Revelation 11:4
These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.
These witnesses
The term "witnesses" in the context of Revelation often refers to those who testify to the truth of God, even in the face of persecution. The Greek word for "witness" is "μάρτυς" (martys), which is also the root for the English word "martyr." This highlights the role of these figures as not only proclaimers of God's truth but also as potential sufferers for their testimony. Historically, witnesses in the biblical sense are those who have seen and experienced the truth of God and are called to share it with others, often at great personal cost.

are the two olive trees
The imagery of "olive trees" is rich with Old Testament symbolism, particularly from Zechariah 4:3, where two olive trees stand beside a golden lampstand. Olive trees are symbols of peace, prosperity, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In the ancient world, olive oil was used for anointing kings and priests, signifying the presence and blessing of God. The use of "two olive trees" here suggests a dual anointing or a double portion of God's Spirit and favor upon these witnesses, empowering them for their prophetic mission.

and the two lampstands
Lampstands in biblical literature often symbolize the presence of God and the light of His truth. In Revelation 1:20, lampstands represent churches, indicating that these witnesses are bearers of divine light in a dark world. The Greek word for lampstand, "λυχνία" (lychnia), emphasizes the function of holding and displaying light. Historically, lampstands were central in the tabernacle and temple, signifying God's continual presence among His people. The "two lampstands" suggest that these witnesses are not only filled with the Spirit but also tasked with illuminating the truth of God to the nations.

that stand before the Lord of the earth
The phrase "stand before" indicates a position of service and readiness. In biblical terms, to stand before the Lord is to be in a place of honor and duty, akin to the role of a servant or minister. The Greek word "ἑστῶτες" (hestotes) implies a steadfast and enduring presence. "The Lord of the earth" underscores God's sovereignty over all creation, affirming that these witnesses operate under His authority and command. Historically, this phrase reassures believers of God's ultimate control and the certainty of His plans, even amidst earthly turmoil.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Two Witnesses
These figures are central to the prophecy in Revelation 11. They are described metaphorically as "the two olive trees and the two lampstands," indicating their role as God's anointed messengers and bearers of light in a dark world.

2. Olive Trees
In biblical symbolism, olive trees often represent peace, prosperity, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. They are a source of oil, which was used for anointing in the Old Testament.

3. Lampstands
These are symbolic of the church or God's presence. In the context of Revelation, lampstands represent the light of God's truth shining in the world.

4. The Lord of the Earth
This title refers to God, emphasizing His sovereignty and authority over all creation.

5. Prophetic Ministry
The event of the two witnesses' ministry is a significant prophetic event, symbolizing God's continued witness and testimony to the world even in times of great tribulation.
Teaching Points
The Role of Witnesses
Believers are called to be witnesses of God's truth, much like the two witnesses in Revelation. This involves living out and proclaiming the gospel in a world that often opposes it.

Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
Just as the olive trees symbolize the anointing of the Spirit, Christians are empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill their mission. We must rely on His strength rather than our own.

Standing Firm in Tribulation
The two witnesses stand before the Lord of the earth, indicating their steadfastness. Believers are encouraged to stand firm in their faith, even amidst trials and opposition.

The Sovereignty of God
The title "Lord of the earth" reminds us of God's ultimate authority. In times of uncertainty, we can trust in His sovereign plan and purpose.
Bible Study Questions
1. How do the roles of the two witnesses in Revelation 11:4 inspire you to be a witness for Christ in your daily life?

2. In what ways can you rely more on the Holy Spirit's empowerment, as symbolized by the olive trees, in your personal ministry or service?

3. How does the imagery of lampstands challenge you to let your light shine before others, as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:14-16?

4. Reflect on a time when you faced opposition for your faith. How can the example of the two witnesses encourage you to stand firm?

5. How does understanding God's sovereignty, as the "Lord of the earth," impact your perspective on current world events and personal challenges?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Zechariah 4
This passage provides the background for the imagery of the olive trees and lampstands, where they symbolize God's Spirit empowering Zerubbabel and Joshua to rebuild the temple. It emphasizes the role of the Spirit in accomplishing God's work.

Matthew 5:14-16
Jesus calls His followers the light of the world, which connects to the imagery of the lampstands as bearers of divine truth and witness.

Acts 1:8
The empowerment of the Holy Spirit for witnessing aligns with the role of the two witnesses, who are empowered to testify to God's truth.
The Cause of Right on EarthD. Thomas, D. D.Revelation 11:1-19
The Cause of Right on EarthD. Thomas Revelation 11:1-19
The Extent and Limit of the True Church of GodC. Clemance, D. D.Revelation 11:1-19
The Living Temple of Christ's Church and the Two Witnesses of the Word Written and the SacramentsBp. Grafton.Revelation 11:1-19
The Measuring of the TempleS. Conway, B. A.Revelation 11:1-19
The Right TempleJames Wells.Revelation 11:1-19
The Temple of GodG. Rogers.Revelation 11:1-19
The True Church ReducedBp. Horsley.Revelation 11:1-19
The Continuous WitnessR. Green.Revelation 11:3-13
The Continuous WitnessR. Green Revelation 11:3-13
The Preacher a Witness and a ProphetJ. Lathrop, D. D.Revelation 11:3-13
The Two WitnessesG. Rogers.Revelation 11:3-13
The Two WitnessesS. Conway Revelation 11:3-13
The Two Witnesses, Their TestimonyW. Bridge, M. D.Revelation 11:3-13
People
John
Places
Egypt, Patmos, Sodom
Topics
Candlesticks, Lamps, Lampstands, Lamp-stands, Lights, Olive, Olive-trees, Presence, Stand, Standing, Trees, Witnesses
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Revelation 11:4

     5373   lamp and lampstand

Revelation 11:3-6

     4492   olive

Library
Worship
Eversley, September 4, 1870. Revelation xi. 16, 17. "And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned." My dear friends,--I wish to speak a few plain words to you this morning, on a matter which has been on my mind ever since I returned from Chester, namely,--The duty of the congregation
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other Sermons

Sermon at the Second Annual Meeting of the Missionary Council in Washington, D. C. , Nov. 13, 1888.
"/The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever/."--REVELATION xi. 15. THESE words are God's surety that the prayers, the trials and the labors of His Church shall be crowned with success. We are living in the great missionary age of the Church. Impenetrable barriers have been broken down. Fast-closed doors have been opened. There is no country where we may not carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Divine Providence has been
H.B. Whipple—Five Sermons

The Extent of Messiah's Spiritual Kingdom
The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever! T he Kingdom of our Lord in the heart, and in the world, is frequently compared to a building or house, of which He Himself is both the Foundation and the Architect (Isaiah 28:16 and 54:11, 12) . A building advances by degrees (I Corinthians 3:9; Ephesians 2:20-22) , and while it is in an unfinished state, a stranger cannot, by viewing its present appearance, form an accurate judgment
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Time of the Evening.
The morning was of 270 years' duration. The first form of the apostasy lasted, as we have shown, 1260 years, bringing us to the Lutheran reformation in 1530. Now when we ascertain the duration of the second beast power we will know the time the sun, moon and stars reappear in the evening. One especial text that gives us information on this subject is found in Revelation. In speaking of the two witnesses the Revelator says: "And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry,
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day

The Second vision "On Earth"
E^2, THE FIRST SIX TRUMPETS (viii. 7 - xi. 14). A., The First Four Trumpets (viii. 7-12) Before we give the Structure of this section we must again call attention to the fact that the sixth Seal takes us on to the time of the end; and the seventh Seal takes us back and commences a new series of judgments initiated by the seven Trumpets and followed by the seven Vials. So that the whole of the rest of the Apocalypse comes under the seventh Seal. Whereas the seventh Trumpet issues in and contains
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

The Interest of his Biography.
"John, than which man a sadder or a greater Not till this day has been of woman born; John, like some iron peak by the Creator Fired with the red glow of the rushing morn. "This, when the sun shall rise and overcome it, Stands in his shining, desolate and bare; Yet not the less the inexorable summit Flamed him his signal to the happier air." F. W. H. MYERS. John and Jesus--Contemporary History--Anticipation of the Advent. The morning star, shining amid the brightening glow of dawn, is the fittest
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

"The Carnal Mind is Enmity against God for it is not Subject to the Law of God, Neither Indeed Can Be. So Then they that Are
Rom. viii. s 7, 8.--"The carnal mind is enmity against God for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." It is not the least of man's evils, that he knows not how evil he is, therefore the Searcher of the heart of man gives the most perfect account of it, Jer. xvii. 12. "The heart is deceitful above all things," as well as "desperately wicked," two things superlative and excessive in it, bordering upon an infiniteness, such
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Almighty
This title is used nine times [12] in the Apocalypse, and only once elsewhere in the rest of the New Testament (2 Cor. vi. 18). [13] It is (...) (pantokrator) and means having dominion over all, and is used in the Old Testament as the Septuagint translation of "Lord of Hosts" (Heb., Jehovah, Sabaioth; see 2 Sam. v. 10; vii. 25, 27). In Revelation the title is used in i. 8; iv 8; xi. 17; xv. 3; xvi. 7, 14; xix. 6, 15, 22. "The Lord of Hosts" means Jehovah of the hosts in heaven above, and on the earth
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

The Third vision "In Heaven"
H3, xi. 15-19-. THE SOUNDING OF THE SEVENTH TRUMPET. The Seventh Trumpet brings us back to Heaven and to the Third Vision seen there by John. For it is "in heaven" that the Trumpet is sounded. After it is sounded, we again hear the heavenly utterances which tell us of the design of this sounding. In xix. 1-16, heavenly voices again tell us of the completion of its effect. After it is sounded, and its object unfolded, there is a break; and an episode occupying chaps. xii., xiii. and xiv.; the effects
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

The Fourth
refers to the books of Numbers and Samuel. The promise is, "to him will give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers; even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star" (Rev. ii. 26-28). Here again the literary order in the Apocalypse goes forward with the historical order: for it is in the book of Numbers that we have the basis of this promise given to the same People, who were the subjects
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

A Book for Boys and Girls Or, Temporal Things Spritualized.
by John Bunyan, Licensed and entered according to order. London: Printed for, and sold by, R. Tookey, at his Printing House in St. Christopher's Court, in Threadneedle Street, behind the Royal Exchange, 1701. Advertisement by the Editor. Some degree of mystery hangs over these Divine Emblems for children, and many years' diligent researches have not enabled me completely to solve it. That they were written by Bunyan, there cannot be the slightest doubt. 'Manner and matter, too, are all his own.'[1]
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
OR, A DISCOURSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS MAN'S DESIRES. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR As the tree is known by its fruit, so is the state of a man's heart known by his desires. The desires of the righteous are the touchstone or standard of Christian sincerity--the evidence of the new birth--the spiritual barometer of faith and grace--and the springs of obedience. Christ and him crucified is the ground of all our hopes--the foundation upon which all our desires after God and holiness are built--and the root
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Sick Person Ought Now to Send for Some Godly and Religious Pastor.
In any wise remember, if conveniently it may be, to send for some godly and religious pastor, not only to pray for thee at thy death--for God in such a case hath promised to hear the prayers of the righteous prophets, and elders of the church (Gen. xx. 7; Jer. xviii. 20; xv. 1; 1 Sam. xii. 19, 23; James v. 14, 15, 16)--but also upon thy unfeigned repentance to declare to thee the absolution of thy sins. For as Christ hath given him a calling to baptize thee unto repentance for the remission of thy
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Water of Life;
OR, A DISCOURSE SHOWING THE RICHNESS AND GLORY OF THE GRACE AND SPIRIT OF THE GOSPEL, AS SET FORTH IN SCRIPTURE BY THIS TERM, THE WATER OF LIFE. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.'--Revelation 22:17 London: Printed for Nathanael Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1688. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Often, and in every age, the children of God have dared to doubt the sufficiency of divine grace; whether it was vast enough to reach their condition--to cleanse
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Conclusion.
"From Heaven He came and sought her To be His Holy Bride, With His own Blood He bought her, And for her life He died." "The Kingdom of Heaven," what is it? It is the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of Christ. It is that Kingdom which was prophetically set forth by our Lord in His parables; that Kingdom, the subjects of which were described in His teaching, and redeemed by His Blood to be His own "purchased possession" (Eph. i. 14); that Kingdom which was founded through the coming of the Holy
Edward Burbidge—The Kingdom of Heaven; What is it?

Opposition to Messiah in Vain
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision. T he extent and efficacy [effects] of the depravity of mankind cannot be fully estimated by the conduct of heathens destitute of divine revelation. We may say of the Gospel, in one sense, what the Apostle says of the Law, It entered that sin might abound (Romans 5:20) . It afforded occasion for displaying the alienation of the heart of man from the blessed God, in the strongest light. The sensuality, oppression and
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Covenanting Enforced by the Grant of Covenant Signs and Seals.
To declare emphatically that the people of God are a covenant people, various signs were in sovereignty vouchsafed. The lights in the firmament of heaven were appointed to be for signs, affording direction to the mariner, the husbandman, and others. Miracles wrought on memorable occasions, were constituted signs or tokens of God's universal government. The gracious grant of covenant signs was made in order to proclaim the truth of the existence of God's covenant with his people, to urge the performance
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

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