THE TWO WITNESSES
Commentary by Jon Courson
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A Study of Revelation 11:3-19
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Why are there two witnesses? Because “in the mouth of two witnesses every word shall be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1). Thus…
- Two spies of the twelve commissioned were correct (Numbers 13).
- Joshua sent in two spies to scope out the land (Joshua 2:1).
- There were two angels in the tomb on Easter morning (John 20:12).
- Jesus sent out His witnesses two by two (Mark 6:7).
Revelation 11:4
These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
The two witnesses are likened to the two olive trees in Zechariah 4 that provide a perpetual supply of oil and are emblematic of the Spirit’s anointing in ministry (Zechariah 4:3–6).
Revelation 11:5, 6 (a)
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 rain not in the days of their prophecy…
Who are these men hinted at in Zechariah 4, clothed in sackcloth in Revelation 11, with power to bring about drought and scorch anyone who hassles them?
- Elijah called down fire from heaven that destroyed one hundred soldiers (2 Kings 1).
- Elijah prayed, and the heavens yielded no rain for three and a half years (James 5:17).
- Elijah never died, but instead rode to heaven in a fiery chariot (2 Kings 2:11).
- The Old Testament ends promising Elijah’s return (Malachi 4:5).
Thus, I believe Elijah is one of the two witnesses, who, anointed with the oil of the Holy Ghost, will shine as brightly as candlesticks in the midst of the Tribulation.
Revelation 11:6 (b)
…and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
While some have suggested Enoch or Zerubbabel as the second witness, I believe it is Moses.
At Moses’ command, Egypt was plagued with darkness, frogs, and death; at his command, the water of the Nile turned to blood (Exodus 7–12).
Moses, representing the law, appeared with Elijah, representing the prophets, on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17).
Satan and Michael the archangel argue over the body of Moses (Jude 9)—very likely in order to prevent his resurrection as the second witness.
Revelation 11:7, 8
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast 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, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
Jerusalem, the only city God calls His own, the city over which Jesus wept compassionately, is now likened to Egypt and Sodom because she has rejected Christ.
Revelation 11:9
And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
For hundreds of years, commentators did not understand how the whole world could see this event. Then enter CNN, 20/20, and Tom Brokaw. I have a piece of advice for Brokaw and the boys: When this story breaks, leave your camera crews in place because it’s not over yet.…
Revelation 11:10
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 dwelt on the earth.
The only time people rejoice in the Tribulation is over the death of the two witnesses. “Hey, the guys who made us feel uncomfortable, who talked to us about stuff we didn’t want to hear are dead! Leave them in the gutter, and let’s celebrate!”
If you’ve been beaten down or left out, rejoice. You’re in good company.
Revelation 11:11, 12
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 fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
These witnesses are examples of what you can be in the last days in which we live. You’re to share the gospel with people. Yes, you’ll be beat up emotionally and verbally, ostracized, left out, not invited to the party. But you know what will happen? Three and a half days later, you’ll rise. There will be a spring in your step and joy in your heart as you find yourself soaring emotionally. Truly, gang, there is nothing, nothing, nothing like sharing your faith. Even if you’re put down, beat up, left out, you’ll find yourself revived.
If you feel your relationship with the Lord is stagnant or tedious—witness. I guarantee, like the two witnesses in Revelation 11, you’ll be caught up into heavenly places. Witnessing is the single most important way I have found to see my own faith revived and renewed.
Jesus didn’t tell us to preach the gospel because He wants us to be miserable. On the contrary, He said, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (see Luke 6:38).
Revelation 11:13 (a)
And the same hour was there a great earthquake…
Not only is the world shaken up emotionally by the resurrection of the two witnesses but it is shaken physically in a great earthquake.
Revelation 11:13 (b)
…and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand…
The notes in the margins of newer translations correctly render this phrase “seven thousand men of names.” If this earthquake, originating in the fault of the Rift Valley that runs through Israel to North Africa, claims the lives of seven thousand notables, it must also take the lives of multiplied thousands of unknowns in Jerusalem.
Revelation 11:13 (c)—15 (a)
…and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. And the seventh angel sounded…
Here is the last of the seven trumpets, sounded not by God—as those who espouse a mid-Tribulation Rapture view suggest—but by an angel.
Revelation 11:15 (b)—17
…and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
“See,” say those who believe in a mid-Tribulation Rapture, “the seventh trumpet sounds and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord.” But they don’t take into account the fact that the verb translated “are become” is in the aorist active indicative tense, which means the kingdoms of this world are becoming the kingdoms of our Lord. It is what is referred to as a proleptic statement. That is, it is an event so certain that it is spoken of as if it has already taken place.
In Isaiah 53:5, we read, “He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities.” Of whom is this speaking? Jesus. Had this already happened when Isaiah penned these words? No. But Isaiah wrote it in the past tense because it was as certain as if it had already happened.
In Romans 8:17, we read that we were glorified because one day, we, indeed, will be.
Revelation 11:18 (a)
And the nations were angry…
As the earth quakes, are people repentant? No, they’re angry.
Revelation 11:18 (b)
…and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
Those who destroy—or, literally, “corrupt or pollute” the earth will be destroyed, while those who serve God will be rewarded.
Revelation 11:19 (a)
And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament…
Sometimes I am asked if the “ark of his testament,” or the ark of the covenant, will be found. I don’t think so because Jeremiah 3:16 says in the last days the ark will not be mentioned—probably because no one remembers it. But as the temple is merely a shadow of the reality in heaven, the true ark will be seen in heaven.
Revelation 11:19 (b)
…and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
The “great hail” in the last verse of chapter 11 sets the stage for the parade of great beings and events John is about to witness in chapter 12.…
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