Gò0dNews for Everyone
Two Witnesses by Eddie Turner
I
n multiple visions described in the Bible, two human men
“Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet
were seen in God's throne room. Keep in mind that these
before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD”
men appeared only in visions. Whether they were actually
(Malachi 4:5).
there is open for debate. While the Bible does not give us their
So why are these guys coming back to earth? Their purpose
names, we're not without clues to their identities. Let's get to
is to preach the gospel. More specifically, they will be preparing
know these two mysterious fellows, who seemingly appear out
missionaries for the second half of the tribulation period.
of nowhere during the tribulation that is to come.
Where do these missionaries come from? They come from
“These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will
Israel. If the idea of Jews preaching the gospel sounds odd,
not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have
just picture Jesus, who pioneered this movement. Being Jews
power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the
themselves, Moses and Elijah will be given the hefty task of
earth with every plague, as often as they desire” (Revelation 11:6).
leading 144,000 Jewish men and woman to Jesus. “And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel” (Revelation 7:4). When Moses and Elijah arrive on the scene in Jerusalem, it will be during a time of peace. At first, these Old Testament icons will likely be dismissed as homeless street preachers, given their sackcloth attire. But as their teaching gains momentum, I suspect their notoriety will progress from a minor annoyance to a newsworthy spectacle. If history has taught us anything, it's that rogue teachers of the gospel in Israel will eventually be seen as a threat. “And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm
Here we learn that these men will have the power to do two things—turn water into blood and stop the rain during
them, this is how he is doomed to be killed” (Revelation 11:5) If Moses and Elijah had not gained the entire world's
their ministry, which spans the majority of the first half of
attention before this, we know they will have after displaying
the tribulation period according to Revelation. In the Old
this supernatural power that ensures their ministry will not be
Testament, we read about two men who did these same things.
interrupted. No doubt, there will be many who strategize over
Elijah stopped the rain for three and a half years (1 Kings 17-
ways to take these fire breathing preachers out. As hostility
18), and Moses is known for having turned water into blood
toward them increases, however, so do the intimidating
(Exodus 7).
displays of God's power. By the time their mission is complete,
Being that both men were present during Jesus'
they'll be responsible for the deaths of their attackers, a major
transfiguration (Mark 9), this would be their second
drought in the Middle East, and the poisoning of clean water
reappearance on the earth. And so, while these men are merely
sources with blood.
speculated to fill the roles of Revelation's two witnesses, I'll
The two witnesses are part of the wonderful end times
be referring to them as Moses and Elijah. I'm actually more
drama that places God's grace front and center. With the
confident in pegging Elijah than Moses because of this next
church having been removed from the earth via the rapture,
verse, but I'm good with both of them.
it's wonderful to know of God's plan to continue spreading the
40 // January 2021
message of Jesus Christ among those who are left behind.
