📖 Biblical Definition
The Two Witnesses are the two prophetic figures of Revelation 11:3-12. They prophesy clothed in sackcloth for 1,260 days; they have power to shut heaven and turn waters to blood (echoes of Elijah and Moses); they are killed by the beast; they lie unburied 3.5 days; they rise and ascend in a cloud while their enemies watch. Identifications proposed include literal individuals (Elijah and Moses, or Elijah and Enoch), the church under persecution, the Old and New Testaments, or the prophets of God in any age.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
(Revelation 11:3-12.) Two prophetic figures of unique witnessing ministry, martyrdom, and resurrection.
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Revelation 11 is one of the most disputed chapters in the Apocalypse. The two witnesses' powers (shutting heaven, turning water to blood) explicitly recall Elijah (1 Kings 17, James 5:17) and Moses (Exodus 7).
Death and resurrection: killed by the beast in Jerusalem (the great city, allegorized as Sodom and Egypt); their bodies lie 3.5 days; the spirit of life enters them; they ascend; great earthquake; survivors give glory to God.
📖 Key Scripture
Revelation 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."
Revelation 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."
Revelation 11:11 — "And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet."
Zechariah 4:14 — "Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often forces literal identifications; the symbolic and corporate readings have ancient pedigree and exegetical strength.
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Zechariah 4's two olive trees (cited in Rev 11:4) were Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor — priest and king. The two witnesses may stand for the priestly-prophetic and kingly-prophetic ministry of God's people, or for any specific embodiment thereof.
Whatever the identification, the witnesses' ministry pattern teaches: faithful prophetic witness persists through persecution, may end in martyrdom, and is vindicated by resurrection. The household's share in this ministry is real.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek dyo martyres — two witnesses.
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Greek martys — witness; root of martyr in Christian usage.
Note: same word for legal witness, eyewitness, and one who dies for testimony.
Usage
"Faithful prophetic witness persists through persecution."
"Priest and king together (echoing Zechariah 4)."
"Vindicated by resurrection."