The Two Witnesses of Revelation 11

Gods Two Witnesses

Revelation Chapter 11

Part 3

In verse 4, we are told:

“These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks which stand by the God of the earth.”

When we trace this phrasing, used elsewhere in prophecy, I believe it points us in the exact direction from where these prophets will arise, however another point should be made before we examine that issue.

This verse has been used by some to conclude, that the two witnesses must be Jews (either Moses and Elijah, or sometimes Elijah and Enoch), because of the mistaken belief that olive trees always symbolize Israel, and therefore must be equated with Jews.

We will not attempt to address that issue here, but let it suffice to say that as Paul has said in Romans 9:6 “…they are not all Israel, which are of Israel”. The most important point is that there is an Israel of the flesh, hereditary Israel (National Israel, hereditary Israel), and spiritual Israel, which is of God, bestowed upon the believers of his promise. If you are washed in the blood of his Son, you have been grafted onto the good olive tree, through the promise of the Spirit. If you are not a believer, you have no part of Israel.

Lets examine the symbolism of the olive trees.

In chapter 6 of the book of 1st Kings we see some details of the first temporal temple, built for God by Solomon. In verse 23 we are told:

“And within the oracle he made two cherubims of olive tree, each ten cubits high.”

In verses 31 through 33 we see:

“And for the entering of the oracle he made he made doors of olive tree: the lintel and side posts were a fifth part of the wall. The two doors also were of olive tree; and he carved upon them carvings of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubims, and upon the palm trees. So also made he for the door of the temple posts of olive tree, a fourth part of the wall.”

So we see in verse 23 that Solomon made 2 Cherubim, one on either side of the ark of the Testament (where God would dwell), and that each was made of olive tree as opposed to olive wood. These Cherubim could be said to “stand by the God of the earth”.

We also see in verse 31 that the doors through which one would enter the oracle (the innermost part of the sanctuary) were also made of olive tree. We see in verse 33 that the doorposts likewise were made of olive tree.

What is most interesting about this, is that the Hebrew word for olive in this case, is used nowhere else in the bible, and is very characteristic of the two witnesses themselves.

It is related to the words SHEM’-AH (to obey, Strong’s # 8086), SHAY’-MAH, (#8088, announcement), and SHAW’-MA, (#8085, the Hebrew word for WITNESS).

The actual word used in 1st Kings chapter 6 is SHE’-MEN, (Strong’s # 8081) and has the connotation of olive wood which has been anointed (usually with fragrant olive oil).

The Greek word for olive (Strong’s # 1636), used in chapter 11 of the book of Revelation is also notable, in that it is only used in the context of the tree to which believers in Jesus Christ are grafted onto, and even though it is a Greek word, when pronounced, it contains both the title and name of God in the Hebrew! It is pronounced, EL-AH’-YAH, literally, God is Yahweh. This form of his name (YAH) appears only once in scripture (in Psalms 68:4), and translates as, The Lord Most Vehement (Strong’s # 3050).

Coincidence? I think not!

We also see reference to the two olive trees in the 4th chapter of the book of the prophet Zechariah.

And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 2. And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: 3. And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.. 4. So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these my lord? 5. Then the angel that talked with me answered and said Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 6. Then he answered and spake unto me saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts.7. Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings crying, Grace, grace unto it. 8. Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 9. The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundations of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you. 10. For who hath despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth. 11. Then answered I and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? 12. And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? 13. And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No my lord. 14. Then he said, These are the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth”

It is interesting to note that, although we see two candlesticks representing the two witnesses in Revelation, chapter 11, we see only one candlestick here in Zechariah, even though we do see the two olive trees. Perhaps this is because the church (of which we have representations of the seven churches extant in Asia as candlesticks in the 1st chapter of Revelation) was unified in the day of Zechariah, and that candlestick had become seven in the day Christ revealed these things to John.

However, we see warnings to these seven churches in chapters 2 and 3, and the threat seems to be that they will have their candlesticks removed if they do not hold fast to the original teachings of Christ. 5 were rebuked, and 2 were commended. It may be that the 5 were indeed removed by chapter 11.Though highly speculative, this may offer an explanation which is lacking in most prophetic commentaries on the subject of the candlesticks.

The church of Ephesus (which could mean ones own, above another, perhaps referring to seeking their own needs above those of others) was specifically warned about the removal of her candlestick. In 135 A.D., the majority of the Pella congregation apostatized. They elected a Gentile leader named Marcus, who broke fellowship with those few who held to the truth. The apostate religionists returned to Jerusalem and joined what could be called "the synagogue of Satan."

The word Smyrna means "bitterness; suffering." Its root comes from "myrrh”, which is used in burial, and which must be crushed for efficacy. Smyrna, was persecuted in the first century AD. It was in this city that history records the practice of Emperor worship and the saints in the city suffered for their refusal to worship Caesar. The bishop Polycarp was martyred in Smyrna in 156AD because he refused to call Caesar 'Lord', holding fast to the worship of the true Son of God.

This church was indeed crushed for the sake of the gospel, and faithful unto death. Her candlestick is certain to stand before our Lord.

Pergamos means “Like unto a tower”. Although this might imply strength, it actually has a connotation of proud (Think Babel). Church history suggests that her candlestick was removed as she also succumbed to the spirit of the Roman Catholic Church before being uprooted by the heathen. The name Pergamos also has the root word "gamos" in it, which means "marriage" as in the words, "polygamy" or "monogamy". This is notable when one considers the "marriage" of the Church and State under the Emperor Constantine in 313 AD which facilitated the Popish apostasy that sapped her spiritual strength.

Thyatira (Thyatira comes from the Greek words, thea, "a female deity, goddess," and tyrannos, "a tyrant or ruler.") It is interesting to note that Christ mentions this church in connection with Jezebel in Revelation 2:20.

"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols."

Jezebel (Named for the demon Baal) was the real the power behind Ahab's throne. Although we do not know the actual name of the woman mentioned by our Lord in the preceding verse, she was doubtless the power behind the church leader who allowed this group to fall into wickedness.

It is further interesting to note that according to some bible scholars, Jezebel’s home town of Tyre had something to do with the founding of the city of Thyatira. It is said that Thyatira was meant to be a second Tyre after its destruction by Alexander the Great. There are other similarities between these two cities: Thyatira was noted for its production of purple dye, as was Tyre. The city of Tyre worshipped Baal, which was the name of their sun-god. The city of Thyatira in ancient times had a temple to the ancient Lydian sun-god named Tyrimnos. This church also “blended into” the Royal Roman Church before the Turkish invasion brought Islam to the Balkans at the point of the scimitar..

The name Sardis refers to a precious stone. which had not “defiled their garments”, the majority of the church likewise joined the apostasy. Sardis was a center for the worship of Cybele who also became known as the Great Mother, and was worshipped throughout much of the Hellenistic world. This Goddess Mother eventually came to be viewed as the Mother of all gods and the mistress of all life (Nash, Christianity and the Hellenistic World, pp.138-139). This facilitated the embracing Roman Catholicism with its cult of Mary until Moslem invaders finally wiped any form of Christianity from the area in the 12 century. The Historian Barclay points out that even on pagan lips, Sardis was a name of contempt. Its people were notoriously loose living, notoriously pleasure-and luxury loving. Sardis was a city of the decadence. It became a byword for slack and effeminate living. Although there certainly were some “precious” in the Church of Sardis, this was a culture which had become so entrenched before the foundation of the church, that it corrupted all but those precious few who had not "defiled their garments".

The Church of Philadelphia (Meaning, the love of the brethren) was the other church which found unqualified favor with our Lord. The religious attitude of the pagans in Philadelphia toward Christians who refused to worship any God other than Jesus Christ, was hostile. The organized pagan church of the day did all they could to crush this move of the Holy Spirit, but the small faithful Christians though seemingly powerless as the world measures things, were powerful in spirit. Organized religion, including those who claim to be Christians today judge according to appearance also, not recognizing that there seeming wealth is actually a symbol to their thralldom to the material. They like the church of Smyrna were martyred for the sake of his Glory. Their candlestick remains.

Laodicea means "The people rule with vengeance." (Even though the Lord has said, “…vengeance is mine, I will repay…”) Laodicea was a major financial power in the ancient world. The apostasy that grows so well in the fertile field of material abundance was their downfall.

It is interesting however, that the two churches which found favor in the sight of the Lord were named for their MARTYRDOM, and their LOVE FOR THE BRETHREN, two fundamental teachings of Christ which are disparaged by and which seem to be sorely lacking in, the last days church.

The mention of the name Zerubbabel is noteworthy. He was a priest who was instrumental in the laying the foundation for the 2nd temple in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah. His name is also mentioned as a sign for the planet in the last days in the book of the Prophet Haggai. In the second chapter of that book, God says to Haggai in verses 21-23;

Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; 22. And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother. 23. In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, and will make thee a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts.”

This prophecy seems to parallel the time when God will send the witnesses he has chosen, as a sign (signet), that God is to “shake the heavens and the earth” before overthrowing “the throne of kingdoms”, destroying the “strength of the kingdoms of the heathens”, and all their military appurtenances.

(Shealtiel = I have asked God.) The name Zerubbabel in Hebrew means, One who has come out of Babylon. This, along with the description of Zerubbabel as the Lord’s chosen sign before the heavens and earth shake, and the heathen leaders of the earth are overthrown, indicates that the “signet” of the two witnesses, will arise from “out of Babylon.”

Space will not permit elaboration on the point here, but all but the most dull-witted observers can ignore the obvious similarities. America is the modern day Babylon; complete with the goddess worship Babylon was known for. The goddess is called by the name “Liberty”, or sometimes “Lady Liberty”. In America, she has been honored with a graven image in New York harbor for more than a hundred years, and has had her imagined likeness on coins since the early days of this nation, as well as American specie circular today. Babylon is represented in most of the religions America practices today, especially what is called Christianity in, by the rituals and customs which have crept into the organized church through the cultural diversity, for which this nation is known.

Our political practices likewise have their roots in the mystery religion called Freemasonry, and which can trace its origins through the great empires of history to Babylon as well.

And these two witnesses will come forth, from Zerubbabel, that is, out of American Babylon.

In the 4th chapter of Zechariah, the word of the lord comes to Zerubbabel saying “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit saith the Lord. of hosts” indicating that these two last day prophets will operate completely in the power of the Holy Spirit. There will be no personal strength involved. This echoes what God has said in Revelation 11:3.

Verse 7 is also notable.

7. Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings crying, Grace, grace unto it.

The headstone, refers to what builders call the cornerstone, the capstone, or “head of the corner”. There are many references to our Savior throughout the scriptures being described as the “Head of the corner”.

Psalms 118:22 states of our Lord

“The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.”

Christ himself referred to this in the book of Matthew, chapter 21:42, and it is recorded also in Mark 12:10, and Luke 20:17. Peter also speaks of Jesus fulfilling this prophecy in Acts 4:11, and the epistle of 1st Peter 2:7.

We also see mention of that very stone, the Stone made without hands that will destroy the heathen kingdoms in the end days, (Daniel 2:45) in the preceding chapter.

In Zechariah 3:9 we are told

“For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes:

(The “seven eyes” Referred to in Zechariah 3:9 and 4:10 are also mentioned in Revelation 5:6, as the seven spirits of God).

The scripture in Zechariah 4:7, is most certainly referring to the two witnesses, announcing of the return of Christ just before the end of the world.

Verse 10 also speaks of a measuring out of judgment, symbolized by the plummet, which measures a true vertical “straight line”, and the “seven eyes of the Lord”, or “seven spirits” of the Lord, as described in Revelation 5:6.

Zechariah 4:14 confirms that these two olive trees, are indeed the two witnesses described in Revelation 11:4.

We will examine verses 5-8 in the next chapter.