The next important object in the vision is the "two witnesses" that prophecied in sackcloth. From the description given, it would appear at first that these witnesses were active intelligent agents; and as such, belonging to the department of human life, they would symbolize the church, the number two denoting the ministry and the people of God. But the church is already symbolized in this chapter, the angel representing the ministry, as in the preceding chapter, and John, who is clearly one of the symbolic agents in this vision, representing the church; therefore the two witnesses must be representative of something else. Since the actions ascribed to them are drawn from the department of human life, it is evident that their interpretation is to be found in connection with the affairs of the church. By way of explanation, verse 4 represents them to be "the two olive-trees, and the two candle-sticks standing before the God of the earth," although it is not stated that any olive-trees and candle-sticks were shown in this prophetic vision. In this reference is made to the fourth chapter of Zechariah, where two olive-trees are represented as standing one on each side of a golden candle-stick, distilling into it their oil for light. When asked for the signification of the two olive-trees and the candlestick, the angel answered, "This is the _Word_ of the Lord ... by my _Spirit_, saith the Lord." Ver. 6. That the Word of God and the Spirit of God are special witnesses is proved by many texts. Jesus said, "Search the Scriptures ... they are they which _testify_ of me." John 6:39. "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a _witness_ unto all nations." Mat. 24:14. "The Holy Ghost also is a _witness_." Heb. 10:15. "The Spirit itself beareth _witness_." Rom. 8:16. "It is the Spirit that beareth _witness_." 1 John 5:6. It is the Spirit acting in conjunction with the Word of God that gives spiritual life, through regeneration, unto men, and which opens their understanding that they may know the things of God. 2 Cor. 2:9-15.