2. What is the Church’s message?
The 2 Witnesses:
What is the Church’s message?
- ANTICIPATION!

3. Interpretations Two Major Interpretations: The Two Witnesses:
Literal – 2 actual People
Symbolic – The Church as witness
Two Interpretations
Literal:
Dispensational idea is prominent
Two literal figures:
Moses and Elijah
Enoch and Elijah
Joshua and Zerubbabel
Peter and Paul
Symbolic:
Close connection to previous verses – “And”
Close connection to ch. 10
2 = Spirit of Deut. 19:15

4. Prophetic Ministry Literal Symbolic The Two Witnesses:
1260 Days – First Half of 7 year period, 3.5 Years
1260 Days – Symbolic Period, from Christ’s Ascension
Clothed in Sackcloth = Message of Repentance
Clothed in Sackcloth = Message of Repentance in Gospel
OT References – Literal abilities
OT References – Representative of God’s work through the Church.
Two Interpretations
Literal:
Dispensational idea is prominent
Two literal figures:
Moses and Elijah
Enoch and Elijah
Joshua and Zerubbabel
Peter and Paul
Symbolic:
Close connection to previous verses – “And”
Close connection to ch. 10
2 = Spirit of Deut. 19:15

5. OT References: (v.4-6) Two Olive Trees = Zech. 4 – Two “sons of oil”
The Two Witnesses:
OT References: (v.4-6)
Two Olive Trees = Zech. 4 – Two “sons of oil”
Fire from Heaven = 2 Kings 1:9-12
No Rain = 1 Kings 17:1
Plagues of Moses = Exodus 7-12
Symbolically!
Two Olive Trees:
Sons of oil – olive oil – for lampstands = the churches – 1:12,13,20
Oil – symbol for the Spirit – empowered by the Spirit
Meaning = Spirit empowered witness of the church for the gospel
Fire From Heaven:
2 Kings 1:9-12
Shielding of God upon Elijah
Divine protection for the Church’s witness
Matt. 16:18
No Rain:
Calls to mind James 5:17 – same time frame
Drought = God’s superiority over false gods of Ahab
Points to the many ways that God’s way is superior to the other ways = i.e. Pluralism
Plagues:
Plagues to bring Egypt to its knees
Allowed for God’s people to be set free from bondage
Points to the church having the power necessary to set people free from bondage
John 14:12; Pro. 24:10,11
Preaching of the Gospel! – Eph.2
The Church = Empowered by the Spirit, Protected by the Father; Able to liberate people through the Gospel!

6. Death & Resurrection: After period – Beast from pit makes war
The Two Witnesses:
Death & Resurrection:
After period – Beast from pit makes war
Killed, lie in streets of Jerusalem
Beast – 13:5,7
Dan 7:21,25
Streets of Jerusalem
Killed = Martyrdom
Sodom = rebellion
Egypt = bondage and oppression
Crucified = Death of Christ
Not literal – but places where People of God were delivered by Judgment!

7. “Being a Christian is about being liberated from bondage to sin by faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Being a Christian is about being confident that the Father is greater than all, that nothing can overcome Almighty God. Being a Christian is about relying on the power of the Spirit, not the power of our own abilities.”
James Hamilton Jr., Revelation: The Spirit Speaks to the Churches

8. The Gospel is God’s power unto Salvation!
Takeaway Thought.