Who Are the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11?

Summary

Podcast Summary: Grace in Focus

Episode: Who Are the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11?
Hosts: Bob Wilkin and Philippe Sterling
Date: December 22, 2025

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Overview

This episode of Grace in Focus explores the identity, ministry, and significance of the two witnesses described in Revelation 11. Bob Wilkin and Philippe Sterling delve into biblical and theological perspectives on who these witnesses might be, their purpose during the Tribulation, their miraculous powers, and their possible connection to the 144,000 Jewish evangelists. The discussion offers a dispensational Free Grace perspective, interweaving scriptural references, practical theology, and eschatological implications—all while keeping justification and sanctification distinct.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Structure and Context in Revelation

• Judgment Sequence in Revelation:
  Sterling introduces a memory device—“Sterling Bob”—to remember the sequence of end-times judgments:

  • S: Seal judgments
  • T: Trumpet judgments
  • Bob: Bowl judgments
    ([01:01])

• Setting for the Two Witnesses:
  The ministry of the two witnesses falls primarily in the first three and a half years of the Tribulation, concluding as the last trumpet judgments sound ([01:45]).

Who Are the Two Witnesses?

• Possible Identities:

  • Enoch and Elijah Theory: Both are Old Testament figures who never died, making them prime candidates to return as the two witnesses ([02:09], [03:03]).
  • Jewish Converts Theory: Alternatively, the witnesses could be Jews converted after the Rapture, possibly evangelized directly by Jesus, akin to Saul’s Damascus road experience ([02:09]).

  “There’s only been two people who’ve never died. And this could easily be those two, couldn’t it?”
  —Bob Wilkin, [02:09]

• Miraculous Ministries:
  The witnesses’ powers mirror those of Elijah (calling down fire, shutting the sky) and Moses (plagues).

  “They are given authority and the ability to call plagues and judgments... If anyone tries to come and do away with them, they’re able to spew fire out of their mouths and consume whatever delegation... much as had happened...”
  —Philippe Sterling, [03:44]

Relationship to the 144,000

• Connecting the Witnesses and the 144,000:

  • The witnesses may play a key role in leading or discipling the 144,000 Jewish male virgins who become global evangelists ([04:08]–[04:54]).
  • The influence would likely be exponential, with early converts evangelizing further until 12,000 are sealed from each tribe ([05:13]).

  “If they led a few hundred or a few dozen, they in turn lead others. And as a result, we end up with 12,000 from each tribe... one of the greatest revivals in the history of mankind.”
  —Bob Wilkin, [05:13]

• Assurance of a Great Revival:
  The hosts suggest this period features one of world history’s largest revivals, with people from every tribe and nation coming to faith ([05:01], [07:45]).

Miraculous Gifts and Cessationism

• Temporary Return of Sign Gifts:

  • Both hosts hold to cessationism (the view that sign gifts ceased with the apostles), but believe that miraculous gifts will resume during the Tribulation, as evidenced by the works of the two witnesses ([08:03]).
  • The 144,000 may receive supernatural abilities—including, possibly, tongues—to reach diverse nations quickly ([07:45]–[09:07]).

  “But during the first half of the tribulation... there will be, at the very least, major miracles done by the two witnesses. There’ll be signs—and then perhaps, like you said, by the 144,000.”
  —Bob Wilkin, [09:07]

• Four Great Eras of Miraculous Signs:
  Sterling outlines four biblical periods of miracles:

  1. Moses and Joshua ([09:31])
  2. Elijah and Elisha ([10:02])
  3. Jesus and the apostles ([10:25])
  4. The two witnesses in the Tribulation ([10:58])

Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of the Two Witnesses

• Timeline of Events:

  • The witnesses are killed by “the beast” at the midpoint of the seven years, only after their ministry is complete ([11:05]–[11:11]).
  • The world celebrates their deaths for three and a half days. Their public resurrection and ascension are broadcast worldwide, stunning onlookers ([11:20]–[12:26]).

  “They stand up and then they rise up. They’re basically raptured. They’ve died, but now they’re raised from the dead and they’re taken up.”
  —Bob Wilkin, [11:46]

• Symbolic Significance:

  • The three and a half days correspond to the half-week structure of the Tribulation, differentiating from Christ’s three-day resurrection ([11:46]).
  • The hosts note the global shock in response to this event ([12:16]).

Eschatological Implications

• The Role of Technology:
  The hosts observe technological advances make global witnessing of these events possible ([12:16]).

• Leads Directly to Bowl Judgments:
  The witnesses’ ascension leads into the sounding of the seventh trumpet and the subsequent bowl judgments ([12:43]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It may be one of the greatest revivals, if not the greatest revival in the history of mankind.”
  —Philippe Sterling, [04:54]

• “Nobody’s being raised from the dead, that kind of thing. But during the first half of the tribulation... there will be, at the very least, major miracles done by the two witnesses.”
  —Bob Wilkin, [09:07]

• “There’s a worldwide celebration. Yeah, it’s Christmas for the earth dwellers, because who suffered at the hand of the judgments of the two witnesses.”
  —Philippe Sterling, [11:22]

• “They come alive and rise. So these two witnesses are powerful figures during the first half of the tribulation.”
  —Bob Wilkin, [12:26]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Judgment sequence mnemonic and Introduction: [01:01]
• Identities considered: Enoch, Elijah, converted Jews: [02:09]–[03:22]
• Role of witnesses in evangelizing 144,000: [04:08]–[05:13]
• Miraculous gifts and cessationism clarified: [08:03]–[09:29]
• Historical eras of miracles: [09:31]–[10:58]
• Death and resurrection of witnesses; global impact: [11:05]–[12:26]

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Tone & Approach

The hosts maintain a collegial, conversational tone, frequently cross-referencing Scripture and each other’s points. The style blends theological depth with clarity as they unpack complex eschatological concepts for a lay audience.

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Conclusion

Wilkin and Sterling offer a thorough, Free-Grace-informed exploration of Revelation 11’s two witnesses—highlighting possible identities, their powerful miraculous ministry, and their pivotal role in triggering history’s greatest evangelistic revival. While speculation remains, the episode emphasizes both the scriptural background for their conclusions and the future hope for massive Jewish and global conversion during the Tribulation.

Next episode: The seven bowl judgments of Revelation.

Transcript

[A]

The following is a listener supported ministry.

[B]

From the Grace Evangelical Society. Welcome to Grace in Focus. We are continuing our eschatology series. Today we will look at Revelation 11 and the two witnesses. Who are these two witnesses? What is their message? What role do they play and who is their audience friend? We're glad you're with us today. This is a ministry of the Grace Evangelical society. Our website faithalone.org we are just about to wrap up 2020, but in 2026 we want you to come and experience our national annual conference. It will be held in Denton, Texas at Camp Kopass. We always have a wonderful time, great accommodations at this camp and the fellowship and teaching are out of this world. Get more information, sign up and come join us faithalone.org now with today's discussion, here are Bob Wilken and Philippe Sterling Phillipe.

[C]

We've been going through we it Sterling Bob, because that helps us remember the judgments. There's the S in sterling for the.

[A]

Series of the seals. The seals judgments.

[C]

The seal judgments. And then you have the T in sterling for the trumpet judgments. And then you get the Bob, which is the bowls, the bowl judgments. So it's important for us as we go into the bowl judgments, to recognize this falls within a context in the book of Revelation. And we haven't yet discussed two key figures during the tribulation which kind of set the stage, don't they, for the bowl Judgments?

[A]

Yes. Chapter 11 of the book of Revelation tells us about the measuring of the temple by an angel and then tells us about the two witnesses that come. And their ministry probably occurs throughout the course of the first three and a half years, but they conclude with the last of the trumpet judgments of the sixth and seventh trumpets.

[C]

Okay, now there I have some odd theories. So Philippe, I'll tell you some of my odd theories and you tell me what you think. But for one thing, it seems to me that somehow, unless these people are, let's say, Enoch and Elijah who never died, so it's possible they're Enoch and Elijah. Unless they are, then these two witnesses were Jews who were alive on earth and were unbelievers at the beginning of the well, at least after the Rapture, they could come to faith between the rapture and the signing of the covenant. And if that's the case, I think the Lord Jesus evangelized them and that's how they came to faith, like Jesus appearing to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. But the other option, which I think is a very live option, is there's only been two people who've never died. And this could easily be those two, couldn't it?

[A]

Yes, of course. In the antediluvian period before the flood, we are told of Enoch. Enoch lived 65 years, and then he walked with the Lord for 300 years. And he was not, for the Lord took him. So he never experienced a physical death.

[C]

Right. Same thing with Elijah. When Elisha's with him and he's taken up in a whirlwind. And there's also this chariot of God that's going up with him, and he never died. And Elijah did all kinds of miracles. Like the miracles the two witnesses?

[A]

Yeah. He called down fire at certain times.

[C]

And isn't that going to happen with the two witnesses?

[A]

Yes. They are given the authority and the ability to call plagues and judgments on the different nations of the world. And if anyone tries to come and do away with them, they're able to spew fire out of their mouths and consume whatever delegation of soldiers or whatever was sent to do them in, much as had happened in of all right.

[C]

Now here's another question. Do you think these two witnesses evangelize the Jews who become the 144,000?

[A]

I think so. If the temple is rebuilt in the beginning, I think, of the first two and a half years when the covenant is made with Israel. And these two witnesses, I think, is when they show up in August, given three and a half years of ministry. And they may be very well, especially if they are Enoch and Elijah. Their ministry initially is to the Jewish people. And they train them, they disciple them, and then the 144,000 are sealed and go out throughout the world to the nations of the world and evangelize a great number.

[C]

Exactly. It may be one of the greatest revivals, if not the greatest revival in the history of mankind.

[A]

Yeah, we're told, you know that scene that from every tribe and nations, there are those who are represented there. And the natural connection is that it's the result of the 144,000.

[C]

So, say the two witnesses. They lead a certain number of Jewish young men to faith in Christ. They don't have to lead the whole 144,000. If they led a few hundred or a few dozen, they in turn lead others. And as a result, we end up with 12,000 from each tribe. Now, that's not to say that's all the believing Jews in Israel. There's a lot more than that. But these are all males, and they're all virgins, and they're all very godly young Men. And so there's others in Israel that come to faith, and certainly they're sharing their faith with the other Jews in Israel. And the fleeing that takes place, the Lord told in the Olivet discourse. He told people to flee at the midpoint of the tribulation, right?

[A]

Yes. But not when the abomination of desolation, when the temple is desecrated and the image of the beast is set up.

[C]

But they don't flee before that, right?

[A]

No. There's a vast population of Jews in Jerusalem at the time, so we can.

[C]

Expect that a large number of Jewish people became believers during the first three and a half years of the Tribulation.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Did you know that the Grace Evangelical Society offers an M. Div. Degree through our online seminary and tuition is free to those who maintain a 3.0 grade average. It is a three year degree program and you can submit your application now to gain acceptance. Then stay apprised of our registration periods for upcoming semester terms. Program and application details can be [e-mail] have a look at our M. Div. Become an approved workman. Find out how. Gesceminary.org There's a vast population of Jews.

[A]

In Jerusalem at the time, so we.

[C]

Can expect that a large number of Jewish people became believers during the first three and a half years of the Tribulation.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

And of course we know by the end that the only Jews that survive the tribulation as adults will be believing so that 100% of the surviving Jewish adults will be believers. But these two witnesses are going to be doing lots of miracles. And is it not also possible that these 144,000 evangelists will have the gift of tongues? Do you think they might?

[A]

Again, people from every tribe and nation will be represented in the heavenly scene as a result of, I think, their ministry. So if it's every tribe, every nation, how many languages are there now? Estimated like 7700 someplace like that.

[C]

Dialects.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

So as a result, there really probably isn't time for them to go out and learn all the languages. I guess my point is this. I believe, and I know you do as well, in what's called cessationism. And that's the view that the sign gifts ceased at the end of the apostolic age. So when the apostles died, so did the sign gifts. So no longer do we have the gift of healing. God heals, but not through faith healers. We no longer have the gift of tongues. That what we see today with people who claim to speak in tongues is just ecstatic utterances. And we don't have the gift of miracles. Nobody's being raised from the dead, that kind of thing. But during the first half of the tribulation, the first three and a half of the seven years, there will be, at the very least, major miracles done by the two witnesses. There'll be signs and then perhaps like.

[A]

You said, by the 144,000. Now we know throughout the course of history that have been, prior to the tribulation, three distinct periods where there were miraculous type of occurrences occurring.

[C]

When you say we, that's not necessarily. All of you may or may not be familiar with this, but this is a common teaching in dispensationalism, right?

[A]

Yes.

[C]

So what are those three eras?

[A]

The first era will have been with Moses and Joshua, who were able to do so.

[C]

Moses and Aaron did all kinds of signs before Pharaoh. And of course, you know, the parting of the Red Sea, the manna in the wilderness and all of that. And then with Joshua, the falling of.

[A]

The walls of Jericho, and the sun stands still the longest day.

[C]

And you've got lots of mirac in Moses and his successor, Joshua. And then what's another great age?

[A]

The great age was with Elijah and Elisha.

[C]

Okay, so Elijah and Elisha were two of the great prophets.

[A]

They were prophets to the northern kingdom, but were given great signs to do what they hope that it will help bring the Northern kingdom to repentance, but that failed to do so.

[C]

And what's the third great time when there were miraculous sign gifts.

[A]

Those will be what Jesus and the apostles.

[C]

Okay, so you've got Jesus and the apostles. And of course, during the ministry of Jesus, you saw lots of casting out of demons, healing the sick, raising the dead. And during the ministry of the apostles, also casting out demons, healing the sick, raising the dead. So much so that, you know, when the shadow of Paul or Peter would cross someone, they'd get healed at times. So you had those three great times, but there's a fourth one coming.

[A]

And this will be during the tribulation period, particularly with the two witnesses, particularly with chapter 11 in Revelation.

[C]

All right, so very good. These two witnesses die at the middle of the seven years, right?

[A]

Yes. Their enemies are not able to do away with them, the beast, until their ministry is complete. And they are killed then by the beast.

[C]

And then there's worldwide rejoicing.

[A]

Now there's a worldwide celebration. Yeah, it's Christmas for the earth dwellers, because who suffered at the hand of the judgments of the two witnesses.

[C]

They're all rejoicing, having parties for three and a half days. And what happens at the end of three and a half days?

[A]

Then the two witnesses whose bodies were exposed for those two and a half days stand up and ascend into heaven.

[C]

They stand up and then they rise up. They're basically raptured. They've died, but now they're raised from the dead and they're taken up. And so it's interesting, it's three and a half days, not three days. And maybe that's because a, three and a half symbolizes there's three and a half years to go, but also B, it's not exactly identical to Jesus resurrection, you know, on the third day, but this is three and a half. But in any case, they're all shocked when they rise from the dead. The people who are rejoicing are now bummed out.

[A]

And of course, people around the world all see that now we know if technology is possible without. Everyone in the world knew and was seeing what was happening there in the street of Jerusalem.

[C]

Yeah, it's on CNN worldwide or Al Jazeera. Is that what it's called? All the major world networks are showing this and they come alive and rise. So these two witnesses are powerful figures during the first half of the tribulation.

[A]

Yes. And then with their demise, their resurrection and ascension inside that point that the seventh trumpet also will sound. And I will introduce the seven bowls that we'll talk about the next time.

[C]

Very good. All right, well, thank you, Philippe, and thank you all. And remember, let's keep grace in focus.

[B]

We invite you to check out our Monday, Wednesday and Friday five minute YouTube videos at YouTube Grace Evangelical Society. You will love the content and learn a lot. There are a lot of costs involved in staying on the air. That's why we so much appreciate our financial partners. If you'd like to learn how to become one, you can find out more by going to faithalone.org on our next episode, we will be talking about the seven bold judgments in Revelation. Please join us. And until then, let's keep grace in focus.

[A]

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