Revelation 11:6-14

Last time we were introduced to the third temple and the two witnesses. We know this is in fact a third physical temple because John is given a rod to measure the temple, the altar, and the people who worship there — and this cannot be the church, because we are taught that we are the temple of God; we do not go to a temple. Also, in the very last verse of the chapter John is shown the temple in heaven opening with the ark of the covenant within it, signifying that the true temple of God is in heaven — a strong case for the church being in heaven during this time. The two witnesses are the final piece of the sixth trumpet and second woe.¶

Why has God sent them?¶

A question I keep asking is why has God sent these two witnesses? If the church were still on the earth during these times, as some hold, what would be the need for them? Wouldn't there be Christians warning everyone of what Revelation prophesied? It is good to ponder this; as wise believers we should not be afraid to reason. But we do have these two witnesses, and they are necessary because God has said these things must take place.¶

A clue to their purpose is what they wear: sackcloth (verse 3). From Genesis to Revelation, sackcloth is worn for mourning, repentance, humility, and seeking mercy from God. These two witnesses are wearing the official outfit of repentance — by their clothing alone they would be seen by the Jews as a call to repentance. I believe Joel speaks of these days, calling the priests to "put on sackcloth and lament" (Joel 1:13-15), and "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping" (Joel 2:12-17). This is what the two witnesses are doing — calling the Jews back to God and to the one and only Messiah. The testimony they share is the only testimony that matters: the testimony of Jesus Christ.¶

If the witnesses are Moses and Elijah, then God sent literally the Law and the Prophets to Jerusalem — and who better to bear witness of the gospel and call God's people to repentance than the very Law and Prophets they claim to follow? Everything written about Christ in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled (Luke 24:44-48). The law and the prophets all point to him. Scripture tells us the Jews, though first to receive from God, would be the last to enter in, and the Gentiles first (Matthew 20:1-16) — "if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?" (Romans 11:15).¶

Death and resurrection¶

And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city... For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies... But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here!" And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them.

Revelation 11:7-12 (ESV)¶

The most important part of their purpose, I believe, is this: the resurrection of the dead is one of the most important truths of the gospel — and one the Jewish leaders had a hard time with (Matthew 22:31-33; John 11:23-27). The resurrection of these two men, called up to heaven by the voice of God, is to open the eyes of the Jews for the purpose of their inclusion in salvation. It will be the moment the scales fall from their eyes and they believe (Romans 10-11).¶

As this resurrection will be a powerful sign in the end days, it is also what we as believers currently hope and long for. To believe in the resurrection of the dead is to believe in God, the creator of life itself, who has defeated death and promised that we will live forever with him. Just as Abraham believed God would raise his son, so we believe we will be raised to eternal life with him. If there is no resurrection, our faith is in vain (1 Corinthians 15).¶