Revelation 11:1-19
Two witnesses are mentioned in verse 3 – unusual. We often see 1, 3 and 7, 12 and 40 as common Biblical numbers. So two is unusual. So who are the two witnesses? My Study Bible said that many scholars suggest Moses and Elijah, the two Old Testament prophets who stood with Jesus at His transfiguration. Further reading today supports this thought: They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. (v. 6) Elijah prophesied to Israel during a time of great drought (I Kings 17:1) and the first of the plagues of Egypt was Moses striking the Nile river and turning the water into blood (Exodus 17:14, ff.) and later bringing on every kind of plague. Then we see these two witnesses killed and resurrected and ascended into Heaven, not unlike Jesus.
During the three and a half days that these two prophets lay dead on the street, …those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. (v. 10) My mind here goes to pro-abortion protestors. They have cheered pro-abortion legislation and decisions in the past, but are now protesting against the possibility of the Supreme Court reversing or diminishing Roe v. Wade. They cheer the evil that is abortion and wail over the possible loss of their “freedom”. The way of the world…