Revelation 11:3 - And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.
Since these two witnesses seem to be a important part in the "first woe," I wonder why they aren't named. Are they someone whom we already know, or are their identities to be determined when the event occurs?
Since these two witnesses seem to be a important part in the "first woe," I wonder why they aren't named. Are they someone whom we already know, or are their identities to be determined when the event occurs?
Some believe the two witnesses are Moses and Elijah because the acts that they did while they were on Earth are practically identical to the acts that the two witnesses will do. For example, just as Moses brought on the plagues in Egypt, the two witnesses bring plagues upon those who do not heed the demands of God: "And they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire" (11:6). When Elijah prayed for the heavens to be shut up, there was no rain for years, and when his enemies threatened him, God sent down fire to consume them (1 Kings 17:1, 2 Kings 1:10). In the same manner, the two witnesses have the "power to shut the sky," and when they are threatened, their enemies will be killed by fire (Revelation 11:5-6). Not only are the works of Moses and Elijah similar to the works of the witnesses, but all of these men are leaders and influential people.
Others believe that the two witnesses are Elijah and Enoch because they never died. After the witnesses finish their testimony, the beast from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them; but after a few days, the witnesses will be revived. Because Hebrews 9:27 says that man is appointed to die once, the witnesses could be Elijah and Enoch because they are the only men in the Bible who did not physically die. Since men are to die once, many believe that God took Elijah and Enoch away just to bring them back as witnesses so that they could die during the first woe instead of during their lifetime. (The picture shows the two witnesses being killed by the beast from the bottomless pit before they are resurrected.)
Perhaps the two witnesses are two unknown believers whom God calls to be His witnesses in the end times. Revelation 11 doesn't match any famous identities to the two witnesses, so these people must be ordinary believers whom God uses for this one purpose. If, as the previous two sources have stated, these witnesses were Moses, Enoch, or Elijah, why would the Scriptures be silent about it since these men have already been discussed in the Old Testament? Some would argue, "Is not God capable of taking anyone and enabling them to perform the same wonders as Elijah, Moses, and Enoch?" For these reasons, the witnesses quite possibly could be two chosen believers.
In conclusion, while the thought of God preserving the lives of Enoch and Elijah just to let them die their "one death" is intriguing, I tend to lean toward the idea that the witnesses are two believers specifically chosen by God for this one purpose. Even though John does not specify their identities or give evidence that supports this theory, it makes sense to me because Moses, Elijah, and Enoch are prominent figures in the Bible, yet the two witnesses remain nameless.
In conclusion, while the thought of God preserving the lives of Enoch and Elijah just to let them die their "one death" is intriguing, I tend to lean toward the idea that the witnesses are two believers specifically chosen by God for this one purpose. Even though John does not specify their identities or give evidence that supports this theory, it makes sense to me because Moses, Elijah, and Enoch are prominent figures in the Bible, yet the two witnesses remain nameless.
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