St. Matthew United Methodist Church Weston WV

06/08/2026

The Two Witnesses in the Book of Revelation

The account of the Two Witnesses is found primarily in Revelation 11:3-12 and describes two witnesses whom God empowers to prophesy for 1,260 days.

When I first read Revelation 11:9, “For three and a half days men from the races and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and will not allow them to be put in a tomb,” I immediately thought about our ability today to send videos, images, and messages around the world in a matter of seconds.

It seemed clear to me that this is how the entire world could see what happens to the Two Witnesses. No longer could anyone claim they were unaware of events taking place halfway around the globe. Through modern technology, people everywhere can see world events unfold in real time.

What John described nearly 2,000 years ago is something we can easily imagine today, as news and live video can reach virtually every corner of the earth in an instant.

Many Bible students connect the Two Witnesses to the vision in Book of Zechariah 4, where two olive trees and two lampstands are mentioned. Revelation directly references this imagery - Revelation 11:4 - "These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.”

Christians have suggested several possibilities for the identity of the Two Witnesses as shown below:

* Moses and Elijah (because their miracles resemble those of Moses and Elijah)
* Enoch and Elijah (because neither experienced a normal death according to Scripture)
* Two future prophets whom God will raise up during the end times
* A symbolic representation of God’s faithful witnessing church

The book of Book of Revelation uses the following time periods interchangeably:

* 1,260 days (Revelation 11:3; 12:6)
* 42 months (Revelation 11:2; 13:5)
* “A time, times, and half a time” (Revelation 12:14), which is generally understood as 3½ years

Many Christians believe the Two Witnesses prophesy during the first 3½ years of a seven year tribulation period. They point to the 1,260 days mentioned in Revelation 11 and see it as the first half of the tribulation.

However, others believe the Two Witnesses minister during the second 3½ years, often called the Great Tribulation. They note that the witnesses are killed by the beast, and the beast’s most prominent period of authority is associated with the last 42 months in Book of Revelation 13:5.

The Bible clearly states:

* The witnesses prophesy for 1,260 days (Revelation 11:3).
* They are killed by the beast (Revelation 11:7).
* They are resurrected and taken to heaven after 3½ days (Revelation 11:11-12).

What the Bible does not explicitly say is, “The Two Witnesses begin their ministry on the first day of the tribulation.” That conclusion comes from a particular interpretation of the prophetic timeline.

One commonly taught timeline looks like the following:

The Seven Year Tribulation

First 3½ Years (1,260 Days)

* The tribulation begins.
* The Two Witnesses begin prophesying in Jerusalem (Revelation 11:3-6).
* Many believe a covenant or peace agreement is in effect (based on Book of Daniel 9:27).
* The gospel continues to be proclaimed, and many people come to faith.

The Midpoint (3½ Years)

* The Two Witnesses are killed by the beast (Revelation 11:7).
* Their bodies lie in the street for 3½ days (Revelation 11:8-10).
* God raises them from the dead and calls them to heaven (Revelation 11:11-12).
* The Antichrist reveals his true nature and commits the “abomination of desolation” spoken of by Jesus and Daniel (Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15).

Last 3½ Years (42 Months)

* Often called the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:21).
* The beast exercises authority for 42 months (Revelation 13:5).
* The mark of the beast is enforced (Revelation 13:16-18).
* Intense persecution of believers occurs.

No matter the timeline, the Two Witnesses are given extraordinary power by God during their 1,260 day ministry. According to Book of Revelation 11:5-6, they perform several miraculous acts:

1. Fire Comes from Their Mouths

“If any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies…” (Revelation 11:5)

This means no one can kill them before God allows it. Whether this is literal fire or a symbolic description of God’s judgment is debated, but the result is that their enemies are destroyed.

2. They Shut the Sky So It Does Not Rain

“These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy…” (Revelation 11:6)

This miracle is very similar to what God did through Elijah, who prayed and rain stopped for several years (1 Kings 17; James 5:17).

3. They Turn Water into Blood

“…and have power over waters to turn them to blood…” (Revelation 11:6)

This mirrors one of the miracles God performed through Moses in Egypt (Exodus 7:20).

4. They Strike the Earth with Plagues

“…and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.” (Revelation 11:6)

Like Moses during the Exodus, they can bring various judgments upon the earth whenever God directs them to do so.

Why Many Believe They Are Moses and Elijah

The miracles of the Two Witnesses closely resemble the ministries of:

* Moses — water turned to blood and plagues.
* Elijah — shutting up the heavens so it does not rain.

This is one reason many Christians identify the Two Witnesses as Moses and Elijah, although the Bible never explicitly names them.

An interesting detail is that both Moses and Elijah also appeared with Jesus at the Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-3), which some see as further support for that view.

No matter who they are, Revelation presents them as powerful servants of God who boldly proclaim His message during a time of great rebellion and opposition.

End of the Tribulation

* Jesus Christ returns in glory.
* The nations are judged.
* Satan is bound.
* Christ establishes His kingdom (Revelation 19-20).

A note of caution. Many sincere Bible believing Christians agree on Christ’s return but disagree on the exact order of end time events. Revelation is one of the most challenging books to interpret, and faithful scholars differ on details.

One thing that stands out about the Two Witnesses is that their ministry appears to occur before the beast reaches the height of his power, which is one reason many place them in the first half of the seven year tribulation.

Jesus’ focus was not primarily on helping us calculate dates, but on being ready:

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” — Gospel of Matthew 24:44

That verse reminds us that while prophecy is important to study, our greater calling is to remain faithful to Christ regardless of when these events unfold.

Sara Lambert Huntz

06/08/2026

06/08/2026

United Methodist Annual Conference

The annual conference is the primary regional and spiritual gathering in Methodism (such as the United Methodist Church and Global Methodist Church). Its purpose is to conduct official business, ordain and appoint clergy, vote on budgets, and provide a time for worship, networking, and reaffirming the church's mission.

KEY PURPOSES

Clergy Administration & Ordination

The conference oversees the status of clergy, approves candidates for commissioning and ordination, and makes decisions regarding retirements, appointments, and leaves of absence.

Business & Legislation

Lay and clergy members vote on vital matters affecting the region, including the annual budget, apportionment formulas for local churches, and policies for conference-supported ministries.

Spiritual Renewal & Fellowship

Beyond administrative duties, it is a sacred gathering for spiritual growth and fellowship, allowing laity and clergy from different congregations to connect and collaborate.

Institutional Accountability

The body formally recognizes new church starts, approves charters, and tracks metrics like mission outreach and membership statistics.

06/07/2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlUSjqIfbQg

"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and...

06/06/2026

The block party & pig roast is getting set up. We start at 2:00. We start serving the pork roast at 4:00

06/05/2026

Corinthians Fire Test

I’ll admit that in the past I read right through the following Scriptures without giving it much thought. Then yesterday I saw something that stopped me in my tracks and made me look at it in a completely different way. Sometimes a passage we’ve read dozens of times suddenly comes alive, and we notice a truth that was there all along, just waiting for us to see it.

1 Corinthians 3:10-13

10 According to the [remarkable] grace of God which was given to me [to prepare me for my task], like a skillful master builder I laid a foundation, and now another is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it, 11 for no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will be clearly shown [for what it is]; for the day [of judgment] will disclose it, because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality and character and worth of each person’s work. [2 Cor 5:10] 14 If the work which he has built on the foundation remains, he will receive a reward. 15 But if any person’s work is burned up [by the test], he will suffer the loss [of his reward]; yet he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has barely escaped] through fire. (AMP)

I think the scripture you just read might be where the saying of, "He made it through by the skin of his teeth" came from.

The key point is that Jesus Christ is the foundation, and believers are responsible for how they build upon that foundation. The “fire” represents God’s testing and evaluation of our works, revealing whether they have lasting spiritual value.

A closely related verse is 2 Corinthians 5:10:

5:10 For we believers will be called to account and must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives… the use or misuse of his time, opportunities and abilities].

We need to understand these passages as referring to the evaluation of believers’ works for rewards, rather than a judgment determining salvation.

Many people who have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior believe their good works alone will earn them a place in Heaven. Scripture teaches otherwise. Salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ, not something we can earn through our own efforts.

However, the way we serve God and help others does matter. While good works do not secure our salvation, they are seen by God and will be tested and rewarded.

Read that again.

The Bible teaches that accepting and trusting in Jesus Christ is what grants us entrance into Heaven, while our faithful service and obedience to Him may affect the rewards we receive there.

Can I get an AMEN?!

Sara Lambert Huntz