Revelation11

John is commanded to measure the temple of God, while the outer court is left for Gentile treading for forty-two months. Two witnesses prophesy for 1260 days, demonstrating great power, but are eventually slain by the beast. After three and a half days, they are resurrected and ascend to heaven, followed by an earthquake. The chapter concludes with the sounding of the seventh trumpet, declaring God's eternal reign and the opening of His heavenly temple.

Measuring the Temple and the Holy City

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. ​

The Two Witnesses Prophesy

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 lamp stands, 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. ​
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 Sounds

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 Messiah. 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 holy ones, 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. ​

Study Notes for Revelation 11

Verse 1

Measuring the temple symbolizes God’s protection and preservation of the true worshipers (the inner sanctuary) during the coming period of tribulation, contrasting with the outer court left exposed.

Verse 2

The duration of forty and two months (3.5 years, or 1260 days) is a symbolic period of persecution representing the time of the church’s tribulation before Christ’s return (cf. Daniel 7:25).

Verse 3

The two witnesses represent God’s faithful prophetic testimony maintained during the worst of the end-time persecution. Their sackcloth symbolizes mourning, repentance, and prophetic urgency.

Verse 4

This imagery, drawn from Zechariah 4:2-3, signifies that the witnesses are empowered by the Holy Spirit (the oil for the olive trees) and bear the light of God’s testimony (the candlesticks).

Verse 5

The power of fire proceeding from their mouths indicates the destructive power of their prophetic word against those who oppose God's message, reminiscent of Elijah's ministry (2 Kings 1:10).

Verse 6

The powers to shut heaven and turn water to blood evoke the famous miracles of Elijah (drought) and Moses (plagues), confirming the witnesses’ authentic prophetic authority.

Verse 7

This is the first explicit mention of 'the beast' in Revelation, an Antichrist figure who ascends from the abyss to wage war against the saints, setting up the central conflict of the latter half of the book (Rev 13).

Verse 8

The 'great city' is symbolically identified with Jerusalem (where Christ was crucified) but also universally with the entire wicked world system (Sodom and Egypt) that opposes God and persecutes His people.

Verse 10

The world’s celebration over the death of the witnesses highlights the intense hatred of the prophetic message, demonstrating that the world prefers darkness to the light of conviction.

Verse 11

The resurrection of the witnesses demonstrates God's ultimate power over death and serves as a powerful sign of vindication for the faithful martyrs, terrifying their enemies.

Verse 12

Their ascension mirrors Christ's own and confirms their status as divinely approved messengers, showing that their ministry was successful despite their apparent defeat.

Verse 13

The remnant giving glory to the God of heaven contrasts with the persistent impenitence of those judged earlier (9:20-21), showing that God’s judgments can still lead to repentance for some.

Verse 14

This verse is a crucial structural marker, closing the account of the sixth trumpet/second woe and preparing the reader for the final, climactic judgment.

Verse 15

The sounding of the seventh trumpet is the climax of the trumpet judgments. The announcement that the kingdoms of the world 'have become' Christ's indicates the certainty of the coming reign, even before its physical manifestation.

Verse 17

The elders’ worship affirms God’s sovereignty and eternal power, recognizing that the final stage of judgment and kingdom establishment has arrived.

Verse 18

This verse summarizes the final events: the wrath of God against the nations, the judgment of the dead, and the rewarding of all faithful believers, from the prophets to the common saints.

Verse 19

The opening of the heavenly temple reveals the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God’s covenant faithfulness and affirming that the final judgments proceed righteously from His holy presence.

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