The Two Witnesses of Revelation 11

[Bro. Chuck]

I've got a question for all the theologians that might have an answer or opinion. This isn't Heaven or hell issues but I would like to know your thoughts on who the two witnesses in Revelation 11. I've heard the Moses and Elijah explanation based on the miracles done. I've also heard that instead of Moses, the other is Enoch, who like Elijah, never saw death. There is much information pertaining to this topic and I would like to see what the brethren here think. Of course, let's open our Bibles and let the Word of God fashion our thoughts.
In Christ, Bro. Chuck

[Ebenezer]

I see them as Moses & Elijah, representing the Law & the Prophets. I do not expect Moses & Elijah in person to be returned to earth. The Word of God stands as a witness to Christ till the end of time.

Luke 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

[Jim]

I believe Moses and Elijah will indeed return to earth. I believe they will be the two witnesses:

Quote:11:3
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

11:4
These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

11:5
And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

11:6
These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

They are the only two prophets in the OT that fit the bill perfectly.

They will be able to be in their bodily form because neither of their bodies saw corruption, so they did not not receive their celestial bodies yet. They have their physical bodies, and they will be returned to earth during the second half of the 70th week of Daniel. When they are killed, they will lie in the streets , then they will be resurrected and raptured to heaven at that time. That is when they will receive their celestial bodies.

Just my thoughts,

Love in Christ,

Jim

[Brother Tim]

Quote:They will be able to be in their bodily form because neither of their bodies saw corruption,

Just curious because I never considered this:
Jim, do you believe that Moses' body was not left on the earth after his death? Jude tells of the battle for his body, but there is no indication where the body was.

[Davo]

Mt 17:11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
Mt 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

Elijah has already come in the form of John the Baptist

[Jim]

Brother Tim,

That is what I believe, yes.

Davo, are you saying that Elijah was reincarnated into John the Baptist?

[Brother Tim]

I cannot think of any verse that would indicate that God had taken the body of Moses from the earth. The text plainly says that he was buried.

Quote:Deuteronomy 34:6 And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.

From where do you form your idea?

[Brother Tim]

There must be something to the uniqueness of both Enoch and Elijah. Though they were powerful in their faith, I would wonder why others of great faith would not have enjoyed the same end to their sojourn here. It would seem to me a reasonable speculation that God intended for them to be used later, and that death would come to them as it has for everyone else.

I'm not dogmatic here, however. The arguments on either side have merit.

[Ebenezer]

Jim Wrote:Davo, are you saying that Elijah was reincarnated into John the Baptist?

I can't speak for Davo, but Gabriel & Jesus make it clear that Malachi's prophecy was fulfilled in John. Not reincarnation, but in the spirit & power.

Luk 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Mat 17:10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
Mat 17:11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
Mat 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
Mat 17:13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

[Jim]

Quote:I can't speak for Davo, but Gabriel & Jesus make it clear that Malachi's prophecy was fulfilled in John. Not reincarnation, but in the spirit & power.

That was actually where i was going with this. John the Baptist's corporeal form was not that of Elijah.


Brother Tim:

Quote:I cannot think of any verse that would indicate that God had taken the body of Moses from the earth. The text plainly says that he was buried.

From where do you form your idea?

If the body was where they buried it, then why the contention between Michael and Satan? This argument could lead to the location of the ark of the covenant, which I also believe to be in heaven.

Context and critical thinking leads me to believe Moses' corporeal body to be in heaven.

Enoch does not fit the bill for the two witnesses. He is misconstrued IMO, simply because he along with Eljah, were the only to prophets who were "translated". People make only that connection and assume he is one of the two witnesses.

This is my belief.

Love in Christ,

Jim

[Mongol Servant]

The appearance on the Mount of Transfiguration, by Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:4) should be a "scripture with scripture" indication of who the 2 witnesses will be.

[George]

Mongol Servant Wrote:The appearance on the Mount of Transfiguration, by Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:4) should be a "scripture with scripture" indication of who the 2 witnesses will be.

Amen Brother, my thoughts exactly!

In Christ,
George

[Jim]

Exactly.

[Brother Tim]

The Matthew 17 passage is the strongest evidence for Moses and Elijah being the witnesses, in my opinion. It is too peculiar that they were part of this event without a signal being sent for the future. Again, I am not dogmatic. The translation of Enoch and Elijah make them unique as well. I think the Matthew passage wins out for me. The same event in Luke adds an additional fact. (underlines mine)

Quote:Luke 9:30-31 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

This phrase makes my spirit say, "Hmmm".

[Jim]

????