Rev 11 [§172] Rev 11:4: Two Witnesses Are Both Olive Trees and Candlesticks

This podcast explains the symbolism used by John in Revelation 11:4 to describe the identities of the Two Witnesses who will prophesy in Jerusalem during the last 42 months (3½ years) before Christ's Second Coming appearance on the Mount of Olives. In this verse, the Two Witnesses are called the two olive trees and two candlesticks. This imagery comes directly from the Book of Zechariah 4:3, 11-14, where Zerubbabel and Joshua (Jeshua) were likewise described in their role as the builders of the Second Temple of Zerubbabel after the Jews returned from their 70-year captivity in Babylon. Joshua was the high priest and religious leader of the Jews during the temple construction, while Zerubbabel was the governor or the political and secular leader. Their respective roles may typify the role of the Two Witnesses in the future. One may come from a religious background, while the other may come from a political background.Zerubbabel and Jeshua faced a mountain of opposition in the reconstruction of the Second Temple as the Two Witnesses will similarly face a mountain of opposition during their ministry. The power and spirit of God alone made it possible, and will make it possible, for the candlesticks and olives trees to accomplish their works. Both will stand before the God of the whole earth in the accomplishment of their ministries. (Zech 4:6) The Two Witnesses are the two anointed ones who are referred to as candlesticks because they hold up the light of Christ and they are olive trees because they provide the olive oil that keeps the light of Christ symbolically burning in the lamps upheld by the candlesticks.