Antichrist & 2 Witnesses Timeline
- Mark Absher
- Sep 6
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 15
In Daniel 9:24-27, the angel, Gabriel, tells Daniel that there is a final 7-year period for the Jews and Jerusalem. The prophesy is marked by an action of the antichrist in enforcing a covenant with the "many." Then, 3.5 years later, he breaks the covenant, and he implements an abomination that brings desolation of the earth.
There are differing views regarding the timing of the arrival of the 2 witnesses in this final 7-year period--particularly as to whether they arrive during the 1st or 2nd half of the 7-year period. The 2 witnesses are described in Revelation 11--after the discussion of the 6th trumpet. The most common view appears to be that they arrive at the start of the 7-year period that includes the tribulation. This view holds that even though the 2 witnesses appear in Revelation 11--after the 6th trumpet, their description is an analepsis that refers back to the start of the final 7-year period. Others advocate that they appear in the 2nd half of the 7-year period, actually after the 6th trumpet.
We offer you 2 timelines (one showing 2 witnesses arriving at the start of the 7-year period, and another showing the 2 witnesses arriving at the mid-point of the 7-year period, along with key verses from Daniel and Revelation to help with the analysis.
Note that Malachi 4 is a future prophetic passage of Scripture that refers to both Moses and Elijah--suggesting that they are the 2 witnesses. Also, the passages regarding the Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36) detail the presence of Moses and Elijah with Jesus--again suggesting that these 2 pillars may well be the 2 witnesses. Of course, because we know that Enoch (Genesis 5:24, Hebrews 11:5) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11) were "taken," without a hint of death, and because we also know that "it is appointed unto man once to die" (Hebrews 9:27), Enoch and Elijah present another possible explanation for the identity of the 2 witnesses.
Comments