Why the Two Witnesses Are Not Who You Think: Elijah, the Olive Trees and the Lampstands
Updated: Oct 3
The short answer: Revelation 11:4 tells us exactly who the two witnesses are: "the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth." Pastor Chris teaches that when Scripture interprets its own symbols, the olive tree is Israel with the Gentiles grafted in (Jeremiah 11:16; Romans 11), and the lampstands are the assemblies of believers (Revelation 1:20). So the two witnesses are not Moses and Elijah, Enoch and Elijah, or the two Testaments. They represent God's people, Jewish and Gentile believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit to prophesy in the last days.
Fire, drought and plagues
Revelation 11:3 says, "And I will grant authority to My two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." This is not ordinary preaching. Verses 5 and 6 describe fire proceeding from their mouths to devour their enemies, power to shut the sky so that no rain falls during the days of their prophesying, and power over the waters to turn them to blood and to strike the earth with every plague as often as they desire.
Josh compares it to the days of Moses in Egypt, and Pastor Chris notes that in our generation the whole world will see it. So who are these witnesses? There are three popular answers: Enoch and Elijah, Moses and Elijah, or a symbol of the Old and New Testaments. In this episode of The Shift Connection, Pastor Chris tests each one against the Word.
Why people say Enoch and Elijah
Malachi 4:5 says, "Behold, I am sending you Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and terrible day of Adonai." Enoch walked with God and was taken (Genesis 5:24), and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). Because neither one died, many believe they must return as the two witnesses, die in Jerusalem and rise again.
Why people say Moses and Elijah
In Matthew 17, Yeshua takes Peter, James and John up a high mountain and is transfigured before them. His face shines like the sun, His clothes become white as light, and Moses and Elijah appear talking with Him. A bright cloud overshadows them, and a voice says, "This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!" Many see this as a preview of the end times, with Moses representing the Torah and Elijah the Prophets, both fulfilled in Messiah. And the plagues of Revelation 11 sound like Moses, while shutting the sky sounds like Elijah.
Yeshua said Elijah already came
Right after the Transfiguration, the disciples ask why the scribes say Elijah must come first. Yeshua answers in Matthew 17:11–12: "Elijah is coming and will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted." Verse 13 says the disciples understood He was speaking of John the Immerser.
Before John was born, the angel Gabriel told Zechariah in Luke 1:17 that John would go before the Lord "in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children." Pastor Chris stresses that this is not reincarnation. John came in Elijah's spirit and power. But it means the expectation of Elijah's return was fulfilled in John's ministry, and that seriously weakens the case for the two witnesses being Elijah in person.
Let Scripture define the symbols
So Pastor Chris goes back to Revelation 11:4: "These are the two olive trees and the two menorahs that stand before the Lord of the earth." That verse is the only place the Bible directly identifies the witnesses. Instead of guessing names, he says, we should find out what the olive trees and the lampstands mean everywhere else in Scripture.
The two olive trees come from Zechariah 4. The prophet sees a golden lampstand with two olive trees beside it, one on the right and one on the left, and two olive branches pouring golden oil through golden pipes. When he asks what they are, the angel answers in Zechariah 4:14: "These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth." Literally, the two sons of oil: those anointed and empowered by God to serve Him.
The olive tree: Israel, with the nations grafted in
Jeremiah 11:16 says, "Adonai once called you a thriving olive tree, beautiful with well-formed fruit. But with the roar of a great tumult He will set it on fire, and its branches will be broken." God is speaking to Israel, His olive tree, warning that disobedient branches would be broken.
Paul builds on this in Romans 11:17–18: "But if some of the branches were broken off and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became a partaker of the root of the olive tree with its richness, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you." Gentiles who trust in Yeshua are grafted into Israel's olive tree. And Romans 11:26 promises, "And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, 'The Deliverer shall come out of Zion; He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.'"
Pastor Chris teaches that this gives us one body in Messiah with two distinct branches: Jewish believers and Gentile believers. Two olive trees.
The lampstands: the assemblies of believers
Yeshua Himself interprets the lampstands in Revelation 1:20: "the seven menorahs are the seven communities." A lampstand in Revelation is an assembly of believers. So when Revelation 11:4 calls the two witnesses olive trees and lampstands, it is describing God's people, anointed with His Spirit and shining as lights in the world.
They are not Moses and Elijah, not Enoch and Elijah, and not the Old and New Testaments. The Word is clear: the two witnesses represent God's people.
Fire from their mouth: the Word of God
What about the fire that proceeds from their mouths? Pastor Chris points to Jeremiah 5:14: "Therefore thus says Adonai Elohei-Tzva'ot: 'Because you speak this word, behold, I will make My words in your mouth fire, and this people wood, and it will devour them.'" The fire is the word of God spoken through His people, piercing and convicting, consuming lies and opposition. The miraculous signs confirm their message, like the prophets of old.
He draws out the difference between then and now. In the old days, God spoke to the people through a few prophets. Now His people have direct access to God and can receive a double portion of the Holy Spirit. Josh puts it simply: it will be like a lot of Moseses and Elijahs walking the earth. And Matthew 24:22 says that for the sake of the chosen, those days will be shortened.
Killed, raised and taken up
When their testimony is finished, the beast makes war against them and kills them. Revelation 11:8 says their bodies will lie "in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified." Pastor Chris teaches that this pictures the global system of immorality, bondage and corruption the witnesses confront, and the intense persecution believers will face under the Antichrist.
Their bodies lie there three and a half days. Then Revelation 11:11–12 says the breath of life from God entered them, they stood on their feet, great fear fell on those who watched, and they heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Come up here." They went up to heaven in a cloud while their enemies watched. It echoes Ezekiel 37:5–6, where God promises the dry bones, "I will cause breath to enter you, and you will live," and it mirrors the resurrection and ascension of Yeshua.
In that same hour a great earthquake strikes, a tenth of the city falls, seven thousand people are killed, and the rest are terrified and give glory to the God of heaven (Revelation 11:13). Pastor Chris compares it to the earthquake at the crucifixion in Matthew 27:51–52, when the curtain tore, the rocks split and the bodies of many saints were raised. Then the seventh trumpet sounds, and Revelation 11:15 declares, "The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He shall reign forever and ever!"
You are the witnesses
If the witnesses represent God's people, then this prophecy is personal. Pastor Chris says the power of God is already inside every believer, waiting to flourish. That brings responsibility: going to church on Sunday does not save anyone. What saves is a living relationship with Yeshua and seeking His righteousness. So pray, seek the Word, be filled with the Spirit and proclaim the Good News boldly, because the only thing that will matter on the day of judgment is having followed His path.
The risen Messiah who conquered death will do the same for His witnesses. If you have not given your life to Him, Pastor Chris invites you to get on your knees today. God is not looking for religion; He is looking for an open heart.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the two witnesses in Revelation 11?
Revelation 11:4 calls them the two olive trees and the two lampstands. Pastor Chris teaches that Scripture defines those symbols as Israel with the Gentiles grafted in (Romans 11) and the assemblies of believers (Revelation 1:20), so the witnesses represent God's people, Jewish and Gentile believers.
Are the two witnesses Moses and Elijah?
Pastor Chris teaches no. Moses and Elijah appeared at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17), but Yeshua said Elijah had already come in John the Immerser (Matthew 17:11–13), and Revelation 11:4 identifies the witnesses by symbols, not names.
Why do some people say Enoch and Elijah?
Because neither died: Enoch was taken (Genesis 5:24) and Elijah went up in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). Malachi 4:5 promised Elijah would come, but Yeshua said that was fulfilled in John's ministry.
What do the two olive trees mean?
In Zechariah 4:14 they are "the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth." Jeremiah 11:16 calls Israel God's olive tree, and Romans 11:17–18 shows Gentile believers grafted into it.
What do the lampstands mean?
Yeshua explains in Revelation 1:20 that the lampstands are the communities of believers, His assemblies.
Is the fire from their mouths literal?
Pastor Chris teaches it is the word of God spoken through His people, as in Jeremiah 5:14: "I will make My words in your mouth fire." Their message is confirmed by miraculous signs.
How long do the two witnesses prophesy?
1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth (Revelation 11:3). After they are killed, their bodies lie in the street three and a half days before God raises them (Revelation 11:11).
What happens after they rise?
They hear "Come up here," ascend in a cloud while their enemies watch, a great earthquake kills seven thousand, and the seventh trumpet sounds announcing Messiah's kingdom (Revelation 11:12–15).
Take the next step
If this stirred something in you, do not walk it out alone. Join the Faith Sower community on WhatsApp for daily Bible study, prayer and teaching with Pastor Chris and believers around the world.
Comments