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The Two Witnesses We Continue Our Reflection on the Book of Revelation

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The Two Witnesses We Continue Our Reflection on the Book of Revelation The Two Witnesses We continue our reflection on the Book of Revelation by looking at chapter 11. The chapter continues with John’s vision, so care is taken for understanding the symbols therein. It is not an easy chapter to interpret. We are told about two witnesses, which are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. Jesus sent out His apostles two by two (Mk 6:7). Throughout the history of the Church, there have been powerful examples of pairs of witnesses: Peter and Paul, Francis and Dominic, John Paul II and Mother Teresa. The two witnesses are either two individuals or an allegory of the Word of God and the testimony of the Church in every age. John refers to these witnesses as two olive trees and two lampstands. In the Old Testament, Zechariah had a vision of one lampstand with seven lamps on it (i.e., menorah) standing between two olives trees (Zech. 4:1-3). In context, the lampstand was the second temple and the two olive trees were Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the high priest. They were in charge of rebuilding Jerusalem and the second temple, respectively. Both were anointed for their tasks. Of course, Jesus is the true and definitive temple. The two witnesses (the Word of God and the testimony of the Church) are called to witness to Christ, the eschatological temple. They are anointed (with the Holy Spirit!) to “witness” to the truth of Christ. Additionally, we learn that they receive God’s protection. Fire comes out of their mouths and devours their enemies. In the Old Testament fire came from heaven to devour King Ahab’s soldiers when they tried to arrest Elijah (2 Kgs. 1:10-12). Additionally, like Elijah, the two witnesses have power to close up the sky thereby inflicting a drought as they prophesy. Furthermore, like Moses, they have power to turn water into blood (first plague – Exod. 7:19-20). We then hear that a beast rises from the abyss and kills them. In the book of Daniel, the prophet has a dream of four beasts coming up out of the sea (Dan. 7:1-8). In Revelation, this beast kills the two witnesses. After the witnesses have been killed, they lie in the main street of the city that has the symbolic names “Sodom” and “Egypt.” Sodom represents immorality, while Egypt represents oppression, idolatry, and immorality. Additionally, there was an exodus from both of these cities. With the coming destruction, there will be an exodus from the immortality of the world to the promised land of heaven. Those from every people, tribe, tongue, and nation will gaze on their corpses of the two witnesses for three and half years. This period of time is half of seven (symbol of perfection) so they will be humiliated for a limited time. Their refusal to allow the corpses to be buried adds to the insult and cruelty of the world. God’s breath, however, enters these two witnesses. This brings us all the way the back to Genesis, where God breathed the breath of life into Adam (Gn. 2:7). It also reminds us of Ezekiel’s vision of God’s breath bringing the valley of dry bones back to life (Ez. 37:1-14). After standing on their feet, great fear falls on those who saw them. This reminds us the great fear that fell upon the Egyptians (Ps. 105:38) and the inhabitants of Canaan (Ex. 15:16) after witnessing God’s power. In short, God (and life!) has the last word, not death. Finally, the two witnesses are invited to “Come up here.” God calls them home. The two witnesses have faithfully testified on God’s behalf, even to the shedding of their blood, and consequently, God rewards them. Like them, may we courageously bear witness to God, regardless of the cost, knowing that He will call us home! .
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