The Two Witnesses of Revelation 11:3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. Revelation 11:3
Sackcloth is a coarse, rough material made from goat or camel's hair, which was used in ancient times for making sacks or bags. In the context of the Bible, sackcloth is often associated with mourning, repentance, and penance. When someone wore sackcloth, usually accompanied by ashes on their head, it was a public sign of humility and grief, often in response to personal or national catastrophe, or as a sign of repentance for sin. The material is mentioned multiple times in the Old and New Testaments.
For instance, in the Book of Jonah (3:5-8), the people of Nineveh wear sackcloth as a sign of their repentance. In the Book of Genesis (37:34), Jacob wears sackcloth when he believes his son Joseph is dead. In the New Testament, Revelation (6:12) mentions sackcloth as well, in the context of celestial disruptions.
The identity of the two witnesses in Revelation is a topic of much speculation. Here are some possible interpretations based on different Christian traditions and theological perspectives:
Moses and Elijah This is one of the most common interpretations. Many scholars believe that the two witnesses are Moses and Elijah, who were seen together at the Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36). Additionally, the powers attributed to the two witnesses in Revelation 11 (to turn water into blood and to strike the earth with plagues, which are reminiscent of Moses' miracles in Egypt; and to stop the rain, which recalls Elijah's miracles in 1 Kings 17) provide further support for this interpretation.
Enoch and Elijah Some propose that the two witnesses are Enoch and Elijah, both figures from the Old Testament who did not experience physical death but were directly taken by God (Genesis 5:24, 2 Kings 2:11). This belief is particularly prevalent in traditions that emphasize that all humans must experience death, thereby necessitating their return.
The Old and New Testaments Some interpretations suggest that the two witnesses symbolize the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. These are the two major divisions of the Christian Bible, and they 'witness' or testify to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Church and Israel Another symbolic interpretation is that the two witnesses represent the Church and Israel, the two groups that, in Christian eschatology, play significant roles in the end times.
Two literal, unknown individuals Some believe the two witnesses will be literal people who will appear during the end times. According to this interpretation, their identities are currently unknown and will only be revealed in the future.
Scripture References So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Jonah 3:5-8
And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. Genesis 37:34
And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; Revelation 6:12
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. Matthew 17:1-9
And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. Mark 9:2-8
And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen. Luke 9:28-36
And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him. Genesis 5:24
And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 2 Kings 2:11
