The two witnesses are two of the most dramatic characters found in scripture and yet there are several different interpretations of who they are, and no one seems to be able to identify them with any certainty.

Scripture states that Revelations two witnesses cannot be killed by man and that they can devour their enemies by fire coming from their mouths, (Revelation 11:5) they have the power to shut up the heavens from rain, power to turn any water to blood and send plagues upon the earth as often as they please. (Revelation 11:6) But when they have testified, the beast comes out of the bottomless pit and kills them. (Revelation 11:7) Scripture than informs us that their dead bodies will lie in the street for three and half days and will be seen by people from nations all over the earth. (Revelation 11:8-9)

This is certainly an intriguing chronicle of events that unfold and these two witnesses are said to have very unusual and miraculous abilities.

Many of the above points are focused on in an attempt to identify these two witnesses but most fail because they miss one very crucial point in understanding symbolic time periods in Bible prophecy.

Some believe they are Moses and Elijah because Elijah’s prayer stopped rain and resulted in a drought in Israel for 3.5 years. (1 Kings 17:1; 18:1; James 5:17) Moses because of the ten plagues that came upon Egypt. Moses by the power of God turned water into blood. (Exodus 7:17) And not forgetting of course Elijah bringing down fire from heaven (2 Kings 1:10-14) in regards to the fire that comes from the mouths of the two witnesses. (Revelation 11:5)

Then you have Revelation 11:4 that says, “These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks.” When Zechariah asked the angel, “who are these two olive trees?” The angel replied that, “These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” (Zechariah 4:11:14)

Elijah and Enoch are also identified as they were both miraculously taken by God. (Genesis 5:24; 2 Kings 2:11; Hebrews 11:5) Then there is also the view that these are just two unknown people of God that are called by Him to be witnesses at the end of time.

So are Revelations two witnesses literal people or could they be symbolic? The majority of the Book of Revelation can be found in the Old Testament and it certainly holds all the information we need to identify these two witnesses. But note also that the majority of Revelation is symbolic, and you will note that there is a lot of symbolism used in Revelation 11. The “beast” for instance is symbolic of a kingdom according to Daniel 7:17 and 7:23, and on close examination of this passage we find there is much more symbolism used.

And what about the three and a half days? All reputable theologians know and will tell you that when prophecy is symbolic that the day for a year rule applies. (See Ezekiel 4:6 and Numbers 14:34) So is the time period symbolic in Revelation 11?

It is also very significant that 3.5 years is often represented as a time of trouble in scripture and that three and a half years is mentioned 7 times in Bible prophecy in different ways. For example: The two witnesses are said to prophesy, “a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” That is of course also three and a half years as told in Revelation 11:9 that states “three days and an half.”

This time period is one of the most significant time periods in history and is found in Revelation 11:2; 13:5 as “42 Months,” which = 3.5 Years or 1260 Days, and in Revelation 11:3; 12:6 as “1260 Days,” which = 3.5 Years or 42 Months, and also in Daniel 7:25; 12:7 and Revelation 12:14 as been written in slightly different ways as “time, and times, and half a time,” which = Time = 1 Year, times = 2 Years and half a time = .5 Year = total 3.5 Years which = 42 Months or 1260 Days.

So what is this time period as it identifies the time that the two witnesses testify and hence is the best piece of evidence we have to their identity?

A Belgian Interior Ministry official, Peter Mertens, says there was only one attacker, who was killed in the incident, adding that it was not related to terrorism.

What does he mean ? Is this even more proof that the West is having a war against Islaam and not really with terrorism, how is the above incident NOT terrorism ?

It is indeed a terrorist attack, how is it not? I guess and afraid that Belgian people have a minister who don’t have a proper working brain!!!!

and moreover whoever saying here where is the word "Islam"? then what westren countries have in their minds? by saying it is not a terror attack it means people not get terrorised when some one throw hand grandes kill humans infront of them!!!!

so it means if some one who is a christian/jew/… if he kills some one it is not terror attack atleast in Belgium!!!!

This is not a question to make fun of the experience. I’d really like to know how the message was delivered, if anyone knows.
Did it come through a series of events, a personal voice of God in prayer or meditation, a miracle witnessed?

Here is a good article… which is nicely written… one of my brother’s is a Pastor, and I do know He felt a real fervent call to come forth, in this capacity, just as some are teachers, doctors… it is quite fascinating, when one speaks to people in all walks, even accountants, child care workers… they just have a real vocation for whatever capacity they are drawn to. I am saying some, not all. There is a great peace in my brother, so wonderful to see, so in His case, I am awed by His answer to this call. It can be so profound, a ministry that truly blesses others.

First, there is an inward call. Through His Spirit, God speaks to those persons He has called to serve as pastors and ministers of His Church. The great Reformer Martin Luther described this inward call as "God’s voice heard by faith." Those whom God has called know this call by a sense of leading, purpose, and growing commitment.
Charles Spurgeon identified the first sign of God’s call to the ministry as "an intense, all-absorbing desire for the work." Those called by God sense a growing compulsion to preach and teach the Word, and to minister to the people of God.
This sense of compulsion should prompt the believer to consider whether God may be calling him to the ministry. Has God gifted you with the fervent desire to preach? Has He equipped you with the gifts necessary for ministry? Do you love God’s Word and feel called to teach? Spurgeon warned those who sought his counsel not to preach if they could help it. "But," Spurgeon continued, "if he cannot help it, and he must preach or die, then he is the man." That sense of urgent commission is one of the central marks of an authentic call.
Second, there is the external call. Baptists believe that God uses the congregation to "call out the called" to ministry. The congregation must evaluate and affirm the calling and gifts of the believer who feels called to the ministry. As a family of faith, the congregation should recognize and celebrate the gifts of ministry given to its members, and take responsibility to encourage those whom God has called to respond to that call with joy and submission.
These days, many persons think of careers rather than callings. The biblical challenge to "consider your call" should be extended from the call to salvation to the call to the ministry.
John Newton, famous for writing "Amazing Grace," once remarked that "None but He who made the world can make a Minister of the Gospel." Only God can call a true minister, and only He can grant the minister the gifts necessary for service. But the great promise of Scripture is that God does call ministers, and presents these servants as gifts to the Church.
One key issue here is a common misunderstanding about the will of God. Some models of evangelical piety imply that God’s will is something difficult for us to accept. We sometimes confuse this further by talking about "surrendering" to the will of God. As Paul makes clear in Romans 12:2, the will of God is good, worthy of eager acceptance, and perfect. Those called by God to preach will be given a desire to preach as well as the gifts of preaching. Beyond this, the God-called preacher will feel the same compulsion as the great Apostle, who said, "Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" [1 Corinthians 9:16, ESV]
http://www.crosswalk.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/has-god-called-you-discerning-the-call-to-preach-11568212.html

nice question Sara

Love
Kar

Sorry if thins is a stupid question.

Thanks

I think there may be two reasons;

1 – It was night, so folks were no longer at work. In Deathly Hallows, we see/read that when Ron, Hermione & Harry transform into Ministry employees using Poly Juice potion to get in, it is very busy with a lot of people arriving for work, likely meaning Ministry employees worked "regular" 9 – 5 hours, leaving the Ministry nearly empty. Obviously with the exception of Aurors, but I doubt an Aurors job would see them spending a lot of time at the office, and especially at night.

2 – Voldemort and his Death Eaters may have already begun using the Imperius curse to manipulate junior Ministry employees, so as to keep them away. Folks were still in denial that Voldemort had returned and he would likely have embraced the idea that his return was false, so violence would not have been used to clear the ministry, leaving the Imperius curse as an option.

Popular sports in Malaysia include:
1.badminton
2.bowling
3.football
4.squash

and field hockey.

It said something like "this is a muggle car and ministry of magic or something" This was the frame that holds the license plate not the plate itself. If someone could point me in the right direction I’d really be grateful.

Since HP is under Warner Brothers, I’d check their website first.