Who are the two witnesses in Revelation?A Scripture-grounded answer about two witnesses in revelation identity

Revelation 11 describes two witnesses who prophesy during a period of tribulation, perform miraculous signs, are killed by 'the beast that rises from the bottomless pit,' and are publicly resurrected after three and a half days. Their powers — turning water to blood and striking the earth with plagues — echo Moses, while calling down fire from heaven and shutting the sky echo Elijah. Zechariah 4 identifies two olive trees and two lampstands with Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor, representing priestly and royal authority. Some interpreters identify the witnesses as literal individuals who will appear in the end times, with Moses and Elijah being the most common candidates (both appeared at the Transfiguration, and Malachi 4:5 promises Elijah's return before the Day of the Lord). Others see them symbolically as the faithful testimony of the church throughout history, embodying both Old Testament witness (Law and Prophets) and New Testament proclamation. Their death and resurrection in the public square mirrors Christ's own pattern — apparent defeat followed by vindication.