The Two Witnesses Came and Went Thousands of Years Ago

[Spiritual Israelite]

Spiritual Israelite noted:

<silly...two witnesses are two individuals>

"Witness" typically refers to a person, and the context appears to support that.

Why would you assume that when the text is contained within the most highly symbolic book in the entire Bible? The two witnesses are said to be "two olive trees" and "two candlesticks" (or lampstands). How does that fit the idea of them representing two individuals? In Revelation 1:20 candlesticks (lampstands) represent churches.

 

[Marty fox]

Marty fox suggested:

o They had to die from their mortal bodies to enter heaven.

Generally that would be true. However the Bible says:

o By faith Enoch was *translated up* so that he should *not see death*... (Hebrews 11:5)

o And Elijah [still alive] *went up by a whirlwind into heaven.*
(2Kings 2:11)

My impression is that neither Enoch nor Elijah ever died.

Exodus 33
19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.

John 1
18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[b] is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.