Revelation 11

Commentary

The Two Witnesses

1And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 2But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. 3And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 5And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6These 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.

The Witnesses Killed and Raised

7And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8And 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. 9And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

11And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. 13And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

14The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

The Seventh Trumpet

15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 16And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. 18And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

19And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Two Witnesses

1 A reed like a rod was given to me. Someone said, “Rise, and measure God’s temple, and the altar, and those who worship in it. 2 Leave out the court which is outside of the temple, and don’t measure it, for it has been given to the nations. They will tread the holy city under foot for forty-two months. 3 I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands, standing before the Lord of the earth. 5 If anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies. If anyone desires to harm them, he must be killed in this way. 6 These have the power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.

The Witnesses Killed and Raised

7 When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them. 8 Their dead bodies will be in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9 From among the peoples, tribes, languages, and nations people will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not allow their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. 10 Those who dwell on the earth rejoice over them, and they will be glad. They will give gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

11 After the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered into them, and they stood on their feet. Great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 I heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” They went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies saw them. 13 In that day there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe comes quickly.

The Seventh Trumpet

15 The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!” 16 The twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God’s throne, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: “We give you thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who was; because you have taken your great power, and reigned. 18 The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your bondservants the prophets, their reward, as well as to the saints, and those who fear your name, to the small and the great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

19 God’s temple that is in heaven was opened, and the ark of the Lord’s covenant was seen in his temple. Lightnings, sounds, thunders, an earthquake, and great hail followed.

The Two Witnesses

1 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there. 2 But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”

4 These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. a 5 If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouths and devours their enemies. In this way, anyone who wants to harm them must be killed. 6 These witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy, and power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.

The Witnesses Killed and Raised

7 When the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will wage war with them, and will overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city—figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where their Lord was also crucified. 9 For three and a half days all peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will view their bodies and will not permit them to be laid in a tomb. 10 And those who dwell on the earth will gloat over them, and will celebrate and send one another gifts, because these two prophets had tormented them.

11 But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered the two witnesses, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell upon those who saw them. 12 And the witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched them.

13 And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand were killed in the quake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

14 The second woe has passed. Behold, the third woe is coming shortly.

The Seventh Trumpet

15 Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices called out in heaven:

“The kingdom of the world

has become the kingdom of our Lord

and of His Christ,

and He will reign forever and ever.”

16 And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying:

“We give thanks to You, O Lord God Almighty,

the One who is and who was, b

because You have taken Your great power

and have begun to reign.

18 The nations were enraged, c

and Your wrath has come.

The time has come to judge the dead d

and to reward Your servants the prophets,

as well as the saints and those who fear Your name,

both small and great—

and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

19 Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder, and an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.

 

Footnotes:

4 a See Zechariah 4:14.
17 b TR includes and who is to come .
18 c See Psalm 2:1.
18 d See Daniel 12:2.

The Two Witnesses

1And there was given to me a reed like to a rod, and the messenger stood, saying, 'Rise, and measure the sanctuary of God, and the altar, and those worshipping in it; 2and the court that is without the sanctuary leave out, and thou mayest not measure it, because it was given to the nations, and the holy city they shall tread down forty-two months; 3and I will give to My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy days, a thousand, two hundred, sixty, arrayed with sackcloth; 4these are the two olive trees, and the two lamp-stands that before the God of the earth do stand; 5and if any one may will to injure them, fire doth proceed out of their mouth, and doth devour their enemies, and if any one may will to injure them, thus it behoveth him to be killed. 6These have authority to shut the heaven, that it may not rain rain in the days of their prophecy, and authority they have over the waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the land with every plague, as often as they may will.

The Witnesses Killed and Raised

7'And when they may finish their testimony, the beast that is coming up out of the abyss shall make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them, 8and their dead bodies are upon the broad-place of the great city (that is called spiritually Sodom, and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified,) 9and they shall behold -- they of the peoples, and tribes, and tongues, and nations -- their dead bodies three days and a half, and their dead bodies they shall not suffer to be put into tombs, 10and those dwelling upon the land shall rejoice over them, and shall make merry, and gifts they shall send to one another, because these -- the two prophets -- did torment those dwelling upon the land.'

11And after the three days and a half, a spirit of life from God did enter into them, and they stood upon their feet, and great fear fell upon those beholding them, 12and they heard a great voice out of the heaven saying to them, 'Come up hither;' and they went up to the heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them; 13and in that hour came a great earthquake, and the tenth of the city did fall, and killed in the earthquake were names of men -- seven thousands, and the rest became affrighted, and they gave glory to the God of the heaven.

14The second woe did go forth, lo, the third woe doth come quickly.

The Seventh Trumpet

15And the seventh messenger did sound, and there came great voices in the heaven, saying, 'The kingdoms of the world did become those of our Lord and of His Christ, and he shall reign to the ages of the ages!' 16and the twenty and four elders, who before God are sitting upon their thrones, did fall upon their faces, and did bow before God, 17saying, 'We give thanks to Thee, O Lord God, the Almighty, who art, and who wast, and who art coming, because Thou hast taken Thy great power and didst reign; 18and the nations were angry, and Thine anger did come, and the time of the dead, to be judged, and to give the reward to Thy servants, to the prophets, and to the saints, and to those fearing Thy name, to the small and to the great, and to destroy those who are destroying the land.'

19And opened was the sanctuary of God in the heaven, and there was seen the ark of His covenant in His sanctuary, and there did come lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and great hail.

The Favor of God paraphrase

The Two Witnesses

¹ I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there. ² But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for forty-two months. ³ And I will appoint My two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” ⁴ They are “the two olive trees” and “the two lampstands,” and they stand before the Lord of the earth. ⁵ If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. ⁶ They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

⁷ Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. ⁸ Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. ⁹ For three and a half days, some from every people, tribe, language, and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. ¹⁰ The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

¹¹ But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. ¹² Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.

¹³ At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. ¹⁴ The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.

The Seventh Trumpet

¹⁵ The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah,

and He will reign for ever and ever.”

¹⁶ And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, ¹⁷ saying:

“We give thanks to You, Lord God Almighty,

the One who is and who was,

because You have taken Your great power

and have begun to reign.

¹⁸ The nations were angry,

and Your wrath has come.

The time has come for judging the dead,

and for rewarding Your servants the prophets

and Your people who revere Your name,

both great and small—

and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”

¹⁹ Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within His temple was seen the ark of His covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.

Footnotes:

1.The act of “measuring the temple” (verse 1) is symbolic of God’s protection and care for His people. Measuring can indicate the setting apart of a space or people as holy and secure.

2.The “outer court” (verse 2) is a place of Gentile influence and the idea of it being “trampled” for forty-two months (or three and a half years) suggests a period of trial and suffering for God’s people.

3.The “two witnesses” (verse 3) represent God’s messengers, often associated with figures like Moses and Elijah. Their role as prophets during a time of crisis parallels the Old Testament prophets who called people to repentance amid judgment.

4.The “beast from the Abyss” (verse 7) symbolizes the forces of evil and chaos that oppose God’s plans. The Abyss is often associated with demonic powers or a place of destruction.

5.The “great city” (verse 8) is a symbolic representation of moral corruption. Referring to it as “Sodom” and “Egypt” ties it to places of deep sin and rebellion against God. This is the same city where Jesus was crucified, linking the rejection of the witnesses to the rejection of Christ.

6.The resurrection of the witnesses (verse 11) mirrors the resurrection of Christ, showing that even death cannot stop the fulfillment of God’s purposes. Their ascension into heaven is a demonstration of divine victory.

7.The seventh trumpet (verse 15) announces the final victory of God’s kingdom. The transition from the kingdom of the world to the kingdom of God and His Messiah marks the culmination of all the prophecies and the beginning of Christ’s eternal reign.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Revelation 11?
2Introduction to Revelation 11
3Context of Revelation 11
4Ancient Key Word Study
5Compare & Contrast
6Revelation 11 Unique Insights
7Revelation 11 Connections to Yeshua
8Revelation 11 Scriptural Echoes
9Revelation 11 Devotional
10Did You Know

What is the meaning of Revelation 11?

Introduction to Revelation 11

Revelation 11 stands as one of the most enigmatic and profound chapters in the apocalyptic vision given to John. This remarkable chapter unveils the mysterious account of the two witnesses, their supernatural ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension, all set against the backdrop of the final temple measurements and the seventh trumpet judgment. The narrative pulsates with divine power, prophetic witness, and ultimate victory, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable darkness.

Azrta box final advert

What makes this chapter particularly compelling is its intricate weaving of Old Testament prophecies, temple imagery, and end-time events into a tapestry that reveals God’s sovereign control over human history. The chapter serves as a powerful reminder that even in times of greatest persecution and apparent defeat, God’s purposes cannot be thwarted, and His witnesses will ultimately triumph.

Context of Revelation 11

Within the immediate context, Revelation 11 follows the interlude of chapter 10, where John receives the little scroll and is commissioned to prophesy again. This chapter forms part of a larger parenthetical section (10:1-11:14) between the sixth and seventh trumpets, providing crucial details about events occurring during the great tribulation.

The chapter bridges several major themes in Revelation: the preservation of God’s people, the conflict between divine and demonic power, and the ultimate establishment of God’s kingdom. It connects directly to Daniel 7:25 and Daniel 12:7 through its time references (42 months/1,260 days), linking it to the broader prophetic timeline of Scripture.

In the broader biblical narrative, this chapter echoes numerous Old Testament passages about faithful witnesses, temple measurements (as in Ezekiel 40-42), and divine protection. It serves as a crucial piece in understanding how the end-time events will unfold and how God’s witnesses will function during humanity’s darkest hour.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • μάρτυσιν (martyrsin) – “witnesses” (v.3): Derived from the root meaning “to remember, to be mindful of,” this word evolved to mean one who testifies to truth, even at the cost of their life. It’s the source of our English word “martyr” and carries the dual meaning of both testimony and potential sacrifice.
  • προφητεύσουσιν (prophēteusousin) – “they will prophesy” (v.3): This verb emphasizes not just prediction but forth-telling of divine truth. In the Septuagint, it often translated the Hebrew נָבָא (nava), indicating authoritative speech on God’s behalf.
  • ἐλαῖαι (elaiai) – “olive trees” (v.4): References Zechariah 4:3-14, symbolizing the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Olive trees were valued for their continuous oil production, suggesting sustained spiritual power.
  • λυχνίαι (lychniai) – “lampstands” (v.4): Connects to the menorah imagery of Exodus 25:31-40, representing divine light and testimony. In Revelation, lampstands symbolize faithful witness-bearing communities.
  • θηρίον (thērion) – “beast” (v.7): Unlike ζῷον (living creature) used for the heavenly beings, this term emphasizes savage, brutal nature. It appears first here in Revelation, introducing the antagonist of chapters 13-19.
  • πνευματικῶς (pneumatikōs) – “spiritually” (v.8): Indicates divine interpretation is needed, suggesting the names “Sodom and Egypt” should be understood symbolically rather than literally.
  • σάλπιγξ (salpinx) – “trumpet” (v.15): In the Septuagint, often translated שׁוֹפָר (shofar), connecting to Rosh Hashanah and divine announcements. Here it heralds the kingdom’s arrival.
  • ναὸς (naos) – “temple” (v.19): Specifically refers to the inner sanctuary, not the entire temple complex (ἱερόν). This emphasizes intimate divine presence rather than just the physical structure.

Compare & Contrast

  • The measurement of the temple (v.1-2) deliberately excludes the outer court, contrasting with Ezekiel’s complete temple measurements. This selective measuring suggests divine protection for true worshippers while allowing Gentile domination of the outer areas, emphasizing spiritual rather than merely physical preservation.
  • The two witnesses’ ministry period of 1,260 days (v.3) precisely matches the time of Gentile control (42 months), showing God’s precise timing and counterbalance of evil with divine testimony. The Greek deliberately uses both time measurements to connect different prophetic perspectives.
  • The description “clothed in sackcloth” (v.3) could have used ἱμάτιον (regular clothing) but chose σάκκος to emphasize mourning and prophetic authority, connecting to Elijah and other prophets.
  • The power “to shut heaven” (v.6) uses κλείω rather than φράσσω, emphasizing authority over access rather than mere blocking, connecting to Elijah’s ministry.
  • The beast’s victory (v.7) uses νικήσει (will conquer) rather than ἀποκτείνω (kill) alone, emphasizing temporary military victory versus ultimate spiritual outcome.
  • The great city’s spiritual names (v.8) uses καλεῖται (is called) rather than ἐστίν (is), emphasizing symbolic rather than literal identification.
  • The witnesses’ ascension (v.12) uses ἀνέβησαν (went up) rather than ἀνελήμφθη (was taken up), emphasizing their active response to divine call.

Revelation 11 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several remarkable prophetic patterns that connect to Jewish festivals and historical events. The two witnesses’ ministry of 1,260 days aligns precisely with the second half of Daniel’s seventieth week, suggesting their appearance comes at humanity’s darkest hour. Their death and resurrection after three and a half days mirrors Messiah’s death and resurrection, creating a prophetic echo that would have been immediately recognizable to first-century Jewish readers.

Rabbinical literature provides interesting parallels to the two witnesses when speaking of two witnesses needed for the establishment of God’s kingdom, while various midrashim discuss the return of Moses and Elijah before the great day of יהוה.

The early church father Hippolytus suggested these witnesses represent the law and the prophets personified, while others saw them as literal end-time prophets empowered with the spirit of Moses and Elijah.

The temple measurement in verses 1-2 connects to several Jewish traditions about the preservation of the temple’s sanctity. The Talmud (Middot 2:3) discusses the importance of measuring sacred space, suggesting that divine measurement establishes protection and ownership. This adds depth to understanding why John was commanded to measure specific areas while leaving others unmeasured.

The witnesses’ death in Jerusalem, called “Sodom and Egypt,” creates a powerful theological statement about spiritual corruption in the holy city. This naming convention follows a prophetic pattern seen in Isaiah and Ezekiel, where God’s people are called by pagan names to emphasize their spiritual condition. The three and a half day period of the witnesses’ deaths may connect to the Jewish tradition of the soul hovering near the body for three days after death, making their resurrection especially significant in Jewish thought.

Revelation 11 Connections to Yeshua

The chapter powerfully reflects the Messiah’s own ministry pattern. Just as Yeshua faced opposition, death, resurrection, and ascension in Jerusalem, so do the two witnesses. Their ministry duration of 1,260 days parallels the second half of Daniel’s seventieth week, suggesting they serve as Messiah’s representatives during the time of greatest tribulation.

The witnesses’ authority to bring plagues and turn water to blood echoes Moses’ ministry, while their power to shut heaven and call down fire reflects Elijah’s ministry. These connections point to Yeshua as the prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15) and the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy about Elijah’s return (Malachi 4:5-6). Their resurrection and ascension, witnessed by their enemies, foreshadow the moment when “every eye will see Him” (Revelation 1:7).

Revelation 11 Scriptural Echoes

The chapter resonates with numerous biblical passages:

Revelation 11 Devotional

This powerful chapter reminds us that God never leaves Himself without witness, even in the darkest times. The two witnesses demonstrate that faithful testimony, though it may lead to temporary defeat, ultimately results in victory and vindication. Their ministry challenges us to stand firm in our witness, regardless of opposition.

The measuring of the temple teaches us about God’s protection of His people and holy things. While we may face external persecution, our inner spiritual life can remain secure in Christ. This should encourage us to focus on cultivating our relationship with God rather than seeking external security.

The chapter culminates in the proclamation of God’s kingdom, reminding us that all earthly powers will ultimately bow to divine authority. This gives us confidence to persist in faith, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Did You Know

  • The two witnesses’ ministry duration of 1,260 days exactly matches the period of wilderness protection for the woman in Revelation 12:6, suggesting coordinated divine timing in end-time events.
  • The phrase “standing before the Lord of the earth” (v.4) uses language identical to ancient Near Eastern royal court terminology, emphasizing the witnesses’ role as divine courtiers.
  • The witnesses’ ability to call down fire connects to ancient Jewish traditions about the temple fire that never went out, symbolizing God’s constant presence.
  • The three and a half day period of the witnesses’ death may relate to the Jewish belief that the soul hovers near the body for three days before departing.
  • The earthquake that destroys a tenth of the city (v.13) uses precise mathematical language in Greek, suggesting a divinely calculated judgment.
  • The appearance of the ark in the heavenly temple (v.19) relates to Jewish traditions about Jeremiah hiding the ark before the Babylonian destruction.
  • The number of people killed (7,000) has symbolic significance in Jewish numerology, representing complete judgment.
  • The “great voice” in heaven (v.15) uses terminology associated with the blast of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah.
  • The term “Lord God Almighty” (v.17) combines three divine titles used in the Septuagint for different aspects of God’s character.
  • The “lightnings, voices, thunderings” sequence (v.19) appears seven times in Revelation, marking key transitions in the apocalyptic narrative.

sendagiftfinal

This website has over 46,000 Biblical resources and is made possible through the generosity of supporters like you. If you’ve been blessed by these resources, please consider sending a gift today.

Bible Themes
Share your love
Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. Learn more about the F.O.G.

Articles: 46824

Add your first comment to this post

Related Posts

Encounter Him Send a Gift Scroll Top