Revelation 11:3

I will give power. The passage reads literally, “I will give unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy,” that is, I will cause my two witnesses to prophesy.

My two witnesses. A variety of interpretations of this symbol have been proposed. The allusions of vs. 5, 6 have led some to identify these witnesses as Elijah and Moses (see on vs. 5, 6), but the significance of these “two witnesses” goes beyond this. In v. 4 they are identified as “two olive trees” and “two candlesticks,” symbols drawn from Zech. 4:1–6, 11–14. There they are said to represent “the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth” (v. 14). As the olive branches are portrayed furnishing oil for the lamps of the sanctuary (v. 12), so from these holy ones before the throne of God the Holy Spirit is imparted to men (see on Zech. 4:6, 14). Inasmuch as the fullest expression of the Holy Spirit to men is contained in the Scriptures of the OT and the NT, they may be considered to be the two witnesses (cf. on John 5:39). Concerning the Word of God the psalmist declares, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”; “the entrance of thy words giveth light” (Ps. 119:105, 130; cf. Prov. 6:23).

They shall prophesy. In spite of the dominance of evil during the period of 1260 days (see on v. 2), the Spirit of God, especially as manifested in the Scriptures, would nevertheless bear His witness to those men who would receive Him.

A thousand two hundred and threescore days. A period identical with the “forty and two months” of v. 2 (see comment there).

Clothed in sackcloth. Wearing sackcloth was a common sign of mourning (2 Sam. 3:31) and of penitence (Jonah 3:6, 8). Thus the Scriptures might be described as being in mourning at a time when human traditions are in the ascendancy (see on Dan. 7:25).