Revelation 11 – The Two Witnesses/Olive Trees/Candle Sticks Slain

We start in this podcast to show an important word in Revelation 11, a word which shows that God is in charge. In Revelation 11 we read the following:

And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: band the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. (Revelation 11.1-2)

The word I want to highlight is found in verse 2, the phrase “it has been given” (Greek edothe, ἐδόθη) a word which tells us that this has been given in past tense, connecting us to the idea that God has already decided beforehand what should happen and how far the Gentiles would get in their attack of the temple in Jerusalem.

In the midst of the chaos in Revelation 11 we read that the prophets are in charge, that they are doing God’s work, and that the Lord will be with them. This was a message to the ancient Christians that all would be okay. Israel would conquer. They that have the spirit would triumph.

Bryce read extensively from Zechariah 4. From this we read:

What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you. For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. (Zechariah 4.2-14)

The message: Anciently the temple was built, and even in the midst of great opposition, just as anciently, God will be with his people. God will vindicate his prophets. Yet in the midst of this chapter we read that these prophets are slain. Who are these witnesses? According to Elder Bruce R. McConkie, they are members of the First Presidency or Quorum of the Twelve:

These two shall be followers of that humble man, Joseph Smith, through whom the Lord of Heaven restored the fulness of his everlasting gospel in this final dispensation of grace. No doubt they will be members of the Council of the Twelve or of the First Presidency of the Church.^[1]Bruce R. McConkie Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1965-1973], 3: 510.

Satan shall slay them by the hands of his ministers, even as he slew their Lord by the hands of the Jews and the Romans who hearkened to his will.^[2]Bruce R. McConkie, The Millennial Messiah: The Second Coming of the Son of Man [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1982], 391.

The prophet Joseph Smith talked about the Kingdom of God growing and prospering, even during the tumultuous times of the last days. He said:

“No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”^[3]History of the Church, 4:540.

The Two Witnesses as a Type

Helaman 5 is a wonderful chapter that shows the parallel between Revelation 11, the Book of Mormon, and our time period. The prophets will prevail, despite the power of the darkness. These chapters are a type, with powerful messages for us today.