Now come back to Revelation 11:1–19. There are two witnesses. And the text says these two witnesses
are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth(Revelation 11:4). The two witnesses are not just the olive trees or just the candlesticks, but are both. The two witnesses represent, therefore, the true instituted church of Christ, as she must be a light in the midst of this world and as she is supplied constantly with the fuel (the oil) to be that light in the official work of the office-bearers in her midst, who bring the Word of God. The Spirit uses the Word, and therefore that Word that they bring is the fuel, that the church might shine the light in the midst of the world.The ministers, the elders and the deacons bring God's Word to God's people in different ways. And the Word that they bring supplies the Spirit, as the Spirit uses that Word, enabling the church to be what she is called to be: A light in the midst of darkness. So that that Word can be shined forth in the promotion of the preaching and the teaching of the church. So that that Word can be shined forth in the individual witness of the people of God in that church. That is the meaning of the two witnesses. That also explains why they are called two witnesses. The text is viewing the church institute as she is called to witness, to testify, to the truth of what God says on the basis of the Spirit’s Word-based empowering.1
Cory Griess
3 And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”