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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
Eight Centuries of Reception
9 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 the half of the week the two prophets, along with John, will take for the purpose of proclaiming to all the world the advent of Antichrist, that is to say, for a "thousand two hundred and sixty days clothed in sackcloth; " and they will work signs and wonders with the object of making men ashamed and repentant, even by these means, on account of their surpassing lawlessness and impiety. "And if any man will hurt them, fire will proceed out of their mouth, and devour their enemies. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of the advent of Antichrist, and to turn waters into blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues as often as they will." And when they have proclaimed all these things they will fall on the sword, cut off by the accuser . And they will fulfil their testimony, as Daniel also says; for he foresaw that the beast that came up out of the abyss would make war with them, namely with Enoch, Elias, and John, and would overcome them, and kill them, because of their refusal to give glory to the accuser. that is the little horn that sprang up. And he, being lifted up in heart, begins in the end to, exalt himself and glorify himself as God, persecuting the saints and blaspheming Christ.
These two candlesticks and two olive trees He has to this end spoken of, and admonished you that if, when you have read of them elsewhere, you have not understood, you may understand here. For in Zechariah, one of the twelve prophets, it is thus written: These are the two olive trees and two candlesticks which stand in the presence of the Lord of the earth; Zechariah 4:14 that is, they are in paradise. Also, in another sense, standing in the presence of the lord of the earth, that is, in the presence of Antichrist. Therefore they must be slain by Antichrist.
It says, “they have,” not “they will have.” For whoever remains in the faith of the one church of God will in no way be wanting in that power conferred upon him by God. “They have power to turn the waters into blood and to smite the earth with every plague as often as they desire.” We have often said that everything that God is said to have done for the sake of his church is attached to the powers of the church. The Lord gives power to the church so that what is bound on earth is also bound in heaven. Heaven is spiritually closed “that no rain fall,” that is, that no rain of blessing fall upon the dry land. The Lord spoke of this concerning the vineyard of the Jews: “I shall also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.” And not only did they suspend the rain but even made useless that rain which had fallen. For the water was changed into blood, even as the very earth was struck with every plague. Nor did these things occur by way of accident or fortuitously. Rather, “as often as they desired,” that is, as often as he desired who conceded to them such power. As the apostle says of the Holy Spirit, “apportioning to each one individually as he wills.” And again, “As God assigns to each one a measure of faith.”
Not only do they suspend the rain, but also they make useless that rain that falls. That is, they turn the waters into blood on account of those who judge in a carnal way those things which the church gives to be discerned in a spiritual manner. Therefore, they deservedly die, being struck by the church with a just condemnation. And so they incur the defect of death from that source which for others brings forth spiritual life. For the apostle says that to think according to the flesh is death. “The good aroma of Christ,” which rises up from the church, is “to some a fragrance of death to death, to others a fragrance of life to life.” And so [the church] is said to strike the earthly with plagues when by the power of binding and loosing that she has she assigns to each a proper penalty for the variety of their merits and sins.
How deep is the divine goodness! For he brings a healing that is commensurate with the wound. For since he has received the full operation of the devil, the antichrist will come with every false sign and wonder and will be more wondrous than every sorcery and enchantment. And so in the power of true signs and wonders, God will equip these saints for the promotion of truth and light, and they will expose the lies and darkness [of the antichrist], and to those who have been deceived they will give correction through the word of their teaching and through chastising scourges (drought, fire, changes in the elements and the like), and they will make an example of the deceiver, while until the completion of their prophesying they will remain uninfluenced either by him or by someone other.
These have the power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls, etc. All power in heaven and on earth is given to the Church in Christ, with the keys to bind and loose entrusted to it (Matthew XXVIII). But spiritually, the heaven is shut so that it does not rain, so that the blessing does not descend on the barren earth from the Church. As the Lord said about the vineyard of His Father: I will command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it (Isaiah V).
And they have the power over waters, etc. They not only withhold waters but also make those that descended useless, which is to turn waters into blood. The good fragrance of Christ emanating from the Church, to some is the smell of death unto death, to others the smell of life unto life (2 Corinthians XVI).
These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy. What do we understand by heaven but the same thing as by the two witnesses, namely the holy preachers of the Church? When they shut heaven that it rain not, it is indubitably themselves that they shut. They shut themselves not so that they do not rain at all, but that they do not rain upon an earth that is thorny and very close to malediction. The limbs possess this power in the Head. And they have power over waters to turn them into blood. It is the sword of the letter, which the Church uses spiritually to pierce through the hearts of the elect to give their hearts life in the spirit, that makes this blood flow in the hearts of people who understand things wrongly. And to strike the earth with all plagues as often as they will. Every time they shut the divine mysteries to the faithful, they strike them with an incurable plague. On the other hand, every time they disclose God's mysteries to the faithful, they bring some to life, others to death. Note also that it is not said that they will have this power, but that they already have it, in order that we may understand that this is not said only about those two men but also about the present preachers.
And he says they have authority over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they desire. For "the presence" of the Antichrist will be revealed "in the power of Satan through all kinds of signs and false wonders," as Paul writes in his second letter to the Thessalonians (2 Thess. 2:9), and these signs were intended to lead to assent and belief. Therefore, the two prophets who speak about him say that he is a deceiver and a fraud, and that he will use various signs to draw those who hear him into belief.
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Summary
Revelation 11:6 describes the extraordinary, divinely delegated authority of the two witnesses, enabling them to execute powerful judgments reminiscent of Old Testament prophets. These include the ability to withhold rain from the heavens, transform water into blood, and inflict various plagues upon the earth with unwavering frequency. This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His determined purpose to bring judgment upon a rebellious world during a critical period of prophetic fulfillment, validating the witnesses' message and calling humanity to repentance.
Context
Literary Context
Revelation 11:6 is situated within the broader narrative of the two witnesses, introduced in Revelation 11:3. Immediately preceding this verse, the witnesses are described as God's "two olive trees" and "two candlesticks," standing before the God of the earth, empowered to prophesy for 1,260 days (or 42 months) while clothed in sackcloth. This period of their ministry coincides with the trampling of the holy city by the Gentiles (Revelation 11:2), setting the stage for a time of intense tribulation and divine confrontation. Verse 6 then elaborates on the specific, awe-inspiring powers granted to these witnesses, demonstrating the divine backing for their prophetic pronouncements and their role in God's end-time judgments. These powers are not merely for show but serve as a stark warning and a call to repentance for those who reject God's message.
Historical & Cultural Context
The imagery and powers described in Revelation 11:6 draw heavily from Old Testament prophetic traditions, which would have been immediately recognizable to its original Jewish and early Christian audiences. The withholding of rain directly recalls the actions of Elijah, who famously prayed for a three-and-a-half-year drought during the reign of Ahab (1 Kings 17:1). The turning of water to blood and the smiting of the earth with plagues are clear allusions to the plagues inflicted by Moses upon Egypt (Exodus 7:19). In the Greco-Roman world, various deities were associated with control over natural elements and disease, but the biblical account consistently attributes such power to the one true God, Yahweh. The cultural context of divine judgment through natural phenomena and disease was well-established, making these signs potent demonstrations of God's authority and His active involvement in human history, particularly in times of widespread ungodliness.
Key Themes
This verse significantly contributes to several major themes present in the book of Revelation and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of Divine Authority and Sovereignty, emphasizing that the powers exercised by the witnesses are not their own but are divinely bestowed, demonstrating God's ultimate control over creation, judgment, and the course of human events. Secondly, the verse highlights the Continuity of God's Judgment and Warning, echoing the methods and signs employed by God through His prophets in the Old Testament to confront sin and call for repentance. This connection underscores that God's character and methods remain consistent throughout history. Finally, the specific nature of the judgments points to the Imminence and Severity of End-Time Judgment, indicating that humanity is facing a period of intense divine wrath. These acts serve as a final, dramatic warning before the ultimate consummation of God's redemptive and judicial plans, urging a response of faith and obedience.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term signifies privilege, ability, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, often implying delegated influence or authority. Here, it underscores that the witnesses' formidable abilities are not inherent but are granted by God, emphasizing divine authorization rather than intrinsic might.
A primary verb meaning to moisten, especially by a shower. In this context, the power "to shut heaven, that it rain not" directly relates to the cessation of natural precipitation, a devastating judgment in an agrarian society, signifying divine control over life-sustaining elements.
Meaning a stroke, wound, or figuratively, a calamity. This word encompasses a wide range of afflictions and disasters, indicating that the witnesses have the authority to inflict comprehensive and varied forms of divine judgment upon the earth, mirroring the diverse plagues of Egypt.
Verse Breakdown
"These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy"
This clause establishes the first major power of the witnesses: the ability to control the weather, specifically to cause a drought. The phrase "in the days of their prophecy" explicitly links this judgment to the duration of their ministry, implying that the drought will persist for the entire 1,260 days (or 3.5 years) mentioned in Revelation 11:3. This directly alludes to Elijah's power to stop rain, demonstrating God's sovereign control over the natural order and His use of His servants to execute judgment.
"and have power over waters to turn them to blood"
This second power directly parallels the first plague inflicted upon Egypt by Moses (Exodus 7:19-21). It signifies the ability to corrupt and render unusable a fundamental source of life, turning it into a symbol of death and judgment. This act would cause immense suffering and demonstrate the witnesses' divine authority over the very elements essential for human survival.
"and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will"
This final clause grants the witnesses comprehensive authority to inflict a wide array of judgments. "All plagues" suggests a full spectrum of divine chastisements, not limited to drought or bloodied water, but encompassing any form of calamity God deems fit. The phrase "as often as they will" emphasizes the discretionary and repeated nature of these judgments, highlighting the witnesses' active role in executing God's wrath and the relentless nature of the tribulation period for the unrepentant.
Literary Devices
Revelation 11:6 is rich in Allusion, drawing direct parallels to the miraculous acts of Old Testament prophets. The power to "shut heaven, that it rain not" is a clear allusion to Elijah's drought (1 Kings 17:1), while the ability to "turn waters to blood" and "smite the earth with all plagues" alludes to Moses and the plagues upon Egypt (Exodus 7:19). This Typology suggests that the two witnesses embody the spirit and power of these great prophets, signaling a climactic period of judgment akin to those in Israel's past. The verse also employs Hyperbole in the phrase "all plagues, as often as they will," emphasizing the comprehensive and unrestrained nature of their divinely granted power, conveying the absolute authority given to them. Furthermore, the description of these powers serves as Symbolism for God's ultimate sovereignty over creation and His unwavering commitment to execute justice against rebellion, using His chosen instruments as visible manifestations of His wrath and a final call to repentance.
Theological and Thematic Connections
The powers of the two witnesses in Revelation 11:6 serve as a stark reminder of God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His unwavering commitment to justice. These judgments are not arbitrary acts of vengeance but serve as divine warnings, designed to call a rebellious world to repentance before the final consummation of God's wrath. The echoes of Moses and Elijah underscore the continuity of God's methods of confronting sin and validating His prophetic word through powerful signs. The severity and comprehensive nature of the plagues highlight the gravity of humanity's rebellion and the terrifying consequences of rejecting divine authority, demonstrating that God will not be mocked and His purposes will ultimately prevail.
Reflection and Application
Revelation 11:6, while describing a future period of intense judgment, offers profound insights for believers today. It powerfully illustrates God's unyielding commitment to His prophetic word and His ultimate control over all creation. For those living in an age that often dismisses divine authority, this verse serves as a sober reminder that God is not passive; He actively intervenes in human history, and His warnings are to be taken with utmost seriousness. The delegated power of the witnesses also reminds us that God often works through His chosen servants, empowering them to deliver His message, even when it is unpopular or confronts prevailing societal norms. This should inspire us to live with a heightened sense of urgency, recognizing the gravity of sin and the necessity of repentance. It calls us to examine our own lives: are we heeding God's warnings? Are we living in a way that reflects His sovereignty and justice? Ultimately, this verse encourages a deeper trust in God's perfect plan, even amidst tribulation, knowing that His purposes will be fulfilled and His justice will prevail.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who are the two witnesses mentioned in Revelation 11, and why are they given such extraordinary powers?
The identity of the two witnesses is a subject of ongoing debate among scholars, with common interpretations suggesting they are literal individuals (perhaps Moses and Elijah, given their specific powers), symbolic representations of the Church's prophetic ministry, or two specific individuals raised up by God in the end times. Regardless of their exact identity, their extraordinary powers are explicitly stated as being "given" to them by God (Revelation 11:3). These powers serve multiple critical purposes: to validate their prophetic message as divinely authorized, to confront the wickedness of the unrepentant world with undeniable signs, to call humanity to repentance, and to execute God's righteous judgments during the tribulation period. Their abilities are a visible demonstration of God's ultimate authority over creation and His determination to fulfill His prophetic word.
What is the significance of the phrase "as often as they will" regarding the plagues?
The phrase "as often as they will" (KJV) or "whenever they desire" (ESV) highlights the discretionary and repeated nature of the plagues the two witnesses can inflict. It signifies that their power is not a one-time event or limited to a fixed number of judgments, but rather a continuous and responsive authority. This emphasizes God's comprehensive control over the judgments and His willingness to use His witnesses to apply them with flexibility and persistence throughout their 1,260-day ministry. It underscores the relentless pressure of divine judgment upon an unrepentant world, indicating that the plagues will be a recurring and inescapable reality for those who reject God's call. This also implies a direct link between the witnesses' will (guided by God's will) and the execution of judgment, making them active agents in God's end-time plan.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
While Revelation 11:6 describes the delegated power of the two witnesses, it ultimately points to the supreme and inherent authority of Jesus Christ. The witnesses' ability to control rain, turn water to blood, and unleash plagues echoes the divine judgments of the Old Testament, but these are but a faint reflection of Christ's ultimate dominion. Jesus, as the incarnate God, demonstrated absolute authority over creation during His earthly ministry, calming storms (Mark 4:39), turning water into wine (John 2:7-9), and healing all manner of diseases (Matthew 4:23). More profoundly, the judgments executed by the witnesses foreshadow the ultimate judgment that will be carried out by Christ Himself upon His return. He is the one who holds "all authority in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18), and He is the Lamb who opens the seals and bowls of wrath (Revelation 5:5, Revelation 16:1). The temporary, divinely granted powers of the witnesses serve to prepare the world for the final, decisive reign of Christ, who will ultimately bring an end to all rebellion and establish His righteous kingdom, fulfilling all prophecy in His person and work (Revelation 11:15).