Two Witnesses

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Two Witnesses

by Eddie Turner

In multiple visions described in the Bible, two human men were seen in God's throne room. Keep in mind that these men appeared only in visions. Whether they were actually there is open for debate. While the Bible does not give us their names, we're not without clues to their identities. Let's get to know these two mysterious fellows, who seemingly appear out of nowhere during the tribulation that is to come.

“These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire” (Revelation 11:6).

Here we learn that these men will have the power to do two things—turn water into blood and stop the rain during their ministry, which spans the majority of the first half of the tribulation period according to Revelation. In the Old Testament, we read about two men who did these same things. Elijah stopped the rain for three and a half years (1 Kings 1718), and Moses is known for having turned water into blood (Exodus 7).

Being that both men were present during Jesus' transfiguration (Mark 9), this would be their second reappearance on the earth. And so, while these men are merely speculated to fill the roles of Revelation's two witnesses, I'll be referring to them as Moses and Elijah. I'm actually more confident in pegging Elijah than Moses because of this next verse, but I'm good with both of them.

“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).

So why are these guys coming back to earth? Their purpose is to preach the gospel. More specifically, they will be preparing missionaries for the second half of the tribulation period. Where do these missionaries come from? They come from Israel. If the idea of Jews preaching the gospel sounds odd, just picture Jesus, who pioneered this movement. Being Jews themselves, Moses and Elijah will be given the hefty task of 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 them, this is how he is doomed to be killed” (Revelation 11:5)

If Moses and Elijah had not gained the entire world's attention before this, we know they will have after displaying this supernatural power that ensures their ministry will not be interrupted. No doubt, there will be many who strategize over ways to take these fire breathing preachers out. As hostility toward them increases, however, so do the intimidating displays of God's power. By the time their mission is complete, they'll be responsible for the deaths of their attackers, a major drought in the Middle East, and the poisoning of clean water sources with blood.

The two witnesses are part of the wonderful end times drama that places God's grace front and center. With the church having been removed from the earth via the rapture, it's wonderful to know of God's plan to continue spreading the message of Jesus Christ among those who are left behind.