The identity of the two witnesses described in Revelation 11 has long been a topic of fascination and debate among believers. Many theories have been proposed, ranging from specific individuals to symbolic representations. However, the key to unlocking their identity is found within the Word itself. Through careful examination of Scripture, we can see that the two witnesses represent two groups of people rather than two literal individuals. Let’s dive into the clues provided in Revelation and the rest of the Bible to reveal this truth.

Clue #1: The Two Candlesticks

In Revelation 11:4, the two witnesses are described as “the two olive trees and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.” To understand what this means, we need to look earlier in Revelation, where the mystery of the candlesticks is explained.

In Revelation 1:20, Jesus tells John, “The seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.” Here, the candlesticks are clearly identified as symbolic of churches, or groups of believers. There were seven candlesticks in the vision, representing seven churches, but in Revelation 11:4, we see only two candlesticks. This reduction in number suggests that the two witnesses symbolize two specific groups of believers.

Clue #2: The Two Olive Trees

The two witnesses are also called “the two olive trees.” To fully grasp this symbol, we can look to Romans 11, where Paul uses the image of an olive tree to describe the relationship between Jewish and Gentile believers. He speaks of a natural olive tree (symbolizing Israel) and a wild olive tree (symbolizing the Gentiles). In Romans 11:17-24, Paul explains that some of the natural branches (Israelites) were broken off due to unbelief, and wild branches (Gentiles) were grafted into the olive tree by faith in Christ.

This symbolism points to the inclusion of both Jews and Gentiles in God’s plan of salvation through faith in Jesus. The two olive trees in Revelation 11 are thus a picture of these two groups—Jewish believers and Gentile believers—both of whom stand as witnesses before God.

Clue #3: The Unified Witness

The imagery of the two candlesticks and the two olive trees points us to the reality that the two witnesses are not two literal individuals, but two groups of people—Jewish and Gentile believers—who together represent the unified body of Christ. These two groups testify to the truth of the Gospel in a world of opposition, just as the two witnesses in Revelation 11 prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth, which is a sign of repentance and mourning.

This understanding aligns with the New Testament’s teaching that God’s people, both Jew and Gentile, are one in Christ. In Ephesians 2:14, Paul declares that Christ has “made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” The two witnesses, representing these two groups, stand together as one, testifying to the glory of God and the truth of the Gospel.

Clue #4: The Power and Persecution of the Two Witnesses

The passage in Revelation 11 describes the power given to the two witnesses. They have authority to shut heaven, call down plagues, and strike the earth with all kinds of judgments. This mirrors the ministry of Old Testament prophets like Moses and Elijah, who performed similar acts. However, this power is given to the witnesses not as individuals, but as representatives of the entire body of believers, both Jewish and Gentile.

Additionally, we see that the two witnesses are killed by “the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit” (Revelation 11:7), symbolizing the persecution that the church has endured and will continue to endure. But just as Christ was resurrected, the two witnesses are also resurrected after three and a half days, and they ascend to heaven in a cloud, demonstrating the ultimate victory of God’s people.

Conclusion: The Two Witnesses as the Church

When we consider all the clues given in the Word, it becomes clear that the two witnesses in Revelation 11 are not two individual people, but rather a symbolic representation of two groups—Jewish and Gentile believers—who together make up the body of Christ. As the two candlesticks and the two olive trees, these two groups stand as a powerful testimony to the world, proclaiming the truth of God’s Word and the salvation offered through Jesus Christ.

Their ministry is marked by both power and persecution, but ultimately, they share in Christ’s victory and resurrection. The two witnesses remind us that God’s people, both Jew and Gentile, are called to stand together, united in their witness to the Gospel, until the day of Christ’s return.

Let us, as believers, embrace this calling as part of the unified body of Christ, testifying to the world that the hope of salvation is for all nations, through faith in Jesus.