CHAPTER 22
If you ask prophecy students to name the dominant character of the last forty-two months, almost without exception they point to Antichrist. After all, during the last forty-two months he will be given authority over every nation. During that time, however, God will give authority to two men who are completely above Antichrist's control. They are known as the two witnesses.
Without warning, in the Eleventh Chapter of the Revelation, these mysterious characters are introduced. They are dressed in sackcloth, and are said to prophesy for a period of, you guessed it, forty-two months. But these men do more than talk. God gives them authority to bring all sorts of plagues upon the earth as often as they choose. What's more, anyone who tries to harm them is consumed with fire from heaven.
Prophecy teachers spend so much time on Antichrist that the two witnesses are virtually ignored. If anything is written about them, it is speculation about their identities. Some insist the witnesses will be actual Old Testament prophets who return to earth. Because of their powers, such as turning water to blood and causing droughts, the names of Moses and Elijah are usually suggested. At first glance, a prophecy from Malachi seems to lend credence to that interpretation.
Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5).
However, when Messiah's disciples asked about that prophecy, He responded by telling them it had already been fulfilled! Immediately, they understood that Messiah was referring to John the Baptist (see Matthew 17:12-13). This tells us that God never intended to send Elijah himself back to earth. That understanding is confirmed by the angel who said John the Baptist would be someone sent "in the spirit and power of Elijah" (Luke 1:17).
That means there is no basis for insisting the witnesses be Old Testament prophets. In fact, there is a better explanation. It seems more likely that in the last days, God will give His authority (power) to two contemporary men. If that is the case, He will then have to convince the Jews that these men are His prophets. This He will do by giving them powers reminiscent of the two most famous Hebrew prophets, Moses and Elijah.
In truth, what these men do is far more important than who they are. One of their activities has to do with the world's water supply. We are told that the witnesses, like Moses, can turn water to blood, and like Elijah, they can cause droughts. John's vision seems to imply that little or no rain falls outside Israel during the forty-two months of their ministry. Could this explain the famines which plague Antichrist's reign? In addition, John says the witnesses can smite the earth with any other plague, and they can do so as often as they desire.
Revelation describes the men as "the two olive trees that stand before the Lord of the earth." To learn what that means we look to a similar reference in Zechariah 4. There, Zechariah wanted to know the meaning of the two olive trees in his vision. He was told, "These are the anointed ones, who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth." From this we conclude that John's witnesses are also two anointed ones. In other words, God will appoint and empower these two for specific tasks.
What are those tasks? Foremost is the restraining of Antichrist. These men are God's resistance fighters. They make up the only earthly power left which can oppose Antichrist's kingdom. In Revelation 11:10, we learn that the witnesses torment men throughout the world. The plagues which the witnesses send are an embarrassment for Antichrist, and the tormenting of his men no doubt causes morale problems. For these reasons, Antichrist would gladly eliminate the witnesses if he could. However, during the entire 1,260 days of their ministry, the witnesses are invincible. If Antichrist sends agents to harm them, they merely speak a word and lightening devours those enemies.
Another task has to do with the protection of and provision for Israel. It appears that the witnesses not only use their powers to protect themselves, but the people of Israel as well. In Revelation, Chapter Twelve, John tells us,
And the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman [Israel] in order that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time, times, and half a time [three and a half years], from the presence of the serpent (Revelation 12:14).
A similar verse, found in Exodus 19:4, explains the meaning of the wings. There, God reminded the Israelites of what He did to the Egyptians, and how He "bore them [Israel] on eagles' wings" and brought them to Himself. We know Moses was the human instrument of God's deliverance on that occasion. So, in a sense he became the "wings" which saved Israel from Pharaoh's army. Now we find that during the last forty-two months, two such "wings" will be given to Israel. Through these two, God will nourish Israel and deliver her from the Antichrist.
John noticed that the witnesses were wearing sackcloth. In the Bible that is always a sign of grief. Contributing to that grief is the knowledge that time is growing short. Very soon, judgment will begin. They understand that in spite of their efforts, most of the sons of Israel (not to mention the nations) will reject the Lord.
"And it will come about in all the land [of Israel]," declares the Lord, "that two parts will be cut off and perish; but the third will be left in it" (Zechariah 13:8).
For the third that survives, it will be no picnic. God will refine those by bringing them through the fire. Yes, there is plenty of reason for grief, because when the witnesses appear, it means the day of the Lord is near.
A day of wrath is that day, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet and battle cry, against the fortified cities and the high corner towers (Zephaniah 1:14-15).
In all, the witnesses will prophesy for 1,260 days. A strong clue as to the content of their message is found in verse 11:8. It establishes that they are part of the New Covenant, for Jesus is said to be their Lord.
Another clue is that John refers to them as the two lampstands. This speaks of their task of bringing the "light" of the gospel to Israel. A central part of their ministry will be proclaiming to Israel that Jesus is the Messiah. It is these men who will turn the hearts of Israel to Jesus (not 144,000 Jewish evangelists). It is through their ministry that Israel learns to say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord" (Matthew 23:39), thus preparing the way for Messiah's return.
In Zechariah's day, the two anointed ones were instrumental in the administration of the Temple. Quite possibly, John's witnesses will have similar duties. But you ask, "How could that be?" If the witnesses are followers of Messiah, how could they be part of a system that rejects Him? Besides, wasn't all the Temple ritual done away with by the New Covenant? This may surprise you: Messiah is going to demand that everyone participates in Temple worship during the Millennial Kingdom! (see Zechariah 14:16-19).
But if a Temple were built today, would it not be built in unbelief. After all, aren't the Jews still opposed to the gospel? While that is true, it is simply not relevant. When the Temple is built, it is not the Jews who will be in charge, but God's two witnesses. Isn't that a twist—followers of Messiah in charge of the Temple!
Under the witnesses' direction, Temple worship will be restored to what God intended. Most of the Feasts and holy days will be reinstituted, but for the first time, the people will be taught the true meanings behind them. What's more, the Law will be presented not as a way of salvation, but to reveal the need for a savior. Because of the witnesses, the veil will be lifted for many Israelis, and they will recognize their Messiah. Now we see why God wanted John to count the worshippers at the temple. They are not Old Covenant Jews. They are people of the New Covenant!
By smiting Antichrist's kingdom with all kinds of plagues, the witnesses have restrained him from doing all the evil he desires. In addition, God uses the witnesses as instruments to judge the nations. For these reasons, they will be the two most hated men in the world. Finally, after exhausting every means to destroy them, Antichrist will gather his kings together in a desperate attempt to kill God's two witnesses.
The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His anointed: "Let us tear their fetters apart, and cast way their cords from us" (Psalms 2:2-3).
As soon as the three and a half years of their ministry is completed, God removes His protection from the witnesses. Then, at the time of His choosing, God allows Antichrist and his kings to make war on the witnesses and kill them (perhaps by crucifixion). The Bible says that after their deaths, the people of the world are so overjoyed that they celebrate by exchanging gifts (Revelation 11:10). It is likely that Daniel made reference to their deaths in a prophecy, calling them the "power" of the Holy people.
...he swore by He who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed (Daniel 12:7).
At that time, Antichrist's forces will desire the cattle and goods that have been acquired in Israel. Remember, thanks to the two witnesses the rest of the world has experienced three and a half years of drought and famine. This is a strong motive for the invasion of Israel in the last days:
Have you come to take a spoil? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture a great spoil? (Ezekiel 38:19).
For the Jews, the slaying of the witnesses marks the beginning of murderous persecution. They had been living securely under the protection of the witnesses, but now they are forced to flee the wrath of Antichrist and his allies. To symbolically complete his conquest, the "man of sin" seats himself in the sanctuary of the Temple. From there, he speaks monstrous blasphemies against the Most High. It is possible that he also destroys the Ark of the Covenant.
Then Antichrist steps up his efforts to "wear down" the saints (see Daniel 7:25). At that time, Jerusalem is captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished, and half the city is exiled. For three and a half days Antichrist's allies refuse to bury the witnesses, choosing instead to revel over their dead bodies. Then suddenly, God interrupts the celebration. The Bible says He breathes the breath of life into the witnesses, and they stand on their feet. Then there is heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Come up here." And that is just what they do! Immediately, there follows a great earthquake in which a tenth of Jerusalem is destroyed, and 7,000 people are killed. The survivors are quick to realize that it is God, and not Antichrist, who is in control.
Does the witnesses' ascension happen as part of the rapture? Perhaps, but there is no way to know. What is established though, is an approximate time for the final harvest. With the deaths of the witnesses, there is no longer a restraining force to hold back the persecution of the "holy people." All those who were tormented by plagues at the hands of the two witnesses will run roughshod over God's people. Messiah prophesied the persecution that follows:
But whenever they persecute you in this city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you shall not finish going through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man comes (Matthew 10:22-23).
This verse leads us to believe that the final harvest occurs within days of the witnesses' deaths. Then it is time for wrath to begin.