God’s Witnesses in the Darkest Days of the Tribulation. As we look at this passage, you might wonder what is the purpose of the two witnesses in Revelation.
📍 Where Are We in Revelation?
Revelation 11 places us at the midpoint of the Tribulation. The third Jewish temple stands in Jerusalem, the Gentiles trample the holy city, and God sends two witnesses to proclaim His truth. Even as judgment intensifies, God’s mercy continues.
The message is clear: judgment has not silenced God’s invitation to repent.
Why Would God Send Witnesses During the Tribulation?
Revelation 11 gives us something remarkable.
The world is experiencing unprecedented judgment. A time that’s considered “hell on earth.” The Antichrist is rising. Jerusalem is under intense pressure. The Jewish Temple has become the center of a coming conflict.
And yet, God is still sending witnesses. His offer of grace is still extended.
Judgment is falling—but God’s mercy has not stopped.
All Points To One Prophetic Time Period
Bible Study Guide
Before we continue to explore these two witnesses, let’s go back to address something we skimmed over in the previous Bible study guide.
In (Verse 3), John is given two different measures of time. First, he records 42 months as the time the Gentiles will trample the temple courts. We know that 42 months equals 3.5 years.
Second, John writes that the two witnesses will prophesy for 1,260 days. If you follow our typical calendar, you’ll see that it doesn’t quite coincide with 3.5 years.
The Jewish calendar is lunisolar. Therefore, A prophetic year of 360 days—twelve 30-day months—makes 1,260 days equal to 42 months, or 3½ years.
This shows the time period for the trampling of the Gentiles on the temple court and the 2 witnesses prophesying will coincide with one another. 3.5 years is exactly the midway point of the Tribulation (Daniel’s 70th Week).
John isn’t giving us two unrelated time periods. He is giving us two measurements that point to the same prophetic period.
The Two Witnesses Appear at a Prophetic Turning Point
We can better understand Revelation chapter by knowing Daniel’s prophecy and Jesus’ Olivet Discourse about the end times.
The midpoint of the Tribulation holds great significance. Speaking for God, Daniel and Jesus both pointed to this halfway point in Daniel’s 70th week, especially for the Jews. That is why Christ’s Olivet Discourse and Revelation 11 specifically address events in Israel, among its people, and in the Jewish Temple.
This event is so significant that Christ called it the Great Tribulation (second 3.5 year period of the Tribulation).
“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matthew 24:21)
This will be a horrific time for the world. Even greater will it be for the Jews, because the epicenter of this abominable event will be Jerusalem. The cross hairs of the antichrist will be pointed squarely on the Jewish people.
We’ll talk a bit more about that in a moment.
God Gives His Witnesses Power No Enemy Can Stop
(Verses 5-6) Why does God give these two witnesses such extraordinary power?
Fire comes from their mouths to consume their enemies. They have authority to shut the sky so that no rain falls, power over the waters to turn them into blood, and authority to strike the earth with plagues.
These aren’t simply displays of supernatural power. They demonstrate something far greater: God has commissioned these witnesses, and no enemy can stop them until their assignment is complete.
Their mission will unfold in the darkest period of human history, yet God will equip them to stand boldly and proclaim His truth.
The question isn’t simply, “What can these witnesses do?”
The greater question is, “Why has God given them this authority?”
Because their mission must succeed.
God’s purposes cannot be stopped by the Antichrist, Satan, or anyone who stands against His witnesses. Until God says their work is finished, nothing can silence them.
God Protects the Mission Before He Ends It
The witnesses aren’t merely powerful. They’re commissioned. They will face the worst evil this planet has ever known.
God gives them authority because their testimony must be completed before the beast is allowed to overcome them in verse 7.
The enemy doesn’t determine when God’s witnesses stop speaking. God does.
God’s Mercy Continues Even During Judgment
The greatness of God’s love and mercy toward mankind does not end when the Tribulation begins. Even while His judgment falls upon the earth, God continues calling people to Himself.
Revelation reveals a remarkable progression in God’s plan to reach a lost world:
144,000
God sends 144,000 Jewish evangelists throughout the world to share the gospel with those living under His judgment.
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Two Witnesses
God sends two powerful Jewish witnesses specifically into Jerusalem to proclaim His truth during the darkest days of the Tribulation.
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Three Angels
God will send three angels to proclaim His message to the nations and ensure that the gospel reaches the remaining inhabitants of the earth.
This is not a God who has abandoned mankind. Even in judgment, God continues to extend mercy.
He continues to provide opportunities for people to hear the truth, recognize their sin, and turn to Him.
The 144,000.
The two witnesses.
The three angels.
Three remarkable expressions of God’s mercy in the midst of His judgment.
And yet, Scripture also warns us that there will come a time when God’s offer of grace will close and His judgment will be complete.
That makes the message of Revelation intensely personal:
God is merciful and patient. God continues to call. But His invitation will not remain open forever.
Reflect & Apply:
God’s mercy doesn’t always look the way we expect.
Revelation shows us that even during the darkest period of human history, God continues to send His truth into the world.
What does that tell you about God’s character?
His judgment is real.
His holiness is absolute.
But His mercy continues to reach those willing to turn toward Him.
Don’t wait for a darker day to respond to God’s voice.
The Midpoint Will Change Everything
The first 3½ years of the Tribulation will appear to establish a new world order. But then, everything changes.
Covenant
The Antichrist confirms a covenant with many.
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3½ Years
The first half of Daniel’s 70th week reaches its midpoint.
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Abomination of Desolation
The Antichrist breaks the covenant and commits the act Daniel foretold.
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Temple Defiled
He enters the Jewish Temple and sets himself up as God.
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Great Tribulation
Jesus warns that this will unleash a period of unprecedented distress upon the earth. The earth’s worst days.
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The Two Witnesses Continue Their Testimony
Even as evil reaches its greatest intensity, God’s witnesses continue proclaiming His truth.
Daniel Saw It. Jesus Confirmed It. Revelation Reveals It.
Daniel 9:27 foretells the covenant being broken in the middle of the week and the sacrifice being stopped.
Jesus points directly to Daniel’s prophecy in Matthew 24:15, warning of the “abomination of desolation” standing in the holy place.
Paul then describes the same event in 2 Thessalonians 2:4—the man of lawlessness entering God’s temple and proclaiming himself to be God.
The midpoint isn’t simply another event on the prophetic calendar.
It is the moment when the Tribulation takes a dramatic turn—and God’s two witnesses will be standing in Jerusalem, proclaiming His truth in the midst of it.
Continue Studying: Book of Revelation Chapters 1–11 Study Guides
Why Does God Give Them Supernatural Power?
1. To Protect Their Mission
Their testimony cannot be stopped before God’s appointed time.
2. To Confront Evil
Their ministry demonstrates God’s authority over the forces opposing Him.
3. To Proclaim God’s Truth
Their supernatural authority confirms that their message comes from God.
“so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)
Reflect & Apply:
The two witnesses remind us that God’s work does not depend on favorable circumstances.
They will minister in the darkest environment imaginable—and God will equip them for exactly what He has called them to do.
What has God already placed in your hands to use for Him?
You don’t need someone else’s calling. You need faithfulness with the assignment God has given you.
Keep Following the Prophecy
The two witnesses have been given their assignment. But Revelation isn’t finished revealing God’s plan.
Next, we’ll see what happens when the beast finally turns against them—and why even their apparent defeat is actually part of God’s victory.
Continue to Revelation 11:7-14 →
Closing Reflection: God’s Word Will Accomplish Its Purpose
The two witnesses will not preach because the world is ready to listen. They will preach because God has commanded them to speak.
The world may reject them. The Antichrist may oppose them. Their enemies may try to silence them.
But God’s Word will accomplish exactly what He sends it to accomplish.
“so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)
The question isn’t whether God’s Word will succeed. The question is whether we will be faithful enough to speak it while we still have the opportunity.
Could You Leave Truth Behind?
Revelation shows that God will continue sending His truth into the world even during the Tribulation.
But what happens when access to biblical truth becomes increasingly difficult?
Your home Christian library could become more than a collection of books. It could become a testimony of truth for those left behind who discover it after you’re gone.
Learn why building a Christian home library may matter more than you think →
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Give us the boldness of the two witnesses—not their judgment, but their courage, conviction, and unwavering faithfulness.
As we go into a world growing darker, empower us through Your Holy Spirit to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ without fear. Give us courage to speak Your truth, compassion to reach the lost, and urgency to warn others while there is still time.
May our lives become witnesses to Your truth and Your saving grace.
Lord, use us to reach those who desperately need to hear about Jesus. Give us the power to stand, the courage to speak, and the faith to never stop until You call us home.
In the powerful name of Jesus we pray, Amen.