The word prophesy literally means to speak for someone. These two speak for God. They do so in sackcloth. Sackcloth is worn as a sign of mourning or repentance.
The symbolism of sackcloth reminds us of the importance of repentance. Without repentance (asking God to forgive our sins and change our hearts) people are blindsided by divine judgment when it comes.
They exhibit the signs of Elijah “power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying” and of Moses “power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire.” [2]
Elijah prophesied against idolatry among the people of Israel. He challenged false prophets to a dual and defeated them by leaning on the power of God.
Moses prophesied against Pharaoh of Egypt. He delivered slaves from their slaveholders.
Both prophets revealed to cruel authorities that God was God, and they were not.
When earthly authorities horribly mistreat people, Christ anoints His Church to indict them and call them to repentance and to submission to God and His Word.
Moses represents God’s Word and Elijah represents the Spirit of the Lord. These two figures also appeared at the transfiguration of Jesus. The Christian Church has these two witnesses. When the Word and the Holy Spirit is operating in the Church, the Church is operating as Christ’s prophet in the world.
The Lord Jesus gives authority to His Church to speak for Him.
Like Jesus, they both suffer a setback. Jesus was crucified. These witnesses are killed by the beast. Both Jesus and they experience death. Jesus for three days. They for three and half days. Like Jesus, they resurrect from the dead. Like Jesus, they ascend to heaven while people watch.
“When they have finished their testimony,” the beast kills them. Their dead bodies lie in the street where their Lord was crucified for three and a half days. SOME peoples from the nations gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be entombed. People rejoice, make merriment and exchange gifts because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. But three and a half days later, God breathes into them, and they stand up on their feet. Great fear falls on those who see this happen. Then, the Lord calls them up to heaven. They ascend to heaven in a cloud while their enemies watch. [3]
After their rapture, loud voices in heaven say, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.” [4]
Don’t rejoice when Christians are taken down because God will raise them up.
Finally, the kingdom of the world is destined to become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. Only His Kingdom shall remain forever.
[1] Revelation 11:3
[2] Revelation 11:6
[3] Revelation 11:7-12
[4] Revelation 11:15
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