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The two witnesses (Rev 11:1)

Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
Click here to visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.

11:1 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 42 months.

11:3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that 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 These men have power to shut up the sky 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.

11:7 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 street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days men 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.

11:11 But after the three and a half days a 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.

11:13 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.

This section intervenes between the sixth warning trumpet of God and the seventh trumpet when Christ returns at which repentance is no longer possible. Just as there was an interlude between the sixth and seventh seal which featured the sealing of the 144,000 and the vision of the great multitude who both represent the church, so now we get another interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets which features the church in its witness. The purpose is to show that as well as the disasters and pains caused by these trumpets which are designed to bring people to repentance, but failed, the witness of the church is also required in addition. God speaks to man through earthly disasters and pain but also through his church, only after the witness of the church is complete can the seventh trumpet, that is the end, come. This section, although not chronological, describes the witness of the church to the world from the ascension to the second coming. The church is the temple of God and is first measured i.e. protected spiritually from the power of the enemy. The witness of the church to the world is her great work as commissioned by Christ (Mat 28:18, Mar 16:15, Luke 24:45, John 10:21, Acts 1:8) and until it is finished he will not return (Mat 24:14). The two witnesses refer to the fact that Jesus sent his disciples out two by two and two witnesses are required to establish the veracity of their testimony. The church is empowered by God and filled with the spirit, she goes forth in the power of Elijah and Moses. When she has finished witnessing she is overpowered by the beast for a short time but then comes to life again and is raptured to be with the Lord. There then follows the seventh trumpet which ushers in God's kingdom.

Rev 10:11 - Then I was told, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings." - This verse from the previous chapter actually introduces this section. Notice the fourfold description indicating that the people come from the four corners of the earth (see 11:9).

The two witnesses represent the witnessing church rather than two individuals:

i. The church received power to witness at Pentecost, see verse 3 'I will give power to my two witnesses and they will prophecy...' cf. Acts 1:8 and 2:18.

ii. Two is the number to establish a witness, testimony (Deu 17:6, John 8:17, 2 Cor 13:1), for example our Lord sent his disciple out in twos, Mark 6:7.

iii. They are described as 'the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth' 11:4. We have already seen that the church is symbolised by lampstands in 1:20. The olive trees represent the power of the Holy Spirit with which the witnesses had received (Acts 1:5, 1:8, 2:17).

iv. They prophecy for the same period (1,260 days) as the worshippers, temple of God and holy city is trampled on by the Gentiles (42 months). These three designations are all indicative of the church.

v. They rise from the dead and are raptured as is the church (11:11-12).

vi. 11:7 indicates that '...the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them' i.e. the two witnesses this parallels the warning in 13:7 that the beast 'was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them' see also the warning in 13:10. If the two events are indeed parallel then the two witnesses are the saints.

v1 - 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. - The old testament background is Ezek 40:2-5, 45:3-4 and Zech 2:1-10 compare this also with the measuring of the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:15-17), in the next verse the temple is called the holy city. He is told to measure the temple and the altar, the temple of God is the church and under the altar are the souls of the martyrs, Rev 6:9. He is to count the worshippers there, this can only be the church which worships God in spirit and in truth. It is implicit that these are worshippers of God because it is God's temple that is being measured, these are in contrast to those who worship the beast and emphasises the theme of worship found in the book. Note this is another census 'count the number of worshippers', the first census in Revelation was also of the redeemed Rev 7:4. The temple probably refers to those on earth and the altar to those in heaven, he counts all the redeemed who are God's witnesses. The measuring in this case should be regarded as similar to the sealing of the 144,000 (cf. 21:15-17), that is it is preservation (measuring in scripture can be symbolic of preparation either for destruction or preservation cf. Num 35:5, Ps 60:6, Isa 65:7 Horton), but note that it does not protect them from death (see 11:7). John himself is told to measure the temple, only the priests were allowed to enter the holy of Holies but now all believers are allowed in, hence this is a picture of the new temple, the people of God, 1 Cor 3:16.

John is given a reed to measure the temple, Lenski considers this to be the Word or the gospel in its function of determining who is in the church and who is outside its bounds. It fixes the boundary, the line of demarcation between what is inside of and belongs to the Sanctuary of God and what is outside of it and is profane. In chapter 11 we see the church in its relationship to the world, first, as being separate, then, however, also as serving God's purposes in the world (Lenski). The inner courtyard is measured because it contains the church, just as the New Jerusalem is measured in Rev 21:15, the New Jerusalem is also the church. There were four courts in the temple, the outer court was for the Gentile, the next court was for Jewish women, then one for Jewish men then one for priests and finally the holy of Holies into which the high priest could enter once a year. The barrier between the priests and the holy of Holies was drawn aside at the death of Christ (Mat 27:51) and now all Christians are priests and can enter the holy of Holies. Note that the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the time John wrote this.

v2 - 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 42 months. - The church, the Israel of God, has been measured to preserve it but not those 'Gentiles' outside the church, they do not belong to God's people and are therefore not measured (cf. 21:27, 22:15). The outer court of the temple belongs to the Gentiles. In Luke 21:23 Jesus said that Jerusalem, the holy city, will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled, following this there will be signs on the earth and in the heavens and then comes the return of Christ to the earth. Gentiles here means the world because they are outside the inner court which is the Holies of Holies where God and the church dwell (Ezek 43:5-7). They trample on the holy city, meaning that they persecute the church which is the holy city, the new Jerusalem (21:2), until Christ returns. Just as the Gentiles trample on the holy city for 42 months, the church is persecuted during the gospel age by the world. Contrast this with God trampling on the heathen in his winepress, Rev 14:20, 19:15 (the same Greek word is used, pateo). The heathen will experience the wrath of God in vengeance and judgement. They trample on the holy city, meaning they desecrate it (Dan 11:31) and also the saints will be persecuted by the beast for a time, time and half a time (three and a half years or 42 months), Dan 7:25, 12:7, John has in mind persecution rather than just desecration. We see later that they kill the two witnesses, when they have finished their testimony, and they leave their bodies lying in the street without burying them, which is a mark of contempt. Just as the church is trampled upon by the Gentiles so Jesus was handed over to the Gentiles to be crucified (Mat 20:19), we should note that both the Gentiles and Jews played a part in the crucifixion of Jesus. Both the chief priests and their officials representative of the apostate church (see John 19:6 and compare to 'where also their Lord was crucified' of Rev 11:8) and Pilate representative of the Gentile world were responsible for the crucifixion. Johnson notes that the word 'Gentiles' (Gk ethnos) is everywhere else in Revelation translated as 'nations' in the NIV, Gentiles should best be taken then as heathen or unbelievers (see also Lenski).

It may also be noted that in the tabernacle (the forerunner of the temple, see verse 1) the lampstand was placed in the Holy Place (Heb 9:2) next to the Most Holy Place, just as a lampstand is used as a symbol of the church (1:20 cf. 11:4) and here the figure of a holy city is used for the church, the point being that the church is holy. The word 'saints' (Gk. hagios ) has its root in the word holy, meaning holy ones or consecrated ones.

v2 - They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. - This is the same time as:

i. The two witnesses prophesy for 1,260 days, (42*30=1260).

ii. Elijah prayed that it would not rain, three and a half years, see v6, he is cared for by God supernaturally.

iii. The woman's stay in the wilderness (Rev 12:6 1,260 days and Rev 12:14 time, times and half a time).

iv. The beasts exercise of authority (Rev 13:5, 42 months). This assumes 30 days in a month and that a time, times and half a time is three and a half years

Note: 42 months is the same time that the Gentiles trample on the holy city and the period that the beast exercises his authority. The woman's stay in the wilderness is a time, times and half a time which is the same period mentioned by Daniel (Dan 7:25 and 12:7). The woman's stay in the wilderness 1,260 days is also the time that the two witness's prophecy. Thus chapters 11, 12 and 13 are synchronous, our interpretation of these chapters will depend on what this time period represents. We should not take this time period as a literal number because this would enable us to precisely date the day of our Lords return. A superficial reading would indicate that this represents three and a half literal years. These time periods are all the same period, what does this represent? Let us examine each occurrence of this time period in Revelation and the rest of the bible.

i. Rev 11:2 - they will trample on the holy city for 42 months - Jerusalem was trampled upon by the Gentiles historically from AD 70 to AD 1967 when Jerusalem was once more in the hands of the Jews. The persecution of the church started when Stephen was martyred which was a little earlier, in either interpretation of the holy city being earthly Jerusalem or the church the period of 42 months starts shortly after Pentecost. The holy city is most likely a reference to the church. There were 42 encampments of Israel in the wilderness Num 33:5 ff. which is a possible reference to the churches stay in the desert, see iii and iv below.

ii. Rev 11:3 - And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1260 days, - The disciples received power to witness at Pentecost. Note that at the end of their witness they are killed for three and a half days before being raptured, 11:12.

iii. In Rev 12:6 the 1,260 days of the woman's stay in the desert starts after the ascension.

iv. In Rev 12:13 the time, times and half a time of the woman's stay in the desert begins when the dragon is hurled to the earth and after the woman had given birth to the male child. The dragon lost his place in heaven when Jesus was crucified because the basis of his accusation was no longer valid, Jesus had paid the price for sin. In fact Jesus saw Satan Fall to the earth during his ministry.

v. In Rev 13:5 the beast exercises his authority for forty two months, the beast can certainly be identified with the Roman empire of John's day, he finds his complete fulfilment when the antichrist appears. Johns primary goal is to strengthen God's people for a time of persecution, it was written to show God's people what will soon take place, Rev 1:1. The word soon covering the entire gospel age to the coming again of Christ.

From the above it is clear that the time period begins with the ascension and lasts until the second coming and therefore it cannot be equated with a three and a half year period of persecution right at the end, although there is a short period at the end of three and half days when the beast appears to triumph over the church and its witness is silenced for three and a half days, 11:7 ff., (this is more likely to equate with the second half of Daniel's week in Dan 9:27). This is the same time that Daniel allows for Antiochus Epiphanes to tyrannise Jerusalem, a period of great horror to the Jews but nevertheless a fixed period of time, the term time, times and half a time appears twice in Daniel: firstly in Dan 7:25 when another king will arise different from the others;

'He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time'

and secondly in Dan 12:6-7;

'"How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?" The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed."'

This has been related by some to the first or second half of Daniel's week of seven years, Dan 9:27, see also discussion on 11:9. We should see it as the time of the Churches witness and persecution throughout the gospel era. The use in Daniel indicates an intense period of suffering at the end times when the antichrist arises, in the two Daniel passages cited the first period of a time, times and half a time, appears short (Dan 7:25) the second period appears long (Dan 12:7). In both cases the saints appear defeated but will be delivered, Dan 7:26-7, 12:1.

We should also note that this period of three and a half years is also the same time of drought that Elijah prayed for (1 King 17:1, Jam 5:17) and the time that he was miraculously cared for by Ravens and the widow with her flour and oil which were not used up (1 Ki 17:4-16). Thus this time period indicates both persecution and divine care.

Our interpretation of this time period is clearly a subject of debate and of importance because the interpretation of chapter 11, 12 and 13, in which this time occurs 5 times, will depend on our interpretation of this time period. Does this period of time indicate a short period of persecution at the end times when the antichrist appears or does it signify all the persecution throughout the gospel age? Just as we look for the antichrist to come (1 John 2:18) we also know that many antichrists have come. Just as we look for the man of lawlessness to be revealed (2 Thess 2:3), we know that the secret power of lawlessness is already at work. I would therefore propose that this time period refers to the gospel age in general and the coming of the antichrist in particular. The book of Revelation should be a blessing to Christians of all ages and not just the last generation. Thus, for example, Nero and Domitian were types of the antichrist but were not the antichrist. It is generally agreed that the last days start with the ascension reaching their climax with the second coming. In the section here, the churches witness started at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon them and they started to prophecy, this will continue until the churches witness is silenced by the antichrist.

v3 - And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1260 days, clothed in sackcloth." - The inner temple is measured and separated and as such testifies to the world (Lenski). There are two witnesses because two witnesses are required to establish the truth of testimony (Deu 17:6, John 8:17, 2 Cor 13:1). The disciples were sent out by Jesus in two's, Mark 6:7. The two witnesses prophesy during the same period as the Gentiles trample on the holy city, 1260 days=42 months (verse 2), and the same period that the beast exercises his authority (42 months, Rev 13:5). Verse 4 alludes to Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest who represent the kingly and priestly function of the church (cf. 1:6) as well as witnessing in the power of the Holy Spirit (Zec 4 ff.). Verse 6 alludes to Elijah and Moses who represent the prophetic function of the church (Deu 18:15, 34:10), verse 10 calls them two prophets. The word power is not in the Greek but it is implied, it say's 'I will give (didomi) to my two two witnesses and they will prophesy...' however their power (exousia) is mentioned in verse 6.

The time period is given as 1260 days which emphasises the day by day witness of the church (Hailey). The church is a witness to Jesus Christ, initially they were eye witnesses (Acts 2:32, 13:30, 26:15). The church will witness to the world during the gospel age until Christ comes again, v12, when the dead in Christ will meet Him in the air. They received power to witness and prophesy when the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost, Jesus told them 'you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth' (Acts 1:8), see also (Mark 13:9). According to Peter's speech in Acts 2:16-21 the last days prophesied by Joel started at Pentecost when the disciples began to speak in other tongues declaring the wonders of God.

The two witnesses are not two individuals but the witnessing church, in verse 10 they are also two prophets because the church witnesses in the power of Elijah and Moses. When they have finished their testimony they are killed (their testimony is sealed with their blood) followed after three and a half days by their resurrection and rapture. Their power is illustrated in verse 6: These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want. On a closer examination, this power is the power of the prayers' of God's people, see comments on verse 6.

We are told that they are prophets: in verse 3 'they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth'; in verse 6 we are told that they have the same power as the prophet Elijah and in verse 10 we are told that 'these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth'. Their prophecy is forth telling God's word rather than foretelling. The prophecy will be a message of repentance and hence they are clothed in sackcloth, which usually symbolises humility and mourning, Jonah 3:8, Mat 4:17, Zech 13:4, Jer 4:8, Mat 11:21. See Peters message at Pentecost (Acts 2:38) 'Repent and be baptised'. Compare with John the Baptist went before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luk 1:17), who wore clothes of camel's hair and preached 'Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near' (Mat 3:1, 4). Antipas in 2:13 was a faithful witness to his faith in Christ when he was martyred in the city where Satan lives. The two witnesses testify to the world and when they have finished they are killed. They belong to a group who are said to testify in Revelation and especially the martyrs. We have as examples, Jesus whose testimony is the book of Revelation, John who was on Patmos because of the testimony of Jesus (1:9), the fifth seal discloses the martyrs who had been slain because of the testimony they had maintained (6:9), there are those who overcome Satan by the word of their testimony (12:11), there are the offspring of the woman that Satan makes war against who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus (12:17), the woman is drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus (17:6), John's brothers are those who hold to the testimony of Jesus (19:10), John sees the souls of those beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God (20:4).

v4 - These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. - The two olive trees, meaning a plenteous supply of oil for the lamps, i.e. the Spirit, this image comes from Zech 4:2. The two witnesses are to witness in the power of the Holy Spirit, the famous phrase 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit' comes from Zech 4:6. Notice also the seven lamps of the Holy Spirit mentioned in 4:5, these are the seven lamps on the lampstand opposite to the table with the bread on it, Exo 40:22. The image of a lampstand is in Zech 4:2 and also in Rev 1:20, where the lampstand is the church, the church is the light of the world (Mat 5:14) and the church is a light in the darkness of the world (Acts 13:47). There are two olive tress and two lampstands because two are required to establish the truth of a testimony, it does not mean that only two sevenths of the church will testify, it is part of the symbolism of the passage. God will pour out his Spirit upon the church and it will prophesy, Acts 2:16-21, this was first fulfilled at Pentecost and is being fulfilled throughout the church age and will be fulfilled again before the antichrist appears. The two anointed ones who serve the Lord are Zerubbabel and Joshua who stand for the kingly and priestly function of the ministry (Hag 1:1, Zech 4), in Rev 1:6 the saints are referred to as a 'kingdom and priests to serve God'. Elijah and Moses later refer to the prophetic ministry (verses 5 & 6). Rev 1:6, 5:10 and 20:6 all refer to the priestly ministry of the saints while verses 3, 6, and 10 here refer to the prophetic ministry (see also 11:18, 16:16, 18:20, 18:24, 22:9).

v5 - 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. - The fire refers to the word of God, Jer 5:14, 'I will make my words in your mouth a fire and these people the wood it consumes', see also Jer 23:29, thus the two witnesses testify in the power of the Spirit with the word of God, the Spirit and the word go together because the Spirit is the Spirit of truth and the word of God is the truth (see also Eph 6:17). When the church in Acts was filled with the Spirit they spoke the word of God boldly (Acts 4:31). The beast out of the earth has a counterfeit to the fire (Rev 13:13). Nothing can harm them while they are witnessing because they have the authority of Christ (Luke 10:19). This is also a reference to the prophet Elijah (2 Kings 1:10) in which Elijah caused fire to come down from heaven and consume his enemies. Note that Jesus rebuked his disciples when they wanted to call fire down from heaven to destroy those who did not welcome him so we are not to take this literally. Luke 21:12-19 shows that the saints will be persecuted but that this will result in them being witnesses to their persecutors and that they will be given words and wisdom which they will not be able to resist or contradict. Those who try to harm them are those who reject their testimony and therefore they reject Christ and God (Luke 10:16). It is these words which will condemn their unrepentant persecutors (John 12:48), whoever rejects the Son remains under the wrath of God (John 3:36). We see at the start of the trumpet sequence that in response to the prayers of the saints fire from the altar was hurled to the earth (8:5). Those who reject the testimony of the church will die in the lake of fire. Note: while fire comes out of the mouths of the two witnesses, water comes out of the mouth of the dragon (12:15), blasphemy out of the mouth of the beast (13:6), frogs out of the mouths of the dragon, beast and false prophet (16:13).

v6a - These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; - In 11:3 it says that these witnesses will be given power, here it is described. They have the power to prevent rain - they have the same prophetic power as Elijah, 1 King 17:1, Jam 5:16-18, who had the power to prevent rain for three and a half years. They prophesy for 1260 days (v3), i.e. 42 months (v2) the same time that the Gentiles trample on the holy city and 42 months is the same as the three and a half years that Elijah prayed that it would not rain. James comments that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective and then gives the example of Elijah. We have already seen the power of the prayers of the saints in the prelude to the seven trumpets. This power then is the power of the prayers of the church which we saw together with the incense ascending before God (8:4). This period represents the time from the ascension to the second coming, that is also the great tribulation or persecution. This is the same time that God cares for the church. During the three and a half years of drought Elijah was cared for miraculously by God the Ravens brought him food and the widows flour and oil was not used up, 1 Ki 17:4-16. Note that they have this power only during the time they are prophesying, when they have finished prophesying they are killed, v7. Compare this with the ministry of John the Baptist who went before the Lord 'in the spirit and power of Elijah' (Luke 1:17), his message was 'repent for the kingdom of heaven is near' (Mat 3:2), and was imprisoned and then beheaded (Mat 14:3 ff.).

v6b - they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want. - We see here the results of the prayers of the church manifested to the world through, for example, the seven trumpets. They have the power (exousia) to turn water into blood (compare with the second trumpet Rev 8:8), and to strike the earth with every kind of plague (second bowl Rev 16:3), they have the same power as Moses, to strike the earth with every kind of plague, Ex 7:19, consider the ten plagues on Egypt that Moses was instrumental in bringing forth. In Deu 34:10 Moses is called a prophet. Their power extends over the land and sea which therefore covers the whole earth, see comments on 10:2, their witness is to the whole earth (see verses 9, 10) even to the merchants and seamen of Ch. 18. We have seen earlier that the seven trumpets are God's answer to the prayers of the saints (Rev 8:5) as are the seven bowls or plagues. How awesome are the results of the prayers of God's children, Jam 5:16-18. The Lord was working with their witness which he confirmed by signs and wonders, Mark 16:20, Acts 14:3. When the church is acting in its official capacity its power is real, see Mat 16:18-19, 18:18-20, John 20:23 (Hendriksen) because it is acting under the authority of Christ himself, cf. Luke 10:16-19. See Mat 16:19 for the power to loose and bind.

Moses and Elijah appeared at the transfiguration, Mat 17:3, Luke 9:29. They represent the priestly and the prophetic ministries of the church. The two olive trees allude to Joshua and Zerubbabel who represent the priestly and kingly ministry of the church. We have already seen the church described by John as having been made by Jesus to be a kingdom and priests to serve God (1:6). We see here the church serving God in her delegated authority. Note: Elijah was transported into heaven at the end of his ministry, 2 Kings 2:11 cf. 11:12.

Pink points out that there were two witnesses before Pharaoh, Aaron and Moses (priest and prophet), who performed the miraculous signs. Pharaoh is one of the OT types of the antichrist. Pink gives the following as OT types of the antichrist: Cain, Lamech, Nimrod (Gen 10:8-9, 1 Chr 1:10, Micah 5:6), Kedorlaomer (Gen 14), Pharaoh, Abimalech (Gen 20:2-21:32, 26:1-26, Judg 9:1-10:1, 2 Sam 11:21, Psa 34:1), Saul, Goliath, Absalom, Herod. To these I would add Nebuchadnezzar who is used as a type in Revelation; consider that he was turned into a beast, the golden stature and the raging furnace.

v7 - Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. - Until they have finished their testimony they are inviolate, see v5. The preceding verses show that the witness of the church will be a powerful one in the last days, the gospel will be preached to all nations, tribes, peoples and languages, there will be converts (7:9), although it may not be numerically strong, but the Gospel must be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come, Mat 24:14. Here we find that when they have finished their testimony the beast will arise out of the Abyss (hell) and kill the witness of the church, their witness is sealed by their blood. The death of the witnessing church is likely to be what was spoken to Daniel in answer to the question "How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?": "It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed." Dan 12:7. More detail of this verse is given with the beast out of the sea (abyss) in Ch 13 who makes war on the saints and conquers them (13:7 cf. Dan 7:3, 7:21) and the beast out of the earth who caused all who refused to worship the image to be killed (13:15). Their ministry parallels that of Christ who could not be touched until his time came, who was betrayed by Judas when Satan entered him (Luk 22:3, Jn 13:27).

This is the first mention of the beast from the abyss who is described in more detail later, Rev 13 & 17. Persecution will follow the preaching of the word, but during the preaching of it there is divine protection. See Jesus warning about persecution when he sends out the twelve in Mat 10:22 'All men will hate you because of me'. Jesus teaches us not to be surprised by persecution, this is the message of Revelation. This is the same beast as the one in Rev 17:8 who will come out of the Abyss and go to his destruction, who is also the same beast as the one that comes out of the sea in Rev 13:1 and makes war against the saints and conquers them Rev 13:7. The words 'attack' used here and 'make war' in 13:7 are the same in the original Greek. Compare also the time that the two witnesses prophecy for of 1,260 days (11:3) and the time that the beast exercises authority for forty-two months (13:5).

We should not be surprised that the beast overpowers and kills the witnesses, this is one of the main warnings of the book, the saints must be prepared and expect to die for the faith. Just as Christ died in obedience to the Father but in doing so he obtained victory over sin and death. However it also shows us the end result which is defeat of the enemy and bliss for the saints. Another view on this verse is that it represents the finish of the proclamation of the gospel on the earth and then the antichrist will arise for a short time, during which there will be no preaching and then Christ will return and vindicate his elect, Mat 24:14. It is clear from the context that this event occurs shortly before Christ comes again, however throughout church history the beast from hell has been coming and persecuting God's people. In Daniel those who will not worship a false god are either thrown into a furnace or thrown to the lions, Dan 3:1 ff., 6:1 ff. however Revelation makes clear that there is a far worse furnace for those who worship the beast (14:9 ff., 20:15, 21:8).

v8 - Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. - The street of the great city is in obvious contrast to the great street of the New Jerusalem along which grows the tree of life, Rev 22:1-2, the great city is the world, see verse 9. Figuratively the great city is called Sodom (that is wickedness), Egypt (that is oppression), Jerusalem (that is persecution). Jerusalem as well as crucifying Jesus was also the city that stoned the prophets, Mat 23:37. This is a composite city depicted by Babylon the Great later in Revelation (Rev 17, 18). This is also where God's people must preach the Gospel, where there is wickedness, oppression and persecution i.e. the same world that Jesus was sent (John 17:18). Think of Russia or China. The great city is Babylon, in 16:19 we see the great city split into three parts as a result of the seventh bowl, the kings of the earth mourn her destruction in 18:10. Nineveh is also an example of a great city (Gen 10:12, Jonah 1:2). Babylon (the world system) is found drunk with the blood of the saints, 17:6, she plays a large role in persecuting the saints, as does the beast and false prophet, Rev 13. The reference to the city 'where also their Lord was crucified' is a reminder that his disciples must also take up their cross and follow him even if it leads to death. It is also indicative of false religion, cf. Gal 4:25-26, because it was the religious officials who wanted Jesus crucified (Mat 26:3-4, John 19:6, 19:15).

v9 - For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial - Notice the four fold description indicating that they come from the four corners of the earth, that is the people of the whole world, this confirms the universality of the great city. These are the very people they are to preach to. The three and a half day's contrasts to the 1260 days in v3, (i.e. three and a half years), it is a short time, compare this with the ten days of Rev 2:10. This can be compared to the three days Jesus spent in the tomb following his three years of ministry (Wilcock). Refusal of burial is a sign of contempt. Note that the redeemed also come from these groups of people, some of them get converted, praise God. see Rev 5:9, 7:9, 13:7, 14:6.

The description every people, tribe, language and nation is also used of:

i. Descriptions of the universal origin of the saved, 5:9, 7:9.

ii. It is the same group to whom the angel has an eternal gospel to proclaim, 14:6.

iii. It is the same group that the beast has authority over, 13:7.

In other words those eventually saved will come out from every people group of the earth.

The three and a half days is also half a week and could have a connection with the half week of Dan 9:27 'He will confirm a covenant with many for one seven. In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him'. The weeks of Daniel (see Dan 9:24) are usually interpreted as years, thus half a week is three and a half years (cf. the 1,260 days that the two witnesses prophesy for). Thus the two witnesses prophesy for half a week of years and are dead for half a week of days. If we take this interpretation then the three and a half days could correspond to the forty-two months, or half week of years, when the beast exercises his authority (13:5). It could also explain why 1,260 days are mentioned in 12:6 where the woman fled into the desert to be taken care of by God and then later when the dragon had been hurled to the earth the woman again flies to the desert to be taken care of by God for a time, times and half a time out of the serpent's reach.

v10 - 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. - Sending each other gifts is a parody of Purim in which the Jews celebrated relief from their enemies who tried to have all Jews killed, see Est 9:22 ff. After the children of Israel left Egypt, they were glad because the dread of Israel had fallen on them (Ps 105:38). In common with other passages there appears to be a great outbreak of persecution before the end when the witness of the church will be silenced (xxxx). Here the two witnesses are called prophets (Moses and Elijah), that is the prophetic witness of the church which tormented the inhabitants of the earth, see verses 5 and 6. This verse shows the anger of the nations, the prophets are rewarded in 11:18. It is their hour, just as the authorities had their hour when they crucified Jesus, Luke 22:53, and the world rejoiced over him (John 16:20). At this point the power of darkness seems to have triumphed just as Satan appeared to triumph when Jesus was crucified.

v11 - But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. - When Christ returns the dead in Christ will rise first, 1 Thess 4:16, 1 Cor 15:51. The wicked, who are the enemies of the saints, will be filled with terror when God vindicates his elect by raising them from the dead. The triumph of wickedness is short lived, just as Satan's triumph over Jesus at the cross was turned into defeat when God raised him from the dead and proved Satan downfall. In 13:7 we also find that the beast was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them, but in 15:2 we find those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name, their victory was in being faithful even to death, Satan has no answer to that. How often has the world rejoiced that it has destroyed the witness of the church until the Spirit of God breaths new life into the church which rediscovers the great gospel truths and like a Phoenix out of the ashes arises to the terror of their persecutors. 'The blood of the martyrs is the seedbed of the church' to use Tertullian's great phrase. Compare this to Ezekiel's prophecy to the valley of dry bones 'I will put breath in you, and you will come to life' (Ezek 37:6), 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.' So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet--a vast army (Ezek 37:9-10).

v12 - 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 - This is a clear reference to the Rapture which coincides with the second coming, 1 Thess 4:15-17, the dead in Christ will rise first, 'this is no secret rapture' (Hendriksen). The key word is cloud, clouds are nearly always associated with God's presence or the second coming, Rev 1:7, 14:14, Ezek 30:3, Dan 7:13, Joel 2:2, Zep 1:15, Mat 24:14. After the preaching of the gospel to all nations, that is the church has finished her witness (see verse 7), then the end will come, Mat 24:14. Elijah upon whom the witnesses are modelled was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, 2 King 2:11. This section clarifies one of Johns main points, even though the saints are required to be faithful to the point of death like their master (2:10, c.f. 2:13), but they will also rise again as he did. This parodies the life of Christ, they died but were not buried for three and a half days, they came to life and ascended to heaven. Notice the similarity of their ascension with the Lords (Acts 1:9). They seal their testimony by their blood and the Lord confirms their testimony by raising them from the dead.

v13 - 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. - Seven thousand is symbolic and is intended to indicate a complete number. In 16:19 the great city was split into three parts. The survivors were terrified when the two witnesses came to life again and because of the earthquake, they are terrified into giving glory to God. This recalls the terror of the sixth seal, 6:12-17 which also includes an earthquake. But by then when God displays his awesome power it is too late for repentance, the time for judgement has begun. There are OT references connecting earthquakes with the day of the Lord (Isa 29:6, Ezek 38:19, Zec 14:5) for other references to earthquakes in Rev see 6:12, 8:5, 11:19, 16:18.

v14 - The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon. - Most translators translate soon as quickly. This sentence has been placed here to show that the witness of the church lasts until the seventh trumpet which ushers in the time of God's wrath and the judgement when repentance is no longer possible, Rev 11:18. The section about the two witnesses lies between the sixth and seventh trumpet. This verse also introduces the third Woe, that is the seventh trumpet that announces the reign of Christ and the judgement. The third woe comes quickly after the second woe. There is a play on words here, the third woe is coming soon just as Jesus is coming soon, the two coincide. Compare this verse here with 10:7 'But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets.' The days spoken of here will include the death, resurrection and ascension of the two witnesses, especially the last three and a half days (compared to the 1260 days of their prophecy).