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Revelation 11:4
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4 These [houtos] are [eisi] the two [duo] olive [elaia] trees, and [kai] the two [duo] candlesticks [luchnia] standing [histemi] before [enopion] the God [theos] of the earth. [ge] KJV-Interlinear
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. NASB
Olive trees produce olives, and olives produce olive oil. Olive oil was a common fuel for lamps back in ancient times.
The candlesticks, ‘luchnia,’ refers to lampstands, into which the oil was poured, saturating a wick which was lit and then the burning wick fueled by the oil, provided light.
In order to understand this verse, we need to go back to Zech. 4. However the key verses are found in Zech 4:6, 14.
Zech 4:6
6 Then he answered and said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts. NASB
Zech 4:14
14 Then he said, "These are the two anointed ones, who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth." NASB
Now Zechariah was speaking of Joshua the high priest, Zech 3, and Zerubbabel, the political leader, and their rebuilding of the post-exile temple.
However, this passage also refers to the rebuilding of the Millennial Temple as brought about by the national revival caused by the preaching of these two witnesses we have in our current verse.
If indeed these two witnesses are Moses and Elijah, the method of their return is not described. Only that they will be there when the time is right.
They will not be present with guns and bombs, but only with the Word of God. God will grant them with sufficient power to prevent their demise, such that their ministry will last for the full 1260 days.
The lamp stands represent the light of Bible doctrine. The oil represents the power of the Holy Spirit.
The two olive trees connected to the lamp stands, represents the constant pouring out of oil, fueling the lamps which remain lit continuously.
These two witnesses will preach the gospel of Christ, resulting in the greatest revival in all of human history. Most will die as martyrs. Some will survive to fight the anti-christ. Some will survive and remain alive to go into the Millennium.
Therefore, while the world will try everything in its power to destroy Jerusalem, to destroy the Jews, and to destroy these two witnesses, the world will fail. God will succeed by means of the spoken word alone, 'Not by might nor by power [worldly], but by My Spirit.'
And so a great revival, the greatest in Jewish history, will result in huge numbers of Jewish persons believing in Christ.
Standing before God, means that they will be preaching and teaching truth, the gospel, and doctrine, with complete support and authorization from God, as His legitimate representatives.
Needless to say, this also implies a vastly larger population total number, as huge numbers will reject Christ, also.
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