The Two Witnesses

Hello everyone, and thank you for visiting my blog. I am grateful for the opportunity to share with you today. Today’s essay is on the Two Witnesses from Revelation chapter eleven. The identity of the two witnesses has always been an intriguing topic. A popular topic of discussion among Christians (of all denominations); wondering who they are and when they will arrive. Some believe these two individuals are possibly prophets written about in the scriptures, such as Enoch and Elijah. While others will say, it is the Jews and the Gentiles. But are these interpretations correct? Or could the two witnesses be someone or something much deeper? And could they already be here?

Why don’t we know who they are?

This is something we should be asking ourselves, “why don’t we know who they are?” The truth is the scriptures tell us exactly who they are, yet we fail to recognize this. Why do we fail to recognize this? I believe it is because we have been looking at the scriptures from the wrong perspective.

In order to understand who the two witnesses are, I would first like to share how I believe the scriptures in the Bible are meant to be read. If you find this is something different than what you have heard before, I ask that you give it a chance and be open to reading this essay to the end. After you read this, if you feel you disagree, then that is ok. I am confident that if you read this to the end, it will help raise questions within you, questions that you might never have thought of before. We are often taught not to question anything, but how can you find the answer if you don’t question? Question everything and never be afraid to ask.

Mat 7:7  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 
Mat 7:8  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 

So why do we fail to recognize who the two witnesses are? This is because we are used to looking at the scriptures from a literal point of view; we look at the scriptures as if we were looking at a history book. A book about people in the past who have no direct connection to us. Reading from the scriptures in this manner will prevent us from seeing the true lessons hidden in the scriptures.

A good example of what happens when you see the scriptures literally can be seen in the story of when Nicodemus comes to Jesus. It says in the scriptures that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. Jesus then shares with him the following:

John 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 

Nicodemus then responds:

John 3:4  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 

From Nicodemus’s answer, you can see that he did not understand what Jesus was saying to him. He was looking at the literal interpretation of his words. Nicodemus did not understand that what Jesus was saying to him was much more profound than what is seen at face value. The scriptures tell us that Nicodemus came to him at night, which tells us he came to him in darkness, meaning veiled from the ability to see.

My Words are Spirit.

In the sixth chapter of the book of John, Jesus tells his disciples, “My words, they are Spirit, and they are life.” Why did he say this? There are many possible reasons, but what catches my eye is that he said his words are “Spirit.”

John 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 

Why Spirit? What is the significance of his words being Spirit?

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 

If we are the Temple of God and Jesus’s words are Spirit, wouldn’t that mean that his words dwell within us? His words(which are Spirit) are found within you(the temple of God)and not outside. People often say, “the Bible is the word of God.” If the Bible is God’s word, then that would mean that the stories in the scriptures take place within you. (Luke 17:21)”…behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”

When Nicodemus was listening to Jesus, he looked at the literal interpretation of Jesus’s words, which his mind couldn’t comprehend. “How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” He couldn’t understand that what Jesus was saying was something spiritual taking place within him and not something happening outside of him. When we look at the scriptures at face value, we become full of fear because, from a literal standpoint, the scriptures look scary. When we read the scriptures in this way, we are looking at them from what is called the carnal perspective. It’s the perspective of the external man; to be carnally minded.

Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 

What does the word carnal mean? The word carnal comes from the Latin Caro, which means “flesh.” The carnal man is the external man, and he is you, me, and we are all carnal. To be carnal means to be focused on the external. Think of it like this; the carnal mind can only see what our physical eyes see. Our eyes are the windows that feed our carnal minds. Everything on the outside is the only thing our carnal mind can see or understand. Our carnal mind cannot see what is inside our bodies. No matter how far forward you roll your eyes down or backward, your eyes can not see the Spirit within; it is outside the carnal mind’s peripheral vision. 

When we look at the stories from the perspective that they are taking place within us, we see that they start taking on a whole new meaning. Instead of a story of a scary God who is out to destroy sinners, you find a story of a loving God who is within you and is out to destroy the sin within you(the lies, and fears, that tell you that you are separated from God).

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

The word became flesh, and again this tells us that the scriptures are taking place within. This verse is not meant to be read from a carnal perspective but from a spiritual perspective from within. If you are the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells within you, then the shell/facade of your temple is your flesh. The scripture says that the word became flesh and dwelt among us. The word “among” in the Greek text is “ἐν,” and it is pronounced “en.” This Greek word is defined as “in the condition (state) in which something operates from the inside (within).” The next part of the verse then tells us, “and we beheld his glory.” We are told in scripture that the hope of glory is Christ in you (1Co12:27).

Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 

Some will say, “no, the word becoming flesh is talking about his physical body.” These people are correct. They just don’t realize that their body is his physical body.

1Co 12:27  Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 

Nicodemus didn’t understand this because he was looking at the letter of the word. He didn’t understand that the Spirit(the story within) gives life, not the letter(not the literal).

2Co 3:6  Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. 

If we look at the scriptures literally, we will get a literal interpretation(flesh gives birth to flesh). If we look at the scriptures spiritually, we will get a spiritual understanding(Spirit gives birth to Spirit).

John 3:6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 

Now that we understand that the Spirit is something that takes place within, we can begin to look at the story of the two witnesses.

The Two Witnesses

I mentioned earlier that the scriptures tell us exactly who the two witnesses are. But even though we are told who they are, our minds cannot make the connection. Because, from a literal point of view, the two witnesses revealed to us by the scriptures clash with how we imagine these individuals mentioned would be treated, so our minds reject it. But, once we look at this spiritually, it all begins to make sense, and we start to recognize who they are.

Let’s now look at Revelation chapter 11.

Rev 11:3  And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 
Rev 11:4  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 
Rev 11:5  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. 
Rev 11:6  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. 
Rev 11:7  And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 

The scriptures tell us that these two witnesses are clothed in sackcloth. What is sackcloth? I used to think sackcloth was like some type of potato sack, but after looking up the meaning of the word, I found something very interesting. The Thayer Greek Lexicon defines sackcloth as “a course cloth, a dark course stuff made especially from the hair of animals.” If we look up the meaning of “course cloth,” we find it means “having a harsh or rough quality coarse dry skin a coarse fabric.” This tells me that the sackcloth the two witnesses are clothed in symbolizes human flesh. Clothed in human flesh?

We are told they are the two olive trees and two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. Who is the God of the earth that the two witnesses are standing before? If all of these stories are taking place within the temple(within you). Then that would mean that the God of the earth is the one living outside the temple. That would be the carnal man, which is us, the version of ourselves focused on the external.

1Jn 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 

In Revelation 11:5, we are told that fire would proceed out of their mouths and devour their enemies. When we look at this from an external perspective, we imagine they have supernatural abilities and that fire comes out of their mouths, burning up their enemies. But is this what it means? Remember, it is the Spirit that gives life and not the letter.

Jer 5:14  Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. 

The words they speak are fire, meaning their words are powerful(revelatory) and able to set you free. It doesn’t mean literal fire that will burn you up. But a powerful word that can divide the truth from the lies. These two witnesses also have the power to shut heaven so that it does not rain, and they have the power to turn water into blood. These two witnesses are powerful.

Who are the two Witnesses?

Who are these two witnesses who have such great power? Only two written in the scriptures have such power, and that is the Father and the Son. They are the two witnesses, and they are found within you.

John 8:17  It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. 
John 8:18  I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. 

They are dressed in sackcloth, which is human flesh, your body. You are the temple of God, and you are the body of Christ. The two witnesses have always been here, knocking at our hearts (from within). They are paying witness to you, and they always have been.

Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 

John 14:23  Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 

1Jn 5:10  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 

The beast rises from the bottomless pit.

Some might say, “That does not sound right; the scriptures say a beast will rise out of the bottomless pit, and all the people will see their dead bodies and rejoice, so how could they be within you?”  These thoughts are a picture of our carnal mind trying to make sense of what we see. When this happens, we must take a step back and refocus our vision, pull away from the external interpretation and bring it back to the Spirit. Remember, the Spirit is within and not on the outside. The beast in scripture is not some magical dragon(like seen in movies) that will rise into our physical world. That beast is the carnal man, the external man. That beast in scripture is you, and it is me; it’s all of us. 

Ecc 3:18  I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. 

When the two witnesses come knocking at our hearts; when they come to reveal the truth of the Spirit. Which often looks different than what we have believed our whole lives. What do we do? We reject it; we kill it because it doesn’t look like the literal/external teachings(teachings of an external God up in the sky) we have been taught. This rejection of the two witnesses is symbolic of the beast (our carnal self) rising out of the bottomless pit, going to war, and killing the two witnesses. “That does not sound right; the scriptures say a beast will rise out of the bottomless pit….” that would be an example of the beast waring with the two witnesses.

But what about the people that rejoice at their killing? Again if the spirit is within, that would mean those people are things born within you. Those people are not literal people living outside you; those people represent beliefs, ideas, and thoughts held within you. When the beast rejects the truth, those beliefs(people)within you, who don’t understand the truth, begin rejoicing because they believe they are overcoming a lie from the devil. They think they are winning a fight on behalf of God(the external God). If every story in the scriptures takes place within you, then every character in the scriptures is you. That would mean that Abraham is you, the father of many, many beliefs, ideas, and thoughts. That would also mean that the promise given to Abraham is the promise given to you.

Gen 12:2  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 

Gen 12:7  And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him. 

Another thing people might point out is that the scriptures say that after three and a half days, the two witnesses rise up again and are called up to heaven. What would that mean?

Rev 11:11  And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 
Rev 11:12  And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. 

I know I keep saying this, and that is because of how important it is to understand that the kingdom of God is within you. When we realize that the kingdom of God is truly within ourselves, the scriptures become open to us.

Luke 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. 

After the beast kills the two witnesses, they lie on the streets for three and a half days. This event is happening within ourselves. After our carnal mind rejects the message sent from the two witnesses found within our temple, the two witnesses lie dead (temporarily dormant). Then, after three and half days (not literal days, but chapters in your journey), they rise again and are called up to heaven. Where is heaven? When we think of this from an external point of view, we believe it is located somewhere high in the sky, for example, in the clouds. But if the story is taking place within you, that would mean that heaven is located in the highest place within you, your mind. The secret place of the most High (Psalms91:1); “The Most High God.”

(Fun fact, the word Spirit in Hebrew is Spelled רוּח, and it is pronounced Ruach. This spelling, though, is also used for the words: Wind, Breath, and Mind. Ref)

The two witnesses heard a great voice from heaven (from your mind). That said, come up hither, and they ascended to heaven (the holy of holies) in a cloud (a thought, that thought is the cloud that hovers over the tabernacle). Their enemies beheld them(their enemies are the lies we have believed our whole lives). The voice that calls the two witnesses up is your voice. It is a picture of the cry made at midnight, which says, “the bridegroom is coming.” That cry is when we finally begin to accept the message that the two witnesses were trying to share with us. That midnight hour represents our darkest hour; it represents the tribulation we must go through and overcome(the war within) to receive THE MESSAGE shared by the two witnesses.

Act 14:22  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 

It truly is a battle that happens within. It is also known as the war in heaven(the war in your mind). It is the biggest battle of our lives. It is not easy to let go of a belief that we have believed our whole lives in our hearts to be the hope of our salvation. It is the hardest thing to let go, but when the time comes, you, as Jacob, are left alone to wrestle with the angel of the LORD (the message of the LORD), and when you overcome, you prevail and are given a new name (new nature), ISRAEL.

Gen 32:28  And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. 

John 14:20  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 

That battle that you, as Jacob, go through is so huge. It is the great earthquake mentioned in Revelation. When you overcome, the tenth part of the city falls, and seven thousand men are slain, meaning the beliefs, ideas, fears, lies, and misunderstandings are destroyed. Because now you can see the spirit, and now you can see the face of God. (Gen 32:30) “I have seen God face to face, and I have lived.” (Gen 32:30)

Rev 11:13  And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. 

When you have overcome the war, the seventh angel will sound. That is when the seventh day has arrived(in you), meaning you have entered the Sabbath, the day of rest. Then you will hear great voices in heaven proclaim that the kingdoms of the world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever. These great voices are in heaven, which is in our mind. And the external kingdom has now surrendered to the spiritual kingdom of the Lord (who lives within you), and the Christ in you will reign forever and ever. “Thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 

When we no longer focus on the external meaning of the scriptures.
We begin to recognize that everything written in the scriptures, every person, every town, every bad guy, and every good guy is not just about you; it is you. It is the story of you overcoming; it is the story of you being raised from the dead, awoken to the truth. This internal understanding was hard for me as well to accept at first. I had to battle with this just like everyone, but when we overcome it, we find there is no more condemnation.

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

Spirit and Truth

When Jesus spoke to the lady at the well, he told her, “For you do not know what you worship.” Then at one point in his conversations with her, he tells her, “God is Spirit.” He told her this because she didn’t understand that she had been missing the mark.

John 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 

In another scripture, Jesus said(John 14:6), “I am the truth the way and the life and no one comes to the Father but through me.” What does this tell us? We now know the Two Witnesses are the Father and the Son. So no one comes to the Father(Spirit) but through the Son(Truth).

Mat 11:27  All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 

Are the Two Witnesses here?

If you have not caught on, the answer is YES. They have always been here. They are found within you. You are the sackcloth they are clothed in; ye are the body. Ask yourself, if the Father and Son are within you, then who are you? That will take you on the next journey to discover who you truly are. And when you see it, everything will change, and you will know why all things are possible with God.

Final Thoughts

I know what I shared might be very different from what you have heard before, and you might disagree with what I shared, and that is ok. The truth is I am human, and I could be wrong, but I share these things because I believe them to be true. I used to be consumed with great fear because I didn’t understand what I saw in the scriptures. But I never stopped asking, and I kept seeking. Then, one day, it all began to make sense. The more I studied, the more things made sense. And all the fears I once held began to fall away.

John 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 
John 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 

Thank you for allowing me to share the things I see. I hope what I shared with you today blessed you greatly and that it inspires you and encourages you to never stop asking questions. When a question enters your mind, follow it through and see where it takes you, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised.

If what I shared has blessed you or inspired you, please share it with others so that they can be blessed as well.

Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

God bless you always,

Fabian Posadas