Revelation 11:5

And 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.

And {G2532} if any man {G1536}{G846} will {G2309} hurt {G91} them {G846}, fire {G4442} proceedeth {G1607} out of {G1537} their {G846} mouth {G4750}, and {G2532} devoureth {G2719} their {G846} enemies {G2190}: and {G2532} if any man {G1536} will {G2309} hurt {G91} them {G846}, he must {G1163} in this manner {G3779} be killed {G615}.

If anyone tries to do them harm, fire comes out of their mouth and consumes their enemies — yes, if anyone tries to harm them, that is how he must die.

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.

And if any man desireth to hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth and devoureth their enemies; and if any man shall desire to hurt them, in this manner must he be killed.

Revelation 11:5 describes the formidable power granted to the two mysterious witnesses during their prophetic ministry in the end times. This verse highlights the divine protection and destructive capability bestowed upon them by God against anyone who attempts to harm them.

Context

This verse is part of a pivotal section in the Book of Revelation, focusing on the ministry of the two witnesses. These figures are empowered by God to prophesy for 1,260 days (or 3.5 years) during a period of intense global tribulation. Their mission is to bear witness to God's truth and call the world to repentance before the final judgments. Verse 5 specifically illustrates the extraordinary means by which God safeguards His chosen messengers, ensuring their mission can be completed without human interference until God's appointed time.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection: The verse emphasizes God's active and powerful defense of His servants. Those who attempt to harm the witnesses face immediate and fatal judgment, demonstrating that their lives and ministry are under divine protection, not subject to human will.
  • Prophetic Authority and Judgment: The imagery of "fire proceedeth out of their mouth" signifies a potent, divinely-empowered authority, reminiscent of Old Testament prophets like Elijah who called down fire upon those who sought to seize him, or Moses who brought plagues upon Egypt (Exodus 7-12). This is not literal fire, but a symbolic representation of the destructive power of God's word and judgment enacted through His witnesses.
  • Consequences of Opposition: The verse clearly states the severe and fatal consequence for anyone attempting to impede or injure these witnesses: "he must in this manner be killed." This serves as a stark warning against opposing God's work and His appointed messengers, underscoring the seriousness of the end-time events and God's sovereign control over them.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "fire proceedeth out of their mouth" (Greek: pyr ek tou stomatos auton ekporeuetai) is highly symbolic. In biblical imagery, fire often represents divine judgment, purification, or the powerful, consuming nature of God's presence and word. It is not a literal physical fire but rather a manifestation of the witnesses' spiritual authority and the devastating consequences that accompany their prophetic declarations against those who oppose God.

Reflection and Application

While this verse describes a specific future event, its underlying principles offer timeless insights. It reminds us of God's unwavering commitment to protect those who faithfully proclaim His truth, even in the face of intense opposition. For believers today, this verse can offer comfort that God is ultimately sovereign over all circumstances, and His purposes will prevail. It also serves as a solemn reminder of the seriousness of resisting God's truth and His chosen instruments. The power described here underscores the weighty responsibility of bearing witness to Christ and the ultimate accountability for those who choose to stand against the Lord's work, a principle echoed in passages about divine judgment, such as Romans 12:19.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 5:14

    Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

  • 2 Kings 1:10

    And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I [be] a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

  • 2 Kings 1:12

    And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I [be] a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

  • Isaiah 11:4

    But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

  • Hosea 6:5

    Therefore have I hewed [them] by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments [are as] the light [that] goeth forth.

  • Numbers 16:28

    And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for [I have] not [done them] of mine own mind.

  • Numbers 16:35

    ¶ And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.
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