The Two
Witnesses
By George Kirkpatrick
Vital Words to the Body of Christ
Proclaiming the Everlasting Gospel of the Kingdom
Vital Words to the Body of Christ
Freely We Have Received, Freely We Give
E-mail:
Vitalwords@aol.com
http://www.newfoundationspubl.org/titles.htm
Since Jesus descended off the earth one of the most controversial books in the New Testament has been the book of Revelation. John was given the revelation of Jesus Christ on the Isle of Patmos around 90 - 92 A.D. Many believe the book of Revelation is the end time book, when in reality, the book of Revelation holds the keys to the end time revelation of God.
We cannot understand the book of Revelation without a thorough understanding of the Old Testament. The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.
One area which is surrounded by controversy and misunderstanding concerns the two witnesses who will appear at the end of the age. Jesus revealed these two witnesses to John:
"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." Revelation 11:1-3
There have been many theories as to who these two witnesses are. Paul admonished Timothy:
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth." II Timothy 2:15
Let us take a closer look at these two witnesses to see if we can discover who they are by rightly dividing the Word of Truth. These two witnesses will prophesy for 1260 days clothed in sackcloth. Sackcloth is the clothing of repentance. These two witnesses have a repentant heart before God.
The length of their prophesy is 1260 days or 3 ½ years. This is the length of God's judgment upon sinful mankind - - - or what is termed the wrath of God. These 1260 days are spoken of two other places in the book of Revelation:
"And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days." Revelation 12:6
This is when the true church will flee to God's protected place during the time God pours out His wrath upon the earth.
"And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." Revelation 13:4-5
Forty-two months is the same as 1260 days or 3 ½ years. This is when the world will worship the beast government, headed by the great anti-christ, who wants to be worshipped as God.
The two witnesses will prophesy or declare things that can only be known by divine revelation. So who are these two witnesses?
"These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth." Revelation 11:4
Many declare these are two men who are going to evangelize the whole earth during these 1260 days. Some declare these two men to be Moses and Elijah because they met with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. Others say these two will be Enoch and Elijah because these are the only two men who did not see death but were taken by God.
But through a closer examination of the two witnesses, we discover there are two olive trees and two candlesticks which stand before the God of the whole earth. If there are two olive trees and two candlesticks, then we are not looking for two men, but two olive trees and two candlesticks. Two plus two adds up to four. So the two witnesses are not two - - - but four. We need to identify who the olive trees and who are the candlesticks are. Paul spoke of these two olive trees in his letter to the church at Rome:
"And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;" Romans 11:17
Paul speaks of two olive trees. The branches that were broken off were Ancient Israel, or Natural Israel the nation.
There was a wild olive tree that was grafted into the root of the olive tree. The root of the olive tree is Christ Jesus. The root is what gives life to the tree, and it is Christ Jesus who gives life to the olive tree and the wild olive tree.
So who is the wild olive tree? The wild olive tree are the Gentiles who were graffed in. Paul revealed these to the church at Galatia:
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." Galatians 6:15-16
The word creature should have been translated creation. Those who are in Christ Jesus are His new creation, and those who walk according to this rule (power and authority) are the Israel of God. Paul also explained this to the Ephesians:
"That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:" Ephesians 2:12
When we were without Christ (or the anointing), we were aliens (estranged) from the commonwealth (nation) of Israel. Those who have Christ, the Anointing, are now fellow citizens in the nation of Israel.
Those who were aliens from Israel have now become the Israel of God and part of the nation of Israel because they have been graffed into the root, Christ Jesus. These are now partakers of the fatness of the root. Those who have been graffed into the root are God's Ekklesia. The word Ekklesia is translated "church."
The Candlesticks
Jesus showed John on the Isle of Patmos seven stars and seven candlesticks. Seven is God's perfect number. Then Jesus revealed who these seven stars and seven candlesticks are.
"The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches." Revelation 1:20
The candlesticks represent the church. With this understanding, we now see the two olive trees are the symbols of natural Israel (ancient Israel) - - - and the candlesticks are the symbols of the church, or Spiritual Israel.
As stated before, we cannot understand the New Testament without a thorough knowledge of the Old Testament. The prophet Zechariah was shown the candlesticks and the olive trees:
"And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep," Zechariah 4:1
In Zechariah, we discover the first revelation of what God is going to do with His two witnesses. He is going to wake them out of their sleep. Paul wrote to the Ephesians concerning those who are asleep:
"Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." Ephesians 5:14
The church system is asleep. Only those who are going on in God have awakened to the fact that we are at the end of the age and that God is going to reveal His two witnesses.
The church has been dead to the true meaning of God's Word, but Paul, by the anointing of the Holy Spirit, promised God would wake the true church from their dead condition and give them light.
The word light is not the usual word used for light which is PHOS. The word Paul used for light is the Greek word EPIPHAUSKO. It is only used once in the New Testament. Sometimes in translating a word from one language to another, we cannot make a direct translation, but must use a complete phrase or sentence to explain the word. This is true with the word EPIPHAUSKO. The translation is "Christ will pour upon you the divine truth as the sun gives light to men aroused from sleep." To the Corinthians Paul wrote:
"Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame." I Corinthians 15:34
When the true church awakes, it will be to righteousness. When we attain to the full knowledge of God we will no longer serve the sin nature. So, by the Word we know God is going to wake His two witnesses out of their sleep.
Zechariah continues his revelation of the candlesticks and the olive trees:
"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 the two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.
So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my Lord?
Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my Lord." Zechariah 4:2-5
God showed Zechariah a candlestick with a bowl on top, feeding seven lamps through seven pipes. There were two olive trees, one on each side of the candlesticks. When the angel asked Zechariah what these were, Zechariah did not know.
"Then said He, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth." Zechariah 4:14
These are God's two anointed ones who stand before the Lord of the whole earth. This is the same revelation Jesus gave John on the Isle of Patmos. These two witnesses are the two candlesticks and the two olive trees.
By God's Word, we know these two witnesses will prophesy for three and one-half years during the time God pours out His wrath. Zechariah continues:
"Then He answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the Word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." Zechariah 4:6
The word to Zerubbabel was "not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit." This is the way by which the two witnesses will operate. They can, and will, only prophesy by the Spirit of God.
We need to identify who Zechariah was referring to as Zerubbabel. The name Zerubbabel means "those who are called out of Babel." The word Babel means "confusion." So the Zerubbabels are those who have been called out of their religous confusion.
Today those who are called by the name of Christ are in much confusion because of all the different translations of the Bible. They are also confused because of all the precepts and doctrines of men, and because of their liberal interpretation of the Word of God.
As with the church, so with Israel. Israel has looked for their Messiah for centuries. As the church, Israel has come up with many different religions and because of this, much confusion reigns in their midst. But some of Ancient Israel have recognized and made their peace with their Messiah. These Israelites make up one of the two olive trees.
"Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it." Zechariah 4:7
Before Zerubbabel, there is a great mountain. This mountain represents the overcoming process all must go through to become partakers of God's Kingdom. The overcomers are given the promise that this great mountain before them will become a plain or a level place. The more they overcome, the more level their walk before God becomes. They no longer have the highs that are simply worked up emotions - - - nor do they have the lows in their depressed moments - - - but, praise the Lord, they will have a level walk based on the Word of God.
As Zechariah explained, the Zerubbabels will bring forth the Headstone with shoutings. We all recognize who the Cornerstone is, but who is the Headstone? First, Paul reveals the Cornerstone to the Ephesians:
"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone;" Ephesians 2:20
We know Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone of the foundation. All measurements must line up with the Cornerstone. The apostles wrote the New Testament and the prophets wrote the Old Testament. So, Jesus is not only the Cornerstone of the Apostles(the New Testament). He was also the Cornerstone of the prophets (the Old Testament).
But the Cornerstone and the foundation are not the whole house. Once we realize the Holy City, New Jerusalem is built in the shape of a pyramid, then we can understand the Headstone. Matthew records Jesus' words:
"Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?" Matthew 21:42
In the pyramid, all the corners come together in one stone. When Matthew made this revelation, he was quoting Psalm 118:22. So we are dealing with two stones:
The Cornerstone, Jesus Christ - - - and the Headstone, Christ Jesus, (the Anointing).
Matthew gave us further insight to these two stones. Jesus proclaimed:
"And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." Matthew 21:44
All who come to Christ must deal with these two stones in their life. First, we must fall on the Cornerstone. This is our repentance. We must be broken, recognizing we all were sinners needing a Saviour.
But when the Headstone falls on us, it will grind us to powder. This is when God deals with the old man nature. The Headstone will grind us until all recognition of the old man is gone and the new man which is created in righteousness and true holiness comes forth shouting grace, grace unto it. This is when we will praise Him (Christ Jesus, the Headstone) who brought maturing into our life.
All who are part of the Two Witness Company must go through this process. Zechariah continues his revelation:
"Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you." Zechariah 4:8-9
We know Zechariah was writing about relaying the foundation of the temple at Jerusalem, but this was also written for those who are laying the foundation of their temple, which God will inhabit for all eternity.
It was the hands of Zerubbabel that would lay the foundation and his hands would finish it. Hands are the sign of labor, strength, and dedication. Paul reminds the church at Corinth:
"What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" I Corinthians 6:19
When we have laid a firm foundation in our life through the Word of God, then we are laying a foundation God can build His temple on.
Zechariah continues:
"For who hath despised the day of small things? For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth." Zechariah 4:10
We are not to despise the day of small things. We all come into the Kingdom of God as babies, and we are all given a measure of faith. But we are to rejoice when we see the plummet in the hand of those who have come out of their religious confusion and are measuring their lives by the Word of God.
Zechariah prophesied what Jesus would also reveal to John on the Isle of Patmos:
"And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth." Revelation 5:6
Zechariah prophesied the seven eyes of the Lord which run to and fro through the whole earth are the seven Spirits of God. These are God's ministering Spirits who will go forth into all the earth to minister to those who have come out of their religious confusion to become His two witnesses in the time God pours out His wrath upon the earth.
Who are these seven Spirits of God? They are the Spirit of Wisdom, the Spirit of Revelation, the Spirit of Judgment, the Spirit of Grace, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Meekness, and the Spirit of Life. [See "The Seven Spirits of God by George Kirkpatrick] When these seven Spirits are in our life, then we will be empowered to do the work God has promised His two witnesses would perform. What are these works?
"These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will." Revelation 11:6
As Jesus proclaimed, these two witnesses will have the power to shut up the heavens that it rain not for the three and one-half years of their prophesy. This is the same miracle Elijah performed in the days of King Ahab.
They will also have the power to turn the water to blood (poison), and to smite the earth with plagues as often as they will. This is the same power that was given to Moses as he was about to deliver Israel from their Egyptian bondage.
Jesus gives us one more word concerning His two witnesses:
"And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed." Revelation 11:5
God will empower His two witnesses so that nothing can hurt them. Man has never possessed as much power as the two witnesses will possess. When the angel asked Zechariah who these two witnesses are . . .
"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
As we know by the book Revelation, there were two candlesticks and two olive trees. Again we restate, these are God's two Israels: Spiritual Israel (the candlestick) the true church - - - and natural Israel (the olive tree) those who have, and will recognize their Messiah.
So, what is the difference between the two candlesticks and the two olive trees? The difference is the anointing each will receive. God's Word speaks of two anointings:
The Firstfruit Anointing
and the
Paul explains the firstfruit anointing to the church at Rome:
"And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." Romans 8:23
The Firstfruit Anointing is the anointing that came on the Day of Pentecost to cleanse and purify those who know by the Word that there is an adoption coming. They also know there is another anointing. This is called The Early and Latter Rain Anointing. It goes beyond the Early Rain Anointing (Pentecost), and will be the Double Portion Anointing. Hosea explains this Double Portion Anointing:
"After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight." Hosea 6:2
When will this Double Portion Anointing come? It will come after the two days of the church age. The third day we will live in His sight. Hosea continues:
"Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and the former rain unto the earth." Hosea 6:3
These firstfruit anointed unto God and the Lamb are prepared as the morning, or they are being prepared for the New Day when they will receive the early and later rain (The Double Portion Anointing) that will come upon their earth.
Jesus revealed to John on the Isle of Patmos those who will follow on to know the Lord:
"These are they which are not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfrtuis unto God and the Lamb." Revelation 14:4
Those who follow on to know the Lord are those who were not defiled with women (the organized church system). These are virgins who have not given themselves to the religious spirit that has defiled the church system. These follow the Lamb wherever He leads them. These are His redeemed from among fallen mankind. These are the firstfruit unto God and the Lamb.
Although they are not mentioned here, this also includes those of natural Israel who have recognized their Messiah. When those who are natural Israel recognize their messiah and are baptized and receive the Firstfruit Anointing, then they, too, will become part of God's Ekklesia, the true church.
Joel speaks of this Early and Latter Rain Anointing:
"Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month." Joel 2:23
These are those who will receive the early and latter rain together (the double portion anointing) in the first month, or at the beginning of the New Day. This promise is made to both natural Israel (the olive tree) and Spiritual Israel (the candlestick). James prophesied the same thing in the New Testament:
"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until He receive the early and latter rain." James 5:7
The husbandman is Christ Jesus our Lord. And He has waited for His precious fruit of the earth for two thousand years until He has a people prepared to receive the early and latter rain (Double Portion Anointing).
Zechariah explains the different anointing the two candlesticks and the two olive trees will receive:
"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 4:2-3
The golden oil flows through seven pipes, or these pipes have a limited flow of oil. This oil is not poured out in abundance, but in a restricted flow. This represents the Firstfruit Anointing.
But Zechariah shows us another anointing:
"And I answered again, and said unto Him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil (anointing) out of themselves" Zechariah 4:12
The second anointing comes through the branches. The word branches means "a flowing stream, or an uninhibited flow of the Spirit." These are those who empty the golden oil (anointing) out of themselves - - - or, they are poured out before the people.
There were two olive trees and two candlesticks. Why are there two olive trees and two candlesticks? It is because there are two anointings and two jobs God has for each of them to do.
As Jesus revealed to John, these two witnesses will prophesy for forty-two months or twelve hundred and sixty days which is three and one-half years.
The first candlestick and olive tree are those who have allowed the firstfruit anointing to do the work in their lives to prepare them for the day of wrath. God has promised those who are prepared for His wrath will not suffer His wrath:
"But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ," I Thessalonians 5:8-9
Those who are of the DAY are those who are walking in the light of the truth of the glorious gospel of truth. These are not appointed to wrath. These are God's ministering witnesses who will prophesy during the three and one-half years God pours out His judgment upon the earth. These will receive the same anointing Jesus had when He ministered for His three and one-half year ministry. It is recorded:
"For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him." John 3:34
The double portion anointed candelstick and the double portion anointed olive tree will have the same power and authority Jesus demonstrated during His ministry.
But what of the other candelstick and olive tree who must receive their anointing during the wrath? The second olive tree and second candlestick only received a limited anointing through the golden pipes? Jesus speaks of these, and Matthew recorded His words:
"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." Matthew 24:13
These are the Enduring Saints who must endure to the end. These Enduring Saints will receive their anointing during the wrath. These are those who love the Lord and want to do His work, but because of bad teaching and being loyal to their denominational orders, were not taught to seek the anointing. Isaiah proclaims:
"With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when Thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness." Isaiah 26:9
These are those whose souls have truly desired the Lord, and when God's judgment is in the earth, these will learn the righteousness of God. They will forget their own self righteousness, and truly seek to know and obtain the righteousness of God.
So what of the other olive tree? Zechariah explains who these are:
"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for His only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." Zechariah 12:10
Those of natural Israel who turn to God and realize they have failed to recognize their Messiah will also have to endure to the end to be saved. When they realize it was Jesus their Messiah whom their fathers had put to death, they are going to mourn(lament).
This is when they will fall upon the rock and repent and be broken. Then the Headstone will fall upon them, and they will be anointed through the golden pipes to become one of God's witnesses at the end of the age.
Then God will pour out His Spirit of grace and supplication upon those of His ancient people who recognize Him as their Messiah and they, too, will become part of His witnesses into all the earth.
So, what will this olive tree group (natural Israel who must endure the wrath) and the candlestick group (Spiritual Israel who must endure the wrath) be doing during the time God pours out His wrath upon the earth? These will be those who will minister to those who have The Double Portion Anointing.
Just as in the early church, the apostles were not to leave the Word to wait on tables. In the wrath, the olive tree and the candlestick who only have a limited anointing through the golden pipes, will be the servants who will do the needed work, to free up those who have The Double Portion Anointing to minister the Word.
Because of the teaching of the Rapture, Once-saved -Always-saved, Ultimate Reconciliation, and all other false teachings, the people who are destined to go through the wrath will need much teaching.
God has made us a beautiful promise through the pen of Jeremiah:
"And I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
And I will set shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord." Jeremiah 23:3-4
These two witnesses will be God's shepherds who will feed His people in their time of greatest need. Great fear will come upon God's people during this time of wrath. But God has given us His promise that His people will fear no more, neither be dismayed. It will be by God's grace and mercy, God's people will have no lack. Praise the Lord!
Related books by George Kirkpatrick
Goshen - God's Protected
Place
First the Natural,
Then the Spiritual
The Overcomin Sons
of God
The Double Portion
Ministry
Christ Jesus
The Seven Spirits
of God
Songs: