The Book of Revelation is a tapestry woven with profound symbolism, cosmic battles, and divine judgments. Among its most enigmatic figures are the Two Witnesses of Revelation. The eleventh chapter describes these two mysterious prophets appearing in Jerusalem during the final years of this age. They deliver a powerful and final testimony to a rebellious world. Their dramatic ministry, supernatural powers, and miraculous resurrection have captivated theologians for centuries. Unpacking their identity and prophetic role is crucial to understanding the sequence of end-time events. It also helps in understanding God’s ultimate plan for justice and redemption.

The Prophetic Ministry in Revelation 11

The narrative of the Two Witnesses of Revelation begins with the Apostle John receiving a measuring rod to measure the temple of God. John learns that the Gentiles will trample the outer court and the holy city for 42 months. It is during this precise period that God empowers His two prophets.

• Their Commission: God gives them authority to prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. This is the traditional garb of mourning and repentance. Their entire ministry is a call for the world to turn back to God before the final judgments.
• Their Symbolic Identity: John describes them as “the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.” This imagery directly references the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 4). In that passage, the two olive trees represent the two anointed ones—Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor. God’s Spirit empowered them to rebuild the temple. This immediately identifies the witnesses as divinely anointed and empowered figures.
• Their Supernatural Powers: Their testimony is not merely verbal; awesome and terrifying power backs it. They have the authority to devour their enemies with fire and to shut up the sky so that it will not rain. They can also turn the waters into blood and strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

These powers are not random. They specifically echo the ministries of two of the most significant Old Testament prophets: Elijah, who called down fire from heaven and commanded a drought, and Moses, who brought the plagues upon Egypt.

Martyrdom, Resurrection, and Ascension

The ministry of the Two Witnesses of Revelation comes to a dramatic and violent end. After they finish their 1,260-day testimony, “the beast that comes up from the Abyss” will attack and kill them. This event marks a pivotal moment in the tribulation. It reveals the primary antagonist of the end times, the Antichrist. For more on this figure, see Revelation Beast Symbolism.

• A Global Spectacle: Their bodies will lie in the public square of “the great city”—symbolically called Sodom and Egypt. This is the same city where their Lord was crucified, pointing unequivocally to Jerusalem. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over their death. They will celebrate and send each other gifts because these two prophets had tormented them.
• A Divine Vindication: For three and a half days, the world watches. Then, a breath of life from God enters them, and they stand on their feet. Terror strikes all who see them. A loud voice from heaven calls out, “Come up here.” They then ascend to heaven in a cloud while their enemies look on.
• Immediate Judgment: A great earthquake immediately follows their ascension. It destroys a tenth of the city and kills seven thousand people. This event causes the survivors to give glory to the God of heaven, validating the witnesses’ message.

The Great Debate: Who Are the Two Witnesses?

For centuries, scholars have debated the precise identity of these two figures. The interpretations generally fall into two main categories: literal and symbolic.

Literal Interpretation: Two Individuals

This view holds that the Two Witnesses of Revelation will be two actual human prophets. They will appear on the world stage. The primary candidates are:

• Moses and Elijah: This is the most popular and traditional view. The parallels in their miraculous powers provide the strongest evidence. Moses represents the Law, while Elijah represents the Prophets. These are the two foundational pillars of the Old Testament. Furthermore, the prophecy in Malachi 4:5 states, “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.” The Jewish expectation of Elijah’s return makes him a prime candidate. For a scholarly overview of apocalyptic expectations, Cambridge University’s Faculty of Divinity offers excellent resources.
• Enoch and Elijah: This view is based on the fact that Enoch and Elijah are the only two individuals in the Bible who did not experience a natural death. God took them directly to heaven. Proponents argue that since “it is appointed for man to die once” (Hebrews 9:27), these two must return to fulfill that destiny as martyrs.

Symbolic Interpretation

This view argues that the Two Witnesses of Revelation are not individuals. Instead, they represent a larger group or concept.

• The Church: The witnesses could symbolize the witnessing Church during the tribulation. The number two often signifies valid testimony in Jewish law. Their death and resurrection would then mirror the persecution and ultimate vindication of the faithful. The two could also represent the Jewish and Gentile believers who make up the Church.
• The Law and the Prophets: This interpretation sees the witnesses as personifications of the Old Testament, which testifies of Christ. Their ministry is the powerful, convicting message of Scripture.
• The Old and New Testaments: A similar view suggests they represent the full testimony of the Bible, God’s complete word to humanity.

Their Prophetic Role and Purpose

Regardless of their specific identity, the prophetic role of the Two Witnesses of Revelation is clear. They serve as God’s final, powerful call to repentance. This call comes before God pours out the Seven Bowls of Wrath. Their ministry demonstrates God’s authority over creation, His judgment against sin, and His faithfulness to His word.

Their death at the hands of the beast highlights the depth of human rebellion against God. The world’s subsequent celebration further proves this point. However, their resurrection and ascension serve as the ultimate proof of God’s sovereignty. It is a divine exclamation point. It demonstrates that God has the final word, even when evil appears to have won. Their story is a microcosm of the entire apocalyptic struggle. It is a prelude to the final Battle of Armageddon, where God will display His power for all to see.

The story of the two witnesses is a stark and powerful reminder. God will not leave the world without a witness. Even in the darkest hour, His truth will be proclaimed. Their tale is one of incredible courage, divine power, and ultimate vindication. It is a crucial chapter in the grand, cosmic narrative of Revelation.

Check out the author’s book here: The Book of Revelation.