“And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth” (Revelation 11:3 ESV).
While “sackcloth” is largely unfamiliar to modern-day audiences, it was a material held deep cultural significance in the Old and New Testament periods.
Sackcloth was a coarse, rough, bag-like material with a texture and appearance that lived up to its name. Sackcloth was typically constructed from camel or goat hair in the Biblical era. Thus, a burlap bag or coarse brown sack would probably form the closest modern equivalent to this type of clothing material. The act of wearing sackcloth symbolized deep emotional distress and indifference to worldly comforts, especially during a time of emotional sorrow.
That brings us to these two witnesses and their God-given authority. Revelation 11:4 offers some additional insight into the power behind these individuals: “These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands standing in the presence of the Lord of the earth” (GW). Therefore, we can say these witnesses possess authority along with humility as well (as symbolized by the act of wearing sackcloth).
The imagery associated with these olive trees and oil-fueled lamps is not unique to the Book of Revelation. For instance, the book of the Biblical prophet Zechariah presents us with a similar word-picture (see Zechariah chapter four). The idea is that these olive trees will yield a limitless supply of fuel, thus ensuring a continuous and inexhaustible source of illumination for these lamps. In addition, oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit who enables these witnesses to serve as a light to the world during this period.
The following verses tell us that God will also provide these witnesses with a variety of offensive and defensive weapons…
“If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want” (Revelation 11:5-6).
While these witnesses may possess the ability to incinerate their enemies, this reference to fire may also pertain to the message God had given them, a message that will fully consume their enemies. Finally, their ability to call forth fire and ”every kind of plague” is reminiscent of the supernatural enablements that Elijah (2 Kings 1:9-12) and Moses (Exodus 7-12) possessed as well.
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