminds me of a old song my mom used to sing to me and my siblings when we were kids; This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine
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“Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;” Luke 12:35 KJV
If this is the correct answer, then we very well may be the witnesses, empowered by the one true God to spread the fiery truth that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior to all the Earth.
Video Part One:
Video Part Two:
