“Dry Bones” and “Two Witnesses”​—How Do They Relate?

THE year 1919 saw the fulfillment of two related prophecies: one regarding “dry bones,” the other about “two witnesses.” The vision of “dry bones” foretells a very long period (which turned out to be many centuries) that ends with the coming to life of a large group of God’s people. (Ezek. 37:2-4; Rev. 11:1-3, 7-13) The prophecy about the “two witnesses” describes a short period (fulfilled from late 1914 to early 1919) that ends with the coming to life of a small group of God’s servants. Both prophecies depicted a symbolic resurrection, and both prophecies saw a modern-day fulfillment in 1919 when Jehovah caused his anointed servants “to stand on their feet,” leave their captivity to Babylon the Great, and be gathered in the restored congregation.​—Ezek. 37:10.

Note, though, that the fulfillment of these two prophecies differs in an important way. The prophecy of the “dry bones” foretells the coming to life of all members of the anointed remnant. However, the prophecy of the “two witnesses” foretells the coming to life of some members of God’s anointed remnant​—those who were taking the lead in the organization and who were appointed as “the faithful and discreet slave.”​—Matt. 24:45; Rev. 11:6.a

1. AFTER 100 C.E.

   From the second century C.E. onward when the anointed Christian congregation was killed symbolically, “the valley plain” was filled with “bones”

2. EARLY 1919

   1919: The “dry bones” came to life when Jehovah caused all anointed ones to leave Babylon the Great and be gathered in the restored congregation

1. LATE 1914

   preaching “in sackcloth”

   1914: The “two witnesses” preached “in sackcloth” for three and a half years. At the end of that period, they were symbolically killed

2. symbolic death

3. EARLY 1919

   1919: The “two witnesses” came to life when a small group of anointed brothers who were taking the lead in the organization were appointed to serve as “the faithful and discreet slave”