Indeed these has been visited before, but makes for a good exercise of our spiritual acumen. I have heard all of the prevailing viewpoints but would inject my thoughts into the ring of public opinion. It is written that is appointed once for ALL men to die, then judgment. That said, Enoch and Elijah never died! In the end, we'll take whoever the Lord has chosen! What are you thoughts and why? TR I’ve started wondering if it’s figurative, because it says they represent the olive tree and lampstand. Isn’t that the Jews and Christians? Either one is a messianic Jew, and the other a gentile Christian, or they represent those two and might be more than 2 people. I lean towards the 2 witnesses will be Moses and Elijah: * both appeared at the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus * the Book of Jude talks about Moses’ body being fought over by Michael the Archangel and satan ... his body wasn’t left in the grave to decay. Why? * The miracles of the 2 witnesses look to be the same under Moses and Elijah’s ministry. Drinking water will be turned to blood. Power to shut up the heavens so it won’t rain, etc. As far as the debate that Moses already died ... that means he will have to die twice ... I think we can say the same about Lazarus .. didn’t he die twice? :unsure: Interesting thought. I always thought it was just 2 people because it says 2 witnesses and their bodies will be left lying in the streets for 3 1/2 days before they are raptured ... get their glorified bodies and fly up. Now you have me pondering the 144,000 ... were they beheaded at this same time? Are their bodies going to be left in the streets as well? :unsure: I would add also that the fact that Moses spoke with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration proves that he was raised from the dead like Lazarus, because otherwise Jesus would be guilty of necromancy (communing with the dead). I have also thought that they represent the two people groups, the Jews and the Gentiles each being represented. They are also given license of God's sovereignty with regards to judgments pronounced. Whoever they are, I'll high five them going up in the Rapture as they descend to Earth from Heaven! They are indeed the two witnesses accounted for as testimony that their judgments are God sent! TR This is a hard one, since there is nothing definitive to go on in the Word. There are some small hints about strange things being involved, yet we don't know enough to say conclusively. Therefore, take all of this as speculative and not something stated dogmatically. http://www.tedmontgomery.com/bblovrvw/emails/Mosesthewitness.html A number of years ago, I heard that it is a Jewish tradition that Moses was raised from the dead, even as Lazarus was. I don't really like citing traditions, as they aren't provable. In this case, I'll throw that out there with the caution it isn't anything conclusive. I also have some issues with Enoch and Elijah, as well as Moses, as I don't think they would have received a glorified body before Christ was raised. We are told He is the firstfruits of those who rose from the dead in a new body. Ultimately, God can do whatever He chooses. 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. I personally lean toward Moses and Elijah being the two witnesses, as they represent the Law and the Prophets bearing witness that Jesus is the Messiah. Fun question, tenderreed! I lean heavily toward Moses and Elijah because of the same reasons Geri7 and David Roche have pointed out already: Excellent summation, Kenneth! LOL. Kenneth. Very funny with “I can only say with almost 100% certainty that the two witnesses will not be Carmen Sandiego and Elvis Presley, both of whom’s whereabouts are often in question.” Actually Elvis Presley ... could actually still be alive ... I kid you not. There is speculation he faked his own death so he could get out the secular music industry and become a pastor. Google ... Pastor Bob Joyce youtube ... This Pastor Bob Joyce in Arkansas not only looks like Elvis but with grey hair but talks like him and when he sings “How Great Thou Are” its distinctively just like how Elvis used to sing that hymn. So anything is possible ... I actually lean towards he did fake his death and he is still alive and serving the Lord right now. B-)
23 Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? John 21:22-23
Moses and Elijah made an appearance on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus.
The signs and wonders by the witnesses during the Tribulation are similar to what Moses and Elijah did during their ministry.
Moses and Elijah represent The Law and the Prophets.
This last reason bears a little explanation. During the Tribulation, God turns His attention toward the nation of Israel. The Bride of Christ, the Church, is out of the way. Luke 16:16 says "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John..." I believe this will pick up again during the Tribulation in the same way that Daniel's 70th week picks back up in God's dealing with the Jews. Also note that Jesus said in 1 Cor 1:22: "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom". The signs and wonders the witnesses display will primarily be for Israel. And here is something I have never heard anyone mention before. Remember the story of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16? The rich man wanted Father Abraham to send Lazarus to the rich man's brothers in order to warn them about the place of torment. But Abraham responded with,"They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them." (v 29) Could this be a prophecy for the end times where Elijah represents the prophets?
As to Heb 9:27: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment", I believe this is a generalization because of what 1 Cor 15:51 says: "Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed". Heb 9:27 will have millions of exceptions when the Rapture happens. So the fact that neither Enoch nor Elijah had ever died seems to be of no consequence as to the qualifications of the two witnesses.
In a very different vein, we also have to consider that Jesus allowed for John the Baptist to have been the foretold Elijah of Malachi 4:5. In Matt 11:14: "And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come." This indicates that the two witnesses could actually be two other men, mortal men, other than the original Moses, Enoch, Elijah, or whomever else we might speculate on.
Having said all this, I really am not certain who the two witnesses will be even though I do lean towards the original Moses and Elijah (making an educated guess like everyone else.) I can only say with almost 100% certainty that the two witnesses will not be Carmen Sandiego and Elvis Presley, both of whose whereabouts are often in question.
