The Two Witnesses
Who were the Two Witnesses in the Bible?
Prophetic figures described in the Book of Revelation who preach for 1,260 days, perform miracles, undergo martyrdom, and are resurrected.
The Two Witnesses are eschatological figures appearing in the eleventh chapter of the Book of Revelation. Described as being empowered by God during a period of intense global turmoil, they occupy a unique role as both prophets and martyrs. Their ministry is characterized by a 1,260-day period of testimony, during which they are granted supernatural authority to control the elements and defend themselves against opposition. Their identity is not explicitly revealed by name in the biblical text, but their actions and symbols link them to the prophetic traditions of the Old Testament.
According to the vision of John of Patmos, these two individuals appear in a 'great city' that is spiritually compared to Sodom and Egypt—identified as the place where their Lord was crucified. Their presence serves as a final warning to the nations of the earth. The narrative of the Two Witnesses concludes with their temporary defeat by a force from the Abyss, followed by a public resurrection and ascension into heaven, which triggers a profound response of fear among those who witness the event.
Background and Context
The account of the Two Witnesses is found exclusively in Revelation 11:3–12. They appear during a transitional phase in the apocalyptic vision, following the sounding of the sixth trumpet. The text introduces them as figures whom God will 'empower' to prophesy for a duration of 1,260 days. During this time, they are specifically described as being 'clothed in sackcloth,' a traditional biblical garment signifying mourning, repentance, and the gravity of their message.
John identifies these witnesses using two distinct metaphors: they are 'the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth' (Revelation 11:4). This imagery draws directly from the prophetic visions of Zechariah, suggesting a continuity of divine office and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Despite these vivid descriptions, the text remains silent regarding their specific tribe, nation, or biological family, focusing instead on their functional role as divine messengers.
Major Life Events
The Ministry of Power
The Two Witnesses possess extraordinary authority during their 1,260-day tenure. The biblical record states that they have the power to 'shut the sky' to prevent rain, mirroring the ministry of Elijah, and the power to 'turn the waters into blood' and strike the earth with plagues, reminiscent of the ministry of Moses. They are also granted a unique form of divine protection: if anyone attempts to harm them, 'fire proceeds from their mouths and devours their enemies' (Revelation 11:5).
Martyrdom and Public Scorn
When their testimony is complete, the protection afforded to them is lifted. A 'beast that comes up from the Abyss' wages war against them, eventually overpowering and killing them. Their death is treated with global derision; their bodies are left unburied in the street of the 'great city' for three and a half days. The biblical text notes that 'peoples and tribes and tongues and nations' view their corpses, and the inhabitants of the earth celebrate their demise by sending gifts to one another, relieved that the 'two prophets had tormented them' with their message (Revelation 11:10).
Resurrection and Ascension
The narrative takes a supernatural turn after three and a half days when 'the breath of life from God' enters the witnesses. They stand to their feet, causing great fear to fall upon all onlookers. A 'loud voice from heaven' then commands them to 'Come up here,' and they ascend to heaven in a cloud in full view of their enemies. This event marks the end of their earthly ministry and coincides with a great earthquake in the city.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
While the text does not record personal relationships, it defines their relationship to the 'Lord of the earth,' before whom they stand. The specific powers they manifest—controlling rain and turning water to blood—create a strong literary and theological parallel with Elijah and Moses. However, the Book of Revelation treats them as distinct figures within the context of the final vision rather than as the literal return of those specific men, though their role is clearly modeled after the Law and the Prophets.
Spiritual Significance
The Two Witnesses represent the concept of the 'faithful remnant' and the ultimate accountability of the nations before God. Their ministry in sackcloth emphasizes the theme of repentance in the face of judgment. The fact that their 'torment' consists of their prophetic word highlights the convicting power of truth in a hostile world. Furthermore, their death and subsequent resurrection serve as a final sign to the world, mirroring the pattern of Christ’s own death and exaltation. Their presence in the text ensures that even in the midst of apocalyptic judgment, God maintains a vocal and visible witness on the earth.
The Two Witnesses are central to the apocalyptic structure of Revelation, serving as the bridge between the warnings of the trumpets and the finality of the bowls of wrath. They symbolize the indestructible nature of the divine word; though the witnesses themselves can be killed, their message is ultimately vindicated through resurrection. They fulfill the biblical requirement that 'every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses' (Deuteronomy 19:15), providing a legal and moral testimony against a world in rebellion. Their inclusion underscores the theme that God’s grace—manifested through the opportunity for repentance during their 1,260-day prophecy—precedes His final judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Two Witnesses?
The Bible does not name them, describing them only as two prophets empowered by God to testify for 1,260 days during the end times.
What happens to the Two Witnesses at the end of their ministry?
They are killed by a beast from the Abyss, their bodies are left in the street for three and a half days, and then they are resurrected by God and taken to heaven.
What powers do the Two Witnesses possess?
They can stop rain, turn water into blood, strike the earth with plagues, and consume their enemies with fire from their mouths.
Why are they called olive trees and lampstands?
This imagery represents their role as providers of spiritual light and their empowerment by the Holy Spirit, echoing imagery from the Book of Zechariah.
Where does their death take place?
In a 'great city' figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, which the text identifies as the location where Jesus Christ was crucified.
Categories
Mentions by Book
- Revelation10
Scripture References
All 10 indexed verses, in canonical order, from the Berean Standard Bible.
Revelation · 10
- Revelation 11:3
And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
- Revelation 11:4
These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.
- Revelation 11:5
If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouths and devours their enemies. In this way, anyone who wants to harm them must be killed.
- Revelation 11:6
These witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy, and power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.
- Revelation 11:7
When the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will wage war with them, and will overpower and kill them.
- Revelation 11:8
Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city—figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where their Lord was also crucified.
- Revelation 11:9
For three and a half days all peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will view their bodies and will not permit them to be laid in a tomb.
- Revelation 11:10
And those who dwell on the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and send one another gifts, because these two prophets had tormented them.
- Revelation 11:11
But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered the two witnesses, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell upon those who saw them.
- Revelation 11:12
And the witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched them.