Revelation 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
For clarity, those two witnesses being spoken of are the old, and new Testaments of the Bible. When it says that they prophesied for 1260 days clothed in sackcloth, that is a reference to the period of the dark ages during which time concerted efforts were made to keep the word of God from the people. The beast that ascended out of the bottomless pit, and killed them is a reference to atheism which took deep root in France just after the 1260 day period of papal darkness ended in 1798.
Revelation 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and a half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
The nation mandated that Bibles be burned publicly in the streets. Hence the reason why the Bible says their dead bodies shall lie in the streets and would not be put into graves. It was a time when untold violence was done to the sacred Scriptures. After three and a half days means after three and a half years, using the day for a year interpretation, for the first Republic of France outlawed religion in the year 1793, and then reinstated the privilege three and a half years later in June of 1797.
Revelation 11:5 And if any man will hurt them fire proceeds out of their mouth, and devours their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rains 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.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!