Two Witnesses Movie Clarification Essay
The eleventh chapter of Revelation speaks of two witnesses that will proclaim the good news of salvation of the soul through the Lord Jesus during the great tribulation. But who are these two witnesses? A true witness is a person who testifies to the truth. Are they two individuals, or two groups of people? A proper interpretation of Scripture will render the answer.
The two witnesses are two prophets, in the spirit of Moses and Elijah, who will preach the gospel in Jerusalem during the time of the great tribulation. It means that in the same manner that John the Baptist underwent his ministry in the power and spirit of Elijah, the two witnesses will do the same – in the power and spirit of Moses and Elijah. But what does this mean? It means that the powerful witness of the one representing the Law and the one representing the Prophets will be exemplified midway through the great tribulation.
But how do we know that they are in the spirit of Moses and Elijah and not the two literal prophets? There are no scriptural references that support the claim that believers who have gone to be with the Lord in their death are brought back to earth in order to serve the Lord, in ministry. We cannot determine if these two are literally Moses and Elijah for sure; but the best interpretation is that these two go out in the spirit of Moses and Elijah – but are not either of these individuals.
These are two people, not two groups. Reason being, there is no evidence of another resurrection of a group of believers during the great tribulation. The fact that these are two people shows that this is a unique ministry to the Jews living in Israel. As mentioned earlier, Moses represents the Law; and Elijah, the prophets.
The purpose of these two individuals is to preach the gospel to the Jews living in Israel. This is imperative to understand because God is a God of covenants. What does this mean? Contracts are null and void if there is a breach of contract from one or both individuals within this contract. Covenants remain even if one party is in breach-of-contract. God made a covenant with the Jewish people; consequently, the calling of the Jews to repentance in the tribulation reflects His everlasting covenant with His people.
Regarding the Gentiles during the great tribulation, the hundred and forty-four thousand Jews that are sealed from each tribe of Israel will go throughout the world preaching to Gentiles and Jews.
Another reason these two individuals do not represent groups is that the Bible does not speak of another resurrection of a group of believers outside the rapture of the church. Consequently, this is most likely a unique occurrence for these two witnesses, as they are witnessing to Jews in Israel.
The two witnesses appear in the great tribulation. These two will most likely be two prominent Jews, educated in the Torah and the Prophets, who will get saved in the tribulation since I am fully persuaded that the church will have already been raptured; that is, removed from the earth to meet the Lord Jesus in the air before the wrath of God is poured out. The Bible teaches that God has not appointed the believer to wrath; consequently, the true church will neither experience nor have to endure the great tribulation.
There is no scriptural evidence to support the claim that three and a half days represents three and a half years. These two witnesses will be put to death by the Antichrist but will be resurrected after three and a half literal days. The world, who initially rejoiced at the death of these two prophets, will witness their resurrection. In fact, these two witnesses are so hated that they are not even given a burial.
The great city in Revelation 11 is Jerusalem, not Babylon, because it clearly states, “where also our Lord was crucified.” As mentioned, the two witnesses will be preaching of the Messiah and resurrected Savior in Israel.
This topic is vitally important because it shows God’s mercy during the time of the great tribulation. It is a warning to the non-Christian that he needs to repent and place his faith and trust in the Lord Jesus. For the Christian this chapter is a great comfort. God will show mercy and make a way for eternal life, even during the great tribulation.
Post a comment: