The two witnesses, two olive trees, and two lampstands represent the Church (Rv 11:3-4; see also Rv 1:20). The Church has such power that fire comes out of her mouth to devour her enemies (Rv 11:5). The Church has "power to close up the sky" (Rv 11:6), "to turn water into blood and to afflict the earth at will with any kind of plague" (Rv 11:6). The Lord has given the Church "the keys of the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 16:19). It is "the pillar and bulwark of truth" (1 Tm 3:15). Because the Church is the body of the almighty Christ (see 1 Cor 12:27), it is very powerful.

The Church is so powerful that the world is threatened by her and tries to destroy her, and sometimes seems successful (Rv 11:7). The Church is such a threat that "the earth's inhabitants gloat over" (Rv 11:10) the supposed death of the Church. They feel so pleased to see the Church dead that "in their merriment (they) exchange gifts" (Rv 11:10), because they think the Church harasses "everyone on earth" (Rv 11:10).

How does this description of the Church in Revelation compare with the Church today? Is the Church exercising her authority and power? How much would today's world delight in the supposed death of the Church? Would the people of the world be so excited as to exchange gifts? Let us love the Church (Eph 5:25) and be the Church of Jesus Christ.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, April 2, 1996

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 3, 1996