Who Are the Two Witnesses in Revelation?

The two witnesses are among the most dramatic and mysterious figures in all of prophetic Scripture. Revelation 11:3-4 introduces them: 'And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.' The imagery of olive trees and candlesticks recalls the vision of Zechariah 4:14, where two anointed ones stand before the Lord of the whole earth — a picture of those empowered and fueled by the Spirit of God to bring His light and word to a darkened world. The witnesses are given extraordinary powers: they shut heaven so that it does not rain, turn waters to blood, and strike the earth with plagues — miracles that echo the ministries of Elijah and Moses. When their testimony is complete, the beast from the bottomless pit kills them, and their bodies lie in the street of Jerusalem for three and a half days while the unbelieving world celebrates. But then in Revelation 11:11-12, 'the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud.' This resurrection and ascension mirror that of Christ Himself and serve as an undeniable witness to a watching world. Malachi 4:5-6 foretold the coming of Elijah before the great day of the Lord, suggesting the prophetic spirit of these witnesses will be Elijah-like in character and power.