It is important to understand the times in which one lives. These, I propose, are the days of Elijah and Moses.

Many of Revelation’s commentators have noted that the “two witnesses” in chapter 11 have clear parallels to Moses and Elijah. “Power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall” and “power over the waters to turn them into blood” in verse 6 are the main giveaways. Some (dispensational futurists) go so far as to say Moses and Elijah themselves will return to earth to perform these deeds in the last days. Others say the allusion to these two men is a figurative way of speaking of the ministry of “the Law [Moses] and Prophets [Elijah],” i.e. the full counsel of the Word of God.

However, another dimension of significance opens up when we realize, that in close proximity to our text under consideration, Revelation 13 is a merism. As such, the two beasts of chapter 13 signify the full spectrum of worldly governments in this age—from overtly anti-Christian regions that persecute God’s people to the empires and nations of “Christendom” which tempt and divert God’s people with this-worldliness in place of heavenly-mindedness.

Once we recognize that spectrum of threats from human governmental authority, we then see that Moses and Elijah are the model answers. Moses confronted pagan Pharaoh, and through the power of plagues and miracles brought forth the deliverance of YHWH’s nation from foreign oppression. Elijah, on the other hand, confronted Israel’s own King Ahab (and Queen Jezebel) and the prophets of Baal who had infiltrated Jewish society. Through the power of answered prayer he put on open display the superiority of YHWH over Baal. Moses and Elijah, in sum, are the answer to the beast of the sea and the beast of the earth, respectively.

We live in age where both modes of “the beast” operate in full swing. Through Muslim and Communist nations, the beast of the sea “makes war on the saints” (Rev 13:7). Through “Christian nations,” the beast of the earth imprints his 666 mark on those who wield God’s gifts to pursue their own worldly aims along the path blazed by Solomon (Rev 13:18). The world in its present condition needs both Moseses and Elijahs.

In particular, I say that the English-speaking, probably Western, Christian reading this post is confronted with a choice between the path of Elijah and the path of Solomon. The contrast between the two men is striking. Elijah spent 1,260 days as a witness for YHWH against the false gods after whom his own people lusted. Solomon—with his wisdom, riches, and position as King of Israel right at the time of the foundation of the Temple in Zion—had the best opportunity of the ages to be a global witness for YHWH, and instead woefully turned his own people toward other gods. Solomon thereby epitomized what it looks like not merely to waste a prime “1260 opportunity,” but to turn it into a special occasion for evil. In this sense Elijah is the anti-Solomon, and Solomon is the anti-Elijah.

Our own days are likewise numbered. These are the days of Elijah, declaring the Word of the Lord. And these are the days of Your servant Moses, righteousness being restored. And yet, regrettably, many will instead treat these as the days of Solomon—a measly opportunity for complacent peace and prosperity as “earth-dwellers” at home in world at war against its Creator.