Revelation 11:1-14 Two witnesses

Revelation 11:3-6 The reference to 42 months is most likely interpreted in light of the 1260 days that the two witnesses will prophesy. Whether these are human prophets, or could represent human organizations or institutions could be debated. They are described as olive trees and lampstands, which suggests the Holy Spirit.  Fire comes from their mouth to devour their enemies, which makes them sound like dragons. They are granted significant authority in prayer that sounds like Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh.

          Could these represent two branches of the church, e.g., the Eastern and Western churches that have been separate since shortly after the end of the Roman Empire? How do we interpret the fire they emit to destroy enemies? Our God is a consuming fire (Matthew 3:12, Luke 3:17, Hebrews 10:27 & 12:29). This passage suggests that under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the witnesses will not only exercise the authority of Moses and Aaron, they will have authority from God to literally consume their enemies with fire. An alternative might be that the words that proceed out of their mouths destroy their enemies with judgment of truth. Ultimately that will happen to all men, that as they live in rebellion against God and His word, and experience the logical consequences of their choices, unless they receive the rescue and redemption that Jesus offers. This passage suggests that in this era, as Christ is being unveiled, that ultimate outcome will be effected on their enemies immediately through the agency of His witnesses. And for the rest of mankind, there is the witness of the plagues of Egypt, revisited.

Revelation 11:7-10 These witnesses are not immortal. The beast has the ability to kill them, but only after they have finished their testimony. The whole world rejoices, which suggests that at this point, all believers have been expunged from the face of the earth. The beast forces those around them, in what we now understand to be Jerusalem, to leave their dead bodies unburied, laying in the streets. This contrasts the aftermath of the crucifixion, when the Jews insisted on burying Jesus before sunset. Perhaps the beast or Satan who inhabits him think that they can forestall God's power by leaving the bodies uncleanly in the streets.

Revelation 11:11-14 God is not affected by ceremonial uncleanness. Just as He raised Jesus after three days, He resurrects the two witnesses, waiting 3 1/2 days. But they do not need to witness for forty more days, so He takes them to heaven immediately, joining that elite group of those carried bodily into heaven such as Enoch, Elijah, Jesus, and the raptured saints. This is followed by an earthquake in which a tenth of Jerusalem is destroyed and 7,000 people are killed.  Interestingly, these events inspire enough fear in the onlookers that they glorify God, or at least give Him glory. Whether this goes beyond mere words is not stated. This concludes the second woe, which was introduced by the sixth trumpet. This brings not a respite but a warning of the immanence of the third woe, which follows.