Yes, some people believe one of the two witnesses is Elijah, based on Old Testament prophecy and the witness's power to shut heaven.
The Old Testament said Elijah must come before Christ's return or the kingdom's establishment, and Jesus identified John as Elijah if Israel accepted the kingdom, which they didn't. Thus, Elijah is still expected, and the two witnesses' power to shut heaven from rain mirrors Elijah's own miracle.
Malachi 4:5 — This verse prophecies Elijah's coming before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, which connects to the expectation of Elijah as a witness.
The Old Testament prophesied that Elijah would come before the return of Christ or the setting up of the kingdom. In the Gospels, Jesus told the Jews that if they would receive the king and the kingdom, then John the Baptist was the prophesied Elijah. However, since Israel did not accept the kingdom, the prophecy remains unfulfilled, and Elijah still has to come.
Les Feldick explains that the Old Testament required Elijah to come before the kingdom's establishment. Jesus offered the kingdom to Israel, saying that if they accepted it, John the Baptist was Elijah. But since Israel rejected the offer, Elijah's coming is still future. Consequently, many believe one of the two witnesses in Revelation 11 is Elijah, especially because the witnesses have power to shut heaven so that it does not rain, reminiscent of Elijah's own experience. However, Les himself refuses to name the witnesses specifically, preferring to see them as two men of God's choosing. He notes that Moses and Elijah, or Elijah and Enoch, are common suggestions.
Jesus, speaking to the nation of Israel, said that if they would receive the king and the kingdom, then John was the prophesied Elijah. This was a valid offer, though prophecy required Christ's death. Since Israel did not accept the kingdom, Elijah still has to come.
The two witnesses have power to shut heaven so that rain does not fall during their prophecy, which directly mirrors Elijah's Old Testament experience when he stopped rain for three years. This similarity leads many to connect one witness to Elijah.
Les refuses to name the witnesses specifically, saying he prefers to leave them as two men of God's own choosing. He acknowledges that some think they are Moses and Elijah, others Elijah and Enoch, but the Scripture does not name them, so he does not. He emphasizes they will come to Israel at the beginning of the seven-year tribulation and proclaim God's word.
John as Elijah
Les explains that Jesus offered the kingdom to Israel, telling them John was Elijah if they accepted, but since they didn't, Elijah must still come.
Witnesses Unnamed
Les states he refuses to name the two witnesses specifically, mentioning common views like Moses and Elijah or Elijah and Enoch.
No Names Given
Les reiterates that Scripture does not name the witnesses, so he does not speculate, though others call them Elijah and Moses or Elijah and Enoch.
Witnesses at Start
Les says the two witnesses will appear at the beginning of the seven years, and their ministry will lead to the sealing of the 144,000.
Supernatural Return
Les notes that if the witnesses are Moses and Elijah, it would be a supernatural phenomenon for men who lived over 2,000 years ago to come back.
The Antichrist's 7-Year Treaty & Israel's Great Escape
I mean it was a big hang up. But here we are, satellite technology and the streets of Jerusalem are in our living room just as plain, and every household will see those two Jews laying on the streets of Jerusalem to rot in that hot mid east sun. And then after they've laid there for three days, they stand up on their feet, God calls them back to life, and He calls them back to heaven.
Witnesses and Temple
Les says the witnesses will appear during the tribulation and minister to the Jewish nation, leading to the 144,000.
Elijah's Power
Les recounts Elijah's miracle on Mount Carmel, showing his power to call fire from heaven, which parallels the witnesses' abilities.
Matthew 11:14: And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
Jesus identifies John as Elijah, conditional on Israel's acceptance of the kingdom.
Malachi 4:5: Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:
This is the Old Testament prophecy that Elijah must come before the day of the Lord.
Revelation 11:6: These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
This describes the two witnesses' power, which includes shutting heaven from rain, similar to Elijah.
No, Les refuses to name the witnesses specifically, stating that since Scripture does not name them, he does not. He acknowledges that some think it could be Moses and Elijah, but he prefers to leave them as two men of God's choosing.
Watch the Teaching: Who Are the Two Witnesses in Revelation 11?