Scripture. "These are the two olive trees, and the two lampstands which stand before the

Lord of the earth."

The title "Lord of the earth" is in line with the angel's claim in Chapter 10: over the sea

and the earth, upon which he placed his feet. The alternative to worshipping the beast is

that of worshipping the Creator (14: 7) for the condition of things has become so bad that

this most elementary feature constitutes the whole of the gospel then proclaimed. The

Gentile times revert back to the character given in Rom. 1: 18-32. The two witnesses are

spoken of as the two olive trees and the two lampstands. This is a reference back to

Zech. 4: When the angel asked Zechariah whether he knew the meaning of the two olive

trees which emptied their oil into the lampstands, he replied, "No, my Lord". Then he

answered Zechariah, saying:--

The olive branches are differentiated from the lampstand, and are "the anointed ones

that stand by the Lord of the whole earth" (14). In the Revelation the witnesses are called

the two olive trees and the two lampstand. However, much is parallel. In both cases

there is a return from captivity in progress. Great opposition is rising against the people,

the city and the temple. Nevertheless, the seventh angel shall sound and the headstone

shall be brought forth with acclamation. The great mountain foreshadows Babylon, and

when Babylon falls, heaven rings with Hallelujahs and the Lord rides forth on the white

horse as King of kings and Lord of lords.

The secret of power for the two witnesses is, "by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts".

These witnesses have the power of devouring their enemies with fire and of shutting up

the rain of heaven. They can turn water into blood, and smite the earth with every plague

as often as they will. The plagues brought upon Pharaoh by Moses and the judgments

brought about by Elijah were literal; so will these be, no power, not even that of Satan

himself, can cut short a testimony given and sustained by God. For three years and a half

Satan, the beast, and the false prophet with their host of followers, both demon and

human, try in vain to stop this testimony. All the while that men are enrolling themselves

on the side of the beast, God sustains a powerful miraculous testimony to Himself and

His truth. The whole world have this testimony and become thereby involved in guilt.

It is important to observe the order of the words in Rev. 19: 20, "with which he

deceived those that had received the mark of the beast". The receiving came before the

deceiving. They are without excuse. Heaven's witnesses have given unceasing warning,

and at last repentance becomes impossible.