Who Are The Two Witnesses of Revelation 11?

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In Revelation Chapter 11 there is a reference to two witnesses that will prophesy for 1260 days (3 ½ years). Many Bible scholars and Bible study guides alike address these two people as being two physical and literal people who have the supernatural abilities to have fire project from their mouth and melt their enemies like a warm stick of butter on a frying pan. In trying to identify the two witnesses, one school of thought seems think that these two are Moses and Elijah, while the other school of thought believe that it's most likely Enoch and Elijah. Another version altogether is that these two could be modern day preachers such as Billy Graham or Joel Osteen.

An unbiblical rendition of the two witnesses frying people at will. 

Why can't Bible scholars identify who these two people are?

If your reading the Bible with the belief that the Jews (those who follow the anti-Christ religion of Judaism) are God's chosen people and that anyone and everyone is Israel throughout the Bible and in the last days, then the book of Revelation becomes very confusing because there is symbols involved. This reason is exactly the same reason why you will never hear a sermon preached in modern day churches on the book of Revelation.

 If you read Revelation with the understanding that the Bible was written about Israel and was written to Israel only, then the entire book takes on a whole new meaning. It's always best to let scripture interpret scripture anyway.

When you look for the identity of the two witnesses you have to look at the subtle clues involved in this passage and compare them to the rest of the Bible. These two witnesses in Revelation 11:4 are described as being two olive trees and two candlesticks.

These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before God of the earth. Revelation 11:4

So what we know from this verse is that the witnesses are described as witnesses, olive trees, and candlesticks. 

So what does the rest of the Bible say about these three things?

Witnesses- The word witness is defined as being the nations of Judah and Israel by Isaiah 43:6-12, Isaiah 44:8, and Jeremiah 33:24.

Olive trees- The olive tree is the symbol for Israel according to Zechariah 4:3-11, 14,  Jeremiah 11:16, Hosea 14:6, and Romans 11:1-26.

Candlesticks- Candlesticks are defined by Isaiah 60:1-3 and Isaiah 62:12 as being Israel. In Revelation 1:20 groups of Israelites (churches) are also called candlesticks.

It is readily pointed out by Ezekiel 35:10 and Ezekiel 37:15-21 that the nation of Israel is divided into two separate groups to form the two witnesses mentioned in this passage. The fire from their mouths is how fine metals are purified and the fire and is symbolic of them preaching the Gospel Message of the coming kingdom to earth.

Another problem with interpreting Revelation 11 as being a separate group of people other than Israel is the time frame which is mentioned in this chapter as being 3 ½ years. When you read this chapter in this way, it looks like there is an additional 3 ½ years separate from the previous 3 ½ years making a total of 7 years. This is not the case because this chapter is a review and only a review of what the nation of Israel went through during the tribulation before the Seventh Trumpet.These two witnesses are two sticks (Judah and Israel) and although they did seem to die in this passage and the world did celebrate so they could live in their sinful ways without being reminded of their eternally doomed sinful status. In the end, Judah and Israel are resurrected in V.11 to be rejoined to rule with the returning messiah. Read the passage of Ezekiel 37:1-14.

My final thoughts...

It is my prayer that all people will understand the important role that Israel has in the latter days and work to bring Yahweh's kingdom here to earth. You do not have to be from Israel to be able to help to bring Yah's kingdom here. Although other people may not Israel, they can worship him as creator and receive blessings for their faith; Matthew 15:21-28.

Praise Yahweh!