June 27, 2003 (20)THE TWO WITNESSES OF THE TRIBULATION PERIOD. The length of time in which they give their testimony covers the same period of time as the preservation of the Bride in the wilderness. One thousand two hundred and sixty days, or three and one-half years. They are men of extreme, supernatural power. They are individuals who are in mourning for Israel, for they are clothed in sackcloth. They are true prophets of the Lord. Rev. 11:3 Their witness is directed, in particular, to the Israelites who are living at that moment of time. Their witness and testimony will replace the witness of the Bride. They will declare that Jesus is indeed the Messiah. As Jesus came to minister to the lost sheep of Israel so, these will make up the completeness of that call to salvation which was given to Israel. Jesus fulfilled the first half of Daniel’s seventieth week having ministered three and one-half years prior to His death. Now these two come to finish the seventieth week by ministering for three and one-half years in Jerusalem.
THE HEAVENLY POSITION OF THE TWO WITNESSES. The high and holy position of these two men is indeed unique for they are located before the throne of the LORD, Jehovah. They are proclaimed to be the two olive trees and the two candlesticks standing before the Lord of the whole earth. Rev. 11:4 That they are fully involved with the workings of the Holy Spirit is very obvious. They are symbolized by olive trees, the source of the natural anointing oil and two lampstands, which illuminated the tabernacle, the temple, the church and very heaven itself. In the vision of Zacheriah, and in the houses of worship, under the Law, there was but one candlestick. In the vision given to John, there were two candlesticks. Rev. 11:4 The seven candlesticks of the book of Revelation are identified as being the seven churches in Asia. They were birthed by and retain the anointing and light of the Spirit of the Lord. Therefore, they are acknowledged as being light bearers to a dark and sinful world. Rev. 1:20 The Old Testament and the New Testament. The Law and the Prophets as the Old. The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as the New. These two men are from the Old order and represent the Law and the Prophets. They come to complement the New. They are the two anointed ones or sons of oil. Zech. 4:14
THE CITY WHEREIN THEY GIVE THEIR WITNESS. It is the city where the Lord Jesus was crucified. This city will be a center of great religious activity during the tribulation. It will also be the capitol city of the antichrist as well as it being the city where these two witness minister. It is called a great city and will be the city where the carcasses of the two witnesses will be on display for three and one-half days, a day for a year. The Lord calls it both Sodom and Egypt. This gives us an insight as to the feelings of the Lord toward this place. Rev. 11:8 When the Lord Himself refers to a city in such a manner and with such terms it could hardly be a place which is meaningful to Him.