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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Revelation 11:3–13. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
In this time of treading down, God has reserved to himself his faithful witnesses, who will not fail to attest the truth of his word and worship, and the excellency of his ways. Here observe,
I.The number of these witnesses: it is but a small number and yet it is sufficient.
1.It is but small. Many will own and acknowledge Christ in times of prosperity who will desert and deny him in times of persecution; one witness, when the cause is upon trial, is worth many at other times.
2.It is a sufficient number; for in the mouth of two witnesses every cause shall be established. Christ sent out his disciples two by two, to preach the gospel. Some think these two witnesses are Enoch and Elias, who are to return to the earth for a time: others, the church of the believing Jews and that of the Gentiles: it should rather seem that they are God's eminent faithful ministers, who shall not only continue to profess the Christian religion, but to preach it, in the worst of times.
II.The time of their prophesying, or bearing their testimony for Christ.
A thousand two hundred and threescore days; that is (as many think), to the period of the reign of antichrist; and, if the beginning of that interval could be ascertained, this number of prophetic days, taking a day for a year, would give us a prospect when the end shall be.
III.Their habit, and posture:
they prophesy in sackcloth, as those that are deeply affected with the low and distressed state of the churches and interest of Christ in the world.
IV.How they were supported and supplied during the discharge of their great and hard work:
they stood before the God of the whole earth, and he gave them power to prophesy. He made them to be like Zerubbabel and Joshua, the two olive-trees and candlestick in the vision of Zechariah, Zac 4:2, etc. God gave them the oil of holy zeal, and courage, and strength, and comfort; he made them olive-trees, and their lamps of profession were kept burning by the oil of inward gracious principles, which they received from God. They had oil not only in their lamps, but in their vessels - habits of spiritual life, light, and zeal.
V.Their security and defence during the time of their prophesying:
If any attempted to hurt them, fire proceeded out of their mouths, and devoured them, Rev 11:5. Some think this alludes to Elias's calling for the fire from heaven, to consume the captains and their companies that came to seize him, Kg2 1:12. God promised the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 5:14), Behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people shall be wood, and it shall devour them. By their praying and preaching, and courage in suffering, they shall gall and wound the very hearts and consciences of many of their persecutors, who shall go away self-condemned, and be even terrors to themselves; like Pashur, at the words of the prophet Jeremiah, Jer 20:4. They shall have that free access to God, and that interest in him, that, at their prayers, God will inflict plagues and judgments upon their enemies, as he did on Pharaoh, turning their rivers into blood, and restraining the dews of heaven, shutting heaven up, that no rain shall fall for many days, as he did at the prayers of Elias, Kg1 17:1. God has ordained his arrows for the persecutors, and is often plaguing them while they are persecuting his people; they find it hard work to kick against the pricks.
VI.The slaying of the witnesses.
To make their testimony more strong, they must seal it with their blood. Here observe,
1.The time when they should be killed: When they have finished their testimony. They are immortal, they are invulnerable, till their work be done. Some think it ought to be rendered, when they were about to finish their testimony. When they had prophesied in sackcloth the greatest part of the 1260 years, then they should feel the last effect of antichristian malice.
2.The enemy that should overcome and slay them - the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit. Antichrist, the great instrument of the devil, should make war against them, not only with the arms of subtle and sophistical learning, but chiefly with open force and violence; and God would permit his enemies to prevail against his witnesses for a time.
3.The barbarous usage of these slain witnesses; the malice of their enemies was not satiated with their blood and death, but pursued even their dead bodies.
(1.)They would not allow them a quiet grave; their bodies were cast out in the open street, the high street of Babylon, or in the high road leading to the city. This city is spiritually called Sodom for monstrous wickedness, and Egypt for idolatry and tyranny; and here Christ in his mystical body has suffered more than in any place in the world.
(2.)Their dead bodies were insulted by the inhabitants of the earth, and their death was a matter of mirth and joy to the antichristian world, Rev 11:10. They were glad to be rid of these witnesses, who by their doctrine and example had teased, terrified, and tormented the consciences of their enemies; these spiritual weapons cut wicked men to the heart, and fill them with the greatest rage and malice against the faithful.
VII.The resurrection of these witnesses, and the consequences thereof. Observe,
1.The time of their rising again; after they had lain dead three days and a half (Rev 11:11), a short time in comparison of that in which they had prophesied. Here may be a reference to the resurrection of Christ, who is the resurrection and the life. Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Or there may be a reference to the resurrection of Lazarus on the fourth day, when they thought it impossible. God's witnesses may be slain, but they shall rise again: not in their persons, till the general resurrection, but in their successors. God will revive his work, when it seems to be dead in the world.
2.The power by which they were raised: The spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet. God put not only life, but courage into them. God can make the dry bones to life; it is the Spirit of life from God that quickens dead souls, and shall quicken the dead bodies of his people, and his dying interest in the world.
3.The effect of their resurrection upon their enemies: Great fear fell upon them. The reviving of God's work and witnesses will strike terror into the souls of his enemies. Where there is guilt, there is fear; and a persecuting spirit, though cruel, is not a courageous, but a cowardly spirit. Herod feared John the Baptist.
VIII.The ascension of the witnesses into heaven and the consequences thereof, Rev 11:12, Rev 11:13. Observe,
1.Their ascension. By heaven we may understand either some more eminent station in the church, the kingdom of grace in this world, or a high place in the kingdom of glory above. The former seems to be the meaning: They ascended to heaven in a cloud (in a figurative, not in a literal sense) and their enemies saw them. It will be no small part of the punishment of persecutors, both in this world and at the great day, that they shall see the faithful servants of God greatly honoured and advanced. To this honour they did not attempt to ascend, till God called them, and said, Come up hither. The Lord's witnesses must wait for their advancement, both in the church and in heaven, till God calls them; they must not be weary of suffering and service, nor too hastily grasp at the reward; but stay till their Master calls them, and then they may gladly ascend to him.
2.The consequences of their ascension - a mighty shock and convulsion in the antichristian empire and the fall of a tenth part of the city. Some refer this to the beginning of the reformation from popery, when many princes and states fell off from their subjection to Rome. This great work met with great opposition; all the western world felt a great concussion, and the antichristian interest received a great blow, and lost a great deal of ground and interest,
(1.)By the sword of war, which was then drawn; and many of those who fought under the banner of antichrist were slain by it.
(2.)By the sword of the Spirit: The fear of God fell upon many. They were convinced of their errors, superstition, and idolatry; and by true repentance, and embracing the truth, they gave glory to the God of heaven. Thus, when God's work and witnesses revive, the devil's work and witnesses fall before him.
Historical interpretation
Six Centuries of Reception
6 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
“And they went up to heaven in a cloud.” The apostle spoke of this, saying, “We will be caught up in the clouds to meet Christ in the air.” It is written that this cannot happen to anyone before the coming of the Lord, since at his coming all flesh is approved to arise from their graves. And so the faulty idea of those is excluded who think that these two witnesses are only two men who ascend on the clouds before the coming of Christ. For how could those “who dwell on the earth” rejoice at the death of two men if they died in only one city? Or how do they “exchange presents” if in a short period of time those who threw their bodies in the streets were disquieted by their resurrection although shortly beforehand they were rejoicing at their death? Their courage and reason were stupefied because throughout the earth the announcement came not of their death but of their resurrection. What kind of joy would it be, or what kind of pleasure for those who are feasting would it be, if along with the feast there was the stench of the dead? “And a great fear fell on those who saw them.” He says this of those who are alive when they see the resurrection of those who sleep and are shaken by a horrible fear. “And their enemies saw them [ascend].” Here he separates the unrighteous from the righteous and those who were steadfast in faith from those who were timid.
Being dead for as many days as there were years of their prophecy, they will rise up and ascend into heaven on a cloud, that dominical chariot. And fear and perplexity will seize those who see it.
And their enemies saw them. Here he distinguished the unjust from those whom he had said in common to have been afraid.
And they ascended to heaven in a cloud. This is what the Apostle said: We shall be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians IV).
And they heard a great voice from heaven, saying to them: Come up hither. This voice is the one about which the apostle says, The Lord himself shall come down from heaven with commandment, and with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. [1 Thess. 4:15] And they went up to heaven in a cloud: and their enemies saw them. They go up in a cloud, that is, in the power of him who judges. This is why the Lord, after subduing death, went up to the Father's seat in a cloud. As for what we said earlier, that the bodies of the two witnesses consisted of living and dead people, we bring here a suitable witness to confirm it, Paul, who says, We who are alive, who are left, shall be taken up together with them in the clouds to meet Christ, into the air, and so shall we be always with the Lord. [Ibid. 16] So if, as the apostle says, those who are found alive will be taken up in the clouds into the air to meet Christ, is the Psalmist then lying when he says, Who is the man that liveth, and shall not see death? [Variant of Ps. 88:49] And the book of Genesis when it says, Earth thou art, and into earth thou shalt go? [Gen. 3:19 acc. to LXX] No! For, as father Augustine says, at the very moment when they are taken up in the clouds, they will taste a momentaneous death. It is the same for the body to return into the earth and for the body to remain there when the soul leaves it, because the body is earth anyway. As for how quick both changes will be, the apostle indicates it, affirming that it will all happen in the twinkling of an eye. [1 Cor. 15:52]
Since all things are clearly evident and destined to occur perceptibly at that time, it is excessive to dwell on what has been acknowledged.
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Summary
Revelation 11:12 vividly portrays the dramatic divine vindication and exaltation of the two witnesses. Following their public execution and resurrection, they are summoned by a powerful heavenly voice to ascend into heaven in a cloud, an event witnessed by their astonished enemies. This pivotal moment underscores God's ultimate sovereignty, His faithfulness to His servants, and the certain defeat of those who oppose His divine purposes.
Context
Literary Context
Revelation 11:12 is the climax of the narrative concerning the two witnesses, introduced in Revelation 11:3. These prophetic figures, empowered by God, have prophesied for 1,260 days, enduring persecution. Their ministry culminates in their death at the hands of the beast from the bottomless pit, as described in Revelation 11:7. Their bodies lie unburied in the streets of Jerusalem, a cause for celebration among their enemies, as detailed in Revelation 11:8-10. However, the narrative takes a dramatic turn in Revelation 11:11, where the "Spirit of life from God" enters them, causing them to stand on their feet, striking terror into those who witnessed their resurrection. Verse 12 then describes their public ascension, serving as God's ultimate declaration of their righteousness and His judgment upon their persecutors, immediately preceding the sounding of the seventh trumpet.
Historical & Cultural Context
The imagery of ascension in a cloud carries profound biblical and cultural significance. In the ancient Near East, clouds were often associated with divine presence, power, and glory. For the Jewish audience, the Shekinah glory of God was frequently manifested in a cloud, such as the pillar of cloud guiding Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21) or filling the Tabernacle and Temple (Exodus 40:34; 1 Kings 8:10-11). Ascension itself, particularly to heaven, was a rare and highly significant event, denoting divine favor and exceptional status, as seen with Enoch (Genesis 5:24) and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11). The public nature of this event, "their enemies beheld them," emphasizes the undeniable and authoritative nature of God's intervention, serving as a powerful sign to a world steeped in Roman imperial power and pagan worship, where public displays of triumph and humiliation were common.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Revelation and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights Divine Vindication, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His faithful servants, even in the face of death and public humiliation. The ascension signifies Exaltation and Triumph over evil, reversing the apparent defeat of the witnesses and showcasing God's ultimate sovereignty over life, death, and the forces of darkness. The phrase "their enemies beheld them" underscores the theme of Public Witness and Judgment, where God's acts serve as undeniable proof for both believers and unbelievers, leading to either repentance or further hardening and judgment. Furthermore, the ascension "in a cloud" connects to the theme of Eschatological Hope and the future return of Christ (Acts 1:9-11) and the future gathering of believers (1 Thessalonians 4:17), reinforcing the ultimate victory of God's people.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb signifies not merely perceiving sound, but often implies understanding, heeding, or giving audience. In the context of a "great voice from heaven," it emphasizes that the witnesses (and by extension, their enemies) truly apprehended the divine command, leaving no room for misunderstanding or denial of the miraculous event. It underscores the authoritative nature of the heavenly summons.
This verb denotes motion upwards, to "go up" or "climb." Its use here highlights the literal, physical elevation of the witnesses from the earth to heaven. This ascension is a direct reversal of their previous humiliation and death, signifying a divine lifting up and an ultimate triumph over their earthly persecutors. It echoes other significant biblical ascensions, particularly that of Christ.
This verb means "to be a spectator of," implying a discerning, attentive, or even astonished observation. It's stronger than simply "seeing" (like horao). The enemies didn't just glance; they "beheld" the event, indicating a profound and undeniable witnessing of the miraculous ascension. This emphasizes the public and irrefutable nature of God's vindication, serving as a powerful, terrifying sign to those who had celebrated the witnesses' demise.
Verse Breakdown
"And they heard a great voice from heaven"
This opening clause immediately establishes the divine origin and authority of the subsequent command. The "great voice" (phōnē megalē) signifies a powerful, unmistakable, and authoritative communication, often associated with God's direct intervention or pronouncements in Revelation (e.g., Revelation 1:10). The source, "from heaven," unequivocally points to God as the initiator of this miraculous event, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over earthly affairs, even over death itself.
"saying unto them, Come up hither."
This is the direct, imperative command from God to the two witnesses. "Come up hither" (anabate hōde) is a clear invitation and directive for them to ascend. This command is not a suggestion but a divine summons, signifying their immediate and complete vindication. It marks the transition from their earthly suffering and death to their heavenly exaltation, a direct reversal of their previous humiliation.
"And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud;"
This clause describes the immediate and miraculous response to the divine command. The witnesses are not merely taken, but "they ascended up," implying an active participation or a divinely enabled movement. Their destination is "to heaven" (eis ouranon), signifying their ultimate spiritual and physical triumph. The phrase "in a cloud" (en nephélē) is highly significant, biblically associating their ascension with divine presence, glory, and often, a means of divine transport or manifestation, echoing the ascension of Christ and God's appearances in the Old Testament.
"and their enemies beheld them."
This final clause emphasizes the public and undeniable nature of the event. The word "beheld" (etheōrēsan) suggests a focused, astonished, and perhaps terrified observation by those who had previously rejoiced at the witnesses' death. This public witnessing serves a dual purpose: it confirms the reality of the miracle and acts as a powerful, visible sign of God's judgment and vindication, leaving the enemies without excuse and foreshadowing the broader judgment to come.
Literary Devices
Revelation 11:12 is rich in Symbolism, particularly with the "cloud" and "heaven." The cloud is a recurring biblical motif representing God's presence, glory, and often His means of transport or manifestation (e.g., the Shekinah glory). Its appearance here elevates the ascension beyond a mere physical act, imbuing it with divine authority and significance, linking the witnesses' experience to that of Christ's ascension and God's Old Testament appearances. Heaven symbolizes God's dwelling place, ultimate authority, and the realm of divine triumph, contrasting sharply with the earthly realm of persecution and death. The narrative also employs Dramatic Irony and Contrast. The enemies, who had celebrated the witnesses' death and left their bodies unburied, are now forced to witness their ultimate vindication and glorification. This creates a powerful Contrast between earthly humiliation and divine exaltation, between human malice and divine sovereignty. The entire scene is a profound act of Vindication, where God publicly reverses the injustice inflicted upon His servants, showcasing His power and righteousness to a watching world.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Revelation 11:12 is a profound theological statement on God's sovereignty, His faithfulness to His covenant, and the ultimate triumph of His purposes over all opposition. It assures believers that even in the face of death and apparent defeat, God has the final word. The resurrection and ascension of the witnesses serve as a powerful testament to God's ability to vindicate His own, transforming their public humiliation into a public display of divine glory. This event foreshadows the ultimate judgment of those who oppose God and His people, while offering immense hope and encouragement to those who suffer for righteousness' sake. It underscores the truth that suffering for Christ is never in vain, and that divine reward and exaltation await the faithful.
Reflection and Application
Revelation 11:12 offers profound encouragement and a powerful perspective for believers navigating a world that often opposes faith. It reminds us that our ultimate vindication does not come from human approval or earthly success, but from God alone. When we face persecution, ridicule, or apparent defeat for our faith, this passage assures us that God sees, God remembers, and God will ultimately act. Our suffering for Christ is not meaningless; it is part of a larger divine narrative where God's faithfulness always prevails. This passage calls us to cultivate a steadfast faith, trusting in God's sovereign plan even when circumstances seem dire. It invites us to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our true home and ultimate reward are in heaven, with God. The public nature of the witnesses' ascension also challenges us to live lives that, by God's grace, bear witness to His reality and power, even in the face of opposition, knowing that our ultimate triumph will be undeniable to a watching world.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the "great voice from heaven"?
The "great voice from heaven" (Greek: phōnē megalē ek tou ouranou) signifies a direct, authoritative, and unmistakable command from God Himself. In Revelation, a "great voice" often signals a significant divine pronouncement or action, emphasizing the majesty and power of the speaker. Here, it underscores that the summons for the witnesses to ascend is not a natural occurrence or a human intervention, but an act of divine will, demonstrating God's ultimate control and vindication of His servants. It is the voice of the sovereign Lord, reversing the earthly judgment and initiating their heavenly exaltation.
Why did the witnesses ascend "in a cloud"?
The ascension "in a cloud" is highly symbolic and carries deep biblical resonance. In the Old Testament, clouds frequently represented the Shekinah glory of God, His divine presence, and His means of appearing or moving (e.g., the cloud that filled the Tabernacle in Exodus 40:34 or led Israel in the wilderness in Exodus 13:21). In the New Testament, Jesus ascended into heaven in a cloud (Acts 1:9), and He is prophesied to return on clouds (Matthew 24:30). Therefore, the cloud signifies divine approval, glory, and a supernatural mode of transport, linking the witnesses' ascension to other significant divine events and reinforcing the miraculous nature of their exaltation.
What is the meaning of "their enemies beheld them"?
The phrase "their enemies beheld them" (Greek: kai etheōrēsan autous hoi echthroi autōn) is crucial for emphasizing the public and undeniable nature of the witnesses' vindication. The verb "beheld" (theōréō) implies a focused, astonished, and perhaps terrified observation, rather than a casual glance. Those who had celebrated the witnesses' death and left their bodies exposed were now forced to witness their miraculous resurrection and glorious ascension. This serves as a powerful, undeniable sign of God's power and judgment upon those who oppose Him, leaving them without excuse and foreshadowing the ultimate judgment that awaits the wicked. It highlights God's justice being played out before a hostile world.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Revelation 11:12 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The resurrection and ascension of the two witnesses powerfully mirror the historical reality of Jesus' own triumph over death and His glorious ascension to the Father's right hand. Just as the witnesses were publicly humiliated and then divinely vindicated, so too was Jesus crucified in public shame, only to be raised from the dead by the power of God (Romans 8:11) and then ascended into heaven in a cloud before His disciples (Acts 1:9-11). He is the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20), demonstrating the pattern for all who believe in Him. The witnesses' ascension foreshadows the future bodily resurrection and "catching up" of all believers to meet the Lord in the air, a hope directly tied to Christ's return (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Thus, Revelation 11:12 is not merely a historical event within the apocalyptic narrative, but a profound echo of Christ's victory and a promise of the ultimate, glorious destiny awaiting all who are united with Him in His death, resurrection, and ascension.