I'm caught by the symmetry and contrast of these 2 sets of 2 Witnesses. I'm still thinking over this, I can't move ahead in my daily Bible reading till I think about it some more, so I thought I'd bring it here to talk about.
2 sets of 2. The first set before the Cross, the second set before the Kingdom.
Before the crucifixion, 2 false witnesses of Matthew 26:60 here NKJV
60 but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward
and they testified this way
61 and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ”
and then before the return of Christ at the end of the Tribulation, these 2 True Witnesses appear during the Tribulation to testify
Rev 11: 3-12
3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner.
6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.
10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.
12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.
2 sets of 2. The first set before the Cross, the second set before the Kingdom.
Before the crucifixion, 2 false witnesses of Matthew 26:60 here NKJV
60 but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward
and they testified this way
61 and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ”
and then before the return of Christ at the end of the Tribulation, these 2 True Witnesses appear during the Tribulation to testify
Rev 11: 3-12
3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner.
6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
7 When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.
10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.
12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.
