The ministry of the two witnesses:(11:1-6): The place is Jerusalem and the time is the first half of the Tribulation. Israel is worshiping again at its restored temple, built under the protection of the Antichrist, whose true character has not yet been revealed.
These two witnesses will fearlessly proclaim the gospel during the 2-half of the 7-year tribulation. Their gospel preaching will be the final expression of God’s grace offered to the repentant and believing sinners. Their ministry will start from the middle of the tribulation period until just before the sounding of the 7th trumpet. They will declare that the disasters falling on the world are the judgements of God. They would fulfil the Scripture words (matt. 24:14) “gospel shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations and then the end will come.” God will use them to bring salvation to Israel.
The identity of the 2-witnesses could be speculated from the Scripture. The 2- preachers could Moses and Elijah due to some reasons given below.
- The miracles performed are similar to the judgements inflicted in the O.T. by Moses and Elijah. Elijah called down fire from heaven (2 Ki.1:10,12) and pronounced a 3 ½ drought on the land (1 Ki. 17:1; Jam. 5:17). The same period of time, these 2-witnesses brought these disasters (Rev. 11:6). Further Moses turned waters of the Nile into blood (Ex. 7:17-21).
- Jewish tradition expected Moses and Elijah to return in the future. Jews expected the return of Elijah (Mal. 4:5) and God’s promise to raise up a prophet like Moses (Deu. 18:15, 18).
- Moses represents the Law and Elijah as one of the great prophets both appeared with Christ during the transfiguration which shows the preview of the second coming (matt. 17:3).
- Elijah did not die but was transported to heaven in a fiery chariot ( 2 Ki. 2:11-12) and God supernaturally buried Moses’ body in a secret location (Deu. 34:34:5-6; Jude 9).
The two preachers will have miraculous powers similar to Moses and Elijah. They will fearlessly proclaim the gospel, God’s judgement and the need for repentance. Many people will try to harm them but fire will come from their mouths and burn the enemies. This must be the literal fire because God had used fire in the past to punish the rebellious ones and sinners (Lev. 10:2). Their preaching will continue go on without stopping. Further they will shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying. This will greatly increase the troubles because in the 3-trumpet, there was poisoning of 1/3rd of fresh water supply took place (8:10-11). Added to this there would be 3 ½ year of drought brought by these two witnesses which result in widespread devastation of crops and loss of human and animal life through thirst and starvation. Again they (perhaps Moses) will have the power over the waters to turn into blood and strike the earth every plague as often as they desire. The havoc these two miracle working preachers cause will wreck civilization and people would fear and hate them. They will be unstoppable during their period of 3 ½ years of ministry.
The death and resurrection of the 2-witnesses: (11:7-14):
After they have finished their assignment, “The beast” (Antichrist) is now in power and wants to take over the temple; but he cannot succeed until the two witnesses are out of the way. God will permit him to slay them, for no one will be able to make war against “the beast” and win (Rev. 13:4).
Then the witnesses will not even be permitted decent burial (Ps. 79:1-3). But even this indecency will be used by God to bear witness to mankind. No doubt the TV cameras in Jerusalem will transmit the scene to people around the world, and the news analysts will discuss its significance. The unrepentant, sin-hardened masses will want to gloat along with the Antichrist and glorify him for his victory over the two witnesses. They will send gifts to one another because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. The two preachers bodies will lie on the streets of Jerusalem.
Suddenly breath comes from God and both of them resurrect. In that very hour there will be a massive earthquake killing 7000 prominent people, perhaps the leaders in Antichrist’s world government. The rest of the people (Jews) were terrified and some gave glory to God in otherwords, some people would repent and turn to Christ. This will mark the end of 2nd “woe.” The 3rd woe is coming quickly introducing the final violent bowl judgement and the return of Christ in glory to set up His kingdom. The 7-bowl judgement is ushered in by the sounding of the 7th Trumpet.