The Two Witnesses

The Two Witnesses

Comments on Galatians with an ear to Luther’s commentary

Scripture Text: Galatians 3:12 and Revelation 11:3–4

Series: Comments on Galatians

Today's Scripture Jigsaw

God has many witnesses. Jesus called his disciples to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and throughout the entire world (Acts 1:8). By extension, all Christians (those who believe the apostolic witness to Christ) are called to be his witnesses. God has had his witnesses long before even the apostles were named. Moses and the prophets were witnesses, as were Noah and Abraham before them. 

Overarching all these witnesses are two faithful witnesses, described in Revelation 11. Many have named them, giving them the names of men. Most commentators call them Moses and Elijah. Let us, for a moment, consider the witnesses, not as men, but as the testimony itself. The reason there are two witnesses named — and here, most commentaries agree — is because two witnesses indicate reliable, legal testimony. What two testimonies are required for a faithful witness of Jesus Christ? 

I suggest Law and Gospel. The faithful witnesses of the Old Testament and New, the Mosaic law and the good news of Jesus Christ, are the two faithful witnesses of Scripture. Moses and Elijah — the law and the prophets — are not enough, as the gospel is missing. Without the gospel, the witness is incomplete and the inevitable pronouncement is, “Guilty.” Another voice must be heard, else God’s creation is undone and hell bound. This is why the devil would have us focus on works righteousness, on Moses and Elijah alone. As long as we seek an answer in the one witness, works and law-keeping, we are lost. 

Indeed, works are important, but they follow faith, and spring from it. Just so, faith is not a work by which we earn merit before God. Faith is a gift that believes in another who has done the meritorious deeds. We must, therefore, be careful to observe the character and the limitations of the law. The law’s witness is against us; you ought to have done this and that, but you did not. That is the law’s daily assertion against us, and its testimony is true. 

The gospel witness, however, says that Christ Jesus has kept the law for us. He has fulfilled its demands for our welfare. The law also agrees that the God Man has fulfilled the legal demands of Moses. Now we are free to offer good works, not as things worthy of forgiveness and salvation, but done precisely because we are forgiven and saved. 

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