Unworkable Explanations for the Two Witnesses
There are several popular explanations for the identity of the two witnesses. Theories include the idea that they could be resurrected characters from the Bible, such as Enoch and Elijah, Moses and Elijah, or any two Bible characters. These ideas are simply wrong because they are inconsistent with the way God works, and God doesn’t change – Mal 3:6.
Although Jesus spoke to Elijah in the New Testament (Matt 17:2-3) God never resurrected Old Testament characters to do New Testament jobs, that is, to play any part in current affairs of the day. Instead, God used people who were living at the time to fill whatever rolls were needed at the time. For example, God didn’t resurrect Elijah to do what John the Baptist was able to do, even though he was a type of Elijah (Matt 17:12-13).
God didn’t work like that then, He doesn’t work like that now, and He won’t work that way in the future.
Another idea is that the two witnesses will be angels. But God has no need to send angels to die for three and a half days, as the two witnesses do. In addition, angels are ministering spirits, Heb 1:14. A spirit does not have flesh and bones (see Luke 24:39), and therefore would not suffer death in this manner. It is not a viable theory.
Other theories are that the two witnesses symbolize the Old and New Testaments (John 5:39), and another is that they symbolize Israel (Isa 43:10) and the New Testament Church (Acts 1:8). These are not bad theories. I believe they are partially true, but incomplete.
Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) prophet, Ellen G. White, said the two witnesses were symbolic of the Old and New Testaments as they related to the French revolution, and when you study it, you can see how that history did match the two witnesses prophecy, and her interpretation IS workable.
Here’s a summary:
Ellen G. White - SDA Apostasy - the Two Witnesses - & 1260 Days
Putting aside the debate on whether or not Ellen White was a false prophet, the church she founded has drifted away from a number of her teachings and like every modern church, basically lost the plot. (Isaiah 28:8 - there is vomit on every table.) But she is worth reading on a number of issues.
She wrote that the Rev 11:3 period of 1260 prophetic days (or years) directly tied to the period of papal supremacy, which she interprets as lasting from A.D. 538 to 1798 — and she teaches that the French Revolution marks the closing events of that prophetic period.
Here’s a clear breakdown of how she explains it:
1. The 1260 days = 1260 years of Papal dominion
Ellen White follows the historic Protestant interpretation that in prophetic symbolism, a day equals a year (Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34).
1260 days → 1260 years.
This period represents the “time, times, and half a time” (Daniel 7:25; Revelation 12:6, 14; 13:5), which she says refers to the era when the papacy ruled over Europe and persecuted dissenters.
It began in A.D. 538, when the papacy gained political power under Emperor Justinian’s decree, and ended in A.D. 1798, when General Berthier, under orders from Napoleon, took Pope Pius VI prisoner, ending papal dominance.
2. The French Revolution as the closing event of the prophecy
In her book The Great Controversy, especially chapters 15–17, Ellen White explains that the French Revolution fulfilled prophecy and signaled the end of the 1260 years:
“The forty and two months are the same as the ‘time and times and the dividing of time,’ three years and a half, or twelve hundred and sixty days... This period... ended in 1798. At that time a French army entered Rome and made the pope prisoner, and he died in exile.”
— The Great Controversy, p. 439 (1888 edition)
She notes that the Revolution itself, which erupted in 1789 and reached its climax in the 1790s, exposed the moral and spiritual corruption of the papacy and fulfilled the symbolic “wounding” of the beast (Revelation 13:3).
3. France’s atheism as the "beast from the bottomless pit"
Ellen White also interprets Revelation 11 — where the “two witnesses” (the Old and New Testaments) are slain — as a description of France during the Revolution:
“When France publicly rejected God and set aside the Bible, wicked men and spirits of darkness exulted in their attainment of the object so long desired—a kingdom free from the restraints of the law of God.”
— The Great Controversy, p. 276
She identifies revolutionary France as the “beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit” (Revelation 11:7), representing open atheism and rebellion against God, which arose just before 1798, showing the final phase of the 1260-year prophecy.
In saying what she did, Ellen White was not wrong, and history did match this, but Ellen White herself emphasized that the truth of God is progressive, with more light continually unfolding as God’s people are able to receive it.
The 1260 days (or 42 months / 3½ years) in Revelation 11 has a well-established historicist fulfillment in the SDA understanding as 1260 literal years of papal dominance and persecution from 538 to 1798 AD, during which the two witnesses (in her view, the Scriptures) prophesied in sackcloth.
So the historic perspective is valid, but is there more to it?
Because the prophecy sits between the woes and includes elements such as the measuring of God’s people (Rev 11:1-2) and the short “three and a half days” before the witnesses’ resurrection near the time of Jesus’ return, I believe the 1260 can also carry a broader symbolic meaning of intense opposition and faithful witness of God’s people affirming the Scriptures toward the end of the church age.
Therefore, there may yet be additional future fulfillment, perhaps less so with the time period, and more so with the completion of all prophecy and Jesus’ return.
Quoting in advance from Part 3, in this Two Witnesses series: “The witnesses are yet living and they must continue like their Lord, till they shall have finished their work; and that will not come to a close till the devil’s two witnesses—the ten-horned and two-horned beasts—are destroyed. Rev 19:20“
How and Why This Concerns You
This 3 part series is about the two witnesses in Revelation 11. But it actually begins in Revelation 3, with the Laodiceans!
It sets the stage for the drama to come in chapter 11.
The Laodicean Choice – Is It Really Too Late?
The main message to Laodicea** is in Revelation Chapter 3. Its addressed to Christians, but if you are not a Christian this is still a message for you, because Joel 2:28 says in the latter days God will pour out his spirit on all flesh, so I believe that you can understand this, and apply it to your own situation!
Verses 14 to 21 in the King James version read as follows, and in a Red Letter Bible it’s written in red, as are all the words of Jesus.
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
The Bible is a message from God in BOOK form, but it also contains short messages that include specific messages sent to you, Christian or not!
If you are already a part of Jesus’ spiritual body, then you are part of Jesus’ church in this end time, so this message should be even more important to you.
Let’s take a closer look at the message.
(I realise others do not teach this, therefore please check what the Bible says for yourself. If this is not accurate, please tell me why.)
The Laodicean message includes a call to repentance (verse 19). More than mere confession (like Catholicism teaches) is needed.
In my opinion, a repentant Laodicean can become a Philadelphian – to whom Jesus comes quickly, indicating that some Philadelphians are still alive when Jesus returns. See Rev 3:11. Strong’s Concordance says the word quickly means shortly, without delay, or suddenly. This ties in with the duel prophecy of Malachi 3:1, “and the Lord shall come suddenly to his temple.”
The brief message to Philadelphia is written in verses 7 to 12, as follows:
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation (adversity, affliction) which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Now please follow my train of thought.
I believe individually, what determines whether you are Philadelphian or Laodicean is YOUR CHOICE… For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. (See Pro 23:7.) Therefore, YOU CAN CHOOSE to strengthen your identity in Christ, and be Philadelphian, and you can even choose what God will do for you (your choice, not just God’s), to have him bless you (or not) … Deut 30:19. When God is in your life, you are not a mere victim of circumstance!
Revelation’s seven messages must apply to all seven churches they were originally sent to, but they also apply to every church era as a whole in any time period.
On top of that, I believe it’s also possible the last two messages may also address the last two end-time churches, with Philadelphia and Laodicea doing the work of the two witnesses in Revelation chapter 11.
Check out the similarities that link all three groups.
The Philadelphians are given an open door… Rev 3:8 Jesus is the door. John 10:9. The two witnesses are also given an open door, in that no-one can stop their message. Rev 11:5
Christs followers are sent out to the world with power… Luke 10:19, Psalm 110:3 NKJV. The witnesses also have power. Rev 11:3 and Rev 11:6. In Rev 3:8 you can read the Philadelphians have “a little strength” but the word ‘little’ can alternatively be translated as a “brief, or short time” of strength (‘little’ is used this way in John 7:33).
They are sent as witnesses… Acts 1:8 Jesus is the true witnesses. Rev 3:14. Jesus’ truth can be in the mouth of two or more witnesses. Matt 18:16 or 2 Cor 13:1 and read Isaiah 43.
In prophetic literature there are several places where the context suddenly changes. Isaiah 43 may be one of those. It may apply not only to ancient Israel, but also to the modern church, the Israel of God, as indicated in Gal 6:16, Romans 2:28-29, and 1 Peter 2:9.
Look at Isaiah 43, verses 7, 8 and 10.
7 Even every one that is called by my name (ie. God’s name, prophetically referring to churches of God? Or perhaps Christian, which is also God’s name): for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. (As an aside, the correct Biblical name for God’s true church is “Church of God” – see Acts 20:28, 1Co 1:2, 1Co 10:32, etc. Plus ‘Churches of Christ’ is used in Romans 16:16. However the labels don’t guarantee what’s in the box, and there are true Christians in other church flocks, according to John 10:16. How many is only known by God.)
8 Bring forth the blind people that have eyes (this is a match with Rev 3:17), and the deaf that have ears (this is a match with Rev 3:22). (Could this refer to repentant Laodiceans?)
9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.
10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
For those who belong to Jesus, Jesus now lives inside them. John 14:18, John 14:20, Romans 8:9,10,11. For those who don’t believe they belong to Jesus, it remains a choice. Deut 30:19.
Jesus is the Comforter and he comes into those who seek him through his Spirit. I have a more complete teaching on that subject here.
Witnesses for Jesus carry Jesus’ authority, not their own.
In Rev 3:18 Jesus counsels the Laodiceans to buy gold tried in the fire. But in Isaiah 43:2 there is a contrast. For those who are redeemed it says they will walk through the fire and not be burned!
What are the chances that both Rev 3 and Isaiah 43 specifies all four of these things. They are (a) blind people, that (b) need to hear, and (c) they will experience fire, but they are (d) loved by God? …Isaiah 43 also links them to witnesses (Is 43:10). Also, in time sequence, the Laodicean church seems to be the end-time church, which is around at the same time as the two witnesses… “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord.”
Time may prove me wrong, but I’m speculating that in Revelation 11 the ‘two’ witnesses that are given power in Revelation 11:6 could be you and me, and all those who witness for the truth at the very end! Mat 18:20 is another verse that fits with this. It is not their own power, it is God who works through them to tread down their adversaries – Psalm 60:12.
I believe the two witnesses are symbolic of two groups, rather than individuals.
People say the church is not mentioned after Revelation chapter 3, but perhaps it is. Could Revelation chapter 11 refer to the last two church groups – Philadelphians and repentant Laodiceans?
Scriptures that Definitely Seem to Connect
Let me show you more matching verses about lampstands, about sleeping, and about anointing that seem to all correlate with each other:
Rev 1:20 says the 7 churches are 7 lampstands.
Matt 25:7 talks about ten virgin’s, who are church members that have been invited to Jesus wedding supper, waking out of sleep and trimming lamps just before Jesus returns.
Zech 4:1 mentions waking from sleep, and Zech 4:2 talks about 7 lamps. ***
Then Zech 4:14 says two of them are two anointed ones. Some say this is referencing Michael and Gabriel, others, Joshua and Zerubbabel. But could it be the two witnesses in Revelation Chapter 11?
Tying in with Zech 4, verse 14, Laodiceans are told to anoint their eyes in Rev 3:18.
Rev 11:4 says two of the lampstands are two witnesses – is that referring back to two of the seven from Rev 1:20? (see below regarding the two olive trees).
Zech 4:14 and Rev 11:4… BOTH OF THESE HAVE THE SAME DESCRIPTION, AND BOTH STAND BY THE LORD OF THE WHOLE EARTH.
Putting these together, you have churches waking from sleep, trimming their lamps, anointing their eyes (Rev 3:18), and as anointed ones (Zech 4:14), witnessing for God.
The way I see it, the two witnesses represent the culmination of the history of God’s Church at the end of this age.
*** The next verse, Zechariah 4:3, then goes on to talk about olive trees and olive oil. Some think olive trees represent Jews, and from that they deduce that the two witnesses are Jews and Gentiles, but that idea is very problematic. Jer 11:16 & 17 indicate that the symbolism may no longer apply the same way.
It says God has set fire to their tree!
Are two olive trees now two churches? Christ is their head, and the olive oil represents Jesus’ Spirit flowing through them? (Gethsemane, where Jesus was arrested, means Olive Press.) Does Christ’s spirit currently flow through modern Israel? Wouldn’t it make more sense for it to flow through groups of people who actually follow Christ?
Perhaps the tree of life (Rev 22:2, John 11:25) is also symbolic of Christ, from whose side the river flows, which is why the two witnesses can also be two olive trees (Rev 11:4) and represent God to the world as God’s Spirit flows through them, symbolised by two trees.
(People can look like trees walking – Mark 8:24.)
Isaiah 61, the last half of verse 3, “that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”
This subject is continued in Part 2 of the Two Witnesses Message, HERE
** The prophetic churches of Laodicea exist in real time, today. The Seventh Day Adventist church even admits to the Laodicean identity. Other churches call themselves ‘Philadelphia,’ while actually fulfilling the prophecy about Laodicea! A different church, the ‘Philadelphia Church of God’ is fulfilling dual prophecy right now in Malachi 1:4 (duel, because Malachi prophecies both the first and second coming of Christ). The KJV says “we will return and build the desolate places,” whereas the ISV translation says, “but we will return and rebuild the ruins.” That church has produced a booklet called ‘Raising the Ruins’ in which they claim they are doing the exact thing this prophecy in Malachi is referring to. This is specific prophecy addressed to that very church! It is happening before your eyes. However, the PCG is not the only Laodicean church in existance. All churches incorporated in this end time can, and should, be called Laodicean. But the label need not necessarily include every individual member of any specific church.
Next: PART 2
