Daily Inspirations » Behold My Two Witnesses

Behold My Two Witnesses

Submitted by ang frayle on Saturday, 22 November 2008No Comment

Reading I: Revelations 11:4-12
Resp. Psalm: Psalm 144:1,2,9-10
Gospel Reading: Luke 20:27-40

One of the more boggling prophecies in the book of Revelation are the two witnesses? Who are they exactly? Below are some articles on the web where the question is explored:

If one historicizes the Book of Revelation and seeks particular persons to fit the description of those given in the selection, the most that one can come up with is another wildcard with a few descriptions. The best way to approach this selection is to follow the hints given by John himself:

First they are described as two olive trees and two lampstands. Consistent with the imagery in Revelation, we find here two images for each of the witnesses. The olive tree was a particularly useful tree for the people of the Mediterranean: they made us of its leaves, oil and fruits. It is very much like the coconut tree for us here in South-east Asia. They are also lamp posts. A fruitful tree, a good tree and a source of light. Both are significant members of the community of faith. Leaders in fruitfulness and giving light.

Second, they are described in the same way as Elijah the Tishbite. These are men of God who fight for the people of the Covenant as Elijah did and who did their work empowered by the Holy Spirit.

It is no surprise then that the Enemy should target them for "assassination". And that is what he does: he conquers them and they die.

The way John describes them defeated is reminiscent of the way the Book of Wisdom characterizes the just who lie apparent beaten while those who have done him harm smirk in the shadows

¹But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. ² They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction ³ and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. ⁴ For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; ⁵ Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. ⁶ As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. ⁷ In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; ⁸ They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the LORD shall be their King forever. ⁹ Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with the elect. (!Wisdom 3:1-9)

And consistent with this vision of the just man being vindicated by God, those two witnesses rise up on the fourth day, participating in the Resurrection of the Lord as Lazarus did (John 11). And like Elijah, they are caught up and are brought to the presence of God as their enemies watch (in dismay, I presume). Associated with their Lord in death, they also rise like He did and are vindicated before their enemies.

How John writes about these two witnesses reminds one of the way hagiographies were written during the Middle Ages. There is a lot of allussion to the Scriptures and a lot of "narrated" theology thrown in. So who are these two witnesses? The answer is not difficult to see once we understand that the Book of Revelations is coded language meant to help us understand the present (NOT the future!). The two witnesses are any of those heroes of the community of faith who have died in the struggle against the Devil. In my lifetime, I’ve seen two of them, John Paul II and Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Somebody else can perhaps point to someone like Chiara Lubich and the founder of the Opus Dei. These are the witnesses that John talks about: heroes of the Christian Community, olive trees whose light will never fade.