Revelation 11:1–19 speaks of two witnesses. These two witnesses are not two literal future individual people that are going to come. The text itself explains who these two witnesses are in terms of Old Testament symbols. These two witnesses are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth (Revelation 11:4).

That is an obvious reference to the Old Testament prophecy of Zechariah 4:1–14. In order to understand who these two witnesses are as olive trees and candle sticks, we have to back up to that vision that Zechariah received in Zechariah 4:1–14. In that vision the prophet Zechariah sees a golden lampstand with seven candlesticks on it. Above that lampstand there is a bowl, and from that bowl there are seven pipes going to the seven candlesticks that are on that lampstand. In addition, on either side of that lampstand there are olive trees (one olive tree on this side and one olive tree on that side). These olive trees are continually supplying oil into the bowl that is above the lampstand, and the oil from the olive trees that is in the bowl is continually running through the seven pipes to the seven candlesticks that are on the lampstand in order to fuel it to keep the seven candlesticks constantly burning. The lampstand never goes out, because it is always supplied with oil from those two olive trees.

The angel in Zechariah 4:1–14 first gives the meaning of this vision in a general way when he says that the vision means this: Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts (Zechariah 4:6b). Zechariah 4:1–14 is in the time of the rebuilding of the temple after the Babylonian captivity (and the rebuilding of the church herself, really, back in Palestine). God's people were facing much opposition to the work of rebuilding the temple and the work of organizing the church and the people of God once again. The world powers around them were constantly heckling them and trying to stop them from rebuilding the church of God. And God's point to Zechariah here is, first of all, the point that the oil (which is always a picture of the Holy Spirit) will be the power to allow the church to be rebuilt and to shine as a light in the midst of the world again at that time of the return from Babylon. The candlestick in that vision is a picture of the church, as she shines constantly with the witness of the truth of God's Word. And it is the constant supply of oil (of the Holy Spirit) that allows her to be that shining light of the truth of God's Word.

So what are these two olive trees that are constantly supplying this oil (supplying the Holy Spirit)? The end of Zechariah 4:1–14 tells us: Then said [the angel], These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth (Zechariah 4:14). They are two anointed ones who supply the church with the Spirit, that the church might shine the light of truth. The fact that the angel calls them anointed ones leaves us with no doubt to the interpretation. The reference is to Zerubbabel and Joshua, the only two men who held the offices of the church of that day. The point is: Through the means of the faithful work of office-bearers who bring the Word of Jehovah God, the Spirit will be supplied to the church, that she be empowered to shine as a witness to God's glorious gospel and truth throughout the world.¹

Cory Griess