For nearly 2,000 years, since the fulfillment of Pentecost, the body of Christ has been waiting for the final three appointed times (moedim) to be fulfilled: the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. These appointed times are not only prophetic shadows of things to come but also chronological markers for end-time events. One of the most misunderstood events in this timeline is the ministry, death, and resurrection of the Two Witnesses in Revelation 11.
This article demonstrates from Scripture that:
- The Two Witnesses prophesy during the Great Tribulation to oppose the beast system,
- Their mission is to serve as judicial witnesses who rebuke sin and deliver judgment,
- They are killed on the Feast of Trumpets, marking the end of the Great Tribulation,
- They lie in the streets for 3.5 days before being resurrected,
- Their resurrection precedes the resurrection of the saints by 18 days,
- Their ministry leads directly into the final outpouring of wrath at the 7th bowl — the third woe.
1. The Ministry of the Two Witnesses = The Great Tribulation
Revelation 11:3:
“And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.”
This 1,260-day period parallels the Great Tribulation (Rev. 12:6; 13:5). The Two Witnesses are not precursors but operate during this time, opposing the beast system. Their mission is judicial, not evangelistic — to convict, not convert.
2. Their Message: Judgment on the Beast System
They witness against the world, fulfilling Deuteronomy 17:6:
“At the mouth of two witnesses… shall he that is worthy of death be put to death.”
Revelation 11:10:
“…because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.”
Revelation 11:6:
“These have power to shut heaven… to turn waters to blood… and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.”
This is divine enforcement. Their torment is not merely words — it’s plagues, drought, and judgment. The phrase “dwell on the earth” refers to those who have aligned with the world system — not believers (John 17:16; Philippians 3:20).
Their fire is the Word of God (Jer. 5:14), and they execute judgment on those who:
- Take the mark of the beast,
- Worship the image,
- Tries to kill them.
Their ministry reflects the authority of Moses and Elijah — not only in signs and plagues but in prophetic rebuke. They are instruments of divine justice, not preachers of repentance.
3. The End of Their Testimony = End of the Great Tribulation
Revelation 11:7:
“And when they shall have finished their testimony… the beast… shall kill them.”
Their death occurs on Tishrei 1, the Feast of Trumpets — marking the end of the Great Tribulation.
Revelation 6:11:
“…until their fellowservants… should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.”
The Two Witnesses are these final martyrs.
4. Resurrection on Tishrei 4
After 3.5 days, they are raised:
“…the Spirit of life from God entered into them…”
This happens on Tishrei 4, just before the Day of Atonement. Jesus does not come in the clouds for them; they are caught up at a command: “Come up hither.” This distinction is crucial — their resurrection is not part of the collective glorification of the saints but a legal affirmation of their completed testimony. As judicial witnesses, their elevation is more about divine validation than reunion. Jesus appears in the clouds later, on the last day of Tabernacles, for the resurrection and glorification of all the saints. The separation in timing underscores their unique role as forerunners of final judgment, not participants in the corporate resurrection event.
Revelation 11:13:
“…a great earthquake… and the remnant were affrighted…”
This mirrors Revelation 6:12 — the sixth seal, signaling cosmic disturbance and divine attention.
Their resurrection signals that judgment has arrived. It is the divine affirmation that the testimony has been received, and the court of heaven is ready to act.
5. Second Woe Ends — Third Woe Comes Quickly
Revelation 11:14:
“The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.”
Revelation 11:18:
“…thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged…”
This is the Day of the Lord — the moment of final wrath and reward.
Revelation 6:17:
“For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”
Hebrews 12:27:
“…that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.”
Revelation 16:15:
“Behold, I come as a thief…”
Revelation 16:19:
“…to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.”
This orge wrath is singular and final — not repeated. It aligns with the 7th trumpet, the 7th bowl, and the 3rd woe.
Revelation 7 paints a Day of Atonement image:
- A great multitude comes out of the Great Tribulation,
- They are given white robes — symbolic of glorification,
- The faithful are clothed while others hide (Isaiah 26:20–21).
Isaiah 26:19:
“Thy dead men shall live… together with my dead body shall they arise…”
This moment is not just about safety — it’s about separation, glorification, and final sealing.
6. Tishrei 21: The Shout — “It Is Done!”
18 days after Tishrei 4 is Tishrei 21 — the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Hoshana Rabbah).
Revelation 16:17:
“It is done!”
This is the climax — the 7th bowl, the 3rd woe, and the last trumpet — all culminating in the resurrection and glorification of the saints (1 Thess. 4:16).
This moment:
- Finishes divine wrath,
- Gathers and glorifies the saints,
- Concludes the prophetic harvest,
- Establishes Christ’s reign.
Conclusion: God’s Perfect Order
- The Two Witnesses rebuke and prophesy against the beast-following world during the Great Tribulation.
- They are killed on Trumpets and resurrected on Tishrei 4.
- Their resurrection initiates the final phase of judgment.
- On Tishrei 21, Jesus returns in glory, shouts “It is done!”, and glorifies His saints.
The moedim are God’s calendar — perfectly fulfilled in Messiah. The Two Witnesses do not plead — they rebuke. Their ministry reflects the authority of Moses and Elijah — calling fire from heaven, turning waters to blood, and shutting the heavens. Yet they are not merely historical parallels — they are also symbolized as the two candlesticks and two olive trees (Revelation 11:4), representing the unified witness of Jew and Gentile, Spirit and Truth, Law and Prophets. Their rebuke is rooted in divine authority and covenant continuity, not mere protest. Through them, God closes His legal case and unleashes His righteous wrath.
Let the earth hear, and let the heavens respond: the Judge is at the door.
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