“These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.”
These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth — the witnesses are identified as the two olive trees and two lampstands (lychnia), invoking Zechariah 4. In Zechariah, the olive trees represent Joshua and Zerubbabel (civil and priestly authority); here they represent faithful witnesses who bear testimony before God.
Church Fathers on Revelation 11:4
“These are the two candlesticks standing before the Lord of the earth.” These two candlesticks and two olive trees He has to this end spoken of, and admonished you that if, when you have read of them elsewhere, you have not understood, you may understand here. For in Zechariah, one of the twelve prophets, it is thus written: “These are the two olive trees and two candlesticks which stand in the presence of the Lord of the earth;” Zechariah 4:14 that is, they are in paradise.…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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