As we come to these two figures, we must keep in mind the background we have already noted that relates to witnessing and dying for the faith, for here lies a vital clue to the identification of the two witnesses. In 1:5 and 3:14 Jesus Christ was designated ‘the faithful and true witness’. In 1:9 John himself has indicated that he is on Patmos precisely because of his ‘witness’ (NIV ‘testimony’). In 2:10 the highly commended church at Smyrna is urged to ‘be faithful even to the