Revelation 11:6

‘These have the power to shut the heaven so that it will not rain during the days of their prophecy, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to smite the earth with every plague as often as they will desire.'

It is not said that they do this. These examples are given to demonstrate that these witnesses are prophets in the mould of Elijah and Moses, and if necessary can call on similar powers. It was Elijah who prayed and shut the heavens (1 Kings 17:1; James 5:17). It was Moses who turned water into blood (Exodus 7:19) and smote the earth with plagues.

But we are not to think that we actually have here Moses and Elijah. Jesus Himself spoke of John the Baptiser as the Elijah who was to come (Matthew 11:14; Mark 9:13), demonstrating that the promise of Malachi 4:5 should not be taken pedantically. Here we have the church and its leaders who are carrying on the witness of Moses and Elijah.

(Jesus said of John the Baptiser ‘If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah who is to come' (Matthew 11:14). This is perfectly clear, but it is surprising how many students of prophecy are not willing to receive it because it does not fit their preconceptions. The Elijah of Malachi 4:5 HAS already come. We have Jesus word for it. These two witnesses are not therefore specifically fulfilling that prophecy. But how easily and subtly we can, if we are not careful, make the Scripture say what we want it to say in order build up a satisfactory picture or to fit a literalistic viewpoint, a danger to us all.

There is possibly in this passage also a contrast with the work of evil angels and spirits. They also bring famine on the world (Revelation 8:7). They also turn water into blood (Revelation 8:8). They also smite the earth with plagues (Revelation 9:18). God wants us to know that, if they wish, He and His people have the power to do the same even though they may not use it.

James points this out in his letter when he states firmly that the church is powerful through prayer. ‘The supplication of a righteous man avails greatly in its working', he says, and gives this very example of the withholding of rain by Elijah (James 5:16). The early church was not as afraid of such miracles as we are. Thus there is no difficulty in John seeing a future (to him) church in Jerusalem effectively having such powers available for use, especially through their anointed leaders, and possibly although not necessarily using them.

However, it is noteworthy that there have been rare times when miracles of one sort or another have abounded. The time of Moses was one, the time of Elijah and Elisha another and the time of Jesus and His apostles a third. Miracles do not just happen at random. So these words in Revelation may suggest that in the end days the same will apply. But even then they will not be at random. The witnesses will not misuse their powers. They will only use them as God commands. Unlike the beast, their aim is not wholesale slaughter.