Revelation 11:3

“And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, etc.] By whom are meant, not Enoch and Elias, as some of the ancient fathers thought, who, they supposed, would come before the appearance of Christ, and oppose antichrist, and be slain by him, which sense the Papists greedily catch at; nor are the Scriptures, the two Testaments, Old and New, designed, though their name and number agree, and also their office, which is to testify of Christ; but then to be clothed in sackcloth, to be killed, and rise again, and ascend to heaven, are things that cannot so well be accommodated to them: but these witnesses intend the ministers of the Gospel and churches of Christ, who have bore testimony for Christ,…”

“I will give power--There is no "power" in the Greek, so that "give" must mean "give commission," or some such word. my two witnesses--Greek, "the two witnesses of me." The article implies that the two were well known at least to John. prophesy--preach under the inspiration of the Spirit, denouncing judgments against the apostate. They are described by symbol as "the two olive trees" and "the two candlesticks," or lamp-stands, "standing before the God of the earth." The reference is to Zac 4:3, Zac 4:12, where two individuals are meant, Joshua and Zerubbabel, who ministered to the Jewish Church, just as the two olive trees emptied the oil out of themselves into the bowl of the candlestick. So…”

“And I will give power unto my two witnesses - In respect to this important passage Revelation 11:3-13 I propose to pursue the same method which I have pursued all along in this exposition: first, to examine the meaning of the words and phrases in the symbol, with a purpose to ascertain the fair signification of the symbols; and, secondly, to inquire into the application - that is, to inquire whether any events have occurred which, in respect to their character and to the time of their occurrence, can be shown to be a fair fulfillment of the language. And I will give power - The word “power” is not in the original. The Greek is simply, “I will give” - that is, I will grant to my two witnesses…”

“And I - Christ. Will give to my two witnesses - These seem to be two prophets; two select, eminent instruments. Some have supposed (though without foundation) that they are Moses and Elijah, whom they resemble in several respects. To prophesy twelve hundred and sixty days - Common days, that is, an hundred and eighty weeks. So long will they prophesy, (even while that last and sharp treading of the holy city continues,) both by word and deed, witnessing that Jesus is the Son of God, the heir of all things, and exhorting all men to repent, and fear, and glorify God. Clothed in sackcloth - The habit of the deepest mourners, out of sorrow and concern for the people. Revelation 11:4”

“11:3 During the period of persecution, God will not abandon the world but will send his two witnesses to proclaim the coming judgment, just as God sent Jonah to Nineveh (Jon 1:2; 4:11). • Clothing made of burlap was symbolic of mourning or repentance (see Gen 37:34; 2 Sam 3:31; Neh 9:1; Esth 4:1; Jon 3:6).”

“I will give power: etc. or, I will give unto my two witnesses, that they may prophesy, Joh 3:27; Co1 12:28; Eph 4:11 two: Num 11:26; Deu 17:6, Deu 19:15; Mat 18:16; Co2 13:1 witnesses: Rev 20:4; Luk 24:48; Joh 15:27; Act 1:8, Act 2:32, Act 3:15, Act 13:31 they shall: Rev 19:10 a thousand: Rev 11:2, Rev 12:6 clothed: Gen 37:34; Ch1 21:16; Est 4:1, Est 4:2; Job 16:15; Isa 22:12; Lam 2:10; Joh 3:5-8 Revelation 11:4”