Of the various personages found the The Revelation, the Two Witnesses are among the most interesting. They are not named and there is much speculation as to who they will be. I believe that God’s Word gives us many clues, and I agree with the consensus that the Two Witnesses will be Moses and Elijah.

One reason for this consensus is the abilities of the Two Witnesses conform to the powers given to Moses and Elijah in the Old Testament. “If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies.” “These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have the power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague . . .” (Revelation 11:5-6).

Jesus said that “Elijah comes and will restore all things” (Matthew 17:11). In addition, the last paragraph in the last chapter in the last book of the Old Testament promises the return of Elijah “before the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Malachi 4:5-6). Interestingly, the verse just before this mentions Moses.

Elijah was the prophet that challenged the prophets of Baal to call fire down from Heaven to burn their offering. The story is found in First Kings 18:16 and following. The prophets of Baal went into a frenzy in an unsuccessful effort to call down fire. When Elijah prayed to the Lord, not only did the fire consume the offering, but everything around it including the stones of the altar. When the people of Israel saw this, they killed every one of the prophets of Baal in the Kishon Valley. The River Kishon flows by Mount Megiddo, or Armageddon.

Also, Elijah did not die. He “crossed over the Jordan” and the Lord sent a chariot of fire to bring him home. Actually, Elijah did not cross over the Jordan; he struck the waters with his cloak, they receded, and he walked through the Jordan (Second Kings 2).

It is also interesting that, according to Josephus, Moses did not die. Josephus reports (Antiquities, Book 4, Chapter 8, Section 48) that Moses in his humility completed the story of his death in Deuteronomy and then went up Mount Abarim (which means “part beyond”) along with the people, priests and Joshua and Eleazar. As they were telling each other good-bye a cloud enveloped them and Moses disappeared. This is not scripture, but it is interesting in that it “fits” the concept of Moses returning. However, Jude discusses Michael arguing with Satan about the body of Moses. Whoever the Two Witnesses are, they will not be reincarnated, because, “It is appointed unto men once to die” (Hebrews 9:27).

The Two Witnesses will be killed and their bodies will lie in the street in Jerusalem for three and one-half days. All the world will observe this and rejoice (Revelation 11:9). This would not have been possible until recently with the advent of satellite television. They will bring glory to the Name of the Lord, and He will glorify them by calling them home to Heaven, to the astonishment of those watching (by television?).

May we all bring glory to His wonderful Name.