“And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore (1260) days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.”
Revelation 11:3-4
One of the most important, but least discussed prophecies regarding the End Times concerns two “witnesses” who shall be on the earth for 3 1/2 years (1260 days), telling all those still alive and remaining AFTER the Rapture of the prophecies regarding those things coming soon. What we know is their appearance will coincide with the first half of the seven year Tribulation, the time period which starts AFTER the “peace treaty” with Israel is signed by the anti-christ. It is during this time the 3rd Jewish Temple will be rebuilt (to see more on the Tribulation read God’s 490 year binding contract that’s almost over!). We know this because the Believers in Christ will have been Raptured PRIOR to the Tribulation so they will not have to go through God’s wrath of these final 7 years. Instead, in God’s ultimate Mercy, he sends His two witnesses as a FINAL, LAST CHANCE for those on earth who were NOT Raptured to repent and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.
What we don’t know is who they are. There has been much debate amongst Biblical scholars who believe it will be Moses and Elijah since they were with Jesus at the Transfiguration. Interestingly, the Jews consider it was Moses who introduced the Law to the Jews and Elijah who was the first of the writing prophets. Whenever the Jews referred to Moses and Elijah they were talking of the “Law and the Prophets”. These two things give much credibility to this assertion.
“And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart. And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias (Elijah) talking with him.”
Matthew 17:1-3
Others have speculated it may be Elijah and Enoch because, as the Bible says in Hebrews 9:27, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement” and in 1 Corinthians 15:22, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” From my previous post Does anyone know where Enoch went? we can easily speculate that since Enoch never died, he might be brought back in order to die to then re-enter Heaven. I guess I have to say, since the Bible does not specifically name these two witnesses, it doesn’t really matter who they are, but rather God’s intent while they are on the earth is what matters the most!
What we also know is that John refers to them as “These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.” In Zechariah 4:11-14 we read:
“Then answered I, and said unto him (God), 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.”
So, let’s do a quick review of those things that have preceded the appearance of these two witnesses of God. We know they will come to witness, prophecy and perform great miracles for 3 1/2 years, AFTER the Believers have already been “snatched” away (Raptured) from the earth but before the Great Tribulation (2nd half of the 7 year Tribulation period). This means at the time of their showing up on the doorstep, the true Believers will no longer be on the earth which means the Holy Spirit will be gone as well. A false “peace treaty” will have been signed giving the Jews the right to rebuild their 3rd Temple but the world will still be rattled (as described in Matthew 24:7-8) with tremendous upheaval due to wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes. BUT, this still is not the end…
“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in diverse places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”
In God’s ultimate Mercy and Grace, He gives ALL unbelievers still alive on earth a second chance! These two witnesses, along with 144,000 Jewish witnesses (12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of the Jews) will preach to the world and the greatest evangelical revival in the history of the world will then occur. Unfortunately, those who convert AFTER the Rapture will still have to endure the horrors of the Tribulation but should take solace in knowing even though they may die and/or suffer during that period, their ultimate eternal home is in Heaven with the Lord. The power and miracles these two witnesses perform will be awesome! They will proclaim the message of Christ:
“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 not rain in the days of their prophecy (3 1/2 years): and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. “
Revelation 11:5-6
Of course, this power and ability to bring devastation to an unbelieving world will cause most of unbelieving mankind to absolutely hate them. They will be viewed as real trouble makers, proclaiming some false narrative about some God who is “supposedly” judging the world. So, when their job is done and all who would be saved are saved:
“And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast (anti-christ) 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 (Jerusalem), which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. “
Revelation 11:7-8
Kind of looks like the anti-christ and Satan won this one, right? And, their followers (unbelieving mankind) were very happy!
“And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see (remember, this was written BEFORE TV and the internet) 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 (capitals mine) over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.”
Revelation 11:9-10
Can you imagine how happy people will be when these two are finally put to death by THEIR savior Satan? They will send gifts to each other in demonic celebration and be happy that finally their “torment” is over! Or, is it?
“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 (capitals mine) fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice (God) from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.”
Revelation 11:11-12
Even though ALL the people of the world (nations) will witness the power and miracles of these two prophets for 3/12 years; will see them murdered by the anti-christ; lie dead and unburied on the streets of Jerusalem for 3 1/2 days; be miraculously brought back to life by the Spirit of God and ascend into heaven, they STILL WILL NOT BELIEVE in God’s message to mankind! Incredible! But, let’s not forget prior to this God takes the Believers out of the earth during the Rapture so we will not have to endure His just wrath on an unbelieving world, He also sends two prominent witnesses (along with 144,000 other witnesses) in a LAST DITCH effort to save everyone from an ultimate eternal punishment in Hell. Those that remain on the earth who have not accepted Christ will be followers of Satan and ALL will die in 3 1/2 years at the Battle of Armageddon at Christ’s Second Coming. Only those who believe in Christ at His Second Coming will enter the 1,000 year Millennial rule of Jesus on the earth.
So, if two guys show up at your door proclaiming the message of God and performing incredible miracles know this:
- You just missed the Rapture of the true Believers!
- But, God has given you a second chance to still be saved
- Repent and ask Christ for forgiveness
- Or, be ready for a very short party when these two guys are killed and a VERY, long punishment in hell.
Got it? How comforting is that to know we still have a second chance to be saved because God is MERCIFUL! I don’t expect to be here to see these two and if you read the Scriptures above and believe their message you won’t either. If you don’t but can remember this message, please be comforted with God’s last message to you. And, please do as I have attempted to do, and that is to “…therefore comfort one another with these words.” If you are a subscriber, you can do this by forwarding your email to your friends and family or Share/Like it on Facebook and/or LinkedIn. Let’s get His message out to all ASAP!
May God continue to Bless you!
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