The Two Witnesses

[Brain Damage]

When the preists and Levites asked John the baptist if he was Elijah , John said no he was not .

They then asked him if he was the prophet and he said no he was not . Now I know that Elijah is coming because of the prophecy of Malachi and that he will probably be one of the two witnesses , but who were the priests and Levites refering to when they asked John if he was the prophet ?

What prophet were they expecting , and are there any scriptures relating to this prophet ?

The popular belief is that Moses is the other future witness but if the jews had thought that then they would probably have asked John if he was Moses , but instead they ask , "are you the prophet" ?

 

[Henaynei]

When the preists and Levites asked John the baptist if he was Elijah , John said no he was not .

They then asked him if he was the prophet and he said no he was not . Now I know that Elijah is coming because of the prophecy of Malachi and that he will probably be one of the two witnesses , but who were the priests and Levites refering to when they asked John if he was the prophet ?

What prophet were they expecting , and are there any scriptures relating to this prophet ?

The popular belief is that Moses is the other future witness but if the jews had thought that then they would probably have asked John if he was Moses , but instead they ask , "are you the prophet" ?

At that time in their theological history, I believe they were referring to their concept to the expected Deliverer, Moshiakh ben Dovid.

 

[Dad Ernie]

When the preists and Levites asked John the baptist if he was Elijah , John said no he was not .

They then asked him if he was the prophet and he said no he was not . Now I know that Elijah is coming because of the prophecy of Malachi and that he will probably be one of the two witnesses , but who were the priests and Levites refering to when they asked John if he was the prophet ?

What prophet were they expecting , and are there any scriptures relating to this prophet ?

The popular belief is that Moses is the other future witness but if the jews had thought that then they would probably have asked John if he was Moses , but instead they ask , "are you the prophet" ?

Greetings Brain Damage,

Indeed JB was the promised "Elijah which was to come" and his purpose was to "make straight paths for the Lord. It is important that you understand that Elijah was not going to be reincarnated, but that it was the "spirit of Elijah" which Jesus was speaking of. But Jesus goes on to say that Elijah will come again to:

Matthew 17:11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

This is the "spirit" that will be upon the "two witnesses". Elijah was known as the "Prophet of fire", as he called down fire from heaven to burn up his offerings and to destroy the prophets of Baal. The "two Witnesses" will have "fire" coming from their mouth, NOT LITERALLY, but as they give their testimony, it will be like "fire" that burns away the chaff of ignorance and deception.

As for the two witnesses, they are NOT just two men, and the text never states that they are. They are representative of the Jewish and Gentile believers in those days who will walk and preach in the power of Elijah.

The two olive trees are the natural and the wild olive trees found in Romans 11. The two lampstands are the Light of Jewish believers and the Light of the Gentile believers. Both witnesses to God's revealing glory.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie