Zechariah 4:11-14 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 I asked him, “What are the two olive trees on the right and left of the lampstand?” 12 And I questioned him further, “What are the two olive branches beside the two gold conduits, from which golden oil pours out?”
13 Then he inquired of me, “Don’t you know what these are?”
“No, my lord,” I replied.
14 “These are the two anointed ones,”[b] he said, “who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”
This is the first mention of the persons called the two witnesses, in the old testament and gives a very Jewish picture of their identities. These two persons are the representatives of the law and the prophets. After all, confirmation comes from the mouth of two or three witnesses, so there are two olive branches.The olive tree produces the oil to burn in the lamps, again, giving a picture, but of the fuel which creates the light which comes from the "instruction", of the Torah and Haftorah. Remember "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path"? These two bore the fruit which is the teaching. There is one lamp lit from the oil, which has seven branches, that, here, is the menorah that is Israel.
In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of the ten bridesmaids, carrying their lamps full of oil, the light of the written message. Only five were wise, while five were foolish. The foolish did not believe the second part of the revelation, the new covenant that is the fulfilment of the Moedim, the appointments Abba made for Himself, when He would redeem His people. So their illumination (knowledge and path) does not give them the understanding they need to know the face of their bridegroom.
The identities of the two witnesses are revealed on the Mount of Transfiguration. It is Moses and Elijah seen when the LORD is transformed in front of His three closest disciples (again, three witnesses, as the law requires). There were two other places the "two men" were seen, and they were described as men, not angels. Those places were after the Ressurection, at the tomb (Luke 24:4, Acts1:10) and at the Ascension. They were there to explain certain things to the still uncomprehending followers of Messiah.
Lastly, our two faithful witnesses are seen in front of the temple, preaching. They are there to impart the knowledge of the Deliverer of Zion to the still unbelieving Jews. For you see, the two witnesses of the law and the prophets are witnesses of WHO Jesus is, His identity, because, " Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God!"
