Two Witnesses and a Beast

“When they (the two witnesses) have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them.” (Revelation 11:7)

Of all the characters in the book of Revelation, probably the most mysterious are the two witnesses and the beast. (Revelation 11:3-12)

TWO WITNESSES?

And the debate rages on.

Are the two witnesses two men who miraculously minister in the end times? And if they are two men, which two?

Moses’ body was never found. (Deuteronomy 34:6; Jude 1:9) And Elijah missed death having been caught away in a fiery chariot to heaven. (2 Kings 2:11) Each of these met with Jesus at His transfiguration. (Matthew 17:3) And so are Moses and Elijah the two witnesses?

Then again Enoch walked with God and was found no more. (Genesis 5:24) God took him to heaven. Enoch never died either. So maybe Enoch is one of the witnesses? ~ and along with Elijah (the other who never died)?

But what if the two witnesses are somebody else? They could also be symbolic of the entirety of the age since Christ ascended. Are they the Church and Israel who believe in Jesus and minister in His name?

Whoever they are, the two witnesses are killed by the beast (Revelation 11:7), but they come back to life! (Revelation 11:11)

THE BEAST

So who is the beast?

Of course, “it” will eventually be a man ~ referred to sometimes as antichrist. (Revelation 13:1-8; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12) But the beast is so much more than that (imho).

The beast is also a system ~ a world system in direct conflict with and hostility towards God ~ and thus His people. (Revelation 13:7)

The prophet Daniel had a vision. The vision was of human history and the kingdoms / governments that would arise. They were depicted as four beasts: a lion, bear, leopard and then one final, frightful and hideous beast. (Daniel 7:1-8) It is interesting to note the similar characteristics of these with the beast in the book of Revelation:

“And the beast which I saw was like a LEOPARD, and his feet were like those of a BEAR, and his mouth like the mouth of a LION. And the dragon (Satan) gave him his power and his throne and great authority.” (Revelation 13:2)

Of course, the rest of Revelation 13 is a development of the description that equals Daniel’s final, frightful and hideous beast. (Daniel 7:7-8)

That day of the beast is upon us.

(Picture above of the four beasts in Daniel 7 in the public domain: click here. PD-US)