Who are the Two Witnesses and what connection does this have with the modern day Coat of Arms of Israel?
The Two Witnesses in Revelation chapter 11 are described as being prophets (v10) and “my two witnesses”, in verse 3.
The Apocalypse was “the Revelation of Jesus Christ” (Rev 1 v1). So, in chapter 11 v3, “my two witnesses” is probably referring to the witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ. The only two prophets who were eye-witnesses of the Lord Jesus were Moses and Elijah, on the Mount of Transfiguration. The disciples saw them talking with the Lord, as explained in Mat 17 v3, Mark 9 v4 and Luke 9v30.
Peter wrote about this encounter:
“For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.” 2 Peter 1 v16-18.
The disciples Peter, James, John, as well as Moses and Elijah, were all witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ and his majesty. God bore witness of Jesus being his son, in front of them all, when He said “this is my beloved Son”.
Elijah’s Second Coming
The Jews are expecting Elijah the prophet to come, before the Messiah. This is due to the prophecy in Malachi 4:
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse” Malachi 4 v5-6.
The Jews, in Jesus’ time, wondered if John the Baptist was Elijah:
“And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” John 1 v21
The Lord Jesus did compare John to Elijah, saying “And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.” Mat 11 v14
And there are numerous other references to Elijah’s ‘2nd coming’ in the New Testament, with some thinking perhaps the Lord Jesus himself was Elijah:
“He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Mat 16 v13-14.
However, the Lord Jesus said Elijah will still come first:
“And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things.” Mat 17 v11.
The Law and the Prophets
Elijah represents the prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament. Moses represents the Law, the first five books, the Torah. It is often referred to as the “Law of Moses”.
Together these two prophets represent the ‘Law and the Prophets’, which makes up much of the Hebrew Scriptures.
What is the Witness that the Prophets give?
No explanation is given in Revelation 11 of the what the prophets
say, just that they torment those who dwell on the earth (v10), and prophesy for 3.5 years (v3).
The word ‘witness’ is also translated in English as ‘testimony’ or ‘testify’, Greek word μαρτυρέω, Strongs Concordance G3140.
The Apostle Paul said, “Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—
“that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles” Acts 26 v22-23.
Paul said it was the ‘Hope of Israel’, in Acts 28 v20.
The witness is of the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus said:
“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” John 5 v39.
Paul says in Acts 10 v43 “To him all the prophets witness that, through his name, whoever believes in him will receive remission of sins.”
The Lord Jesus stood by Paul and said “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” Acts 12 v7.
Paul says how the “righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe” Rom 3 v21-22.
So the Law and the Prophets bear witness of the Lord Jesus Christ, even as God Himself does:
“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son.
He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” 1 John 5 v9-11.
God’s testimony was given when His voice came from heaven and said “This is my beloved Son”, both at the Lord’s baptism and also when he was later transfigured. See Mat 17 v5, Mark 9 v7, Luke 9 v35.
What do the two witnesses do?
These two walk for 3.5 years around Jerusalem, dressed in sackcloth, which is the traditional black hairy camel skins worn by mourners. They prophesy and are given power to shut heaven, that it doesn’t rain during their 3.5 year testimony (Rev 11 v6). This is the length of time which Elijah shut heaven, during the time of King Ahab.
“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months” James 5 v17.
There is also fire, with which their enemies are killed. Elijah caused fire to come down from heaven and kill those sent to arrest him, see 2 Kings chapter 1.
They also have power to turn waters into blood and strike the earth with plagues whenever they wish, Rev 11 v6.
This was the work of Moses, during the 10 plagues of Egypt, at the time of the Exodus from Egypt, Exodus chapters 9-12.
The waters turning to blood is also mentioned in Revelation chapter 16, so these events are probably literal, as Moses’ plagues were, and are most likely related.
“Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died. Then the third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood” Rev 16 v3-4.
The two witnesses are killed, in Jerusalem, and then are resurrected, see Rev 11 v8:
“And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.”
The Lord Jesus said:
“ it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her!” Luke 13 v33-34.
After their death they ascend into heaven. Elijah has already been up to heaven in a fiery chariot:
“Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” 2 Kings 2 v11
Why Moses as well as Elijah?
So there are no excuses at the subsequent judgement…
“But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.'” Luke 16 v31
“Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.” Zech 7 v12
This wrath of God is the plagues with which the two witnesses torment those who dwell upon the earth, the non-believers.
Moses, speaking on behalf of God to the Israelites, told them “if you walk contrary to Me, and are not willing to obey Me, I will bring on you seven times more plagues, according to your sins.” Lev 26 v21.
The Two Olive Trees
We are given another clue in Revelation to the identity of the two witnesses.
“These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth” Rev 11 v4.
This is straight out of Zechariah chapter 4. Zechariah saw a golden menorah (lampstand), and “two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left” Zech 4 v3. He repeatedly asks the angel what the olive trees are.
“Then I answered and said to him, “What are these two olive trees—at the right of the lampstand and at its left?”
And I further answered and said to him, “What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?”
Then he answered me and said, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.”
So he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.” Zech 4 v11-14.
Picture Right: The Two Olive Trees in Zechariah chapter 4, from the Cervera Bible, Circa 1300 AD.
This is referring to the LORD God of Israel, the only God, there is no other God than Him.
“And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” 1 Kings 17 v1.
The Coat of Arms of Israel
The official interpretation of the emblem of Israel is as follows:
See: https://catalog.archives.gov.il/site/en/chapter/flag/
It is a visual representation of Zechariah Chapter 4, and as such, also of the two witnesses of Revelation, who represent the Law and the Prophets.
The Menorah or Lampstand in the middle, in the New Testament, represents the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Indeed He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel;
I will also give you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be My salvation to the ends of the earth' ” Isa 49 v6.
“A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” Luke 2 v32
The Lord Jesus said;
“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.”
Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I bear witness of myself, my witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going….
“It is also written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. I am one who bears witness of myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness of me” John 8 v12-18.
Peter says to the Jewish Diaspora, in 1 Peter 2 v9:
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”
“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;” 2 Peter 1 v19
When will Israel’s blindness be removed by Elijah?
“But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.” Rev 11 v2
This is also mentioned in the Olivet prophecy:
“And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Luke 21 v24
Paul also talks about this time period concerning the Gentiles:
“For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
“The deliverer will come out of Zion, and he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.” Romans 11 v25-26
Paul is quoting from Isaiah 59 v20, “The redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” says the LORD.”
This is Elijah’s work, to turn their hearts, “he shall turn the heart of the fathers…” Malachi 4 v6.
The Prophet Joel says:
“Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm.” Joel 2 v12-13
Let them say, “Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not give Your heritage to reproach,
that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’ Then the LORD will be zealous for His land, and pity His people” Joel 2 v17-18.
Daniel the Jewish prophet, who was in exile in Babylon, was possibly the grandson of King Zedekiah. His people were the Jewish people. He wrote that an angel said to him:
“At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time.
And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found written in the book. Dan 12 v1.
Elijah prayed about Israel, in 1 Kings 18 v37, saying:
“Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.”
The people of Israel, who know God, are those whose hearts have already been turned back to Him.
“but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering. Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue.
And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.” Daniel 11 v32-35
This is speaking of the Jewish people who have been converted by Elijah. It takes place after the ‘abomination that makes desolate’ has been placed in the Holy Place v31.
“Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” Mat 24 v16.
We anticipate that Elijah does his work with the Jewish people during or just prior to their 3.5 year testimony, which takes place in Jerusalem, where the Lord Jesus was crucified.
“And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” Rev 11 v8
This 3.5 year period is also mentioned in Daniel 12 v6-7:
“How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?”…. it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.”
This is 3.5 years and the ‘holy people’ are Israel. This three and a half years is hell on earth. It is the great tribulation. This is the time when the terrible plagues, caused by the two witnesses, will literally come to pass, just as the plagues of Egypt were real events. The 3.5 years is also the fulfillment of the time of the Gentiles, which we refer to at the end of this article.
The similarities of Revelation 11 and Psalm 79 is worth mentioning.
“A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance;
Your holy temple they have defiled; They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.
The dead bodies of Your servants they have given as food for the birds of the heavens,
The flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth.
Their blood they have shed like water all around Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them.”
This Psalm corresponds with Revelation 11 in many ways. Firstly, the Gentiles treading the Holy City and Temple underfoot, in both Psa 79 v1 and Rev 11 v2.
Then the servants and saints being killed, especially by the beasts of the earth, Psa 79 v2 and Rev 11 v7.
Finally, they are killed in Jerusalem and not buried, Psa 79 v3 and Rev 11 v9.
The Fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets
The fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets takes place in Revelation 21 v3:
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.”
This was prophesied to the Jewish people, in Leviticus 26 v11-12:
“I will set My tabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.”
The Lord Jesus subsequently says, in Rev 21 v6, “it is done!” He also said “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” Mat 5 v17
The blindness of Israel is removed at the end of the time of the Gentiles.
Revelation chapter 11 starts off with the Gentiles having control of the Temple of God and treading the Holy City of Jerusalem underfoot for 3.5 years. (Rev 11 v1-2)
This treading down of Jerusalem is also mentioned in Luke 21 v23-24:
“For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations.
And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”
Paul speaks of this also, in Romans 11 v25-26:
“For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
“The deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.”
They have turned from transgression (Isa 59 v 20) because Elijah has finished his work in turning their hearts back to God.
Paul says of their blindness,
“But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.
But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” 2 Cor 3 v14-16.
This work, of turning their hearts and removing their blindness, can only be accomplished by Elijah the Prophet, and Moses, the Servant of God.