In John's prophetic vision of the last days on earth, judgement is poured out on the wicked of the world. The first six angel's trumpet blasts bring destruction to a third of the trees, sea creatures, and ships. All of the grass is burned, a third of the waters are poisoned, and the sun and the moon became a third dimmer, yet many people on earth still refuse to repent of their murders, sorceries, fornication or thefts. It is at this point, before the 7th and final trumpet sounds, that the two witnesses appear. The account is given in Revelation 11, and are summarized here:
The Two Witnesses (Rev. 11:1-14)
They will prophesy 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. (Rev. 11:3) In the Scriptures, sackcloth was most commonly worn when mourning or as a sign of grief. In 1 Kings 20:31, it is worn to show submission and humility in a plea for mercy.
They are the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
If any man hurts them, they are devoured by fire from their mouths.
They have the power to shut heaven, that there be no rain in the days of their prophecy, and they have the power to turn waters to blood, or smite them with plagues at will.
After they finish prophesying, the beast from the bottomless pit will make war with them and kill them.
Their dead bodies will lie in the street of a great city, where the Lord was crucified, spiritually called Sodom and Egypt.
People from all nations will see their bodies for 3.5 days, and not bury them.
People will rejoice and send each other gifts to celebrate their death, because the two prophets tormented them.
The witnesses will come back to life and a great voice from heaven will command them to come up.
Their enemies will watch them ascend to heaven in a cloud.
A great earthquake will then destroy a tenth of the city, killing 7,000 men.
The remaining people will give glory to God of heaven out of fear.
The Massacre of the Two Witnesses by the Beast, Artist Unknown, circa 1255-1260