The reason the two witnesses are called witnesses

[guysmith]

The reason the two witnesses are called witnesses

Amos 8:11
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

When the GT begins, the AC will rule claiming that he is God. He will require all to worship him and denounce there religious belief in God. At the beginning of the GT, some Christians, which refuse to worship him, will be immediately rounded up and martyred. The bulk of Christendom will go underground /into hiding, hoping to survive the rule-of-the-AC, but they too will eventually be rounded up.

Because of this effort to exterminate Christendom and the total shutdown of anything which has to due with the one true God, there will be a famine of the word of the LORD. Bible burnings will be rampant, Christian forums and other religious websites will be shut down. The famine will be total except for the two witnesses which will be the only voices proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God.

These two will be protected in Jerusalem for the duration of the 1260 days of the GT. With the two witnesses will be the 144K and the daughters of Zion which will also be protected for the duration of the GT. The reason that the 144K are not called witnesses is because they won't be heard while behind the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. The two witnesses, however, (like Moses and Aaron) will be the spokemens of this larger group and will be the only witnesses for the one true God during the Great Tribulation period. Thus, the reason that the two witnesses are called witnesses.

Guy

 

[Thranduil]

The reason the two witnesses are called witnesses

Amos 8:11
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

When the GT begins, the AC will rule claiming that he is God. He will require all to worship him and denounce there religious belief in God. At the beginning of the GT, some Christians, which refuse to worship him, will be immediately rounded up and martyred. The bulk of Christendom will go underground /into hiding, hoping to survive the rule-of-the-AC, but they too will eventually be rounded up.

Because of this effort to exterminate Christendom and the total shutdown of anything which has to due with the one true God, there will be a famine of the word of the LORD. Bible burnings will be rampant, Christian forums and other religious websites will be shut down. The famine will be total except for the two witnesses which will be the only voices proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God.

These two will be protected in Jerusalem for the duration of the 1260 days of the GT. With the two witnesses will be the 144K and the daughters of Zion which will also be protected for the duration of the GT. The reason that the 144K are not called witnesses is because they won't be heard while behind the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. The two witnesses, however, (like Moses and Aaron) will be the spokemens of this larger group and will be the only witnesses for the one true God during the Great Tribulation period. Thus, the reason that the two witnesses are called witnesses.

Guy

Well this is an interesting take on this issue, I'm not sure where you get this understanding from, but I have to disagree with some of your points.
One thing I do agree with is that many Christians will indeed have to go into hiding, and it is my hope that some may even survive to the end, IMO they will be the only ones who are "Raptured" since the living DO NOT preceed the resurrection of the dead.

I think it's wrong to believe that the two witnesses are the sole proclaimers of the gospel during the GT. I'm quite convinced that there are many Christians who have been built up in their faith to have the courage to face death head on and will stick around to help those who have yet to be saved, since there will be no doubt 100's of millions who will be reaching out for a solid answer to the big question during that time. That question being, "What is REALLY happening?" People have always sought answers to tribulative dilemas in their lives, even when the answer is bad; understanding ones circumstances tends to have a soothing effect on the human mind. It is when we are clueless about the "whys" that tends to inflict fear and doubt.


While the Great Commission has been in effect since Christ's departure, Jesus made it clear when addressing the end times that, Matthew 24:10-14 (NIV)
10At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Emphasis mine.

If the entire church gets raptured then there cannot be anyone of faith to turn from the faith and betray and hate each other.

If no one of the faith (other than the two witnesses and the 144K) are here, then no one will stand firm to the end to be saved.

I think it's pure foolishness to believe that our Lord would be so vague when addressing such a critical issue at such a critical time in all history. If it were just the 2 witnesses and the 144K, he would have said so. Further more; in both Daniel and the Revelation, Jesus clearly states that the church, the saints, the elect will be persecuted by the AC, and it requires faithful endurance on the part of the saints.

All of these things point to a church in full armor doing EXACTLY as the Lord has proclaimed, NOT just a couple of men.

Concerning the drought, the 2 witnesses shut up the sky so it will not rain during their testimony. Most envirinmental scientists will verify that it only takes about 6-8 months for such a world wide drought to cause the entire food chain to fall apart. Plants, trees, shrubs, flowers, etc, will die off first. Then the creatures that eat such things will die, then the creatures that eat those creatures will die. This results in cannibalism just as it did in the past.

The 2 witnesses cause the water to become blood, fulfilling the prophecy that, "for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve." Rev.16:6 (NIV)

No, I'm quite certain that Jesus Christ has told the church what to expect and what they are required to do. I think the challenge to have the courage to do so results in the falling away from the faith, separating the chaff from the true grain, the sheep from the goats. They gathering in of the new believers, the harvest.

I praise God for every Christian who truly holds to the faith and is willing to fulfill these words, "...they did not so much love their lives so much as to shrink from death" Rev.12:11b (NIV)

And I certainly feel sorry for those who are currnetly "playing Christian", but will prove to be without faith when the find they have to face death for the sake of the faith, for they will indeed betray and hate each other. They will try to save their lives and will lose it.

The two witnesses are originally referred to as martyrs. While they will be the worst nightmare to all unbelievers and hated and despised. I'm quite certain that the true believer will find their presence a great comfort that builds up the faith of the faithful. Their presence will be fulfillment of the promises we all hold so dearly to. Evidence that we have not believed in vain. They will be their brothers and sisters keepers. They will give the true believer their food a the proper time.