Who Are the "TWO WITNESSES" of Revelation 11

[WalterandDebbie]

Who Are the "TWO WITNESSES" of Revelation 11:
During the climactic End-Time, God will raise up TWO WITNESSES who will serve Him as true prophets who
will bring plagues upon the world, and who will warn the wicked of their sins and evil. Who are these men?
Are the two witnesses of Revelation 11 two angelic beings? Or are they human? Are they waiting in the wings to fulfill their calling? Do they know each other? Are they already active, today, in the Work of God, before being imbued with extra spiritual power to accomplish their final ministry?

Who are the "Two Witnesses" of Revelation 11? What is their final role and function in the End-Time Work of God? We read of these two unique and fascinating servants of God:

"And I will give POWER to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the whole earth. If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This
is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want" (Rev.11:3-6).

In recent times, a novel new theory has been put forth claiming that these two "witnesses" are not human beings at all, but two angelic messengers sent from heaven -- two "cherubim" -- mighty angels of God. According to the proponents of this theory, these two witnesses 1) do not appear on the scene until after the first "woe" of Revelation, and at the beginning of the "second woe" (Rev.9). This is the same as the sixth trumpet plague, and during this woe a third of mankind dies (Rev.9:13-16).

This sixth trumpet woe, we are told, will last 3 1/2 years. The proponents of this theory further tell us that Christ will not return until the end of the 7th. trumpet, which will last another 3 1/2 years, during which the seven last plagues are poured out on the hapless earth.
2) The appearance of the two witnesses, we are told, is supposedly after the sealing of the 144,000 for protection during the final plagues poured out by God on a rebellious planet (Rev.7). They appear, ostensibly, after the first woe (fifth trumpet plague), which is supposed to be "an army of evil angels" led by a superpowerful demonic angel.

Who are they? They prophesy for 42 months, or 3 1/2 years, and then are killed, and then "ascend to heaven in full view of their enemies." They are referred to as "two olive trees, two anointed ones" who stand before God.
To "prove" these are two angelic superbeings, cherubim, the author points out that "no man" has ascended to heaven, according to Christ's own words (John 3:13). Furthermore, he says, there were two cherubim who stand in God's presence -- one of each end of the Ark of the covenant, hovering over the mercy seat. Furthermore, they are depicted in Scripture as being made of "olive wood" (I Kings 6:23). Voila! The two witnesses!
Sounds interesting -- even entertaining -- but is this theory true? Does it really have a "leg" to stand on?

We know, of course, that from time to time angels of God can appear as human beings, and have done so. Abraham met with three celestial visitors who appeared as men (Gen.18:1-23). Paul speaks about Christians at times entertaining angels "unawares" (Heb.13:1). However, there is no evidence in all the Scriptures of angelic beings of God ever being KILLED! And we must remember, these two "witnesses" of Revelation, after they finish their ministry and prophecy for three and one half years, are killed!

We read in Revelation 11:
"And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends 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, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. "And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and a half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves, and they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because THESE TWO PROPHETS tormented them that dwell on the earth" (Rev.11:7-10).

Note well! God's Word says these two individuals are "PROPHETS"! -- not angels! In every case in the Scriptures, the word "prophet" refers to MEN -- HUMAN BEINGS! The office of "prophet" was held by Abraham, as well as Isaac, and Jacob, and Moses, not to mention Noah, Enoch, and the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. Even king David was also a "prophet" of God (Acts 2:29-30)

There were also "prophets" in the New Testament Church of God, such as Agabus (Acts 11:27-28), as well as Silas and Judas Barsabas (Acts 15:22, 32). The office of "prophet" was part of the established order of rank and responsibility in the Church. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "And God hath set some in the church, first, apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles . . ." (I Cor.12:28). Paul also wrote to the Ephesians, "And he gave some, apostles, and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers" (Eph.4:11).

Nowhere in the Bible is an "angel" ever called a "prophet"! Therefore, these two witnesses described in the book of Revelation are TWO HUMAN BEINGS WHOM GOD WILL USE, much as He used Moses and Aaron, also prophets, to witness to Pharaoh, during the time PLAGUES were poured out on Egypt! God will use these two men in a similar way, to pour out similar PLAGUES upon the kingdom of the Beast, the anti-typical fulfillment of ancient Pharaoh!

 

[Kathi]

Question: "Who are the two witnesses in the book of Revelation?"

Answer:There are three primary viewpoints on the identity of the two witnesses inRevelation 11:3-12: (1) Moses and Elijah, (2) Enoch and Elijah, (3) two unknown believers whom God calls to be His witnesses in the end times. (1) Moses and Elijah are seen as possibilities for the two witnesses due to the witnesses' power to turn water into blood (Revelation 11:6), which Moses is known for (Exodus chapter 7), and their power to destroy people with fire (Revelation 11:5), which Elijah is known for (2 Kings chapter 1). Also giving strength to this view is the fact that Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:3-4). Further, Jewish tradition expected Moses and Elijah to return in the future.Malachi 4:5predicted the return of Elijah, and the Jews believed that God’s promise to raise up a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15,18) necessitated his return.

(2) Enoch and Elijah are seen as possibilities for the two witnesses because they are the two individuals whom God has taken to heaven apart from experiencing death (Genesis 5:23;2 Kings 2:11). The fact that neither Enoch or Elijah have experienced death seems to qualify them to experience death and resurrection, as the two witnesses experience (Revelation 11:7-12). Proponents of this view claim thatHebrews 9:27(all men die once) disqualifies Moses from being one of the two witnesses, as Moses has died once already (Deuteronomy 34:5). However, there are several others in the Bible who died twice—e.g., Lazarus, Dorcas, and the daughter of the synagogue ruler—so there is really no reason why Moses should be eliminated on this basis.

View (3) essentially argues that Revelation chapter 11 does not attach any famous identity to the two witnesses. If their identities were Moses and Elijah, or Enoch and Elijah, why would Scripture be silent about this? God is perfectly capable of taking two "ordinary" believers and enabling them to perform the same signs and wonders that Moses and Elijah did. There is nothing inRevelation 11that requires us to assume a "famous" identity for the two witnesses.

Which view is correct? The possible weakness of (1) is that Moses has already died once, and therefore could not be one of the two witnesses, who die, which would make Moses a contradiction ofHebrews 9:27. Proponents of (1) will argue that all of the people who were miraculously resurrected in the Bible (e.g., Lazarus) later died again.Hebrews 9:27is viewed, then, as a "general rule," not a universal principle. There are no clear weaknesses to view (2), as it solves the "die once" problem, and it makes sense that if God took two people to heaven without dying, Enoch and Elijah, it was to prepare them for a special purpose. There are also no clear weaknesses to view (3). All three views are valid and plausible interpretations that Christians can have. The identities of the two witnesses is an issue Christians should not be dogmatic about.

Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/two-witnesses.html#ixzz3OjdQ9vmi

 

[petester]

Maybe they are like inspectors for God.I was taught that God can see in all Christians hearts because the giving of ones soul allows for this.Lotsa people aren't Christians so maybe he sends his inspectors to witness the present state of the world and we aren't supposed to know who they are.

 

[Kathi]

My Guess and it is only speculation is Enoch and Elijah.

 

[Malachi]

My Guess and it is only speculation is Enoch and Elijah.

Kathi,
We can do more than guess. God has given us His blueprint. Enoch was not a prophet per se, and these men are prophets (Rev 11:10).

1. We know from Malachi 3:1-3; 4:5, 6 that the prophet Elijah must come before the Day of the Lord. John the Baptizer came "in the spirit and power of Elijah" at Christ's first coming (the Day of Grace). The original Elijah will appear on earth before His second coming (the Day of Wrath).

2. We know that Moses and Elijah appeared with Christ at His transfiguration (Lk 9:27-36) to talk about His "exodus" from Jerusalem (translated as "decease" but meaning not just death, but exit or departure). Evidently their discussion would have covered everything included Christ's ascension (and possibly His second coming). Therefore these two men representing the Law and the Prophets would be the most appropriare prophets to be sent (1) as witnesses to the glorified and ascended Christ and (2) to denounce the Antichrist and to work the miracles which correspond to the miracles which they already performed on earth.

3. It is significant that their period on earth corresponds to the first half of Daniel's 70th week (3 1/2 years) and that just as Elijah stopped the rain for 3 1/2 years during the reign of wicked king Ahab, he will once again stop the rain during the reign of the wicked Beast.

4. They are called "olive trees" to signifiy that they are filled with the Holy Spirit and demonstrate the power of God, and they are called "candlesticks" because they proclaim the coming Christ ("their testimony"), who will come "with power and great glory".

 

[Kathi]

Kathi,
We can do more than guess. God has given us His blueprint. Enoch was not a prophet per se, and these men are prophets (Rev 11:10).

1. We know from Malachi 3:1-3; 4:5, 6 that the prophet Elijah must come before the Day of the Lord. John the Baptizer came "in the spirit and power of Elijah" at Christ's first coming (the Day of Grace). The original Elijah will appear on earth before His second coming (the Day of Wrath).

2. We know that Moses and Elijah appeared with Christ at His transfiguration (Lk 9:27-36) to talk about His "exodus" from Jerusalem (translated as "decease" but meaning not just death, but exit or departure). Evidently their discussion would have covered everything included Christ's ascension (and possibly His second coming). Therefore these two men representing the Law and the Prophets would be the most appropriare prophets to be sent (1) as witnesses to the glorified and ascended Christ and (2) to denounce the Antichrist and to work the miracles which correspond to the miracles which they already performed on earth.

3. It is significant that their period on earth corresponds to the first half of Daniel's 70th week (3 1/2 years) and that just as Elijah stopped the rain for 3 1/2 years during the reign of wicked king Ahab, he will once again stop the rain during the reign of the wicked Beast.

4. They are called "olive trees" to signifiy that they are filled with the Holy Spirit and demonstrate the power of God, and they are called "candlesticks" because they proclaim the coming Christ ("their testimony"), who will come "with power and great glory".

Good point Malachi

 

[Gregg]

Kathi,
We can do more than guess. God has given us His blueprint. Enoch was not a prophet per se, and these men are prophets (Rev 11:10).

In my line of work, I've seen many builders and contractors misread [and ignore portions of] blueprints.

1. We know from Malachi 3:1-3; 4:5, 6 that the prophet Elijah must come before the Day of the Lord. John the Baptizer came "in the spirit and power of Elijah" at Christ's first coming (the Day of Grace). The original Elijah will appear on earth before His second coming (the Day of Wrath).

There is nothing in Scripture for you to state that the 'original Elijah' will be one of the 2 witnesses. That is merely opinion on your part, and [still] unsupported by Scripture.

The one like Elijah did come about 2000 years before the Day of the LORD, and another like him will come about 3-1/2 years before the Day of the LORD. "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of (1) the great and (2) dreadful day of the LORD:" (Mal 4:5 KJV). Mal 4:5 addresses two time periods:

1. one called 'the great day', regarding Immanuel crucified and resurrected;
2. and another called the 'dreadful day' of the LORD, Christ at His Second Coming.​

One like Elijah precedes both time periods:

'great day . . . of the LORD' Mat 11:14, Mat 17:12, Isa 40:3
'dreadful day of the LORD' Rev 11:3, Isa 40:10

[The following is out of context to this thread, but these verses contribute to the argument that Daniel's 70th week occurs in 2 phases:

3-1/2 years leading up to Christ's Crucifixion and Resurrection, spiritual restoration of Israel and Gentiles,
3-1/2 years leading up to His Second Coming, wrath upon mankind, and physical restoration of Israel.]
​

2. We know that Moses and Elijah appeared with Christ at His transfiguration (Lk 9:27-36) to talk about His "exodus" from Jerusalem (translated as "decease" but meaning not just death, but exit or departure). Evidently their discussion would have covered everything included Christ's ascension (and possibly His second coming). Therefore these two men representing the Law and the Prophets would be the most appropriare prophets to be sent (1) as witnesses to the glorified and ascended Christ and (2) to denounce the Antichrist and to work the miracles which correspond to the miracles which they already performed on earth.

It is interesting how you mix the terms 'We know' and 'Evidently . . . would have' and 'possibly' and 'Therefore . . . most appropriate'. Your vocabulary indicates that you are unsure of what you are saying.

4. They are called "olive trees" to signifiy that they are filled with the Holy Spirit and demonstrate the power of God,

Scriptural support please?

and they are called "candlesticks" because they proclaim the coming Christ ("their testimony"), who will come "with power and great glory".

No Scripture sited?


.

 

[Malachi]

There is nothing in Scripture for you to state that the 'original Elijah' will be one of the 2 witnesses. That is merely opinion on your part, and [still] unsupported by Scripture.

Since the Scriptures were given and you chose to ignore them, nothing more needs to be said. To him that hath, more shall be given. To him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away (Mt 13:12).

 

[WalterandDebbie]

Who Are the "TWO WITNESSES" of Revelation 11:
During the climactic End-Time, God will raise up TWO WITNESSES who will serve Him as true prophets who
will bring plagues upon the world, and who will warn the wicked of their sins and evil. Who are these men?
Are the two witnesses of Revelation 11 two angelic beings? Or are they human? Are they waiting in the wings to fulfill their calling? Do they know each other? Are they already active, today, in the Work of God, before being imbued with extra spiritual power to accomplish their final ministry?

Who are the "Two Witnesses" of Revelation 11? What is their final role and function in the End-Time Work of God? We read of these two unique and fascinating servants of God:

"And I will give POWER to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the whole earth. If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This
is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want" (Rev.11:3-6).

In recent times, a novel new theory has been put forth claiming that these two "witnesses" are not human beings at all, but two angelic messengers sent from heaven -- two "cherubim" -- mighty angels of God. According to the proponents of this theory, these two witnesses 1) do not appear on the scene until after the first "woe" of Revelation, and at the beginning of the "second woe" (Rev.9). This is the same as the sixth trumpet plague, and during this woe a third of mankind dies (Rev.9:13-16).

This sixth trumpet woe, we are told, will last 3 1/2 years. The proponents of this theory further tell us that Christ will not return until the end of the 7th. trumpet, which will last another 3 1/2 years, during which the seven last plagues are poured out on the hapless earth.
2) The appearance of the two witnesses, we are told, is supposedly after the sealing of the 144,000 for protection during the final plagues poured out by God on a rebellious planet (Rev.7). They appear, ostensibly, after the first woe (fifth trumpet plague), which is supposed to be "an army of evil angels" led by a superpowerful demonic angel.

Who are they? They prophesy for 42 months, or 3 1/2 years, and then are killed, and then "ascend to heaven in full view of their enemies." They are referred to as "two olive trees, two anointed ones" who stand before God.
To "prove" these are two angelic superbeings, cherubim, the author points out that "no man" has ascended to heaven, according to Christ's own words (John 3:13). Furthermore, he says, there were two cherubim who stand in God's presence -- one of each end of the Ark of the covenant, hovering over the mercy seat. Furthermore, they are depicted in Scripture as being made of "olive wood" (I Kings 6:23). Voila! The two witnesses!
Sounds interesting -- even entertaining -- but is this theory true? Does it really have a "leg" to stand on?

We know, of course, that from time to time angels of God can appear as human beings, and have done so. Abraham met with three celestial visitors who appeared as men (Gen.18:1-23). Paul speaks about Christians at times entertaining angels "unawares" (Heb.13:1). However, there is no evidence in all the Scriptures of angelic beings of God ever being KILLED! And we must remember, these two "witnesses" of Revelation, after they finish their ministry and prophecy for three and one half years, are killed!

We read in Revelation 11:
"And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends 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, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. "And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and a half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves, and they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because THESE TWO PROPHETS tormented them that dwell on the earth" (Rev.11:7-10).

Note well! God's Word says these two individuals are "PROPHETS"! -- not angels! In every case in the Scriptures, the word "prophet" refers to MEN -- HUMAN BEINGS! The office of "prophet" was held by Abraham, as well as Isaac, and Jacob, and Moses, not to mention Noah, Enoch, and the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. Even king David was also a "prophet" of God (Acts 2:29-30)

There were also "prophets" in the New Testament Church of God, such as Agabus (Acts 11:27-28), as well as Silas and Judas Barsabas (Acts 15:22, 32). The office of "prophet" was part of the established order of rank and responsibility in the Church. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "And God hath set some in the church, first, apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles . . ." (I Cor.12:28). Paul also wrote to the Ephesians, "And he gave some, apostles, and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers" (Eph.4:11).

Nowhere in the Bible is an "angel" ever called a "prophet"! Therefore, these two witnesses described in the book of Revelation are TWO HUMAN BEINGS WHOM GOD WILL USE, much as He used Moses and Aaron, also prophets, to witness to Pharaoh, during the time PLAGUES were poured out on Egypt! God will use these two men in a similar way, to pour out similar PLAGUES upon the kingdom of the Beast, the anti-typical fulfillment of ancient Pharaoh!

Continued from: Who Are the "TWO WITNESSES" of Revelation 11:

Ascend Up To Heaven?
But what about the claim that "no man" has ascended up to "heaven"? First of all, notice that when Jesus Christ made that statement, He was clearly referring to the heaven of God's throne (John 3:13). Also, He spoke in the past tense. This statement, therefore, would not necessarily preclude two men in the future, from ascending up to "heaven."
However, we don't need to assume that the heaven of God's throne is referred to at all. When John tells us the two witnesses, when their dead bodies are revived, ascend up to heaven, he did not specify WHICH heaven! The truth is, the
Bible itself speaks of at least three different "heavens." There is the heaven of God's throne (Rev.4:1-3); then there is the heaven where the planets and stars and galaxies circulate (Gen.1:1); and finally, there is the heaven which is the atmosphere of the earth -- the heaven where the birds fly (Gen.1:20).
Which heaven did the two witnesses ascend up to?
Actually, in history, the Bible does record one man, other than Christ Himself, who, like the two witnesses, "ascended to heaven" when his ministry was finished. He was, like them, a prophet of God -- a mighty prophet -- the prophet Elijah! We read the account in II Kings:
"And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that,
behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and
parted them asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into
HEAVEN" (II Kgs.2:11).

Elijah was taken to "heaven"! But what "heaven" did he go to? Many have assumed that Elijah never died, and that he was taken to the heaven of God's throne. Some also assume that Enoch never died, because we read in the book of Genesis: "And Enoch walked with God; and he was not; for God took him" (Gen.5:24). Does this mean God took him to heaven?
But that would contradict the plain words of the Messiah Himself. So what did happen to Enoch and Elijah?
Did Enoch and Elijah Go to Heaven?
Actually, this mystery is cleared up for us in the book of Hebrews, in the New Testament. The truth is, as the apostle Paul wrote, all the saints of God died. He enumerated specifically Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah, and said: "These ALL died in faith, not having received the promises" (Heb.11:13).

Enoch was among these mentioned (verse 5). What did Paul mean, then, when he said that Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him"? (v.5). Men have assumed this meant he went to heaven and never died. But Enoch was human flesh, and all flesh dies (Eccl.3:18-20). "All go to one place; ALL are of the dust, and ALL turn to dust again" (v.19). The Greek word for "translated" here is metatithemi (#3346 in Strong's Concordance) and means, "to transfer, i.e., transport," by impl., "to exchange, carry over, change, remove, translate, turn."
In other words, Enoch was "removed" or "carried over" by God from one place to another, for his own protection. Since he was a prophet of God, and the world hated him for preaching the truth and warning them of their sins, they sought to kill him, as they have done to all God's prophets from the beginning of time. But God saw to it that he was protected -- God removed him from danger, and from their presence, to a "safe place." When his ministry was fulfilled, God "took him" -- that is, He had his angels remove him from danger and carried him to a "place of safety" on this earth. Thus he did not ascend to heaven at all!

 

[WalterandDebbie]

Continued from: Who Are the "TWO WITNESSES" of Revelation 11:

Ascend Up To Heaven?
But what about the claim that "no man" has ascended up to "heaven"? First of all, notice that when Jesus Christ made that statement, He was clearly referring to the heaven of God's throne (John 3:13). Also, He spoke in the past tense. This statement, therefore, would not necessarily preclude two men in the future, from ascending up to "heaven."
However, we don't need to assume that the heaven of God's throne is referred to at all. When John tells us the two witnesses, when their dead bodies are revived, ascend up to heaven, he did not specify WHICH heaven! The truth is, the
Bible itself speaks of at least three different "heavens." There is the heaven of God's throne (Rev.4:1-3); then there is the heaven where the planets and stars and galaxies circulate (Gen.1:1); and finally, there is the heaven which is the atmosphere of the earth -- the heaven where the birds fly (Gen.1:20).
Which heaven did the two witnesses ascend up to?
Actually, in history, the Bible does record one man, other than Christ Himself, who, like the two witnesses, "ascended to heaven" when his ministry was finished. He was, like them, a prophet of God -- a mighty prophet -- the prophet Elijah! We read the account in II Kings:
"And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that,
behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and
parted them asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into
HEAVEN" (II Kgs.2:11).

Elijah was taken to "heaven"! But what "heaven" did he go to? Many have assumed that Elijah never died, and that he was taken to the heaven of God's throne. Some also assume that Enoch never died, because we read in the book of Genesis: "And Enoch walked with God; and he was not; for God took him" (Gen.5:24). Does this mean God took him to heaven?
But that would contradict the plain words of the Messiah Himself. So what did happen to Enoch and Elijah?
Did Enoch and Elijah Go to Heaven?
Actually, this mystery is cleared up for us in the book of Hebrews, in the New Testament. The truth is, as the apostle Paul wrote, all the saints of God died. He enumerated specifically Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah, and said: "These ALL died in faith, not having received the promises" (Heb.11:13).

Enoch was among these mentioned (verse 5). What did Paul mean, then, when he said that Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him"? (v.5). Men have assumed this meant he went to heaven and never died. But Enoch was human flesh, and all flesh dies (Eccl.3:18-20). "All go to one place; ALL are of the dust, and ALL turn to dust again" (v.19). The Greek word for "translated" here is metatithemi (#3346 in Strong's Concordance) and means, "to transfer, i.e., transport," by impl., "to exchange, carry over, change, remove, translate, turn."
In other words, Enoch was "removed" or "carried over" by God from one place to another, for his own protection. Since he was a prophet of God, and the world hated him for preaching the truth and warning them of their sins, they sought to kill him, as they have done to all God's prophets from the beginning of time. But God saw to it that he was protected -- God removed him from danger, and from their presence, to a "safe place." When his ministry was fulfilled, God "took him" -- that is, He had his angels remove him from danger and carried him to a "place of safety" on this earth. Thus he did not ascend to heaven at all!

 

[reba]

Are they people? A literal reading tells us they are lamp stands and olive trees....Personally i have not developed a view ,,, could it be one is Judaism and the other Christianity?

 

[Malachi]

Continued from: Who Are the "TWO WITNESSES" of Revelation 11:

You have introduced some rather novel interpretations in this post. However, they cannot really be treated as valid since they actually negate some important Bible truths.

Ascend Up To Heaven?
But what about the claim that "no man" has ascended up to "heaven"?

And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (Jn 3:13)
This is a rather remarkable statement and should be understood properly. The Lord Jesus -- the eternal Word who is God -- took human form of His on volition and power and became a man. Thus "he that came down from heaven". Prophetically, the Lord said that after His resurrection, He would -- of His own volition and power -- ascend back to Heaven and be "received up" by "a cloud" (probably a host of angels) (Acts 1:9). No man has ever done this. Enoch and Elijah were taken up by the power of God, but Christ by His own almighty power. "By Himself he purged our sins" (Heb 1:3) and "by Himself He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Heb 1:3).

However, we don't need to assume that the heaven of God's throne is referred to at all. When John tells us the two witnesses, when their dead bodies are revived, ascend up to heaven, he did not specify WHICH heaven!...Elijah was taken to "heaven"! But what "heaven" did he go to?

Since the first heaven is the atmosphere, the second heaven is the stratosphere, it should be evident that John is referring to the third heaven -- God's Heaven -- which was visited by the apostle Paul (2 Cor 12:2). Saints and prophets do not float around in outer space! Therefore the two witnesses ascended back to God.

The truth is, as the apostle Paul wrote, all the saints of God died. He enumerated specifically Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah, and said: "These ALL died in faith, not having received the promises" (Heb.11:13).

This is a misapplication of Scripture, since Heb 11:5 says that (1) Enoch was TRANSLATED, and (2) HE SHOULD NOT SEE DEATH. So here you are clearly contradicting the Word of God. Novelty in Bible interpretation is dangerous, and contradicting Scripture is even more dangerous.

 

[Gregg]

Since the Scriptures were given and you chose to ignore them, nothing more needs to be said. To him that hath, more shall be given. To him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away (Mt 13:12).

I am not understanding how Mt 13:12 has to do with who the 2 witnesses are. Could you explain?

 

[Kathi]

Are they people? A literal reading tells us they are lamp stands and olive trees....Personally i have not developed a view ,,, could it be one is Judaism and the other Christianity?

Yes they are two literal people.Males.

 

[reba]

I do not have my soft wear on the lap top ... i just read Revelation 11 and it does not definitively or literally say they are men .

 

[Kathi]

I do not have my soft wear on the lap top ... i just read Revelation 11 and it does not definitively or literally say they are men .

What do you think they are by your interpretation?

 

[reba]

as i said post # 11 i have not developed a view. still reading and trying to figure it out...

 

[Kathi]

Revelation 11:3-12New King James Version (NKJV)
3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

The Witnesses Killed
7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

The Witnesses Resurrected
11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.

 

[reba]

what is your point?

 

[Kathi]

what is your point?

You said they were not two people.I was asking you what you thought they were.I have given you the Scripture above on post #18 so you can look at it.