View source for Two Witnesses

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== Dominion Draft ==

[[:en:Two Witnesses|Inspiration]]: directed revelation 22 Fruits, 4707 01:30; Purpose: same as [[Class Enemy]].

== English Lede ==
The '''Two Witnesses''' are two individuals, concepts or "corporate beings" described in chapter 11 of the [[Book of Revelation]] in the events leading up to the [[second coming of Christ|second coming]] of [[Jesus|Christ]].
[[File:BambergApocalypseFolio027v2ProphetsAndBeastFromAbyss.JPG|right|thumb|190px|The two witnesses, as depicted in the [[Bamberg Apocalypse]], an 11th century [[illuminated manuscript]].]]

{{cquote|
"'And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.'  These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.  And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies.  And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner.  these have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.  When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.  And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.  Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into the graves.  And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.  Now after three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.  And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, 'Come up here.'  And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.  In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell.  In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven." (Revelation 11:3-13 - New King James Version)}}

==Identity==

Growing interest in the identity of the two witnesses of Revelation 11 and the timing of their appearance, has inspired [[Christian eschatology|eschatological]] debate for centuries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wcg.org/lit/bible/Rev/2witnesses.htm |title=The Two Witnesses |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Kroll |first=Paul |year=1999 |publisher=Worldwide Church of God}}</ref> Are they two literal individuals or are they symbolic of a concept (e.g., the Old and New Testaments of the Bible<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tagnet.org/cyberspace/Lessons/Fut-057/fut1-057.html|title=If I Were Told the Future -- Lesson 57: The Two Witnesses |accessdate=2007-06-26 |year=2002 |work=Cyberspace Ministry}}</ref>) or corporate entities which symbolize peoples?  Are they here now<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/herenow.htm |title=Are The Two Witnesses Here Now? |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Blank |first=Wayne |work=Daily Bible Study |publisher=The Church of God}}</ref> if they are personified - or are they yet future, as [[Millenialism|millenarian]] Hal Lindsey<ref>{{cite web|url=http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:lQb5fAcu260J:www.raptureready.com/featured/HalLindsey.html+Hal+Lindsey+The+Two+Witnesses&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=5|title=Hal Lindsey}}</ref> claims they are - ready to appear on the [[Apocalypse|apocalyptic]] scene, along with the [[Antichrist]]? Perhaps they represent the witnessing Church<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.apocalipsis.org/downloads/revelatn.pdf |title=Revelation: A Reference Commentary |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Taylor |first=R A |date=[[2000]]-[[03-17]] |format=PDF |pages=111-112}} </ref> since Jesus sent out his disciples "two by two".<ref>Mark 6:7.</ref> On the other hand, could they be some form of reincarnation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elevated.fsnet.co.uk/index-page14.html |title=Reincarnation and Christianity |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Millett |first=Michael G |work=Elevated Therapy International}}</ref> of Moses and Elijah<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?1518&cuQA_qaID=1&cuTopic_topicID=77&cuItem_itemID=14532|title=WELS Topical Q&A: Endtime/Prophecies Two Witnesses|accessdate=2007-06-26 |year=2007 |work=Communication Services |publisher=Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod}}</ref> because both of them were prophets; Moses<ref>Exodus 7:16-18.</ref> struck the waters of the Nile and they turned into blood; and Elijah<ref>1 Kings 17:1-7.</ref> commanded the heavens that it rained not and did so for three-and-one-half years.<ref>James 5:17.</ref> Indeed, the other witness may be Enoch<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.apocalypsesoon.org/xfile-11.html |title=Eight Good Reasons Why Enoch Must Be One of the Two Witnesses! |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Wunderlich |first=Bob |work=Apocalypse Soon: The Xcellent Files}}</ref> (i.e., Elijah and Enoch), because he, like Elijah "was taken"<ref>Hebrews 11:5.</ref> (i.e., did not suffer physical death).  They could simply be two Jewish prophets (as the ''[[Left Behind]] Series'' claims<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.leftbehind.com/channelfree.asp?pageid=1284&channelID=175 |title=Who Are the Two Witnesses? |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=LaHaye |first=Tim, et al. |year=2004 |work=The Authorized Left Behind Handbook}}</ref>) who in the period of the 70th Week of Daniel (yet future or partial)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/m.sion/70wedan9.htm|title=Daniel 9:24-27|accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Amy |first=Stephen |work=Worship at the Altar}}</ref> come in the power of Moses and Elijah and are representative of the law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://biblia.com/bible/rev11.htm |title=The Temple... and the Two Witnesses |accessdate=2007-06-26 |last=Dominguez |first=J}}</ref> Indeed, some claim that the notion of a yet future 70th Week of Daniel is a Catholic (Jesuit) conspiracy<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.godssabbathtruth.com/sabbath-antichrist.html |title=The Great Catholic Diversion Revealed |accessdate=2007-06-27 |year=2006 |work=Sabbath & Antichrist Truth Revealed |publisher=GodsSabbathTruth.com}}</ref> to take the heat off the papacy as the "seat of the antichrist system"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?2617&collectionID=795&contentID=4441&shortcutID=5297|title=Statement on the Antichrist |accessdate=2007-06-27 |year=2007 |work=CICR: WELS Doctrinal Statements |publisher=Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod}}</ref> and to place the onus on a yet future and literal person who will be the incarnation of Satan himself<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thepropheticyears.com/The%20book%20of%20Revelation/Revelation%20Chapter%2017.htm |title=Revelation chapter 17 commentary |accessdate=2007-06-27 |last=Koenig |first=Don |year=2004 |work=The Revelation of Jesus Christ Through the Ages}}</ref> - who, as the beast will "make war against them, overcome them, and kill them"<ref>Revelation 11:7.</ref> -- hence, this prophecy of a future personification of "The Antichrist" is erroneous and has already been fulfilled<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/m.sion/da70fufu.htm |title=Daniel's 70th Week--Future or Fulfilled? |accessdate=2007-06-27 |publisher=Used by permission from Ralph Woodrow}}</ref> in history.  To be certain - Roman Catholic eschatology affirms the coming of the Antichrist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01559a.htm |title=Antichrist |accessdate=2007-06-27 |year=1907 |work=The Catholic Encyclopedia}}</ref>

Their description as "two olive trees and two lampstands"<ref>Revelation 11:4.</ref> is taken as symbolism and/or allegorical.  This [[Hermeneutics|hermeneutical]] approach to the Bible is adjudged by some as "hyper-allegorical"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07303b.htm |title=Hesychius of Jerusalem |accessdate=2007-06-27 |year=1907 |work=The Catholic Encyclopedia}}</ref> juxtaposed to a more "[[Biblical literalism|literal"]] interpretation; however, those who adhere to a [[Fundamentalist Christianity|Christian fundamentalist]] reading of the Bible (i.e., [[Biblical inerrancy|inerrancy]]) do not find common ground on the exposition of the identity of these Two Witnesses.  Through commentary and exposition<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.preceptaustin.org/tool_commentary.htm |title=Bible Commentaries |accessdate=2007-06-27 |date=[[2007]]-[[06-07]] |publisher=Precept Austin}}</ref> the Two Witnesses could be considered as both symbolic and as literal (i.e., representative of peoples).  Controversy over the symbolic, as well as literal interpretations of the Two Witnesses, as Israel<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-tribulation-network.com/dougkrieger/two_witnesses.htm |title=Israel and the Church as the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11 and Daniel 12 |accessdate=2007-06-29 |publisher=The Tribulation Network}}</ref> (the "two olive trees") and the Church (the "two lampstands") creates a great deal of eschatological debate<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/lasttrumpet_2000/debate_1a.html |title=Dichotomy or Continuity Between the Present and Past Dispensations: Opening Argument |accessdate=2007-06-29 |last=Warner |first=Tim |date=[[2002]]-[[08-07]] |work=Progressive Dispensationalism: Debate Between Dr. Mal Couch & Tim Warner |publisher=Conservative Theological Society}}</ref> between strict [[Summary of Christian eschatological differences|Dispensationalists]] and Progressive Dispensationalists;<ref name="warner-intro">{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/~lasttrumpet/ |title=Introduction & Methodology |accessdate=2007-06-29 |last=Warner |first=Tim |date= |year=2002 |month=November |work=The Last Trumpet |publisher=Post-Trib Research Center}}</ref> whereas such debate may be considered as non sequitur insofar as [[Preterism|Preterists]] and Historicists<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historicism.net/ |title=Historicism Research Foundation |accessdate=2006-06-30}}</ref> whose views of the Two Witnesses place them outside the chronological timeline (70 AD for Preterists)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.preterist.org/whatispreterism.asp |title=What is the Preterist View of Bible Prophecy? |accessdate=2007-06-30 |year=2007 |publisher=International Preterist Association}}</ref> or wholly in the realm of the symbolic - relegated to the Church only in any future unfolding of prophecy as seen by many Historicists.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historicism.com/Haynes/2witness.htm |title=The Meaning of the "Two Witnesses" |accessdate=2007-06-30 |last=Haynes |first=J. L |work=Historicism.com}}</ref>

[[File:Revelation 11 THE TWO WITNESSES.JPG‎|thumb|left|The Two Witnesses - ''These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.'' Revelation 11:4]]

Views among those who adhere to a literal one-thousand years [[Premillennialism|premillennial]] earthly kingdom (i.e., the millennium is yet future) complicate the Church's participation in the 70th Week of Daniel (i.e., yet future).  The three dominant positions among these Premillenarians (be they evangelical,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wheaton.edu/isae/defining_evangelicalism.html |title=Defining Evangelicalism  |accessdate=2007-06-30 |year=2005 |month=April |publisher=Institute for the Study of American Evangelicals}}</ref> Catholic<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10307a.htm |title=Millennium and Millenarianism |accessdate=2007-06-30 |year=1911 |work=The Catholic Encyclopedia}}</ref> or Orthodox<ref>{{cite web|url=http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:F7d0BUBkjf4J:www.conservativeonline.org/journals/02_04_journal/1998v2n4_id02.htm+Early+Church+Fathers+Millenarians&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1 |title=The Early Church Fathers and the Foundations of Dispensationalism |accessdate=2007-06-30 |last=Crutchfield |first=Larry V}}</ref> Christians - and for that matter, among other Christian sects)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iupress.indiana.edu/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=21209 |title=Christian Millenarianism/Indiana University Press |accessdate=2007-06-30}}</ref> regarding the final 70th Week of Daniel insofar as the Church's participation concerns are:  Pretribulational<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raptureready.com/rr-pretribulation-rapture.html |title=The Pretribulation Rapture |accessdate=2007-08-19 |last=Strandberg |first=Todd |work=Rapture Ready}}</ref> (the Church will rapture<ref>
{{cite web |url=http://www.pre-trib.org/search-results.php?author=3&related=true |title=Other articles by Dr. Thomas Ice  |accessdate=2007-08-19 |last=Ice |first=Thomas |year=2003 |publisher=Pre-Trib Research Center}}</ref> at the commencement of the 70th Week of Daniel),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jesus-is-the-way.com/RevOutline.html |title=Outline and Chronology of Endtimes in the Book of Revelation |accessdate=2007-08-19 |date=[[2007]]-[[05-27]]|work=Jesus-is-the-way.com}}</ref> whose commencement is normally announced by the infamous "Treaty of Hell and Death"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gotlinks.com/earticles/articles/107731-your-covenant-with-death___your-agreement-with-hell___the-u_s_-israel-strategic-alliance.html |title=Your Covenant with Death...Your Agreement With Hell...The U.S.-Israel Strategic Alliance |accessdate=2007-08-19 |last=Krieger |first=Doug |date=[[2005]]-[[12-25]]}}</ref> (i.e., the treaty or "defense pact" of the Antichrist with Israel);<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pre-trib.org/pdf/Ice-TheIsraeliElections.pdf |title=The Israeli Elections |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Ice |first=Thomas |format=PDF |work=Pre-trib.org}}</ref> Mid-Tribulational<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nobts.edu/Faculty/ItoR/LemkeSW/Personal/midtribulationism.html |title=The Biblical Case for Mid-Tribulationalism |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Lemke |first=Steve W}} </ref> or "Pre-Wrath"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/athens/forum/5951/prewrath.html |title=A review of the Pre-Wrath rapture of the Church |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Stanton |first=Gerald B}}</ref> (the Church will be raptured in the middle of Daniel's 70th Week - i.e., after approximately three-and-one-half years); and Post-Tribulational<ref name="warner-intro"/> (the Church will be raptured will take place at the end of the 70th Week of Daniel's prophecy<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.intergate.com/~subi/linksecc.htm |title=The Return of Jesus Christ |accessdate=2007-08-23}}</ref> just prior to the "wrath of God"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.solagroup.org/articles/faqs/faq_0026.html |title=Are the seals of Revelation 6 the wrath of God? |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Lee-Warner |first=Bill |work=Sola Scriptura}}</ref> or "wrath of the Lamb").<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/worldview_3/2prewrath.html |title=The "Pre-Wrath Rapture Teaching" Evaluated |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Totten |first=Rhett |year=1999 |work=The Second Coming of Christ and Rapture Site}}</ref> Some theologians believe that the two olive branches represent the peace on Earth that the witnesses try to bring to the sinful Earth,  and the two lampstands represent the light for Christ that they shine for Christ. 

Post-Tribulational icon Dr. [[Robert H. Gundry]] states in his classic, ''The Church and the Tribulation'',<ref>ISBN 978-0310254010</ref> especially in reference to Post-tribulationalism and the identity of the Two Witnesses - having both the Church and Israel throughout the 70th Week of Daniel's prophecy presents formidable eschatological challenges to wit:

<blockquote>
“If the Church is to go through the tribulation, God will work simultaneously with two groups of covenant people, Israel and the Church.  Millenarians of all varieties, including pretribulationists, should find the possibility of such simultaneous workings hard to deny . . . But it is not merely a matter of dealing with two groups at once.  It is a matter of dealing simultaneously with, and through, two groups of redeemed people and witnesses.  Will two diverse groups of saints, those who belong to the Church and those who belong to Israel coexist on earth and perhaps live according to different regulations?  If so, will the tribulational Church be composed exclusively of Gentile believers?  Will two distinct companies of witnesses preach the Gospel, maybe variations of it?  Such questions arise quite naturally if we take the tribulation as transitional.  But the mere existence of these questions does not preclude the possibility of the presence of the Church in the tribulation.” (''The Church and the Tribulation'', Robert H. Gundry, Zondervan Publishing House, 1973, p. 23).
</blockquote>

What Gundry suggests is anathema to strict Dispensationalists<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.angelfire.com/ms/seanie/disp/disp2.html |title=Dispensationalism and its errors Part 2 |accessdate=2007-08-23 |work=Sean's Faith Website}}</ref> whose pre-tribulationalism demands a complete separation of the Church from Israel<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reformationtheology.com/2006/06/pretribpremillleft_behind.php |title=Pre-Trib?...Pre-Mill?....Left Behind |accessdate=2007-08-23 |date=[[2006]]-[[06-23]] |work=Reformation Theology}} Quoting from Samuel E. Waldron, ''The End Times Made Simple''.</ref> and a primary commitment of the Almighty to Israel within the crucible of the 70th Week of Daniel—although Dispensationalists recognize a redemptive witness to the Gentiles through the evangelistic witness of the 144,000<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.solagroup.org/articles/faqs/faq_0023.html |title=Who are the 144,000? |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Cooper |first=Charles |work=Sola Scriptura}}</ref> Jewish evangelists.  Those "saints"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raptureready.com/rr-tribulation-saint.html |title=Tribulation Saint Wannabes |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Strandberg |first=Todd |work=Rapture Ready}}</ref> evangelized through this preaching of the "gospel of the kingdom"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raptureready.com/featured/ice/AnInterpretationofMatthew24_25_12.html |title=An Interpretation of Matthew 24—25, Part XII |accessdate=2007-08-23 |last=Ice |first=Thomas  |work=Rapture Ready}}</ref> and who perish under the onslaught of the beast, constitute the tribulation saints<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.plymouthbrethren.com/cactrib.htm |title=Tribulation Saints (extract) |accessdate=2007-08-24 |last=Coates |first=C. A |work=PlymouthBrethren.com}}</ref> who "come out of great tribulation."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.grantjeffrey.com/article/why_some_reject.htm |title=Why Do Some Teach that the Church will Endure the Tribulation? |accessdate=2007-08-24 |last=Jeffrey |first=Grant R |work=Prophecy On Line |publisher=Grant R. Jeffrey Ministries}}</ref>

==Religious-political ramifications of Israel and the Church==
{{Eschatology}}
Obvious collaboration between the "witnesses" is "eschatologically suggested" by those who espouse the two to be Israel and the Church—what form of cooperative witness seems crucial; especially with regards to the religious-political ramifications thereof.  Naturally, evangelical support for the nation of Israel is viewed by a growing number of Israeli Jews, as well as diasporic Jews (especially Zionists), as beneficial to the survival of Israel and highly influential upon American foreign policy,<ref>{{cite news |first=David D |last=Kirkpatrick |title=For Evangelicals, Supporting Israel Is ‘God's Foreign Policy’ |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/14/washington/14israel.html?ex=1321160400&en=60ed9b6dede3816e&ei=5090 |work=The New York Times |date=[[2006]]-[[11-14]] |accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref> whether the imagery of the Two Witnesses is reflected in this Evangelical-Jewish Zionist alliance or not.  Furthermore, if the book of Revelation is to be viewed as a cosmic courtroom wherein the "Great City" is on trial, and the "Judge of all the earth" is pending a conviction by calling forth witnesses to "testify" against Babylon the Great (i.e., "the Holy City" vs. the "Great City" or New Jerusalem vs. Babylon the Great)<ref>
{{cite web |url=http://www.antipasministries.com/html/file0000026.htm#26c |title=Chapter VIII: Tribulation & Judgment |accessdate=2007-08-24 |last=Shearer |first=S.R |work=The New Antipas Papers |publisher=Antipas Ministries}}</ref> - then "Biblical collaboration" at the mouth of "two witnesses"<ref>Deuteronomy 19:15.</ref> prior to a conviction and ultimate sentence would be mandatory.

[[File:Declaration of State of Israel 1948.jpg‎|right|thumb|Founding of the State of Israel]]

[[David Brog]], former chief counsel and later chief of staff to Senator Arlen Specter, recently highlighted the current support for Israel, among evangelical Christians in his book ''Stand with Israel: Why Christians Support the Jewish State''.<ref>ISBN 978-1591859062.</ref>  Brog's central thesis, both as a Jewish American and as the current Executive Director of the newly-formed Christians United for Israel, is unabashedly pro-Israel,<ref>{{cite news |first=Margot |last=Patterson |title=Evangelicals rally for Israel, warn of Iran threat |url=http://ncronline.org/NCR_Online/archives2/2006c/072806/072806h.php |work=National Catholic Reporter |date=[[2006]]-[[07-28]] |accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref> and affirms that evangelical support for Israel should be encouraged by American Jews and should  provide a forum for evangelical Christians to express their views on Capitol Hill. He is at the helm in galvanizing support for this newly-founded Evangelical-Jewish lobbying organization<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060814/new_christian_zionism |title=Birth Pangs of a New Christian Zionism |accessdate=2007-08-24 |last=Blumenthal |first=Max |date=[[2006]]-[[08-08]] |work=TheNation.com}}</ref> on behalf of Israel.  Brog (who is Jewish, not Christian) has an executive board for Christians United for Israel consisting of prominent evangelicals: [[Michael Little]],<ref name="cufi">{{cite web |url=http://www.cufi.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_executive_board |title=Executive Board |accessdate=2007-08-25 |year=2007 |publisher=Christians United for Israel}}</ref> [[John Hagee]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3323758,00.html |title=A blessing or a curse? American evangelists explained |accessdate=2007-08-25 |last=Benhorin |first=Yitzhak |date=[[2006]]-[[11-05]] |work=Ynetnews.com}}</ref> [[Gary Bauer]],<ref name="cufi"/> and [[George Morrison]]<ref name="cufi"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fbci.org/aboutus/george.html |title=Meet Pastor George |accessdate=2007-08-25 |publisher=Faith Bible Chapel}}</ref> — all [[evangelicals]], and all actively engaged in pro-Israel activities — activities which include "A Night to Honor Israel"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jhm.org/honorisrael.asp |title=A Night To Honor Israel |accessdate=2007-08-26  |work=John Hagee Ministries}}</ref> held throughout North America, as well as recent involvement<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5193092.stm |title=Evangelical Christians plead for Israel |accessdate=2007-08-26 |last=Greene |first=Richard Allen |date=[[2006]]-[[07-19]] |work=BBC News}}</ref> in the annual AIPAC gathering in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:tyCLPx6SrFUJ:www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?i=w050523&s=baer052605+AIPAC+COURTS+EVANGELICALS&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=5 |title=Security Measures |accessdate=2007-08-26 |last=Baer |first=Kenneth |date=[[2005]]-[[05-26]] |work=TNR Online |publisher=The New Republic}}</ref> ([[Jerry Falwell]] was also a member of the executive board of Christians United for Israel until his death.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cufi.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_press_releases#Falwell |title=Dr. Jerry Falwell- A Pioneer of Christian Zionism |accessdate=2007-08-26 |last=Hagee |first=John |date=[[2007]]-[[05-16]] |work=Christians United for Israel}}</ref>) Such support for Israel is vehemently opposed by many on the left and right.

[[Christian Zionism]] – a phenomenon commenced in Great Britain<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article4959.htm |title=Christians and Zion: British stirrings |accessdate=2007-09-08 |last=Wagner |first=Donald |date=[[2003]]-[[10-09]]  |work=The Daily Star |publisher=Information Clearing House}}</ref> in support of the Jewish State and championed by many American evangelical leaders<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mb-soft.com/believe/text/czionism.htm |title=Christian Zionism: Advanced Information |accessdate=2007-09-08 |last=Rausch |first=D A |year=1997 |month=May |work=Elwell Evangelical Dictionary |publisher=BELIEVE Religious Information Source}}</ref> throughout the past century, sees in Israel's rebirth the fulfillment of Bible prophecy<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jewsonfirst.org/06bprint/fp013p.html |title=Mr. Hagee Draws Evangelicals By Arguing Jewish State Fulfills Biblical Prophecy |accessdate=2007-09-08 |last=Higgins |first=Andrew |date=[[2006]]-[[07-27]] |work=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=JewsOnFirst.org}}</ref> and the countdown to the Second Coming of Christ.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2002/07/10/MN17001.DTL |title=U.S. Christians find cause to aid Israel: Evangelicals financing immigrants, settlements |accessdate=2007-09-08 |last=Haas |first=Danielle |date=[[2002]]-[[07-10]] |work=San Francisco Chronicle |pages=A-1}}</ref>  The proliferation of evangelical Christian organizations or Jewish organizations reaching out to one another with the common goal of supporting the survival of the nation of Israel in the U.S. and elsewhere includes: [[Bridges for Peace]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bridgesforpeace.com/h2n.php?fn=whoarewe.html |title=A Concise Summary of Who We Are |accessdate=2007-09-09 |year=2006 |publisher=Bridges for Peace}}</ref>;   the [[International Fellowship of Christians and Jews]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ifcj.org/site/PageServer?pagename=endorsements_ministries |title=Churches and Ministries that Support Israel |accessdate=2007-09-09 |year=2007 |publisher=International Fellowship of Christians and Jews}}</ref>; the [[International Christian Embassy Jerusalem]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icej.org/articles/about_us |title=About Us: Your Embassy in Jerusalem |accessdate=2007-09-09 |publisher=International Christian Embassy Jerusalem}}</ref>;  Operation Exodus<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.operation-exodus.org/Operation-Exodus/about_ebenezer |title=About Ebenezer |accessdate=2007-09-09 |year=2007 |work=Operation Exodus |publisher=Ebenezer Emergency Fund International}}</ref>; Israel Awareness Day<ref>
{{cite web |url=http://www.easy-access.com/Ariel/Autumn96/Aut96-Page4.html |title=Faith Bible Chapel Adopts Ariel |accessdate=2007-12-16 |year=1996 |month=Autumn |work=Shalom Ariel |publisher=Ariel Development Fund |pages=4-5}}</ref> (and their writings<ref name="standing">{{cite book |last=Brog |first=David |title=Standing with Israel: Why Christians Support the Jewish State |year=2006 |publisher=Frontline |isbn=9781591859062}}</ref> attest as well).  Likewise, but with less verbosity are those mainline Christian organizations<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.loveandjustice.org/AlternateVoice/index.htm |title=Alternative Voice to Christian Zionism |accessdate=2007-12-16 |publisher=First Congregational Church}}</ref> and some evangelical leaders<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=2717 |title=The Evangelical-Jewish Alliance |accessdate=2007-12-16 |last=Wagner |first=Donald |date=[[2003]]-[[06-28]] |work=The Christian Century |pages=20-24}}</ref> (along with their writings)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.christianzionism.org/articlesN.asp |title=Challenging Christian Zionism |accessdate=2007-12-16 |year=2007}}</ref> who oppose the current alliance between Jews and evangelicals in support of Israel and her policies.

Most evangelical churches and organizations in the USA in support of Israel are Premillenarian<ref>{{cite web|url=http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:jCEzcYlEhh4J:psreview.org/content/view/45/99/+Premillenarian+support+for+Israel&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=12|title=Premillenarian}}</ref> in their [[Weltanschauung]] – with the majority being pretribulational;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:JPO9QHB5P2EJ:www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1746536/posts?page=14+Pre-Trib+and+Pro-Israel&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=4|title=pretribulational;}}</ref> hence, criticism on the part of many Jews that the main purpose of such support for Israel among evangelicals is self-interest and spurious at best,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jewsonfirst.org/christian_zionists.php |title=Christian Zionists: Fundamentalist Christians' support of Israel could blunt Jewish opposition to religious right agenda |accessdate=2007-12-16 |work=Jews On First!}}</ref> and conversionary<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Zionism/christianzionism.html |title=Christian Zionism |accessdate=2007-12-16 |last=Krusch |first=David |year=2007 |work=Jewish Virtual Library |publisher=American-Israeli Cooperative Exchange}}</ref> at worst.  Furthermore, some evangelicals propose that the current Evangelical-Jewish alliance in support of Israel will not last and is contrary to Bible prophecy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.antipasministries.com/html/file0000140.htm |title=The Religious Right and Israel; A Relationship That Cannot Hold, Part III |accessdate=2007-12-16 |last=Shearer |first=S.R. |publisher=Antipas Ministries}}</ref>

In addition to these suspicions from both Jews and evangelical Christians, there is religious-political angst expressed amongst co-religionists<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.antipasministries.com/html/file0000243.htm |title=The Neo-Conservatives |accessdate=2007-12-17 |last=Shearer |first=S. R |date=[[2006]]-[[12-12]] |publisher=Antipas Ministries}}</ref> (Jewish and Christian) who view this Jewish-Christian solidarity on behalf of Israel as a mixture of Church and State and ''ipso facto'' contrary to the American experiment;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?ID=1174 |title=Renewing the American Experiment: A Post Election Reflection |accessdate=2007-12-17 |last=Korten |first=David |date=2004-11-07 |work=Yes! Online}}</ref> especially, as it pertains to [[neoconservatives|neocons]] both within<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.counterpunch.org/green02282004.html |title=Serving Two Flags: Neo-Cons, Israel and the Bush Administration |accessdate=2007-12-17 |last=Green |first=Stephen |date=2004-02-28 |work=Counterpunch}}</ref> and without<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alternet.org/story/15481/ |title=All in the Neocon Family |accessdate=2007-12-18 |last=Lobe |first=Jim |date=2003-03-27  |work=AlterNet |publisher=Independent Media Institute}}</ref> the immediate US political administration, who some say are egging the alliance forward to suffice their own socio-political agenda and have little or no spiritual interest in the dynamic.  They point out that [[theocon]]s (in particular American Catholics),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/?p=518 |title=RJN: Neocons v. Theocons: The Sequel |accessdate=2007-12-18 |last=Neuhaus |first=Richard John |date=2006-11-03 |work=First Things: On the Square}}</ref> who are allied with neocons (notwithstanding Jewish suspicions from time to time among the neocons)<ref>{{cite journal |last=Moore |first=Scott H. |year=1998 |month=Winter |title=The End of Convenient Stereotypes: How the ''First Things'' and Baxter Controversies Inaugurate Extraordinary Politics |journal=Pro Ecclesia |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=17–47 |url=http://www3.baylor.edu/~Scott_Moore/essays/Stereotypes.html |accessdate= 2007-12-18 |format={{Dead link|date=April 2009}} &ndash; <sup>[http://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?hl=en&lr=&q=author%3AMoore+intitle%3AThe+End+of+Convenient+Stereotypes%3A+How+the+%27%27First+Things%27%27+and+Baxter+Controversies+Inaugurate+Extraordinary+Politics&as_publication=Pro+Ecclesia&as_ylo=1998&as_yhi=1998&btnG=Search Scholar search]</sup>}}</ref> are drawing American evangelicals, who affirm they are under "Biblical mandate" to "bless Israel",<ref name="standing"/> into a religio-politico maelstrom<ref>{{cite press release |title=Cliff Potts Releases Theocon Nation: The Unvarnished, Politically Incorrect Truth About the Roots, Threat and Response to the Religious Right Political Movement |date=[[2006]]-[[05-26]] |url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/5/prweb390704.htm |accessdate=2007-12-18}}</ref> which, in the end, will politicize the American Church<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-tribulation-network.com/dougkrieger/prophetic_sequence_pt12.htm |title=Theo-Neo-Paleo Cons: …I saw a woman mounted on a Scarlet-colored Beast (Rev. 17:3 – ASV/the Message: Part XII – The Prophetic Sequence |accessdate=2007-12-18 |last=Krieger |first=Doug |publisher=The Tribulation Network}}</ref> 
and compromise her "spiritual mission" and put America into a "crusader" mindset<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.damonlinker.com/ |title=Damon Linker |accessdate=2007-12-24 |last=Linker |first=Damon}}</ref> in defeating [[Islamism|radical Islamists]] and hedonist [[secularism]] in America, rather than fulfilling the [[Great Commission|great commission]] of Jesus in the saving of souls for the coming [[Premillennialism|premillenarian]] kingdom, not the [[Kingdom Theology|"kingdom now"]]. Instead, some Theocons are now about galvanizing Evangelicals and Catholics<ref>{{cite news |title=Evangelicals & Catholics Together: The Christian Mission in the Third Millennium |url=http://www.leaderu.com/ftissues/ft9405/articles/mission.html |work=First Things |pages=15-22 |date=May 1994 |accessdate=2007-12-24}}</ref> in a great crusade against American hedonistic secularization and, interestingly enough, Israel is inadvertently caught up within that dynamic.

==Exegetical considerations==

[[File:B Escorial 100.jpg|left|300px|"Measure the temple"]]

In attempting to [[Biblical exegesis|exegete]] Revelation 11 commentators who hold to a Premillenarian eschatology generally fall into three areas of interpretation in the identification of the Two Witnesses: (1) The Two Witnesses are 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) the Two Witnesses are 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; and (3) the Two Witnesses express Biblical concepts (i.e., the Old and New Testaments; the Law and the Prophets; Mercy and Grace).

Their chronological order aside, the purpose and destiny of the Two Witnesses is to decry the reign of the [[The Beast (Bible)|Antichrist-Beast]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tribulation.com/beast.htm |title=The Dragon and Two Beasts of Revelation |accessdate=2007-08-26 |date=[[2006-09-21]] |work=Tribulation.com |publisher=Atlantis Station}}</ref> and to attest against that “Great City”—[[Whore of Babylon|Babylon the Great]]. Likewise, in that they are called to “prophesy” and wear “sackcloth”<ref>{{bibleverse||Revelation|11:3|141}}</ref> (a Biblical designation of a “call to repentance”) they assuredly are at the nexus of announcing the “gospel of the kingdom.”<ref>{{bibleverse||Matthew|24:14|141}}</ref>

John's Apocalypse (i.e., The Revelation of Jesus Christ) is considered by most Christian theologians to be the apostolic writings which incorporate more Hebrew (i.e., Old Testament) Scriptures into the text than any other book of the New Testament.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.believersweb.org/view.cfm?ID=1171 |title=Premillennialism in the Old Testament (Part 1) |accessdate=2007-08-26 |last=Fruchtenbaum |first=Arnold G. |date=[[2006-10-26]] |work=Believer's Web}}</ref> The images, symbolism, and allegorical language used throughout the Revelation are impossible to fathom or interpret without a fairly comprehensive knowledge of the original "Testament".

===Israel and the Church as the “corporate witness"===

Interconnected with Revelation 11, as some commentators have acknowledged<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teachinghearts.org/dre17hrev11.html |title=Lesson 15: The Two Witnesses 
(Revelation 11)|accessdate=2007-08-26}}</ref>, is the imagery found in the latter part of {{bibleverse||Revelation|10:8-10|141}}:

<blockquote>
Then the voice which I heard from heaven spoke to me again and said, ‘Go, take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the earth.’ So I went to the angel and said to him, ‘Give me the little book.’ And he said to me, ‘Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth.’  Then I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter.  And he said to me, ‘You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.’
</blockquote>

John becomes a symbol of prophetic witness to the world—becoming wholly identified with the prophetic message; and, subsequently, that prophetic witness must be declared: “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.” Then John is given a “reed like a measuring rod” and told to “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles . . . and they (the Gentiles) will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.”<ref>{{bibleverse||Revelation|11:2|141}}</ref>

[[File:Secondtempleplan.jpg‎|right|524x338px|"Rise and measure the Temple of God" - Image of the Second Temple.]]

The “court” referenced here appears to be an allusion to the “Court of the Gentiles”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bible-history.com/jewishtemple/JEWISH_TEMPLEThe_Court_of_the_Gentiles.htm |title=The Court of the Gentiles |accessdate=2007-08-26}}</ref> which during the sacerdotal rites in ancient Jerusalem provided “uncircumcised gentiles” who were interested in the Jewish religion to venture into the temple complex but not into the area of the sacrificial altar; hence, they were not full participants and remained on the peripheral of full commitment; unless, of course, they were willing to be circumcised. Numerous Christian commentaries perceive the issue of circumcision as a matter of the heart and the cutting away of the “flesh” an experiential expression of Christian commitment to holiness and sanctification—Paul, the Apostle, repeatedly enunciates deeper understanding of "spiritual circumcision"<ref>{{bibleverse||Romans|2:28-29|141}}; {{bibleverse||Philippians|3:8|141}}; {{bibleverse||Colossians|2:11|141}}.</ref>

Those willing to “pay the price” – having their flesh cut off (i.e., their “hearts dealt with”) – are those “measured at the altar of sacrifice.”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pastorbryan.blogspot.com/2006/11/inner-life.html |title=The Inner Life  |accessdate=2007-08-26 |last=Galloway |first=Bryan |date=[[2006-11-21]] |work=Praying for Revival!}}</ref> Hence, immediately following this imagery, the “holy city”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ucg.org/booklets/RV/twowomen.htm |title=The Two Women of Revelation |accessdate=2007-08-26 |year=2007 |work=The Book of Revelation Unveiled |publisher= United Church of God}}</ref> is mentioned for the first time in the Revelation. Some commentators have recognized this connection and affirm that the “holy city” and those measured at the altar are the same.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://users.bigpond.net.au/bkolberg/chapters/chapter20.html |title=Revelation 11 and the Two Witnesses |accessdate=2007-08-26 |last=Kolberg |first=Bruno |work=Daniel's Fourth Kingdom}}</ref> Ultimately, it is that “holy city” which is juxtaposed to the “great city” in other portions of the Revelation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wcg.org/lit/prophecy/babylon.htm |title=Who Is "Babylon"? |accessdate=2007-08-26 |last=Kroll |first=Paul |publisher=Worldwide Church of God}}</ref> Likewise, the first mentioning of the “great city” occurs in Revelation 11, verse 8. The ultimate expression of the "divine masterpiece" (i.e., the work of God, "the Woman, the Lamb's Bride" is viewed as the New Jerusalem in {{bibleverse||Revelation|21:10-21|141}}, along with two proper names describing her gates and foundations: "twelve gates . . . with names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel . . . twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb" (again, Israel and the Church). Once the holy city is announced as the receptacle of gentile antagonism (tread the holy city underfoot), there is the immediate prophetic declaration:

<blockquote>
And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. <ref>{{bibleverse||Revelation|11:3}}</ref>
</blockquote>

Thus, John's representation of the prophet is now “transferred” to the prophetic ministry of the Two Witnesses. The disclosure that these Two Witnesses (the Greek word for witness is ''martus'' (μαρτυς), which is also translated as "martyr"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.htmlbible.com/sacrednamebiblecom/kjvstrongs/FRMSTRGRK31.htm#S3144 |title=King James Bible Strong's Greek Dictionary |accessdate=2007-12-24}}</ref>) foretells their ultimate destiny. Furthermore, they are immediately identified as: "These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth" (Revelation 11:4).

Those embracing Israel and the Church as the Two Witnesses identify the number "two"<ref>{{cite book |last=Bullinger |first=E. W. |title=Number in Scripture: Its Supernatural Design and Spiritual Significance |origyear=1921 |url=http://philologos.org/__eb-nis/two.htm |accessdate=2007-12-24 |edition=4th ed. rev. |year=2001 |publisher=Eyre & Spottiswoode (Bible Warehouse) |location=London}}</ref> connoting the “witness of Israel”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://christianactionforisrael.org/witness/witness.html |title=Witness to the Nations |accessdate=2007-12-25 |publisher=Christian Action for Israel}}</ref> to the gentile nations during the [[Prophecy of Seventy Weeks|70th Week of Daniel's prophecy]]; as well as the fact that the "olive tree"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.levitt.com/essays/olivetree.html |title=What is the Olive Tree? |accessdate=2007-12-25 |last=McCall |first=Thomas S. |year=2001 |month=March |work=Levitt Letter |publisher=Zola Levitt Ministries}}</ref> in the Scripture signifies Israel. The "witness of the Church" is signified by the "two lampstands"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.restoringthevision.com/Ch11RtheV.htm |title=Restoring the Vision of the End Times Church |accessdate=2007-12-25 |last=Kuenzi |first=Vernon L. |year=2001}}</ref> whose identity was disclosed by the “seven golden lampstands” (i.e., candlesticks) revealed in Revelation 2-3 as the “churches.”

Furthermore, this imagery clearly harkens back to Zechariah 4 and the “two sons of oil” or “two olive trees” who astride the “golden lamp stand” seen by [[Zechariah]] the prophet.<ref>Zechariah 4:2-4, 11-14.</ref> [[Zerubbabel]], the governor, and [[Joshua the High Priest]] (the kingship and the priesthood) are seen by the Almighty wholly empowered for the rebuilding of the [[Temple in Jerusalem|Jewish temple in Jerusalem]] after its destruction under [[Nebuchadrezzar II|King Nebuchadnezzar II]]: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.”<ref>Zechariah 4:6.</ref> 

Extending Zechariah's vision to the Revelation, John sees in the midst of the seven golden lamp stands, “one like unto the Son of Man.” Therefore, as Zechariah's vision saw the “kingship and the priesthood” on either side of the “universal lamp stand” – even so, that prophetic illumination is seen in the Revelation as the Son of Man, the “spirit of prophecy” disseminating light and life to the churches as the present “work of God” – as the work of the Almighty was expressed in Zechariah 4 – the work of God is expressed in Revelation 1 and confirmed by the bringing together in testimony and witness the ministry of the prophet; thus, is Christ's work as “prophet, priest, and king”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:LKLx-OjNTEkJ:www.modernreformation.org/kr95triple.htm+Zechariah+4+-+Christ+is+Prophet,+Priest,+and+King&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=2|title=king"}}</ref> fully declared through the Two Witnesses.

Again, those who hold to the “corporate nature” of these Two Witnesses point out that the further disclosures of what they “do” over against who they “are” does not negate their identities but affirms that their witness is to the earth (i.e., Israel – turning the waters into blood and striking “the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire”) and to the heavens (i.e., the Church – “have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy”). Here, the Apostle Paul's writings of the Church's “heavenly stature” confirms such a witness; whereas Israel's call to be a “light to the gentiles” confirms their original commission.<ref>Ephesians 6:10-13.</ref>

Those<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.the-tribulation-network.com/articles/individualism_and_the_american_church.htm |title=Individualism and the American Church ... How American Culture Distorts our Perception of the Church |accessdate=2007-12-27 |last=Shearer |first=Douglas R. |date=1993-06-29 |work=The Tribulation Network}}</ref> adhering to a corporate expression of the Two Witnesses point out that “Reformational Christianity”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thebigpicture.homestead.com/files/CHRISTIANITYANDCULTURE.html |title=Christianity and Culture: The Case for Reformational Cultural Activism |accessdate=2007-12-27 |last=Strauss |first=Gideon |date=1992-10-02}}</ref> has distorted our perception (especially in America) of one's identity.  By this is meant that the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] and [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]] laid stress upon one's “individualism” (i.e., salvation is a “personal encounter with Christ” and not a salvivic experience through one's identity with the Church—“saved in the Church”).  It is this identification with the individual juxtaposed to one's personhood reflected in the collective group that misses the spiritual dimension of Revelation 11 (i.e., “in Christ” or “in Adam” connotes corporate identification).<ref>1 Corinthians 15:22.</ref>

Once they “finish their testimony” the unveiling, and first mention in the Revelation of the [[The Beast (Bible)|beast]] who ascends out of the [[Abyss (religion)|bottomless pit]], is made. They pay the uttermost price for their testimony: “the beast . . . will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them” (Rev. 11:7). The word used for ''war'' in the Greek connotes a major conflagration, not a skirmish or interpersonal struggle; thereby drawing attention to the corporate nature of the conflict between the beast and the Two Witnesses; for the beast would not make ''war'' against two individuals (Greek: ''polemos'' - see Strong's Greek 4171).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.htmlbible.com/sacrednamebiblecom/kjvstrongs/FRMSTRGRK41.htm|title=4171).}}</ref>

Then their “body” (the Greek singular is used: ''ptoma''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.htmlbible.com/sacrednamebiblecom/kjvstrongs/STRGRK44.htm#S4430|title=''ptoma''}}</ref> - meaning ''corpes'') lies exposed in the “street of the great city” which is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” (vs. 8). To illustrate that this city is the “great city” juxtaposed to the “holy city” – and not Jerusalem – the ''Spirit Filled Life Bible'' footnote affirms these witnesses face off with the worldly system, the great city, headed up by the beast: 

<blockquote>
The great city is not literally the physical city of Jerusalem, but spiritually the world in rebellion against God. Sodom symbolizes immorality, and Egypt symbolizes the political oppression of the people of God in this world where our Lord was crucified. (''The Spirit Filled Life Bible'', Thomas Nelson Bibles,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seekgod.ca/hayford.htm|title=Bibles,}}</ref> P. 1831)
</blockquote> 

This argument is reinforced by Rev. 11:8 pointedly stating that the great city is “spiritually” or “allegorically” called Sodom and Egypt—and Jerusalem is never mentioned in the text; however, many commentators do not see a problem in this—because the phrase “where also our Lord was crucified” must mean Jerusalem; for Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem. Others counter—Jesus was crucified “outside the camp”<ref>Hebrews 13:13.</ref>– “outside the gate”<ref>Hebrews 13:12.</ref> (not in Jerusalem proper) by the Romans (gentiles) and this Revelation passage appears to back this notion of the “great city” doing the work of crucifixion.

[[Post Tribulation Rapture|Posttribulationists]],<ref>{{Citation |last=Willems |first=Arthur G. |title =Book Review: The Church and the Tribulation |newspaper=Direction |pages=34–35 |date=April 1976 |url=http://www.directionjournal.org/article/?202}}</ref> who see this dual witness of Israel and the Church (in counterdistinction to premillenarian-pretribulationists who accuse these posttribulationists of  “blurring” the traditional dispensational distinctions of Israel and the Church),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ldolphin.org/progdispen.html |title=A Proper Biblical D.I.E.T. |accessdate=2007-12-27 |last=McCall |first=Tom |coauthors=Zola Levitt |year=2000 |month=February |work=Levitt Letter}}</ref> likewise adhere to the 3 ½ days of “their body” exposed to the “open persecution” ("their body lies in the street of the great city"; i.e., the 42 months aforementioned in Revelation 11:2) as the final three-and-one-half years of [[Prophecy of Seventy Weeks|Daniel's 70th Week]] and that the days mentioned here are years (i.e., the 70th Week represents seven years and 3 ½ days represents 1,260 days, 42 months, 3 ½ years, or [[time, times, and half a time]])(see [[Day-year principle]]).  

Therefore, it is at the very close of the 70th Week of Daniel's prophecy that the Two Witnesses are resurrected—there is no secret rapture (i.e., they are seen by all the inhabitants of the earth; Rev. 11:11)—a loud voice is heard from heaven calling all the “righteous dead” in the resurrection and those that are “alive and survive” the great tribulation are, as Paul proclaims: “The dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and ''remain'' (Grk. ''perileipo'' meaning ''survive'' - Strong's Greek: 4035).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.htmlbible.com/sacrednamebiblecom/kjvstrongs/STRGRK40.htm|title=4035).}}</ref> shall be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air” (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).

[[File:Lucas Cranach - Antichrist.png‎|left|300px|Protestant [[Historicism (Christian eschatology)|Historicists]] see the Antichrist as the Papacy]]

Once again, it must be pointed out that Historicists see this 1,260-day period as 1,260 years and believe it is the time of the Papacy's<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heraldmag.org/literature/proph_38.htm |title=The Man of Sin |accessdate=2007-12-31}}</ref> “rule and reign” as the antichrist system between A.D. 538 and 1798 (i.e., from the time the Roman Church was recognized as the “civil authority” until the time of [[Napoleon]]'s imprisoning of [[Pope Pius VI]] and his death in 1798).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12131a.htm |title=Pope Pius VI |accessdate=2007-12-31 |last=Ott |first=Michael T. |year=1911 |work=The Catholic Encyclopedia}}</ref>

The subsequent passages in Revelation 11:13-19 are interpreted by Post-tribulationists as confirmation that the pouring out of the “wrath of God” (i.e., after the resurrection and rapture) is seen "in the same hour" (Revelation 11:13). Immediately, Messiah's descending from the heavens to establish His earthly kingdom and the famous sounds of [[Messiah (Handel)|Handel's Messiah]], and of John's prophetic testimony, are heard:

<blockquote>
The kingdoms of this world have now become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Messiah (Christ), and he shall reign forever and ever! (Rev. 11:15)
</blockquote>

The Revelation declares: “The Testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy”<ref>Revelation 19:10.</ref> – therefore, as their deliverer testified on earth for 3 ½ years,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carm.org/questions/Jesus_age.htm |title=How old was Jesus when He was crucified? |accessdate=2007-12-31 |year=2007 |work=Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry}}</ref> was crucified, arose from the dead, ascended to heaven – even so, this is the destiny of all those who will follow the Messiah—this is the "testimony of Jesus".<ref>Revelation 1:2.</ref>  Furthermore, the extremity of believers who profess to have the "Testimony of Jesus" may be called to give the ultimate sacrifice in bearing witness to the One Who gave His all:  "Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their '''witness''' to Jesus and for the word of God" (Rev. 20:4).

===Church or concepts===

Evangelical [[postmillennialism]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pre-trib.org/pdf/Ice-WhatisPostmillennial.pdf |title=What Is Postmillenialism? Tom's Perspectives |accessdate=2007-12-31 |last=Ice |first=Thomas |format=PDF}}</ref> as well as St. Augustine's [[amillennialism]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://persweb.wabash.edu/facstaff/royaltyr/augustine.htm |title=Augustine and the Millennium |accessdate=2007-12-31 |last=Hutchinson |first=John M.}}</ref> accord future roles for the Two Witnesses in their commentaries; however, those roles are wholly symbolic of the Church's singular witness to the world. As Amillenarian Tony Warren declares:

<blockquote>
These two witnesses of Revelation eleven are a ‘symbol’ of God's faithful servants, the true eternal indivisible Church.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://members.aol.com/twarren17/rev11.html |title=A verse by verse exposition of Revelation Chapter 11 |accessdate=2007-12-31 |last=Warren |first=Tony |date=2002-10-14 |work=The Mountain Retreat}}</ref>
</blockquote>

Hence, the Church is the “Israel of God”<ref>{{cite web |url=http://members.aol.com/twarren13/israel2.html |title=The True Israel of God |accessdate=2007-12-31 |last=Shelton |first=L. R. |work=The Mountain Retreat}}</ref> – and the concluding witness of the Church, as originally propounded by Augustine,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.religioustolerance.org/millenni.htm |title=Eschatology, End Times, and Millennialism: Competing Theories |accessdate=2007-12-31 |last=Robinson |first=B. A. |date=2006-08-18 |work=ReligiousTolerance.org |publisher=Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance}} </ref> will endure to the end of the age as a demonstration of “the age-long struggle of evil against Christ's rule.” Israel and the Church constitute one people of God—there is no literal seven-year tribulation on earth. Evangelical postmillennialism also sees Israel and the Church as the one people of God; however, the Millennium will be a literal 1,000-year reign of Christ, realized through the church's ministry of the kingdom of God.

They who adhere to the singular witness of the Church until the [[Second Coming]] of Christ, affirm the Church's unique testimony until the [[Eschatology|eschaton]]. 

The 1599 Geneva Study Bible<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bible.crosswalk.com/Commentaries/GenevaStudyBible/gen.cgi?book=re&chapter=011)|title=Bible}}</ref> asserts the two witnesses as the exclusive purvue of the church:

<blockquote>
1) The authority of the intended revelation being declared, together with the necessity of that calling which was particularly imposed on John after which follows the history of the estate of Christ his Church, both conflicting or warring, and overcoming in Christ. For the true Church of Christ is said to fight against that which is falsely so called, over which Antichrist rules, Christ Jesus overthrowing Antichrist by the spirit of his mouth: and Christ is said to overcome most gloriously until he shall slay Antichrist by the appearance of his coming, as the apostle teaches in (2 Thessalonians 2:8). So this history has two parts: One of the state of the Church conflicting with temptations until Chapter 16. The other of the state of the same church obtaining victory, thence to Chapter 20. The first part has two sections most conveniently distributed into their times, of which the first contains a history of the Christian Church for 1260 years, what time the gospel of Christ was as it were taken up from among men into heaven: the second contains a history of the same Church to the victory perfected. These two sections are briefly, though distinctly propounded in this chapter, but both of them are discoursed after in due order.
</blockquote>

This comment from the Geneva Study Bible is made on Revelation 11:4:

<blockquote>
These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth . . .That is, the ordinary and perpetual instruments of spiritual grace, peace and light in my Church, which God by his only power preserved in this Temple. See (Zechariah 4:3).
</blockquote>

A somewhat collective expression of the Church as the singular witness is given in [[Matthew Henry]]'s Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bible.crosswalk.com/Commentaries/MatthewHenryComplete/mhc-com.cgi?book=re&chapter=011|title=Bible;}}</ref> Revelation 11:

<blockquote>
It is a sufficient number; for in the mouth of two witnesses every cause shall be established. Christ sent out his disciples two by two, to preach the gospel. Some think these two witnesses are Enoch and Elias, who are to return to the earth for a time: others, the church of the believing Jews and that of the Gentiles: it should rather seem that they are God's eminent faithful ministers, who shall not only continue to profess the Christian religion, but to preach it, in the worst of times. II. The time of their prophesying, or bearing their testimony for Christ. A thousand two hundred and threescore days; that is (as many think), to the period of the reign of antichrist; and, if the beginning of that interval could be ascertained, this number of prophetic days, taking a day for a year, would give us a prospect when the end shall be. III.
</blockquote>

[[File:Albrecht Dürer, Apocalypse of St John, The Dragon with the Seven Heads.JPG|right|300px|Albrecht Durer's Apocalypse of St. John]]

[[John Wesley]] in his commentary on Revelation 11<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bible.crosswalk.com/Commentaries/WesleysExplanatoryNotes/wes.cgi?book=re&chapter=011|title=Revelation 11}}</ref> suggests a more "spiritual" application of their identity - almost ambiguous in nature:

<blockquote>
11:3 And I - Christ - will give to my two witnesses - These seem to be two prophets; two select, eminent instruments. Some have supposed (though without foundation) that they are Moses and Elijah, whom they resemble in several respects. To prophesy twelve hundred and sixty days - Common days, that is, an hundred and eighty weeks. So long will they prophesy, (even while that last and sharp treading of the holy city continues,) both by word and deed, witnessing that Jesus is the Son of God, the heir of all things, and exhorting all men to repent, and fear, and glorify God. Clothed in sackcloth - The habit of the deepest mourners, out of sorrow and concern for the people. 11:4 These are the two olive trees - That is, as Zerubbabel and Joshua, the two olive trees spoken of by Zechariah, Zechariah 3:9, 4:10, were then the two chosen instruments in God's hand, even so shall these. be in their season. Being themselves full of the unction of the Holy One, they shall continually transmit the same to others also. And the two candlesticks - Burning and shining lights. Standing before the Lord of the earth - Always waiting on God, without the help of man, and asserting his right over the earth and all things therein.
</blockquote>

[[John Gill (theologian)|John Gill's]] Exposition of the Bible<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bible.crosswalk.com/Commentaries/GillsExpositionoftheBible/gil.cgi?book=re&chapter=011&verse=003&next=004&prev=002|title=Bible}}</ref> presents a classical Protestant Historicist interpretation of the two witnesses as the true Church in counterdistinction to the antichrist system of Roman Catholicism:

<blockquote>
Though they ought not to be considered exclusive of other ministers and churches, who also have bore, and still do bear a witness for Christ, and against the idolatries of the church of Rome: no two individual persons can be meant, since these witnesses were to prophesy 1260 days, that is, so many years, but a succession of ministers and churches.
</blockquote>

Ross Taylor's "Verse by Verse Commentary on Revelation"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apocalipsis.org/rev-11.htm|title=Revelation"}}</ref> clearly defines the Church as the "two olive trees and the two lampstands" . . .

<blockquote>
The two witnesses represent the witnessing church rather than two individuals: 1. The church received power to witness at Pentecost, see verse 3 'I will give power to my two witnesses and they will prophecy...' cf. Acts 1:8 and 2:18. 2. Two is the number to establish a witness, testimony (Deu 17:6, John 8:17, 2 Cor 13:1), for example our Lord sent his disciple out in twos, Mark 6:7. 3. They are described as 'the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth' 11:4. We have already seen that the church is symbolised by lampstands in 1:20. The olive trees represent the power of the Holy Spirit with which the witnesses had received (Acts 1:5, 1:8, 2:17). 4. They prophecy for the same period (1,260 days) as the worshippers, temple of God and holy city is trampled on by the Gentiles (42 months). These three designations are all indicative of the church. 5. They rise from the dead and are raptured as is the church (11:11-12). 6. 11:7 indicates that '...the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them' i.e. the two witnesses this parallels the warning in 13:7 that the beast 'was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them' see also the warning in 13:10. If the two events are indeed parallel then the two witnesses are the saints.
</blockquote>

Furthermore, the elimination of all or part of the 70th Week of Daniel (yet future) is the hallmark of Historicist eschatology—there is no personal Antichrist, peace treaty to be signed with Israel, a future rebuilt Jewish temple, or future 70th week.{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}}

===An Amillennial Exposition of Revelation 11:1-13===

An [[Amillennial]] exposition of Revelation 11:1-13 is available at this link.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.twoagespilgrims.com/files/show_article.php?id=153 |title=Nollie Malabuyo, "The Two Faithful Witnesses" |date=[[2005]]-[[03-22]] |work=TwoAgesPilgrims.com}}</ref> You can also read an exegesis of the passage in [http://www.twoagespilgrims.com/files/show_article.php?id=157/ "Will Moses and Elijah Come Back? The Two Witnesses of Revelation 11:1-13"]

===Individuals===

The identity and worldwide notoriety of the Two Witnesses as singular individuals is held by numerous Biblical literalists – a few of their quotations will confirm their commentary . . .

Dr. Thomas L. Constable of Dallas Theological Seminary on his studies of Revelation (''Notes on Revelation'', 2007 Edition) provides a dispensationalist interpretation of the two witnesses as two "new individuals" to arrive on the prophetic scene yet future:

<blockquote>
Even though believing Jews will suffer persecution at this time, God will still get His message out. Two witnesses will be especially significant at this time. Valid testimony required two witnesses under the Old Covenant (Deut. 19:15), and both Jesus and the early church sent out emissaries in pairs (Mark 6:7; Luke 10:2; Acts 13:2; 15:39-40). Revelation 11:3 Who is speaking in this verse? The speaker seems to be the angel who spoke in verses 1-2, who here speaks for God (cf. v. 8). God did not reveal the identity of the two witnesses. Many commentators believe they will be Moses and Elijah since these men were prophets and performed the kinds of miracles these witnesses will perform (v. 6). Others believe they will be Enoch and Elijah since God took these men to heaven without dying. Another reason some believe one of these witnesses will be Elijah is Malachi 4:5, which predicts that Elijah will return before Messiah. Other less literal interpreters think the two witnesses may represent not two individuals but the faithful witness of the church throughout its persecutions.  I agree with those who believe that they will be individuals living at this time rather than former prophets brought back to earth for this ministry (cf. Matt. 11:14).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://soniclight.com/constable/notes/pdf/revelation.pdf |title=Notes on
Revelation: 2007 Edition |accessdate=2007-08-28 |last=Constable |first=Thomas L. |year=2007 |format=PDF |publisher=Sonic Light |pages=98 }}</ref>
</blockquote>

[[J. Dwight Pentecost|Dwight Pentecost's]] ''Things to Come'' (also of dispensationalist [[Dallas Theological Seminary]]) concludes:

<blockquote>
It would seem best to conclude that the identity of these men is uncertain. They, in all probability, are not men who lived before and have been restored, but are two men raised up as a special witness, to whom sign-working power is given. their ministry is one of judgment, as their sackcloth clothing indicates.<ref>{{cite book |last=Pentecost |first=J. Dwight |title=Things to Come |year=1962 |publisher=Dunham Publishing Company |location=Findlay, Ohio |page=308}}</ref>
</blockquote>

Paul D. Feinberg<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foutz.net/archives/people/paul_d_feinberg_phd_in_memorium_february_21_2004.shtml|title=Paul D. Feinberg)}}</ref>  in ''Three Views on the Rapture - Pre-, Mid-,or Post Tribulation''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Three-Views-Rapture-Pre-Post-Tribulation/dp/0310212952|title=''Three Views on the Rapture - Pre-, Mid-,or Post Tribulation''}}</ref> defends the Pre-Tribulational Rapture position and interprets the two witnesses as follows:

<blockquote>
"The two witnesses appear to be individuals rather than representatives of all living and dead saints. The witnesses perform miracles; they testify. These actions are usually done by individuals, not groups. Moreover, both witnesses are killed by the Beast. If they are symbolic of all saints, then it seems as if all saints will be martyred before the Rapture. Further, it also appears that all saints will have men gaze at their dead bodies and desecrate them." (''Three Views on the Rapture - Pre-, Mid-,or Post Tribulation'', Stanley N. Gundry, Gleason L. Archer Jr., Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 1996, p. 148)
</blockquote>

Those adhering to the "individual theory" of the two witnesses point out that these are truly awesome figures. They are similar to [[Moses]] and [[Aaron]] or [[Elijah]] and [[Elisha]] - both sets wrought indisputable havoc upon their audiences (Egypt and [[Apostasy|Apostate]] Israel) and "nothing could harm them." Therefore, could not individuals be raised up in the "end of days" and do such worldwide miracles? Could they not prevail as Moses and Elijah did before the masses? Furthermore, "their dead body" (singular) does not signify any "corporate nature" of their identity—to the contrary, it simply means the visibility of a dead body in the street of Jerusalem for 3 1/2 days (not years). Their resurrection is peculiar to them only—and does not connote the "[[Resurrection of the dead|resurrection]] of the just"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christiantrumpetsounding.com/resurrection.htm|title=just"}}</ref> nor the rapture, for the rapture of the Church (according to pretribulationists) takes place at the commencement of Daniel's 70th Week.

The "great city" mentioned in Revelation 11 is not the great city found elsewhere in the Revelation<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Bible.show/sVerseID/30881/eVerseID/30881 |title=Forerunner Commentary |accessdate=2008-01-27 |last=Ritenbaugh |first=John W. |year=2008 |work=BibleTools |publisher=Church of the Great God}}</ref>; and the "holy city" trampled under foot is physical Jerusalem,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn32/jerusalem.htm |title=Jerusalem: Focus of Biblical Prophecy |accessdate=2008-01-27 |last=McNeely |first=Darris |year=2001 |month=January/February |work=The Good News |publisher=United Church of God}}</ref> not the two witnesses. Likewise, the "temple" which is measured is the physical rebuilt temple<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raptureready.com/featured/price/7rp.html |title=An Overview of the Future Temples |accessdate=2008-01-27 |last=Price |first=Randall |work=Rapture Ready}}</ref> in Jerusalem, not the two witnesses.

The late [[John Walvoord]], president of [[Dallas Theological Seminary]], in his ''Every Prophecy of the Bible''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armageddonbooks.com/walvoord.html|title=''Every Prophecy of the Bible''}}</ref> repeats the classical dispensational, pre-tribulational, literalist interpretation of the two witnesses . . . excerpts from his text:

<blockquote>
In the Great Tribulation the temple has already been desecrated, sacrifices stopped, and the worship of the world ruler installed instead (Dan. 9:27; 12:11-12; Matt. 24:15; 2 Thes. 2:4; Rev. 13:14-15). Measuring the temple will indicate the apostasy of the nation of Israel and their need for revival and restoration. The Holy City, Jerusalem, according to the Scripture, will be trampled underfoot of Gentiles for the final forty-two months preceding the Second Coming. This has actually been true ever since 600 B.C. because from then to the time of the Great Tribulation, Israel never was in full possession of their holy places except by Gentile tolerance and permission. This is still true today as Israel could not retain its independence without the help of the United States. The forty-two months, however, refer to the Great Tribulation as a time when the holy place in the temple will be desecrated especially, and the Great Tribulation will run its course, climaxing in the second coming of Christ (13:5). Though there have been brief periods in the history of Israel when Israel temporarily retained control of the holy place, it will never be permanently theirs until the second coming of Christ. John was then introduced to those who were called 'two witnesses' who will be prophets in the end time. Their prophecy will cover 1,260 days, or forty-two months, the same length of time that the world ruler will possess the temple and turn it into a religious center for the worship of himself . . . the reference to the two witnesses as being symbolized by the two olive trees and the two lampstands probably has reference to Zechariah 4 where the lampstand and two trees are discussed. The meaning of this to Zerubbabel, who was one of the important leaders in Israel in Zechariah's time, was that their witness was empowered by the oil from the olive tree, symbolic of being empowered by the Holy Spirit (Zech. 4:1-14). In view of the fact that the Bible does not indicate who they are, it is probably safe to recognize them as two witnesses who will appear in the end time who are not related to any previous historical character.
</blockquote>

Some claim that the two are "Jewish evangelists" who "evangelize Israel" while the [[144000 (number)|144,000]] of Revelation 7 "evangelize the rest of the world" during the 70th Week of Daniel.

<blockquote>
Who are they? We're not told, so we can't be certain, yet we know that . . . - ''Witness'' in Greek is ''martus'' (''martyr''). In Rev. 12:11 OT Israeli allusions are used, not NT Church figures like Peter or Paul. These two evangelize Israel; while the 144,000 evangelize the rest of the world! They possibly represent the OT Law and Prophets (Matt 22:36-40). Possibly Elijah (Representing the Prophets).  Possibly Moses (Representing the Law).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soulcare.org/Bible%20Studies/Revelation/Revelation11_Witnesses.htm |title=Revelation 11 Consequences of Christ: The Two Witnesses Mercy-Grace |accessdate=2007-12-25 |last=Galloway |first=Sid |date=2001-03-18 |work=The Bible: One Bite at a Time}}</ref></blockquote>

The [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] teaches that the Two Witnesses will be [[Enoch]] and [[Elias]] (the two individuals who entered bodily into heaven), who will be sent back to earth to preach during the Great Tribulation, and they will be the last [[martyr]]s before the [[Second Coming]]. 

Biblical literalists have incorporated the developments in [[electronic communications]] systems with the interpretations of the scripture: "And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves" (Revelation 11:9).  During the close of the nineteenth century, [[Ethelbert William Bullinger]] indicated electronics inventiveness would facilitate the literal fulfillment of this prophecy through the following statement and its footnote:<ref>Bullinger, E. W. (1984).  ''Commentary on Revelation'' [[p. 365]].  Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.  ISBN 0-8254-2289-2.  According to the [[printers key]], the second printing of this work was in 1889.</ref>

:The older commentators might have felt a difficulty in understanding how the whole earth could rejoice at an event happening at Jerusalem.  But in these days of electric inventions, telephones, and wireless telegraphy, we all know how the next day the whole world sympathises and rejoices together.
::Witness the death of Queen Victoria; the murder of President M’Kinley; or the American Yacht Race – all the stages of the latter were known the world over within a few minutes of the passing events.

During the 1930s, when [[television]] became commercially available, Knoch stated that invention merely needed to be developed further for the literal fulfillment of the above scripture.<ref>Knoch, A. E. (1935).  ''The Unveiling of Jesus Christ'' [p. 319].  Saugus, CA: Concordant Publishing Concern.</ref>  Two years after the launch of [[Sputnik]], Bloomfield said the events of Revelation 11:9 would be covered by “some kind of television.”<ref> Bloomfield, A. E. (2002).  ''The Key to Understanding Revelation'' [p.200].  Bloomington, MN: Bethany House Publishers.  ISBN 0-7642-2593-6.  Originally published 1959</ref>  In 1962, the first satellite to relay a television signal from Europe to North America was [[Telstar]].  [[Hal Lindsey]] referred to that specific communication system in his explanation.<ref>Lindsey, H. (1977).  ''There’s A New World Coming'' [p. 151].  New York, NY: Bantam Books, Incorporated.  ISBN 0-553-10832-8.  Originally published by Vision House Publishers in 1973.</ref>  By 1999, [[John F. Walvoord]],<ref>Walvoord, J. F. (1999).  ''Every Prophecy of the Bible'' [p. 574].  Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Publishing.  ISBN 1-56476-758-2.  Formerly titled ''The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook'' (1990).</ref> [[Tim LaHaye]],<ref>LaHaye, T. F. (1999).  ''Revelation Unveiled'' [p. 188].  Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.  ISBN 0-310-23005-5.</ref> and [[Grant Jeffrey]],<ref>Jeffrey, G. R. (1999).  ''The Signature of God The Handwriting of God'' [p. 194].  New York, NY: Inspirational Press.  ISBN 0-88486-255-0.</ref> leading proponents of the literalist view and authors of best sellers, had explained Revelation 11:9 in terms of literal fulfillments through some form of worldwide [[satellite television]] system.

Perhaps they are archangels.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/sbs777/snotes/note1204.html |title=The Two Witnesses |accessdate=2007-12-25 |last=Loughran |first=David B |year=1999 |work=Sermon Notes |publisher=Stewarton Bible School}}</ref>

Finally, some note that Jesus' remarks in {{bibleverse||John|21:22|NKJV}} have a miraculous connotation associated with them - “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.” They say this has strong implication that one of the Apostles is still alive, a feat that is easy to do when it comes to the power of God. Jesus was talking with Peter but referred to John when Peter inquired of what death he would die.  They conjecture that with this type of interpretation, individuals like Enoch, Elijah or Moses would not be suitable in that they were under Old Testament law and not under the grace found in the New Testament . . . therefore, one of the apostles could still be alive today?  Some think John must have died after he wrote the Revelation - but his death has never been confirmed in history.

==See also==
{{Portal|Christianity}}

*[[Tribulation|The Tribulation]]
*[[Eschatology]]
*[[Prophecy of Seventy Weeks]]
*[[2300 day prophecy]]
*[[Day-year principle]]
*[[Abomination of Desolation]]
*[[Antichrist]]
*[[Whore of Babylon]]

===Relevant Biblical texts===
*[[Book of Revelation|Revelation 10, 11, 12, 13, 16-21]]
*[[Book of Genesis|Genesis 37, 39-50]]
*[[Book of Daniel|Daniel 7-12]]
*[[Book of Zechariah|Zechariah 3-8; 10-14]]
*[[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew 24]]
*[[Gospel of Luke|Luke 17:20-37; 21]]
*[[Epistle to the Romans|Romans 9-11]]
*[[First Epistle to the Corinthians|I Corinthians 15:50-58]]
*[[First Epistle to the Thessalonians|I Thessalonians 4:13-5:11]]
*[[Second Epistle to the Thessalonians|II Thessalonians 2]]
 
===Suggested book list===
*Alnor, William M., ''Soothsayers of the Second Advent.'' Fleming H. Revell, 1989. ISBN 0-8007-5324-0
*Barnhouse, Donald Grey, ''Revelation - An Expositional Commentary.'' Zondervan, 1971. ISBN 0-310-20491-7
*Boston, Robert, ''Close Encounters with the Religious Right.'' Prometheus Books, 2000. ISBN 1-57392-797-X
*Brog, David, ''Standing With Israel.'' Front Line, A Strang Company, 2006. ISBN 1-59185-906-9
*Clarkson, Frederick, ''Eternal Hostility.'' Common Courage Press, 1997. ISBN 1-56751-088-4
*Coombes, R. A., ''America, The Babylon - America's Destiny Foretold in Biblical Prophecy'' A Real Book, 1998. ISBN 1-890622-33-8
*Culver, Robert Duncan, ''Daniel and the Latter Days''. Fleming H. Revell Company, 1954. {{LCCN|54|00|5434}}
*Dyer, Charles H., ''The Rise of Babylon.'' Moody Publishers, 2003. ISBN 0-8024-0905-9
*Feinberg, Charles L., ''Millennialism - Two Major Views''. Moody Press, 1980. ISBN 0-8024-6815-2
*Gundry, Robert, ''The Church and the Tribulation.'' Zondervan, 1973. ISBN 0-310-25401-9
*Gundry, Robert, ''First the Antichrist.'' Baker Books, May 1997. ISBN 0-8010-5764-7
*Gundry, Stanley N.; Archer, Gleason L., Jr., ''Three Views on The Rapture - Pre-, Mid-, or Post-Tribulation.'' Zondervan, 1996. ISBN 0-310-21298-7
*Hitchcock, Mark, ''Is America in Bible Prophecy?.'' Multnomah Publishers, 2002. ISBN 1-57673496-X
*Hunt, Dave, ''A Cup of Trembling - Jerusalem and Bible Prophecy.'' Harvest House Publishers, 1995. ISBN 1-56507-334-7
*Ironside, Harry A., ''Revelation.'' Loizeaux Brothers, 1982. ISBN 0-87213-384-2
*Jeffrey, Grant R., ''Armageddon - Appointment with Destiny.'' Bantam Books, 1990. ISBN 0-553-28537-8
*Juster, Dan; Intrater, Keith, ''Israel, the Church and the Last Days.'' Destiny Image Publishers, 1991. ISBN 1-56043-061-3
*{{cite book |last=Krieger |first=Douglas |title=Unsealing the End of Days: The Visions and Prophecy of Zechariah |url=http://www.the-tribulation-network.com/dougkrieger/unsealing/unsealing_book.htm |accessdate=2007-12-25 |date=2004-08-30 |location=Sacramento, Calif.}} 
*Ladd, George Eldon, ''"A Commentary on the Revelation of John".'' William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1972. ISBN 0-8028-1684-3
*Ladd, George Eldon, ''"The Blessed Hope: A Biblical Study of The Second Advent and the Rapture."'' Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1956. ISBN 0-8028-1111-6
*Lalonde, Peter & Patti, ''"Left Behind".'' Harvest House Publishers, 1995. ISBN 0-9636407-3-9
*LaSor, William Sanford, ''"The Truth About Armageddon".'' Harper & Row, 1982. ISBN 0-06-064919-4
*Lindsey, Hal, ''"Planet Earth - 2000 A.D."'' Western Front, Ltd., 1994. ISBN 0-9641058-0-2
*Linker, Damon, ''"The Theocons".'' Doubleday, 2006. ISBN 978-0-385-51647-1
*Paterson, Stella, ''"Calling Forth The Remnant By Way of the Cross".'' Preparing The Way Publishers, 2006. ISBN 1-929451-21-0
*Pentecost, J. Dwight, ''"Things To Come".'' Dunham Publishing Company, 1962.
*Perry, Richard H., ''"Of the Last Days: Listen, I Tell You a Mystery".'' Essence Publishing (Canada), July 2003. ISBN 1-55306-595-6
*Pink, Arthur W., ''"The Antichrist".'' Kregel Publications, 1988. ISBN0-8254-3539-0
*Rausch, David A., ''"Zionism Within Early American Fundamentalism 1878-1918 - A Convergence of Two Traditions".'' The Edwin Mellen Press, 1979. ISBN 0-88946-875-3
*Ryrie, Charles Caldwell, ''"Dispensationalism Today".'' Moody Press, 1965. ISBN 0-8024-2256-X
*Shearer, S. R. (Steve), ''"The Beginning of the End".''  End of the Age Ministries, 1985. {{LCCN|85|00|81941}}
*Spargimino, Larry, ''"The Anti-Prophets - The Challenge of Preterism".''  Hearthstone Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1-57558-080-2
*Sutton, William Josiah, ''"Ancient Prophecies About the Dragon, The Beast, and the False Prophet".'' The Institute of Religious Knowledge, 1999. ISBN 0-917013-02-6
*Sutton, William Josiah, ''"The Antichrist 666".'' Teach Services, Inc., 1995. ISBN 1-57258-015-1
*Walvoord, John F., ''"Every Prophecy of the Bible".'' Chariot Victory Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-7394-0215-3
*Walvoord, John F., ''"The Prophecy Knowledge Handbook". '' Victor Books, 1977. ISBN 0-89693-509-4
*Gundry, Robert, ''"The Church and the Tribulation".'' Zondervan, 1973. ISBN 0-310-25401-9
*Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania - "''Revelation - Its Grand Climax At Hand!".'' Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 1988.
*White, E. G., ''"America in Prophecy".'' Inspiration Books East, Inc., 1888. ISBN 0-916547-04-3
*Woodrow, Ralph, ''"His Truth is Marching On -Advanced Studies on Prophecy in the Light of History".'' Ralph Woodrow Evangelistic Assn., Inc., 1996 Edition. ISBN 0-916938-03-04

==Notes and references==
{{reflist|3}}

[[Category:Book of Revelation]]
[[Category:Prophets in Christianity]]
[[Category:Biblical phrases]]
[[Category:Apocalypticism]]

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