Revelation 11:6

These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

These {G3778} have {G2192} power {G1849} to shut {G2808} heaven {G3772}, that {G3363} it rain {G1026}{G5205} not {G3363} in {G1722} the days {G2250} of their {G846} prophecy {G4394}: and {G2532} have {G2192} power {G1849} over {G1909} waters {G5204} to turn {G4762} them {G846} to {G1519} blood {G129}, and {G2532} to smite {G3960} the earth {G1093} with all {G3956} plagues {G4127}, as often {G3740} as {G1437} they will {G2309}.

They have the authority to shut up the sky, so that no rain falls during the period of their prophesying; also they have the authority to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

These witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy, and power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.

These have the power to shut the heaven, that it rain not during the days of their prophecy: and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they shall desire.

Revelation 11:6 describes the extraordinary, divinely granted powers of the two witnesses, central figures in the book of Revelation's end-time prophecies. These powers are reminiscent of Old Testament prophets, demonstrating God's ultimate authority over creation and His intention to bring judgment upon a rebellious world during a crucial period of history.

Context of Revelation 11:6

This verse immediately follows the introduction of the two witnesses in Revelation 11:3, who are empowered to prophesy for 1,260 days (or 42 months), clothed in sackcloth. Their ministry occurs during a time of intense tribulation, where the holy city is trampled by Gentiles. Verse 6 details the specific, awe-inspiring abilities they possess to confront the world and validate their prophetic message, serving as a stark warning to those who reject God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Authority and Power: The powers described are not inherent to the witnesses but are granted by God. They serve as a testament to God's sovereign control over nature and His ability to execute judgment through His chosen instruments. This highlights the terrifying seriousness of defying the divine will.
  • Echoes of Old Testament Prophets: The specific judgments unleashed by the witnesses directly parallel the miraculous actions of powerful figures in Israel's history. This connection underscores the continuity of God's methods of warning and judgment, urging repentance.
  • Imminent Judgment: The ability to bring drought, turn water to blood, and unleash various plagues signifies the severity of the coming divine wrath during the tribulation period. These acts are not random but deliberate expressions of God's justice against unrepentant humanity.

Linguistic Insights and Biblical Parallels

The powers attributed to the two witnesses have clear allusions to two of the most prominent prophets in Israelite history:

  • "Power to shut heaven, that it rain not": This directly recalls the prophet Elijah, who famously prayed for no rain, resulting in a three-and-a-half-year drought during the reign of Ahab (1 Kings 17:1). The New Testament also confirms this in James 5:17.
  • "Power over waters to turn them to blood": This is a clear parallel to Moses, who, by God's command, turned the waters of the Nile into blood as the first of the ten plagues against Egypt (Exodus 7:19-21).
  • "And to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will": This broad statement encompasses the full range of the Egyptian plagues and suggests the witnesses can inflict any type of plague, demonstrating comprehensive divine authority over the natural world and human suffering.

Practical Application

Revelation 11:6 serves as a powerful reminder of God's justice and His unwavering commitment to His prophetic word. For believers, it highlights:

  • The Seriousness of Sin: The severity of the plagues underscores the gravity of humanity's rebellion against God.
  • God's Patience and Warning: Even amidst judgment, God sends witnesses and signs, offering opportunities for repentance before final judgment.
  • The Certainty of Prophecy: The detailed description of these powers reinforces the idea that God's plans, however extraordinary, will be fulfilled precisely as prophesied.

This verse encourages a deeper reflection on God's power, the necessity of heeding His warnings, and the ultimate triumph of His divine purpose in the end times.

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.

  • Luke 4:25

    But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;

  • 1 Kings 17:1

    ¶ And Elijah the Tishbite, [who was] of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, [As] the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

  • Exodus 7:17

    Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that [is] in mine hand upon the waters which [are] in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.

  • Exodus 7:25

    And seven days were fulfilled, after that the LORD had smitten the river.

  • Psalms 105:26

    He sent Moses his servant; [and] Aaron whom he had chosen.

  • Psalms 105:36

    He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.

  • James 5:16

    Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

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