Two witnesses

The two witnesses, as depicted in the Bamberg Apocalypse, an 11th-century illuminated manuscript.

In the Book of Revelation, the two witnesses (Ancient Greek: δύο μαρτύρων, romanized: duo martyron) are two
prophets who are mentioned in Revelation 11:1-14. Some Christians interpret this as two people, two groups of
people, or two concepts. Some believe they are Enoch and Elijah, as in the Gospel of Nicodemus, since they are
the only two that did not see death as required by the Scriptures, [1] while others believe them to
be Moses and Elijah because they appeared during the transfiguration of Jesus,[2] or because Enoch was
not Abraham's descendant. They have the power to shut the heavens (Elijah) and turn water into blood (Moses).

Dispensationalist Christians believe that the events described in the Book of Revelation will occur before and
during the Second Coming.

Biblical narrative[edit]

And I will grant my two witnesses authority to prophesy for one thousand two hundred sixty days,
wearing sackcloth.

These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone
wants to harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes; anyone who wants to harm them
must be killed in this manner. They have authority to shut the sky, so that no rain may fall during the days
of their prophesying, and they have authority over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the
earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire.

When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the bottomless pit will make war on
them and conquer them and kill them, and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that is
prophetically called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days
members of the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to
let them be placed in a tomb; and the inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and
exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to the inhabitants of the earth.

But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet,
and those who saw them were terrified. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come
up here!" And they went up to heaven in a cloud while their enemies watched them. At that moment there
was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake,
and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

— Book of Revelation, 11:1–13[3]

Textual analysis[edit]

"These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth." Revelation 11:4
According to the text, the two witnesses are the "two olive trees and the two lampstands" that have the power to
destroy their enemies, control the weather and cause plagues. This description may be symbolism, allegory,
or literal.[4]

Exegesis[edit]

In attempting to interpret Revelation 11, commentators who hold to a premillennial eschatology generally
interpret the two witnesses in one of three ways:

1. as individuals either manifested in some form of reincarnation; or "in the spirit" of biblical prophets who once appeared in Bible history; or
simply as two individuals newly arrived on the earth;
2. as corporate in nature (human) standing for the Church only or for Israel only; or both Israel and the Church; or for both Jewish and
Gentiles believers in Jesus; or
3. as symbolism or an expression of biblical concepts (i.e., the Old and New Testaments; the Law and the Prophets; [5] Mercy and Grace).
The literalist typically has a dispensationalist or literal interpretation that the two witnesses will be actual people
who will appear in the last days.[6][7] However, there are varying views as to their identity.

Modern theologians, such as John Walvoord, have furthered the point of individualism by comparing the "two
lampstands" and the "two olive trees" of Revelation 11 to the two golden pipes and two olive trees/branches
of Zechariah 4. By the identification of the two olive branches as "two anointed ones" or "two sons of the oil", in
Zechariah, this reinforces the literalist interpretation that the two witnesses are two people.
[8] The personification of the two witnesses in Revelation is so prevalent that according to theologian William
Barclay, the passage seems to refer to definite persons.[9] Walvoord further pointed out that because the
Revelation passage does not specifically identify who the two witnesses are, it would be safer to conclude that
they are not related to any previous historical character.[10]

As individuals[edit]

Elijah and Enoch, 17th century iconThe apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus (also known as Acts of Pilate) states
that those two witnesses who will appear in times of Antichrist to engage in battle with him are Enoch and Elijah:

3
One of them answering, said, I am Enoch, who was translated by the word of God: and this man who is
with me, is Elijah the Tishbite, who was translated in a fiery chariot. 4Here we have hitherto been, and have
not tasted death, but are now about to return at the coming of Antichrist, being armed with divine signs and
miracles, to engage with him in battle, and to be slain by him at Jerusalem, and to be taken up alive again
into the clouds, after 3 days and a half.

— Gospel of Nicodemus, Chapter 20:3–4

Others have proposed Moses as one of the witnesses, for his ability to turn water into blood and the power to
plague the earth.[11] It is possible that one of two witnesses would be Elijah the prophet (Malachi 4:5-6) based on
an interpretation of the bible verses. John the apostle (Revelation 10:11) could also be a candidate.Early
Christian writers such as Tertullian, Irenaeus, and Hippolytus of Rome, have concluded that the two witnesses
would be Enoch and Elijah, the two prophets who did not die because God "took" them according to other
Biblical passages.[citation needed]

As symbols of the church[edit]The two witnesses have been interpreted as representing the Church or a
similar concept. The 1599 Geneva Study Bible has asserted that the two witnesses are the exclusive
purview of the church.[12] Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible gives one church
interpretation as consisting of believing Jews and that of the gentiles.[13] John Wesley in his
commentary on Revelation 11 suggests a more spiritual, almost ambiguous, application. [clarification needed]
[14] John Gill's Exposition of the Bible interprets the two witnesses as the true Church in
counterdistinction to the "antichrist system" of Roman Catholicism. [15] Ross Taylor's Verse by Verse
Commentary on Revelation clearly defines the Church as the "two olive trees and the two
lampstands."[citation needed]Similarly, the two witnesses have been identified as Israel and the Christian
Church. The number two has been associated with the witness of Israel to the gentile nations during
the 70th Week of Daniel's prophecy.[16] The olive tree signifies Israel. The "witness of the Church" is
signified by the two lampstands, whose identity was disclosed by the seven golden lampstands (i.e.,
candlesticks) revealed in Revelation 2–3 as the "churches". Revelation 2:1 refers to the churches as
golden lampstands.It has also been proposed that the two witnesses are the witnessing church,
because Jesus sent out his disciples "two by two". [17] The two witnesses are the true prophetic witness
in Revelation (the church), and they serve as the counterpart to the false prophetic witness, the beast
from the land, who has two horns like a lamb (Revelation 13:11; cf.16:13; 19:20; 20:10). Other
views[edit]The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that the two witnesses will be two
prophets who are raised up to the Jews in the modern nation of Israel,[18][19] possibly two members of
their Quorum of the Twelve or their First Presidency, who are considered to be prophets by the church.
These two prophets will represent both the ancient Northern and Southern kingdoms of Israel (the two
olive trees) and be descendants of the two covenant sons from the tribes of Judah and Joseph (as the
two lampstands). Some members have suggested that the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and his
brother Hyrum Smith (Assistant President from 1841 to 1844) are prototypes and they represent the
future two witnesses (stated in Revelation) who will be sent to Jerusalem and be killed for their
testimonies.
In traditional Seventh-day Adventist interpretation, as found in Uriah Smith and Ellen G. White, the two
witnesses are the Old and New Testaments.[20][21][22] They believed that the French Revolution was the time
when the two witnesses were killed.[23][24] Other historicists also consider the two witnesses in this way.[25][26]

The Bahá'í Faith identifies the two witnesses as Muhammed, the founder of Islam, and Ali, the son of Abú Tálib.
They consider Muhammad as the root and Ali the branch, comparable to Moses and Joshua. They interpret
"clothed in sackcloth" to mean that they initially appeared to be of no consequence and without a new revelation
because the spiritual principles of Islam would correspond closely with those promulgated in Christianity and
Judaism. They identify the "beast" to be the Umayyads, who would wage spiritual war against them. The 1,260
days is interpreted as the 1,260 lunar years since the start of the Islamic calendar, corresponding to the
Gregorian year 1844; the year the Millerite movement also predicted the return of Christ. The Bahá'í Faith
recognizes the significance of 1844 as the year of the declaration of the Báb, bearing a new message from God
and proclaiming the coming of Bahá'u'lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá'í Faith and promised return of
Christ.[27][28]Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles (Do and Ti), the leaders of the UFO religious cult Heaven's
Gate, initially claimed to be the two witnesses in the 1970s. According to their interpretation, they would be killed
and resurrected before ascending to heaven in a spacecraft. They ultimately rebranded their "assassinations" as
symbolic rather than actual death, owing to the ridicule they were subjected to by the media.The two witnesses
play a central role in the supernatural drama television series Sleepy Hollow. The first witness is Ichabod Cra
ne, a Revolutionary War soldier who, after battling with the Horseman of Death (whom he causes to
be headless), awakens in Sleepy Hollow in 2013. The second witness is Lieutenant Abbie Mills, a contemporary
woman in law enforcement who helps Crane adjust to the 21st century and aids him in battling dæmonic forces.
The two witnesses must face 'Seven Tribulations' (although other characters note that the Witnesses are only
required to witness the events rather than take action themselves), the first being Moloch, the master of the
Horsemen. The second Tribulation is Pandora and her master, an ancient Sumerian god known as the Hidden
One. Third was Malcolm Dryfus and Jobe. Although Lieutenant Mills (now Agent Mills of the F. B. I.) loses her
soul, there must always be two witnesses, and the mantle passes on to Molly Thomas on her eleventh birthday.
Not long thereafter, Molly's older self, going by the name Lara, comes from the future to aid Crane in his battles,
thereby assuming the mantle of the witness from her younger self.

In the Left Behind franchise, the two witnesses prophesy at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. They are later
revealed to be Elijah and Moses, and are killed by the Antichrist Nicolae Carpathia.

Who Are the Two Beasts in Revelation 13?

Clarence L. Haynes Jr.
Contributing Writer
UPDATEDMay 31, 2023

As you come to Chapter 13 of Revelation John introduces and describes in great detail two beasts: one beast
coming up out of the sea and one beast coming up out of the earth. Maybe you have asked the question what
are the two beasts in Revelation 13? The short answer is they represent the Antichrist and the False Prophet.
These two, empowered by Satan, set out with a mission to deceive many during the Great Tribulation. Let’s
consider the roles these two will play in End Times prophecy.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Ig0rZh

What Is Happening in Revelation 13?

The scenario in Revelation 13 begins in the previous chapter. The story is of a great dragon hurled down to
earth who is identified as Satan, the one who leads the world astray.

“The great dragon was hurled down — that ancient serpent called the
devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the
earth, and his angels with him” (Revelation 12:9).

Within this chapter, you see the imagery of a woman. There are differing views on who the woman
represents, some say Israel or possibly even the church. Satan tries to attack this woman but she is protected
for a period of 1,260 days, which is approximately three and a half years. Because Satan is unable to destroy
the woman, he proceeds to turn his attention to the offspring of this woman.

“Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against
the rest of her offspring — those who keep God’s commands and hold fast
their testimony about Jesus” (Revelation 12:17).

This offspring may represent Israel or the Gentile believers who come to faith during the tribulation. Either
way Satan seeks to destroy those who trust God and put their faith in Jesus Christ. As the next chapter
begins, Satan proceeds to call forth two beasts, one from the sea and one from the earth. With this
information, let’s take a more detailed look at who or what the two beasts in Revelation 13 are.

Related: Listen Now - Reading Revelation Is Meant to Bless

You (Not ScareYou):
Photo credit: ©SparrowStock

What Are the Two Beasts in Revelation 13?

There are two very vivid descriptions that mark the introduction of these two beasts. Here is the first one.

The Beast out of the Sea

“The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of
the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns,
and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard,
but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The
dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. One of
the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal
wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed
the beast” (Revelation 13:1-3).

One of the symbolisms seen often in biblical prophecy is that of a horn. In Scripture, horns represent power
and authority.

There are two things to notice about this beast in Revelation. First, there is a great parallel between this beast
in Revelation 13 and the one described in Daniel 7. If you have not done so I would encourage you to
read Daniel 7 and you will see many of the parallels. Simply put, it’s easy to see that Daniel and John in
Revelation are referring to the same beast.

Second, this beast in Revelation will come out from the sea, which represents the Gentiles. So this leader
will be a Gentile ruler. He will rule over a ten-nation confederacy. This beast will have great power and
authority given to him by the dragon or Satan. The identity of this beast is viewed by many to be the
Antichrist. Before I give further analysis let’s identify the other beast and then put it all together.

The Beast out of the Earth

“Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like
a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. It exercised all the authority of the
first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship
the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. And it performed great
 signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full
view of the people” (Rev. 13:11-13).

This second beast comes out of the earth, which many agree means that it is coming out of Israel. This beast
will also have power and if you notice they will cause people to worship the first beast or Antichrist.
Because this leader will be some type of religious leader he is often referred to as the False Prophet.

Let’s look beyond what the two beasts are in Revelation 13 and consider how these three work together.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/slavasam777

What Is the Relationship Between the Dragon and the Two

Beasts?

Let’s look at what we know. We have answered the question of what the two beasts in Revelation 13 are,
seeing that they are the Antichrist and the False Prophet. We also know that the dragon is Satan.

One of the things Satan loves to do is to mimic, imitate or copy God. Remember Satan was kicked out of
heaven because he desired to pursue God’s throne and that desire to be honored or worshipped has never left
him. During this period of the Great Tribulation he forms this version of an unholy trinity. Satan goes so far
as even mimicking the death and resurrection of Jesus because this Antichrist will be struck with what
appears to be a fatal blow and will then be resurrected.

Because Satan is a deceiver and does not have the power to bring people back to life, I believe this will not
be an actual death and resurrection, it will only appear to be. This is in line with Satan’s deceptive ways.

One of the things you will also notice about the False Prophet is that he will direct people to worship the
Antichrist. In essence, he is pointing people to worship and follow him. I hope this sounds familiar to you
because this false prophet is mimicking one of the works that the Holy Spirit does. The Holy Spirit points
and directs people to Jesus. In effect this unholy trinity will take center stage during this period of the Great
Tribulation and as true to form will deceive many, especially those who have turned their hearts away from
the true and living God.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/serikbaib

Should We Be Worried about This?

I heard Pastor Greg Laurie say this a very long time ago. He said “We shouldn’t be looking

for the Antichrist, we should be looking for Jesus Christ .” W

ith that there should be no

worries or concerns about who or what these beasts are in Revelation 13. As a believer in pre-

tribulation rapture, I don’t believe that those who are in Christ now will be present during this

time.
 However, even if I amwrong and the rapture doesn’t happen before the tribulation, then you

can b e co n fid en t th at G o d w ill g u ard an d w atch o v er y o u , ev en in th e m id st o f g reat trib u latio n

u p o n th e earth . E ith er w ay I b eliev e w e sh o u ld lo o k to th e retu rn o f Jesu s C h rist b ecau se h e is

o u r tru e etern al hope an d sav io r, reg ard less o f w h at h ap p en s in th e earth .

Ultimate Victory

It is not uncommon for people to be worried or fearful about the prophecies of Revelation or

th e co n d itio n o f th e w o rld w e liv e in . H o w ev er, as im p o rtan t as it is fo r u s as C h ristian s to

know these things, they should not be causes for worry, they should be reasons for rejoicing.

W
hen you get to the end of Revelation Jesus wins and if you are on his side that means you

win too. That is reason for comfort and rejoicing because as the days draw nearer, the time of

our redemption and ultimate victory is truly at hand.

“W
hen these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because

y o u r red em p tio n is d raw in g n ear” (Luke 21:28).

As we look forward to Jesus’ return and the signs become more imminent, let’s not look with

heads down but with heads up. That great day draws closer every moment and that my friend

is reason for great hope and great rejoicing.

144,000
15 languages
144,000 is a natural number. It has significance in various religious movements and ancient prophetic belief systems.

Religion[edit]

Christianity[edit]
 144,000 with Trumpets, 1860 woodcut by Julius Schnorr von
Karolsfeld

Book of Revelation[edit]

The number 144,000 appears three times in the Book of Revelation:

 Revelation 7:3–8:

saying: "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of
God on their foreheads."
And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed,
12,000 from the tribe of Reuben,
12,000 from the tribe of Gad,
12,000 from the tribe of Asher,
12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali,
12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,
12,000 from the tribe of Simeon,
12,000 from the tribe of Levi,
12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,
12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun,
12,000 from the tribe of Joseph,
12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.[1]

 Revelation 14:1:

Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had
his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads.[2]

 Revelation 14:3–5:

and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and
before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed
from the earth. It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins.
It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind
as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are
blameless.[3]

Page from an illuminated manuscript painted by an unknown artist, depicting the 144,000 from
Revelation 7, from a copy of the Commentary on the Apocalypse by Saint Beatus of Liébana

The numbers 12,000 and 144,000 are variously interpreted in traditional Christianity. Some, taking
the numbers in Revelation to be symbolic,[4] believe it represents all of God's people throughout
history in the heavenly Church.[5] One suggestion is that the number comes from 12, a symbol for
totality, which is squared and multiplied by one thousand for more emphasis. Others insist the
numbers 12,000 and 144,000 are literal numbers and representing either descendants
of Jacob (also called Israel in the Bible) or others to whom God has given a superior destiny with a
distinct role at the time of the end of the world.[6]

One understanding is that the 144,000 are recently converted Jewish evangelists sent out to bring
sinners to Jesus Christ during the seven year tribulation period.[7] Preterists believe they
are Jewish Christians, sealed for deliverance from the destruction of Jerusalem in 70
A.D. Dispensationalist Tim LaHaye, in his commentary Revelation: Illustrated and Made
Plain (Zondervan, 1975), considers the 144,000 in Revelation 7 to refer to Jews and those
in Revelation 14 to refer to Christians.[8]

Jehovah's Witnesses[edit]

Main article: The 'anointed' (Jehovah's Witnesses and salvation)

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that exactly 144,000 faithful Christians from Pentecost of 33 AD until
the present day will be resurrected to heaven as immortal spirit beings to spend eternity with God
and Christ. They believe that these people are "anointed" by God to become part of the spiritual
"Israel of God".[9][10] They believe the 144,000 (which they consider to be synonymous with the
"little flock" of Luke 12:32) will serve with Christ as king-priests for a thousand years, while all
other people accepted by God (the "other sheep" of John 10:16, composed of "the great crowd"
of Revelation 7:9,14 and the resurrected "righteous and the unrighteous" ones of Acts 24:15), will
be given an opportunity to live forever in a restored paradise on earth.

Individual Witnesses indicate their claim of being "anointed" by partaking of the bread and wine at
the annual Memorial of Christ's death. In 2023, around 22,300 Witnesses worldwide claimed to be
of the anointed "remnant" of the 144,000,[11] an increase of nearly 14,000 since 2005.[12] The
Watch Tower Society has stated that the number of partakers is expected to decrease each year,
[13][14] but has also stated that members should not be concerned about the number increasing.
[15] The members of the Governing Body who exercise teaching authority over Jehovah's
Witnesses worldwide claim to be among the anointed 144,000, and also consider themselves as a
group to be the faithful and discreet slave of Matthew 24:45 and Luke 12:42.[16][17][18]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints[edit]

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes that the sealing of the 144,000 relates to
the high priests, ordained unto the holy order of God, to administer the everlasting gospel; "for
they are they who are ordained out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, by the angels to
whom is given power over the nations of the earth, to bring as many as will come to the church of
the Firstborn."[19]

Skoptzists[edit]

The Christian Skoptsy sect in Russia believed that the Messiah would come when there were
144,000 Skoptsy believers, based on their reading of the Book of Revelation.[20][21]

Unification Church[edit]

The Unification Church founded by Reverend Sun Myung Moon believes the 144,000 represents
the total number of saints whom Christ must find "who can restore through indemnity the missions
of all the past saints who, despite their best efforts to do God's Will, fell prey to Satan when they
failed in their responsibilities. He must find these people during his lifetime and lay the foundation
of victory over Satan's world".[22]
Islam[edit]

144,000 is said to have been the number of Companions (Sahaba) of Muhammad, though other
totals have been given.[23] The number is also given as the total number of prophets in Islam,
[24] although this has also been reported as 124,000 or 244,000. The actual number of prophets
or Sahaba is not known; about 30 prophets are mentioned by name in the Qur'an.

Baha'i Faith[edit]

According to Genesis and Acts from the Bible, the Israelites were exiled for 400 years. According
to the Book of Revelation where 42 months is 1260 days, 400 years equals 144,000 days. Thus,
the "chosen 144,000" is figurative for ones who live with the most exile from popularity. Thus, with
each new Covenant from God (i.e. Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, the Bab,
and Baha'u'llah) the new believers must live alienated from popular culture due to the novelty of
each subsequent Revelation.

Other uses[edit]
 Coptic sources calculate the number of Holy Innocents massacred to have been 144,000.[25]
 A Baktun is 20 Katun cycles of the ancient Maya Long Count calendar, which contains 144,000 days.