QUES. 3. Will you kindly explain the meaning of "the two witnesses" of Rev. 13:3?

ANS.-We believe they are the faithful Jewish remnant during the second half of Daniel's last week-the time of "the great tribulation."

Number two is not necessarily literal, but denotes an adequate testimony, even as the law required. The present heavenly testimony is past, the Church having been taken home, and God is now claiming the earth for Himself. But the Jewish nation, which is to be the central one in the earth, is at this time apostate and under the power of the Gentiles. A faithful remnant, however, is among them; they are true worshipers and God owns them and makes them His witnesses, suited to the character of the testimony to be rendered at the time. Like Moses and Elias whose testimony was under similar circumstances, and is analogous to theirs, they have with it power against their enemies, though the King being yet away, they are in reproach and suffering. They suffer death at the end, and their enemies rejoice for they were tormented by their testimony. But the hour of triumph has come and in the view of their enemies they are raised from the dead and taken up to heaven. They are doubtless the last sheaves of the great first-resurrection-harvest, as Christ was its first sheaf-the pledge of all the rest.