We learn in Revelation, chapter 11, about the two witnesses, which are also called the two olive trees or candlesticks. They are on earth, near Jesus’s second coming, in order to prepare the people for His return. They will do this for 3 years and 6 months, much like John prepared the way for Jesus’s first coming. All this while being clothed in sackcloth. We hear about these two men starting with verse 1. It reads, “and there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. 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 11:1-4) Now, this last bit about them being the two olive trees or two candlesticks, we get the interpretation in Zechariah, chapter 4. An angel helps Zechariah understand who the two olive trees/branches were, which stand on the left and right sides of a candlestick with seven lampstands. They are interpreted as the two anointed ones, of which many people say are either, Moses and Elijah, Enoch and Elijah, or two other important people. Only God knows who they really are.
We read about these anointed ones, who are God’s two witnesses in the great tribulation, in Zechariah, chapter 4. Starting with verse 1, it reads, “and the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep. And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.” (Zechariah 4:1-3) Here we learn about the two olive trees, which are on the left and right side of this candlestick, of which had seven lamps. Then, we learn of the interpretation of the olive branches, as I mentioned above. “Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” (Zechariah 4:11-14) Lastly, what these messengers of God will do on earth will be spoken of in part 2 of this message. All we know is that the wicked will hate them and their message.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that Your people will be ready for Your return. One day soon, the angels will blow their trumpets, while angels will gather Your saints from the four corners of the earth. If I am on the earth at this time, I will be anxiously awaiting this time. I want to be with You Lord! To be raptured up to be with You in the clouds would be amazing. Therefore, transform my life even more so according to Your perfect will. Wherever I am falling short, help me understand what I can do better. All I wish for is to gain more insight from heaven. What I can learn on earth does not matter in the long run, but only what You can teach me, God. Have Your way in my life. Lord, forgive me of my sins. Lead me from temptation and cast out every wicked thought that comes into my mind. I don’t understand why certain thoughts linger and others do not, but I pray that those things that lead me to sin will be cast out of my heart and my mind. Surely, Satan wants to destroy my faith and my spiritual walk with You, Jesus. I am continually tempted to do things that the flesh desires, but know that these things are so sinful and abominable in Your sight also. It is so sad to see that what is good and bad is flipped upside down in these last days. What we need in this darkened world are eyes to see what is good and what is bad, that we may cling to what is good. What is true and what is false, and then cling to what is true. You are my God and I will follow all my days. I love You. Amen.
