Revelation 11

The Prophet Joseph Smith was asked to which he answered -

"Q. What is to be understood by the two witnesses, in the eleventh chapter of Revelation?
A. They are two prophets that are to be raised up to the Jewish nation in the last days, at the time of the restoration, and to prophesy to the Jews after they are gathered and have built the city of Jerusalem in the land of their fathers." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 77:15)

Some one hundred and sixteen years from this revelation, the State of Israel declared its independence. The Lord does not say when these two prophets will be raised up, only after the restorations and the Jews are gathered and built up the city of Jerusalem. I would suggest that these prereguisites have been satisfied. John saide that when these two prophets are raised up, the Lord -

"...will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth." (New Testament | Revelation 11:3 - 4)

It seems these individuals will be humble, peacemakers, and will be beacons or messengers of gospel light and truth. Which would also mean they would call the wicked to repentance. They also will -

"...have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will." (New Testament | Revelation 11:6)

And -

"...if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed." (New Testament | Revelation 11:5)

Whether that be physical or spiritual, I don't know. But we do know that -


"...when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified." (New Testament | Revelation 11:7 - 8)

It is obvious that these two witnesses will not be unknown, for I believe, with the media and technology of our day, that -

"...they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth." (New Testament | Revelation 11:9 - 10)

I believe that leaving their bodies for three and a half days is significant, in that many middle east customs suggest that bodies must be buried quickly or the spirits of men will wander the earth. This will then be intentional. But -

"...after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them." (New Testament | Revelation 11:11 - 12)

As the wicked behold this event, I wonder how many will repent. I doubt many. But even so, it seems there will be a period granted for repentance which always seems to be granted by the Lord. I should note then that upon the conclusion of this event -

"The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly." (New Testament | Revelation 11:14)

It is the third "woe" when the wicked will be destroyed.