Chapter Twenty-Five/Reviving the Two Witnesses - The Two Witnesses

 Even while being trampled on, these loyal ones do not cease to be Jehovah's faithful witnesses. Hence, the prophecy continues: " 'And I will cause my two witnesses to prophecy a thousand two hundred and sixty days dressed in sackcloth." These are symbolized by the two olive trees and the two lampstands and are standing before the Lord of the earth." - REVELATION 11:3, 4.

These faithful anointed Christians needed the quality of endurance, for they had to prophesy "in sackcloth" What did this mean? In Bible times sackcloth often symbolized mourning. Wearing it was a sign that the person had brought low in sorrow or distress. (Genesis 37:34; Job 16:15, 16; Ezekiel 27:31) Sackcloth was associated with the mournful messages of doom or grief that God's prophets had to proclaim. (Isaiah 3:8,24-26; Jeremiah 48:37; 49:3) The wearing of sackcloth could indicate humility or repentance in view of divine warning. (Jonah 3:5) The sackcloth worn by the two witnesses appears to indicate their humble endurance in announcing Jehovah's judgments. They were witnesses proclaiming his day of vengeance that would bring mourning also to the nations.

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