Many have gone forth in these latter days proclaiming that they are one or both of the two witnesses proclaimed by John:

And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. (Revelation 11:3-4 KJV)

Yet Peter declares, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation,” (2 Peter 1:20 KJV) and so warns us against making private, individual interpretations of Scripture which fail to consider the rest of God’s Word.  So, let us consider some verses which help us interpret who or what the two witnesses really are.  And, let us remember that the Book of Revelation is a book of signs and images.  The book should not be taken literally.  Do we really think that a real seven headed beast with ten horns will actually rise from the Pacific or Atlantic oceans?  (Rev. 13:1)  Are we so sure that a magnificent woman with the words “Babylon the Great” across her forehead will one day be seen riding this same scarlet beast?  (Rev. 17:3-5)  No, these scriptures signify or depict images of spiritual realities, not natural ones.  Likewise, the two witnesses, the 1260 days, the sackcloth, the olive trees, and the candlesticks all represent spiritual things.  But, what do these things mean?

First, let’s consider the function of a witness.  The word “witness” means, “a person who has seen or knows something, and is therefore competent to give evidence concerning it”  according to Funk and Wagnalls’ Standard Dictionary.  Now think of the Scripture and God’s purposes for it and mankind.  What does he call us to do?  Is it not stand in the earth as a witness to his Son, Jesus the Christ?

Paul tells us that, “the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ….” (Galatians 3:24 KJV)  Along this same line Jesus says, “These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.” (Luke 24:44 KJV)  In other words, the Law itself serves as a witness of Jesus Christ.

Those of you who have read F.B.’s interpretation of Revelation 11 know that he believes that the two witnesses depict the word and the works.  I believe this is true on one level, but there exists even a deeper truth.  One thing lacking in F.B.’s interpretation of Revelation was teaching concerning the place of God’s Law in the purposes of God.  F.B. correctly understood the danger of legalism and he also saw the corruption of lawlessness, but it seems he could barely bring himself to utter anything concerning the magnificence of God’s Law.

But it is God’s Law itself that stands as one of His two witnesses in the earth to the truth of His Only Begotten Son.  And it is that Law, when instructed by the second witness, which brings purity to our good works and enables us to salt the earth.