“These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth” (Revelation 11:4).

The two witnesses, God said, are “my witnesses” (vs 3). Wouldn’t you want God to say exactly the same thing about you? “You are mine.” “You have been selected to be a witness for the President of the universe!” Who they are and what they represent are now portrayed, even descriptively embellished. The two, now represented by olive trees and lampstands, are “standing before the Lord of the earth” (vs 4). This continues courtroom imagery. The Lord is the earth’s omniscient judge from other parallel judicial images: “His eyes ... run to and fro throughout the earth (Zechariah 4:10, 14; Revelation 5:7). What are the key judicial words used? “Witness,” “standing before,” “measuring” and “eyes run to and fro,” suggesting the evidence is reviewed carefully.

“Standing before the Lord” is an exciting metaphor from Jewish writing! It denotes an eternally secure relationship of the faithful with God (1QH4[12].21; 18.24-29 [21.9-14]. They are forever ready to follow His wishes as “My witnesses.”

We must conclude therefore that this is the time when some of God’s people are sealed, to forever be part of His family. In the court’s concluding testimony, two of His witnesses are called. They not only testify of the sealed portion of Daniel but represent the highest authority of heaven to His church and those yet to be called out of the “outer court.”

God’s two “case” witnesses contextually assume the “prophesying” roll assigned earlier to John (10:11, 11:3). We see that responsibility even extends beyond His “temple” to people, nations, tongues and kings (10:11). But that simply is not enough information. Though He said it would all occur over a three and a half year period, God wants you to know far more. The witnesses are also:

1.   Two olive trees

2.   Two candlesticks standing “before the Lord”

Did your imagination just turn into high gear? The lampstands in the tabernacle were in the presence of God (Numbers 8:1-4, Exodus 25:30-31). Jesus said in Revelation 1:20 that the candlesticks were God’s churches. But, you protest, there are seven churches. Where did the other five go? They all joined the ranks of Babylon. Only two remain – Philadelphia (representing those who will be translated) and Smyrna (representing those who will be martyred while working as God’s witnesses).

Let’s look more closely at Zechariah for more clues related to this. Zechariah was shown (ch 4) in vision a “solid gold candlestick” with a bowl at the top, feeding oil through seven “pipes” to the lights. On either side of that candlestick or lampstand were olive trees, “one on the right of the bowl and the other on the left” (4:2-3).

In that vision the oil flowing to the candlestick symbolized the Holy Spirit being poured into the church and to “human instrumentalities” who are concencrated to His service.[1] The two olive trees represent the two holy and anointed ones who stand in God’s presence. Their mission is to communicate to God’s people the heavenly grace from His Spirit.[2] The church and individuals, in turn, burn with fire, giving light to those about. Those two angels took the place of Satan, once a covering cherub.[3] They become heaven’s chosen medium, along with the beings surrounding God’s throne, to communicate His Spirit to the church!

We are presented with two witnesses, two candlesticks and now two olive trees. Zechariah’s vision gives us the first clue. They can all represent the anointed ones on either side of the throne. But there is more, far more to this awesome picture!

Through Isaiah God told us, “ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, that I am God” (Isaiah 43:12). Is it possible that God will use the church and even individuals as “anointed beings” to be the final conduit of His grace to the earth? Can you imagine what the implications are of this question if that is the case?! Note with excitement that they are “standing before God!”

Another application comes from lessons drawn from two great leaders in Zechariah – Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the civil governor – as last-day spiritual witnesses.

“Intimately associated with Joshua, the high priest, was Zerubbabel, governor of Judea. It was under the leadership of these two men that the remnant of Israel returned [to their homeland] at the close of the seventy years’ captivity. They also led out in the re-establishment of the ancient worship at Jerusalem. In the second year of Cyrus, Zerubbabel laid the corner-stone of the temple. It was Zerubbabel and Joshua who, in response to the messages of the Lord through Haggai and Zechariah, ‘rose up,’ with courage renewed, and once more ‘began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem.’ These men were true leaders, and ‘the spirit of all the remnant of the people’ was largely influenced by the cheerful willingness with which they carried out the Lord’s commands.”[4]

“Nearly fifty thousand, under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua, took advantage of this providential opportunity to return. These were, however, comparatively speaking, only a few, a mere ‘remnant,’ of all the Israelites scattered throughout the provinces of Medo-Persia. Many chose to remain in the land of their captivity, rather than to accompany their brethren, and to assist in restoring the temple services.”[5]

The apocalyptic imagery is here dynamic, end-time, and draws on the committed spiritual and administrative leaders who are “standing before the throne” ready to finish the work. It is the time when God’s church (the candlesticks) are baptized with the Holy Spirit’s fire[6] at the time of the Latter Rain.

“The only remedy for our institutions, our churches, our families, and for individuals is entire conformity to the will and character of God. Unless God shall work through the two olive trees, His witnesses, causing them to empty from themselves the golden oil through the golden tubes into the golden bowls, His churches, and hence to the burning lamps, representing His churches, no one is safe for one moment from the machinations of Satan. He will, if possible, deprave human nature, and assimilate it to his own corrupt principles. But this golden oil will revive the Spirit of God in the heart of man. A Christ-like principle will be introduced like leaven. Through the inspiration of the Spirit of God satanic agencies will be overcome.–Ms 57, 1896.”[7]

Is a passion stirring your heart to become part of that great witnessing pool? You will be sealed and anointed by His Spirit. God gives to you the distinction of “standing before His throne” as “My witnesses,” functioning just like those anointed cherubs! – representing Him to all the world. Are you now beginning to see what it is to experience the sweetness of that “little book?” Is a fire being kindled within you to “prophesy again” so the world can be on fire for Him?

If that doesn’t drive you to Jesus, to His Word, to these prophetic books, here is a “blockbuster” thought: When Daniel was given a vision of the final time periods of earth’s history, he made an astounding observation! Stunning as it may seem, this is what he said: “Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river” (Daniel 12:5).

Those are two witnesses to the timing prophecies of Daniel 12. They are on either side of the river, sharing responsibilities to see that the Tigris or Hiddekel River understands everything that the man in linen (Jesus) says. Awesome! That river represents God’s people (in contradistinction to the Euphrates, which symbolizes the apostate people supporting Babylon). Those are the same two witnesses here in Revelation 11 who are making sure God’s people understand those timing prophecies of Daniel 12. Do the Old and New Testaments fit together, talk to each other and rivet with amazing language the same truth?

The “two olive trees” picture the great spiritual leadership of its priestly Joshuas and kingly Zerubbabels in their final Loud Cry work under the mighty agency of the Spirit. Going deeper, the olive trees symbolize the great anointing or commission of the 144,000 as priests and kings, witnessing to the great river multitude in earth’s last evangelistic campaign.

The story doesn’t end there. The 144,000 not only represent the two anointed ones on either side of the throne who took Lucifer’s place, but the great multitude will take the place of all the fallen angels!

“Heaven will triumph, for the vacancies made in heaven by the fall of Satan and his angels will be filled by the redeemed of the Lord (RH May 29, 1900).”[8]

 “God created man for His own glory, that after test and trial the human family might become one with the heavenly family. It was God’s purpose to re-populate heaven with the human family, if they would show themselves obedient to His every word.”[9]

Remember that Babylon, that end-time apostate church, was made up of three divisions – the beast (Catholicism), the false prophet (apostate Protestantism) and the dragon (spiritualism). God’s remnant church is made up of two parts. Yes – they represent the Old and New Testaments and many other couplets, but it distinctly says that they are “candlesticks.” And Jesus already told us (1:20) that they meant “churches.” Revelation 11:4 is a symbolic picture of the church ready to fulfill the commission of Acts 1:8.

This is amazing information. It depicts the dynamics of God’s people, working in concert with heaven, drawing to a close God’s redemptive work! What language! What an awesome privilege to be on God’s team in earth’s final hours.

The phrase “standing before the God of the earth” has special significance. The imagery of standing before God means that these witnesses are in His immediate presence, attending to His will. It also alludes to a priestly role where they are ministering before the Lord (Exodus 18:19; Deuteronomy 10:18, 18:7; I Kings 17:1).

Why does it say the “God of the earth?” At a time of great trial, the closeness His people have with Him is pictured! The church is undergoing a sifting process. Persecution of His witnesses is active. Yet, this God they represent is still in charge. He is the “God of the earth.” Nothing can happen without His permission. This is imagery of hope, which is a beautiful byproduct of trusting God!

“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” (Revelation 11:5).

The prophetic ministry commissioned to John (10:11) is discharged through these two Spirit-filled witnesses. This verse adds inspiration and even motivation to that evangelistic task. Their work will not be curtailed until the task is complete.

It was noted of Jesus: “Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come” (John 7:30; cf. 8:20). If anyone (“man” in the KJV) “desires” to hurt them [literal translation], the outcome will be death (they will be devoured – killed). The way the verb “desire” (thelei) is expressed means there will be individuals who will wish for their destruction.

The expression “fire proceedeth out of their mouth” is not literal. It is an expression suggesting that resistance to this final gospel work will not succeed, even if it means death to the detractors.

The expressions alluding to a destructive fire were often used in the Old Testament to depict total annihilation or unstoppable power. Because of Judah’s apostasy, God said: “Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them” (Jeremiah 5:14). Yet He went on to say, “Nevertheless in those days, saith the LORD, I will not make a full end with you” (Jeremiah 5:18). The picture is one of a stern response from God. Yet, it is purpose driven. There, it was to lead to repentance. Here, it is to create an impenetrable barrier to any opposition. Words of fire can also break rebellion [Jeremiah 23:29 (cf. II Samuel 22:9; Psalms 18:18, 97:3)].

Fire is a metaphor for proclaiming God’s word in rebuke and condemnation (Jeremiah 5:14; cf. Psalm 39:3). The mouth is an apocalyptic symbol for judgment (Revelation 2:12, 16; 9:17-19; 12:15-16; 16:13; 19:15, 21). This in a prophetic sense looks forward to the final fiery judgments on the wicked (Revelation 20:11-14).

Whether this verse reflects simply an indictment of judgment to come or actual death isn’t important. Its implications tell us that the work of these two witnesses will be completed. The imagery portrays that the effects of God’s forward-moving work will silence His opponents. For three and a half years, in spite of persecution, the task will be finished.

“These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.” (Revelation 11:6).

Did you notice the timing statement in this verse? “In the days of their prophecy.” What time period is this alluding to? It refers us right back to verse 3 where it said that “they shall prophesy” 1260 days. Over and over this three and a half year appointed segment of time is presented as the last parcel of time when the gospel goes to the world.

Twice it says that they have power (echousin). This means here that they are given special authority to control water. What does that mean? The implication again suggests that nothing will impede their prophetic mission. But why the water? Life, human survival, is immediately dependent upon water. Food crops require rain. In verse 2 it said that God’s people would be persecuted for 42 months – the same period of time the gospel was to spread throughout the earth.

This declaration is exciting. In spite of persecution and the heavy hand of Satan on God’s church, this is a promise that the mission will move forward even if the saints had to stop the rain and turn water into blood. That would be life-threatening. That’s fascinating, because it is so dramatic. God’s voice, the gospel message, will be heard by the whole world.

Elijah had power to stop rain (I Kings 17:1, 7, 18:1; James 5:17). Amazingly, it was for three and a half years (Luke 4:25, James 5:17). In his day it came as a punishment for sin and to lead apostate Israel to repent. We can assume that a similar sequence will occur at the end.

The authority to turn water to blood and smite the earth with plagues is just like the time of Moses in dealing with Pharaoh (Exodus 7:17-21, 9:14, 11:10; I Samuel 4:8). There, the purpose was to bring deliverance to God’s people. We can infer a similar purpose at the end.

There is an additional prerogative given to the 144,000 that Elijah and Moses did not have. These saints can call on these powers “as often as they will.” It doesn’t say “display human might.” These “weapons” are specific to the completion of the gospel commission.

Though the power is ascribed to these saints, it is God who acts to aid the proclamation of His prophetic Word (Amos 4:6-10; cf. Jeremiah 3:3, Zechariah 14:17-19). Are these plagues literal? The allusions to Elijah and Moses reflect actual Old Testament retributive events. The imagery here shows that God will provide such means if necessary to bring redemption’s plans to a close. Part of the Trumpet and Vial plagues parallel those past scourges, which represent literal events. This ties to a fascinating part of the final message: “Come out of her [Babylon], my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues” (Revelation 18:4).

In spite of opposition, the witnesses warn the world. Every person will be led to make a decision.

“During the proclamation of the third angel’s message, ‘another angel’ is to ‘come down from heaven, having great power,’ and the earth is to be ‘lighted with his glory.’ The Spirit of the Lord will so graciously bless consecrated human instrumentalities that men, women, and children will open their lips in praise and thanksgiving, filling the earth with the knowledge of God, and with his unsurpassed glory, as the waters cover the sea.

“Those who have held the beginning of their confidence firm unto the end will be wide-awake during the time that the third angel’s message is proclaimed with great power. During the loud cry, the church, aided by the providential interpositions of her exalted Lord, will diffuse the knowledge of salvation so abundantly that light will be communicated to every city and town. The earth will be filled with the knowledge of salvation. So abundantly will the renewing Spirit of God have crowned with success the intensely active agencies, that the light of present truth will be seen flashing everywhere.”[10]

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