These Are the Ones … (Rev 7) 399 11,5 (19). There John asserts that they have supernatural abilities to defend themselves — though only for the duration of their ministry (11,7) — against enemy attacks. Confirmation that divine protection is in view derives from the relation with the measuring of the Temple (11,1-2) and the Two Witnesses. Though I suggest that there are valid reasons for associating the provision of protection afforded the Two Witnesses with the measuring of the temple in 11,1-2, it extends beyond the scope of this essay to demonstrate this. Nonetheless, allow me parenthetically to refer to the thoughts of G. K. Beale and G. B. Caird. First, Beale asserts that “Verses 3-6 explain the primary purpose of the ‘measuring’ in vv. 1-2. That is, God’s establishment of his presence among his end-time community as his sanctuary is aimed to ensure the effectiveness of their prophetic witness” (20). Similarly, Caird claims that “The object of measuring the Temple was to ensure that God’s Two Witnesses should have free scope to complete their testimony without hindrance from inner doubts or outward coercion” (21). Thus, the point that the righteous receive divine protection appears justified. Assuming the validity of the association of measuring the temple in 11,1-2 with the Two Witnesses only solidifies this conclusion — assuming of course that, “measure the temple of God, and the altar, and those who worship in it” (11,1), connotes divine protection (22). b) Focus #2: Witnesses God clearly establishes the Two Witnesses to proclaim the gospel. In 11,3 it states that “they will prophecy” (11,3). In addition, they receive the explicit title of “Two Witnesses” (11,3). John identifies the Two Witnesses as the “the two lampstands” (11,4). That this indicates their call to a prophetic mission receives almost unanimous acclaim (23). One need only refer to the opening chapters of the Apocalypse itself, where John explicitly identifies the seven churches as “seven golden lampstands” (1,12), to see the use of lampstands as imagery connoting the witnessing activities of the Church. This also receives support from the use of lamp in the OT and NT, the Apocrypha, and non- biblical writings as figurative expressions for the Word of God, the message of the prophets, and the presence of God (24). The fact that there are two Witnesses, also supports the premise that their primary function is to bear testimony (25). The presence of two witnesses is (19) Schussler Fiorenza suggests that “Rev 11,5-6 metaphorically elaborates their prophetic power and protection by God” (Revelation, 77). (20) G.K. BEALE, The Book of Revelation (NIGTC; Grand Rapids 199) 572. (21) G.B. CAIRD, A Commentary on the Revelation of St. John the Divine (New York 1966) 133. (22) Cf. L. MORRIS, The Revelation of St. John (TNTC; Grand Rapids 1987) 142; CAIRD, Revelation, 131-32; R.H. MOUNCE, The Book of Revelation (NICNT; Grand Rapids 1977) 219; BEALE, Revelation, 558-59, 570-71. (23) This is certainly a strong reference to the Holy Spirit through the relation of lampstands and Zech 4,2-6, but this feature transcends the objectives of this work. Cf. BEALE, Revelation, 206-07. (24) Cf., Zech 4,2-6; Matt 5,14-16; John 5,35; Sir 48,1; Targ. Ps.-J. Zech 4,7. (25) Morris suggests that ‘the number two may stand for adequacy of testimony’ (MORRIS, Revelation, 143). Caird similarly suggests that “The Christian martyrs will