Yeshua Bible Code

"THE TWO WITNESSES"

LESSON 3a

In this bible-code study of the Yeshua-Yeshua bible code, we want to establish a clear link between the identity of the "Two Witnesses," along with the "1260 days" of Revelation 11, as compared with our Bible code (ELS) at the burning bush passage. In Part 1 and 2 of this lesson, we will establish the thematic link by identifying who the Two Witnesses are. In Part 3, we will look at the numerical link. Let us begin Part 1 with identifying these "Two Witnesses".

 See Lesson 1: Part 2 for some background to this study.

"And I will give power to my Two Witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1260 days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth." (Revelation 11:3,4)

This passage is derived mainly from the Book of Zechariah:

"Then I asked the angel, "What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand? "Again I asked him, "What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?" He replied, "Do you not know what these are?" "No, my lord," I said. So he said, "These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth." (Zechariah 4:11-14)

There are numerous similarities between Zechariah 4, and Revelation 11. It may be helpful to consult a couple of good Bible commentaries since I cannot go into detail now. Here, I will only present a quick summary.

Primarily speaking, Zechariah 3 and 4 are prophesying the union of the kingly and priestly services to God. Under the Law of Moses, the kingly and priestly offices were completely separate. The two individuals representing these two offices are Zerubbabel, the governor of Jerusalem and Joshua, the High Priest. (This "Joshua" is not the same person as the "Joshua" who led in the conquest of Canaan.) Together, they symbolize one man, that is, the Messiah (which by interpretation means, "the anointed One"). This union is an important theme in the Book of Zechariah.

"Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both." (Zechariah 6:13)

Revelation 11, expands on the symbolism of Zechariah 3, and 4. It draws upon, not only from the Book of Zechariah, but indeed from all the Old and New Testaments. Who, then, are the "Two Witnesses" of Revelation 11? The obvious answer (as most any commentary will point out) is that these two are that of "Elijah" and "Moses". Compare the following verses to the lives of these two individuals.

"If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want." (Revelation 11:5, 6.)

Who had power to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wanted? It was Moses and Elijah. Who turned water into blood and called for a 1260-day (3½ year) drought (see James 5:17)? Was it not Moses and Elijah (respectively)? Also, who called fire down from heaven and saw their enemies consumed? Again, we respond, 'Moses and Elijah'. Therefore, at least in type, Moses and Elijah are the Two Witnesses.

However, since the Book of Revelation is mostly symbolic, what or who does "Moses" and "Elijah" represent? There are actually several answers. The interpretation, very popular amongst evangelicals, is the future view where there are two (often-literal) individuals that are going to appear on the earth during what is called, "The Great Tribulation." We will touch on this future view later in this lesson. However, I do not personally see this as its primary interpretation. I see its historical view (as including up to the present) as its primary application.

Therefore, primarily speaking, these Two Witnesses depict the exploits of all followers of Messiah the Lamb (Hebrews 11:40). They symbolize those under the old dispensation (that is, 'before Messiah,' as represented by John the Baptist), and, also this present dispensation (that is, 'after Messiah', as represented by Yeshua). {Also, compare "the two olive trees" of Zechariah 4 and Revelation 11 with Romans 11. Furthermore, see Hebrews 11, the "faith chapter." Note the concluding verse "God had planned something better for us (N.T. saints) so that only together with us would they (O.T. saints) be made perfect." (Heb. 11:40)}

Notice the hostility of this world to the Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:8-10, 18): "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) As it is with all faithful followers of the Lamb, so it is symbolized here in the Two Witnesses: "All who live godly in Messiah Yeshua shall suffer persecution" (2Tim. 3:12). The word of God, properly preached, produces wrath among the rebellious, but life and joy among those who repent. This is similar to what the Apostle Paul professed:

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Messiah and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Messiah among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?" (2Cor. 2:14-16)

Finally, from the last few verses in the Old Testament comes a clear prophecy concerning the identity of these Two Witnesses and whom they symbolize.

"Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse." (Malachi 4:4-7) {Note: In Revelation 11:6, the Two Witnesses "…have power … to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will;" and is alluding to this last phrase here quoted from Malachi "…strike the land with a curse;"}

Yeshua declared this prophecy of Malachi as fulfilled in John the Baptist. He was the forerunner of Yeshua. By the way, we should notice that Yeshua also implied a future application of this prophecy besides its past tense historical fulfillment of which we just studied. In Matthew 17, Moses and Elijah appear on a mountain, talking with the transfigured Messiah. Afterwards, the disciples ask Yeshua concerning Elijah and about this prophecy from Malachi. In His response, He hints at both the past and future fulfillment of Malachi's prophecy.

"The disciples asked him, "Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" Yeshua replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will (future tense) restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has (past tense) already come, and they did not recognize him..." (Matthew 17:10-12a)