The Double Witness

Throughout history God has spoken to his people using a double witness. He has also based judgment on a double witness. The double witness is enshrined in his law: “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.” Deuteronomy 19:15.

In the very beginning, when Adam and Eve sinned against God, He asked each of them what he or she had done, for a double witness. Each one confessed, but blamed someone else. After their confession of guilt, God sacrificed an animal to create coats for them to cover their nakedness. Many years later, God visited Abraham and sent two angels to witness the sin of Sodom. He also made a promise to Abraham that Sarah would have a child in her old age. Both Abraham and Sarah laughed at the idea, as a double witness that they did not believe God. Our people today are no different. They do not believe that Jesus Christ will return to rule the world, and that they are his chosen people, but his promises will not fail.

When Moses led the Israelites to the border of the Promised Land, he sent spies in to examine the land. Two of them, Joshua and Caleb, as a double witness, came back with an accurate report about the land and its people. Also, before Moses died he asked God to provide a leader for the people. God chose two men, Joshua the military leader, and Eleazar the priest (Numbers 27:15-23). Eleazar would ask counsel of the Lord by Urim and Joshua would carry out the Lord’s instructions. This was the dual office of governor and priest to rule Israel. Later in the Old Testament, David’s line would hold the office of king to govern the people, and the line of Aaron would continue to hold the priesthood to go before God in the temple.

In the New Testament there was a double witness from God in the preaching of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. They told people to repent for the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand. (Matthew 3:2 and Matthew 4:17). John was from the priestly line and Jesus was from the royal line. The priestly line from Aaron was done away with after the crucifixion, but the royal line from David continues in the British monarchy. However, when Jesus Christ returns to rule, He will take to himself the title of High Priest and King of Israel.

The modern day Israelites, who are the Anglo-Saxon and kindred peoples, have rejected the idea of putting all power in the hands of one person or group, and have allowed a multitude of denominations to practice the Christian faith in our lands. Therefore we have no high priest apart from Jesus Christ, and no single group has a monopoly on the truth concerning the worship of God. Also, since Magna Carta, no single person has had ultimate power as governor. The offices of priest and governor have therefore been spread over many people, but remain as double witnesses to this day. One Israel Truth interpretation of the two witnesses in the book of Revelation (Revelation 11:3-12) is that secular and spiritual leaders of Britain and Europe rebelled against the power of the Roman Papacy in the Reformation as a witness against that sinful institution.

Not too many years ago, many clergy from many denominations endorsed the Israel Truth message. Also, some politicians and members of the British royal family, including King George the Sixth, came to believe the message. I believe this was a double witness of acceptance from God. In this generation the politicians and clergy endorse many things, but I wonder if many of them resemble the ten false witnesses rather than the two faithful witnesses (Joshua and Caleb), as they talk about their plans for God`s people. God will be the judge, and He will bring about the enactment of His laws in the coming Kingdom Age.

We stand on the verge of some very difficult times. Many people are turning away from God’s laws and accepting beliefs that leave out the law and the true message of the prophets. We must accept the law and the prophets as a double witness from God, fulfilled in Jesus Christ and the true Israel of God.