Revelation 11
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1A 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. 2Leave 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. 3I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4These are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands, standing before the Lord of the earth. 5If 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. 6These 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. 7When 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. 8Their dead bodies will be in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9From 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. 10Those 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. 11After 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. 12I 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. 13In 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. 14The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe comes quickly. 15The 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!” 16The twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God’s throne, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17saying: “We give you thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who was; because you have taken your great power, and reigned. 18The 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.” 19God’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.
World English Bible (public domain)
“"Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.'"”
Revelation 11:15
Summary
Revelation chapter 11 describes the vision of the two witnesses who prophesy for 1,260 days. They are granted authority and are protected by God until the beast from the abyss makes war against them, leading to their death. However, after three and a half days, they are resurrected and ascend to heaven, causing fear among their enemies. This chapter symbolizes the faithful testimony of the church, its persecution, and ultimate vindication. The seventh trumpet then sounds, announcing the kingdom of God and Christ's reign. The temple of God in heaven is opened, revealing the ark of the covenant, symbolizing God's enduring presence and faithfulness.
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Chapter outline
How Revelation 11 unfolds
Revelation 11:1–2 Measuring the Temple
John is instructed to measure God's temple and the altar, but not the outer court, indicating a distinction between the sacred and the profane.
Revelation 11:3–6 The Two Witnesses Empowered
The two witnesses are granted power to prophesy for 1,260 days, symbolizing God's authority and their role in proclaiming truth amidst opposition.
Revelation 11:7–10 The Death of the Witnesses
After completing their testimony, the witnesses are killed by the beast, highlighting the conflict between divine truth and earthly powers.
Revelation 11:11–12 Resurrection and Ascension
After three and a half days, the witnesses are resurrected and ascend to heaven, demonstrating God's victory over death and persecution.
Revelation 11:13–14 The Aftermath of Their Death
A great earthquake follows their resurrection, signifying God's judgment and the response of the people to divine intervention.
Revelation 11:15–19 The Seventh Trumpet Sounds
The seventh angel announces the establishment of God's kingdom, prompting worship from the elders and indicating the fulfillment of God's plans.
Key verses
Revelation 11:15Revelation 11:15 encapsulates the chapter's focus on God's sovereign reign, marking a significant turning point in the apocalyptic narrative.
Main themes in Revelation 11
Witness and Martyrdom
The theme of witness and martyrdom is prominently displayed through the two witnesses who prophesy while clothed in sackcloth for a duration of 1,260 days, as noted in verse 3. Their eventual death at the hands of the beast serves as a stark reminder of the high cost associated with faithful testimony in a hostile world. This theme underscores the ongoing struggle between a faithful witness to God and the fierce opposition posed by earthly powers, illustrating the challenges faced by believers.
Divine Protection
Divine protection is vividly illustrated as the witnesses receive power to perform miraculous signs, ensuring their safety until their testimony reaches completion. The ability to call down plagues, along with their eventual resurrection in verses 11 and 12, highlights God's sovereignty over their lives and circumstances. This theme reinforces the assurance that God is present and actively defends His messengers, providing them with the strength needed to endure opposition while fulfilling their divine mission.
Resurrection and Ascension
The resurrection and ascension of the witnesses, particularly in verses 11 and 12, signify a profound demonstration of God's triumph over death and evil. Their revival after martyrdom symbolizes the victory of God’s purposes and offers hope for believers concerning their own future resurrection. This theme not only emphasizes the immediate victory of God's faithful but also foreshadows the ultimate resurrection and reign of Christ over all creation, affirming the enduring promise of eternal life.
The Kingdom of God
The announcement of the Kingdom in verse 15 represents a crucial turning point in the narrative, proclaiming the eternal reign of Christ over all. This declaration follows the vindication of the witnesses, thereby reinforcing the theme of God’s ultimate authority amidst earthly challenges. It signals the culmination of God's redemptive plan, inviting readers to recognize the establishment of His Kingdom as a central aspect of the divine narrative.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Revelation 11
- Daniel 7Daniel's vision of the kingdom connects to the proclamation of God's reign in Revelation 11.
- Revelation 4The worship of the twenty-four elders echoes the heavenly response to God's sovereign rule.
- Luke 10The empowerment of the witnesses parallels Christ's commissioning of His followers to proclaim God's message.
- Revelation 16The plagues mentioned in Revelation 11 connect to the judgments seen in Revelation 16, illustrating divine authority.
- Revelation 19The themes of victory and divine reign seen in Revelation 11 anticipate the triumph expressed in Revelation 19.
- Revelation 12The conflict between the witnesses and the beast reflects the ongoing cosmic struggle depicted in Revelation 12.
Study questions
Questions for studying Revelation 11
- Who are the two witnesses in this chapter?
- What does measuring the temple signify in Revelation 11?
- How do the witnesses demonstrate divine protection during their ministry?
- What parallels exist between the witnesses' resurrection and other biblical resurrections?
- How does the chapter depict the reaction of the people to the witnesses' death?
- What does the proclamation of God's kingdom imply for the narrative of Revelation?
- In what ways does this chapter connect to earlier themes in Revelation?
Revelation 11: frequently asked questions
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