Much of the BOOKS of DANIEL and REVELATIONS are Metaphors or have symbolic meanings where it is scripture that interprets these symbols and metaphors. For example a BEAST that I was referring to ealier is not literal BEAST but a Metaphor or symbol that the scritpure itself interpret....
BEAST = KINGDOM, NATION, POLITICAL POWER (Daniel 7:17, 23 and Prov 28:15)
HORN = Also is a KINGDOM, NATION, POLITICAL POWER (Daniel 7:24; 8:5, 21, 22; Zechariah 1:18-19, Rev. 17:12)
WOMAN, (PURE) = True Church (Jeremiah 6:2; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23-27)
WOMAN, (CORRUPT) = Apostate church (Ezk 16:15-58; 23:2-21; Hos. 2:5; 3:1; Rev. 14:4)
WOMAN (HARLOT) = Apostate church/religion (Isaiah 1:21-27; Jeremiah 3:1-3; 6-9)
DRAGON = Satan (Revelation 12:9)
etc etc... let the scripture interpret the scriptures.
The TWO Great Witnesses are also symbolic of the OLD and NEW Testament scriptures;
Jesus taught that the Scriptures (those then in existence) are “they which testify of Me.” (Jn 5:39) The Old Testament testifies, or bears witness, of Him. The Old Testament is manifestly His “witness”.
In another place Jesus explains that, "This gospel of the kingdom must be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations." (Matt 24:14) The gospel is also to be preached as “a witness” – Christ’s witness. Together, the Old Testament and the New Testament are Christ's two witnesses.
These are the two parts of the Sacred Record, both of which, says Jesus, “testify of Me.”
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A second point, concerning the identity of the Two Witnesses, might be added.
These Witnesses “are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth” (Rev 11:4). This is a direct reference to a vision in the Book of Zechariah.
In vision, Zechariah sees one Candlestick, “and two olive trees by it” (Zech 4:2-3) The prophet asked, “What are these, my lord?” The angel responded, “Do you not know what these are?” The prophet answers, “No, my lord.”
Then the angel appears to evade the question, but it is by no means an evasion. The angel immediately responds, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” (Zech 4:5-6)
The Candlestick and the Olive trees were “the word of the Lord” supplied by the Spirit of God. Specifically, in Zechariah’s case, the word of the Lord was given to encourage Zerubbabel when he was confronted by a “great mountain” of difficulties. (It was Zerubbabel that led out in the work of re-building the Temple at Jerusalem.)
The EVERLASTING GOSPEL of the OLD and NEW Testament scriptures, lie in the streets as those being rejected by the WORLD. This is the treatment of those who have been sent to preach its message.
BEING DEAD in the street is symbolic of the WORLDS rejection of the EVERLASTING GOSPEL and those who have been sent to preach it prior to Jesus 2nd COMING.
When the World thinks it is KILLED the two great witnesses and those who proclaim it LIFE will be given once more to God's WORD and those that hear it will fear before it and will not stop it...
May God bless you as you seek him through His Word...