One day, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a mountain to pray (Luke 9:28–36). There He was transfigured, and His divine glory revealed. Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus about what would soon happen to Him in Jerusalem. An awed and nervous Peter wanted to put up three shelters, one for each of them.

This is one reason why some believe that the “two witnesses” in today’s reading are Moses and Elijah (vv. 3–6). The text doesn’t say so, but it does assign these two men powers notably similar to those wielded by Moses and Elijah. For example, they can turn water to blood (like Moses) and stop it from raining (like Elijah). They wear sackcloth, signifying mourning, and call people to repentance. Their coming had been prophesied by Zechariah (Zech. 4). Amazingly, this late in the game, God is still making sure the gospel is proclaimed, and salvation is offered! The two witnesses are divinely empowered and protected to do so until their work is done.

When that time comes, the beast from the Abyss attacks and kills them (vv. 7–13). The world celebrates their death and gives gifts as if it’s a holiday while the bodies of the two witnesses lie unburied. Why? Unrepentant people had been “tormented” by the witnesses’ message. Miraculously, after three-and-a-half days the Spirit raises them to life, showing that the “breath of life” is entirely God’s to control. His enemies are understandably terrified, especially when the two witnesses ascend to heaven (like Christ), and an earthquake hits. “They gave glory to the God of heaven” even though their hearts remained hard. No believer dies until their work is done. Believers facing persecution and martyrdom can take heart from this end times narrative!

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