Everything you should know about The Two Witnesses.
From Daniel to the return of Christ.
The Two Witnesses — A Biblical Study
Here is a structured Bible study you can use or turn into a graphic/handout. I will keep it Scripture-focused and chronological, since that is the clearest way to understand the Two Witnesses.
Followed by an End Time Prophecy Sheet.
1. The Primary Passage
The main description is found in Revelation 11:3-12.
Revelation 11:3–4
“And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.”
Key facts from the passage:
• There are two individuals
• They prophesy 1,260 days (3½ years)
• They preach during a time of great tribulation
• They have miraculous power
• They are killed by the Beast
• After 3½ days they are resurrected
• Their resurrection happens just before the final trumpet
2. When Do They Appear?
The timeline in Revelation places them immediately before the return of Messiah.
Their ministry length
1,260 days
Revelation 11:3
This same time period appears repeatedly in end-time prophecy.
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Prophecy
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Time
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Revelation 11:3
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1,260 days
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Revelation 12:6
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1,260 days
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Revelation 12:14
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time, times, half a time
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Daniel 7:25
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time, times, half a time
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All refer to the final 3½ years before the Kingdom of God is established.
3. What Do the Two Witnesses Do?
They act as God’s final prophetic voice to the world.
They prophesy and warn the world
Revelation 11:3
“They shall prophesy 1,260 days.”
They perform miraculous signs
Revelation 11:5
“If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies.”
Revelation 11:6
“These have power to shut heaven so that no rain falls… and power over waters to turn them to blood.”
These powers resemble the miracles of:
• Elijah – stopping rain
• Moses – turning water to blood
But the text never says they are Moses and Elijah themselves.
4. Their Message
They preach in sackcloth, which in Scripture means repentance and warning.
Revelation 11:3
“Clothed in sackcloth.”
This indicates they are warning the world during the Tribulation.
5. The Beast Kills Them
Near the end of their ministry, the Beast finally kills them.
Revelation 11:7
“When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.”
Their bodies lie in Jerusalem.
Revelation 11:8
“Their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city…”
The world celebrates their death.
Revelation 11:10
“Those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them.”
This shows their message tormented the wicked world.
6. They Are Resurrected
After 3½ days, God resurrects them.
Revelation 11:11
“After the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them.”
They then ascend to heaven.
Revelation 11:12
“Come up here. And they ascended to heaven in a cloud.”
This resurrection is a sign immediately before the final trumpet.
7. The Seventh Trumpet Follows
Right after their resurrection:
Revelation 11:15
“Then the seventh angel sounded:
The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord.”
The seventh trumpet is when Messiah returns.
1 Corinthians 15:52
“At the last trumpet… the dead will be raised.”
So the sequence is:
- Two Witnesses preach 3½ years
- They are killed
- 3½ days later resurrected
- Seventh trumpet sounds
- Messiah returns
8. Why Two Witnesses?
God often establishes truth through two witnesses.
Deuteronomy 19:15
“By the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.”
Before the end of this age, God sends two final witnesses to testify to the world.
9. Symbolism: Olive Trees and Lampstands
Revelation 11:4
“These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands.”
This imagery comes from Zechariah 4.
Zechariah 4:14
“These are the two anointed ones who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.”
Meaning:
• They are anointed servants of God
• They are empowered by God’s Spirit
10. Summary Timeline
End-Time Sequence
- Beast rises to power
- Tribulation begins
- Two Witnesses preach 1,260 days
- Beast kills them
- 3½ days later they are resurrected
- Seventh trumpet sounds
- Yeshua returns
Simple Overview
Who are they?
Two prophets sent by God.
When do they appear?
During the final 3½ years before the return of Yeshua.
What do they do?
• Warn the world
• Perform miracles
• Call people to repentance.
What happens to them?
• Killed by the Beast
• Resurrected after 3½ days
• Taken to meet Christ
—————————————
Here is a prophecy chart showing the connection between Daniel, Revelation, and the Return of Yeshua. It lays out the key prophetic sequence from the Old Testament to the New Testament.
Prophetic Timeline: Daniel → Revelation → Return of Yeshua
1. Daniel — Foundations of End-Time Prophecy
Daniel 2 – The Statue of Kingdoms
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Kingdom
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Prophecy
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Historical Fulfillment
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Head of Gold
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Babylon
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605–539 BC
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Chest of Silver
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Medo-Persia
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539–331 BC
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Belly of Bronze
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Greece
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331–168 BC
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Legs of Iron
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Rome
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168 BC →
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Daniel 2:44
“In the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed.”
This points to the Kingdom of God established at Messiah’s return.
2. Daniel 7 — Rise of the Beast Power
Daniel sees four beasts representing the same world powers.
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Beast
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Kingdom
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Lion
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Babylon
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Bear
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Medo-Persia
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Leopard
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Greece
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Terrifying Beast
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Rome
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From the final beast comes a little horn that persecutes the saints.
Daniel 7:25
“They shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.”
This equals 3½ years (1,260 days).
3. Revelation — The Final Tribulation
Revelation expands Daniel’s prophecy.
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Event
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Scripture
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Beast rises to power
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Revelation 13
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Saints persecuted
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Revelation 13:7
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Tribulation period
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Revelation 12:6
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Two Witnesses preach 1,260 days
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Revelation 11:3
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4. Ministry of the Two Witnesses
During the final 3½ years:
• They preach repentance
• Perform miracles
• Confront the Beast system
Revelation 11:3
“I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy 1,260 days.”
5. Death and Resurrection of the Witnesses
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Event
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Scripture
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Beast kills them
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Revelation 11:7
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Bodies lie in Jerusalem
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Revelation 11:8
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Dead for 3½ days
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Revelation 11:9
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Resurrected by God
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Revelation 11:11
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6. The Seventh Trumpet
Immediately after their resurrection:
Revelation 11:15
“The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord.”
This trumpet signals the return of Yeshua.
7. The Return of Yeshua
Matthew 24:30
“They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
1 Corinthians 15:52
“At the last trumpet… the dead will be raised.”
Complete Prophetic Flow
Daniel → Revelation → Kingdom of God
- Daniel foretells world empires
- Final Beast power arises
- Tribulation period begins
- Two Witnesses preach 1,260 days
- Beast kills them
- They rise after 3½ days
- Seventh trumpet sounds
- Yeshua returns
- Kingdom of God established
———————————————
End-Time Prophecy Study Sheet
Tribulation → Two Witnesses → Seventh Trumpet → Return of Yeshua
1. The Tribulation Begins
A final world power rises and persecutes the saints.
Daniel 7:25
“He shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High… and they shall be given into his hand for a time and times and the dividing of time.”
Revelation 13:7
“It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them.”
Length of this period
- 1,260 days
- 42 months
- Time, times, and half a time
(All equal 3½ years)
Scriptures:
Daniel 7:25
Revelation 11:2–3
Revelation 12:6
Revelation 13:5
2. The Two Witnesses Appear
God sends two prophets during the final 3½ years.
Revelation 11:3
“I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.”
What they do
• Preach repentance
• Warn the world
• Perform miracles
Revelation 11:5–6
“If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies… These have power to shut heaven so that no rain falls… and power over waters to turn them to blood.”
Their identity
Revelation 11:4
“These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.”
See also:
Zechariah 4:11-14
3. The Beast Kills the Witnesses
After they finish their testimony:
Revelation 11:7
“The beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.”
Their bodies lie in Jerusalem.
Revelation 11:8
“Their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city… where also our Lord was crucified.”
The world celebrates their death.
Revelation 11:10
“Those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them.”
4. Resurrection After 3½ Days
Revelation 11:11
“After the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet.”
They ascend to heaven.
Revelation 11:12
“Come up here. And they ascended to heaven in a cloud.”
5. The Seventh Trumpet Sounds
Immediately after the resurrection of the witnesses:
Revelation 11:15
“The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Messiah.”
This trumpet announces the beginning of the Kingdom of God.
6. The Return of Yeshua
The resurrection of the saints occurs at the last trumpet.
1 Corinthians 15:52
“At the last trumpet… the dead will be raised incorruptible.”
Matthew 24:30
“Then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven… and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
Complete End-Time Sequence
- Tribulation begins
- Beast power rises (Revelation 13)
- Two Witnesses preach 1,260 days (Revelation 11:3)
- Beast kills the witnesses (Revelation 11:7)
- Dead 3½ days (Revelation 11:9–11)
- Witnesses resurrected and ascend (Revelation 11:11–12)
- Seventh Trumpet sounds (Revelation 11:15)
- Yeshua returns (Matthew 24:30)
- Resurrection of the saints (1 Corinthians 15:52)
Key Time Period
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Prophetic Term
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Length
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1,260 days
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3½ years
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42 months
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3½ years
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Time, times, half a time
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3½ years
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Scriptures:
Daniel 7:25
Revelation 11:3
Revelation 12:6
Revelation 13:5
Core Truth
Before the return of Yeshua:
- God sends two witnesses
- They preach during the final 3½ years
- They are killed by the Beast
- God resurrects them
- The Seventh Trumpet sounds
- Yeshua returns and establishes the Kingdom of God
Primary Study Chapters
Daniel 7
Matthew 24
Revelation 11
Revelation 13
1 Corinthians 15
Prophecy Study Sheet #2
Daniel → Revelation Prophecy Comparison Chart
This chart shows how the prophecies in Daniel correspond with the events revealed later in Revelation.
World Empires Leading to the End
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Daniel
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Description
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Revelation
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Daniel 2
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Statue of world kingdoms
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Revelation 13 Beast system
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Daniel 7
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Four beasts
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Revelation 13 Beast
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Daniel 7:25
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Saints persecuted
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Revelation 13:7
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Daniel 7:25
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Time, times, half a time
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Revelation 12:14
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Daniel 12:7
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Final tribulation period
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Revelation 11:3
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The Final 3½ Years
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Daniel Prophecy
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Revelation Fulfillment
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Time, times, half a time
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Revelation 12:14
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1,260 days
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Revelation 11:3
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42 months
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Revelation 13:5
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These are three expressions of the same time period.
Length = 3½ years
The Beast Power
Daniel 7:23
“The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom on earth.”
Revelation 13:1
“I saw a beast rising up out of the sea.”
Both passages describe the same final world power opposing God.
Persecution of the Saints
Daniel 7:25
“He shall wear out the saints of the Most High.”
Revelation 13:7
“It was granted to him to make war with the saints.”
The Kingdom of God
Daniel ends with the establishment of God's Kingdom.
Daniel 2:44
“The God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed.”
Revelation shows when this happens.
Revelation 11:15
“The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord.”
Summary
Daniel gives the framework of world history.
Revelation reveals the final events leading to the Kingdom of God.
Prophecy Study Sheet #3
The Ministry of the Two Witnesses
Primary passage: Revelation 11:1-15
Who Are the Two Witnesses?
Revelation 11:3
“I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy 1,260 days.”
They are two prophets sent by God during the final tribulation.
Their Time of Ministry
Length:
1,260 days
Also described as:
- 42 months
- Time, times, half a time
Equivalent to 3½ years.
Scriptures:
Revelation 11:3
Revelation 12:6
Revelation 13:5
Daniel 7:25
Their Authority
Revelation 11:5
“If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth.”
Revelation 11:6
They have power to:
- Shut the heavens (like Elijah)
- Turn water to blood (like Moses)
- Strike the earth with plagues
Their Symbolic Description
Revelation 11:4
“These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands.”
This connects to:
Zechariah 4:14
“These are the two anointed ones standing by the Lord.”
Their Death
After completing their testimony:
Revelation 11:7
“The beast… will make war against them and kill them.”
Their bodies lie in Jerusalem.
Revelation 11:8
“Where also our Lord was crucified.”
The World's Reaction
Revelation 11:10
“Those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them.”
Their message had tormented the wicked world.
Their Resurrection
Revelation 11:11
“The breath of life from God entered them.”
They rise after 3½ days.
Their Ascension
Revelation 11:12
“Come up here.”
They ascend into heaven in a cloud.
This event occurs immediately before the Seventh Trumpet.
Prophecy Study Sheet #4
The Last Trumpet and the Return of Yeshua
The Bible connects the Seventh Trumpet with the return of Messiah and the resurrection of the saints.
The Seventh Trumpet
Revelation 11:15
“The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord.”
This trumpet announces the beginning of God's Kingdom rule.
The Last Trumpet
1 Corinthians 15:52
“At the last trumpet… the dead will be raised incorruptible.”
This is the resurrection of believers.
The Return of the Son of Man
Matthew 24:30
“They shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
The Gathering of the Saints
Matthew 24:31
“He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather His elect.”
Order of End-Time Events
- Tribulation begins
- Beast power rises
- Two Witnesses preach 1,260 days
- Beast kills the witnesses
- Dead for 3½ days
- Witnesses resurrected
- Seventh trumpet sounds
- Yeshua returns
- Resurrection of the saints
- Kingdom of God established
Key Scriptures for Study
Daniel 7
Matthew 24
Revelation 11
Revelation 13
1 Corinthians 15
1 Thessalonians 4
