The Two Witnesses
Midway through the book of Revelation, between the sixth and seventh trumpet, there is a periscope involving a strong angel with
a little scroll / book. In this second interlude (Rev 10:1
- Rev 11:14), the Two Witnesses appear clothed in sackcloth and are prophesying to the world
for a period of 3-1/2 years. As His witnesses, God will grant them the authority to:
Kill any who attempt to harm them by fire that flows from their mouths (Rev 11:5).
Have the power to stop the rain while they are prophesying (Rev 11:6).
Have the power to turn water into blood (Rev 11:6)
Have the power to invoke every plague known to man (i.e. diseases, the plagues of Exodus, etc.) upon the earth
as often as they desire (Rev 11:6).
In light of their supernatural powers, it seems highly unlikely that a human being could kill them. Revelation indicates that the
"Beast from the Abyss" will make war and kill the Two Witnesses (Rev 11:7). While the identity
of the "Beast from the Abyss" is not explicitly clear, the likely individual is the fallen angel king of the abyss named Abaddon
(Hebrew) / Apollyon (Greek) who was released when the fifth trumpet sounded signaling an unfallen angel to use a key to open the
abyss (Rev 9:1-2, 11-12).
Given the length of the ministry of the Two Witnesses (1260 days = 42 months = 3-1/2 years), it is possible to correlate these
events to Daniel's 70th week.
1. In Daniel's prophecy, the 70th week begins with the emergence of the "one who makes desolate" and midway
through this seven year period, Believers will be prevented from worshiping and complete desolation and destruction will occur.
Although Daniel's reference to sacrifice and grain offering do not correspond to the New Covenant, it is an indication that the
worship of God is prohibited.
And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will
put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete
destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate." (Dan 9:27)
Because the ministry of the Two Witnesses takes place when the Temple is preserved while its outer court is being
"tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months" by the nations (Rev 11:2-3), it appears
that they ministered during the early years of Daniel's 70th week.
2. Daniel's prophecy of the 70th week indicates that a covenant is made. While there is no information about this
covenant, it is believed to be some sort of peaceful agreement – perhaps it was a covenant that allowed worship in the Temple, which
would be violated when its desecration occurs. In John's third interlude, when Satan empowers the Antichrist (the Beast from the Sea),
the beast is given the authority to act for 3-1/2 years "to make war with the saints and to overcome them." All of this is within the
context of the last Gentile kingdom which God judges to: 1) finish the transgression, 2) to make an end of sin, 3) to make atonement
for iniquity, and 4) to bring an everlasting righteousness (Dan 9:24).
There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two
months was given to him. And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is,
those who dwell in heaven. It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe
and people and tongue and nation was given to him. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been
written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. And he opened his mouth in blasphemies
against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.
(Rev 13:5-8)
Because the Antichrist who had the authority to make war with the saints, it appears that he ruled during the
latter part of Daniel's 70th week.
3. Lastly, while the ministry of the Two Witnesses and the reign of the Antichrist are both 3-1/2 years, they do not appear to run
consecutively to equal Daniel’s 70th week of 7 years. The data indicates that the Antichrist started his reign around the fifth seal
and the Two Witnesses were murdered after the 5th trumpet. This overlap implies that the Two Witnesses started their ministry after
the start of Daniel’s 70th week.