What are the 2 Witnesses?

Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. ² But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. ³ And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” (Revelation 11: 1-3)

Special Witnesses for God

During the 42 months that the gentiles tread on the holy city of Jerusalem (aka the Great Tribulation), God will give power to his 2 witnesses. Those witnesses will be clothed in sackcloth and they will prophesy for 1,260 days.

The 2 Witnesses have Special Powers

⁴ These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. ⁵ And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. ⁶ These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. (Revelation 11: 4-6)

The 2 Witnesses will have the ability to protect themselves from harm. If anyone tries to harm them, that enemy will be killed by fire that proceeds from their mouths. There will be no doubt that the 2 Witnesses have supernatural powers.

If they choose, the 2 Witnesses will be able to stop the rain for the 3-1/2 years of their prophesy. They will also be able to turn water into blood and strike the earth with all plagues.

The 2 Witnesses are Killed

⁷ When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. ⁸ And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. ⁹ Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. ¹⁰ And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 11: 7-10)

No one will be able to harm them until they have completed the 1,260 days of their testimony. After that time, the beast (Satan) will be able to kill them. Their dead bodies will remain unburied for 3-1/2 days (in Jerusalem) during which time, the people of the world will celebrate their deaths.

The Witnesses are Resurrected

¹¹ Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. ¹² And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. ¹³ In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. (Revelation 11: 11-13)

After 3-1/2 days, God will resurrect the 2 Witnesses. People will watch in fear as the 2 Witnesses stand on their feet. They will ascend into heaven in a cloud as their enemies watch. Afterwards, there will be a severe earthquake that destroys a tenth of the city (Jerusalem) and kills 7,000 people. Those who survived the earthquake were terrified and gave glory to Jehovah God.

Why are They Clothed in Sackcloth?

Sackcloth is a coarse, rough fabric that was used for making sacks (bags). In the Holy Bible, wearing sackcloth often represented mourning over evils and falsehoods. In addition, wearing sackcloth demonstrated humility and a rejection of worldly things.

Why “2” Witnesses?

⁶ Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness. (Deuteronomy 17: 6)

¹⁵ One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. (Deuteronomy 19: 15)

Jehovah God’s laws require that there be at least 2 witnesses in order to convict anyone of a crime or offense. During the Great Tribulation, God will provide 2 Witnesses who will observe and testify regarding the abominations that take place. God will judge the people of the world for the excessive evil they do at the end of this age.