Revelation 11:4-6 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5 And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. 6 They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire.
Olive trees produce the oil for the lampstands. Lampstands were part of the furnishing of the ancient tabernacle and temples (see Exodus 25). Lampstands represent the seven churches in Revelation 1-2. In the present passage, they represent the two witnesses sent by God. These two witnesses have power. The fire from their mouth could be the words of their witnesses. When they open their mouths, what they say has power to kill. They are like Elijah who spoke about stopping the rain (1 Kings 17). They can announce a massive drought. They are like Moses with the ability to water into blood and bring about plagues. Many people point out that these witnesses are a form of or actually are Moses and Elijah, two of the key people of the Old Testament, representing the Law and the Prophets. These two appeared also when Jesus was transfigured on the mountain (Mark 9).
The Law and the Prophets lay out the clear message that people should listen to God, love and serve God only and live in obedience to God’s laws. These two witnesses represent the call to faith and obedience. These witnesses speak now through the Bible. Someday they will speak in person (if we take this passage with some literalness). Will we heed the Bible? Will we listen to God’s word to us?
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