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Revelation and the Identity of the Two Witnesses

"8 In Jeremiah 5:14 he tells the people of Israel that he will make his words in their mouth a fire and the people will be the wood it consumes. In Revelation 11:5 "out of their mouth indicates the Word; its fire of judgement devours the enemies. The symbolism of this devouring fire is taken from Jeremiah 5:14."9 Those who think of Elijah as he is presented in 2 Kings 1:10, should remember that in his case only detachments of soldiers were consumed by fire.10 This reference to be consumed by fire is a better representation of Jeremiah than it is of Elijah.
             Other areas of the description to the two witnesses could be connected back to Elijah and Moses also. In the first part of Revelation 11:6 the prophets "have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying." This description of the Prophets power is symbolic of Elijah. The symbolism used here is taken from Elijah as he is presented in 1 Kings 17:1.11 In the second part of Revelation 11:6 the prophets "have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague." The description here of the Prophets is symbolic of Moses. The symbolism here is taken from Moses and the ten Egyptian plagues in Exodus 7:19.12 The descriptions given of the witnesses in these accounts do connect back to Old Testament scripture and specific reference to events around Moses and Elijah.
             The description of the two witnesses given by John is very clear on what powers these prophets of God will have and who in the past has used these powers. In Jewish culture bearing witness to an event is Mosaic Law and is clear what must be done. The description of the two witnesses in Revelation 11 is a clear reference to more than just two Old Testament prophets. The references here is a good indication that this passage is not literal but symbolic in nature. "The symbolism is plainly drawn from no less than three great Old Testament prophets: Jeremiah, Elijah, and Moses.


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