Revelation 11:7

KJV

And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when {G3752} they shall have finished {G5055} their {G846} testimony {G3141}, the beast {G2342} that ascendeth {G305} out of {G1537} the bottomless pit {G12} shall make {G4160} war {G4171} against {G3326} them {G846}, and {G2532} shall overcome {G3528} them {G846}, and {G2532} kill {G615} them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When they finish their witnessing, the beast coming up out of the Abyss will fight against them, overcome them and kill them;

Berean Standard Bible

When the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will wage war with them, and will overpower and kill them.

American Standard Version

And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that cometh up out of the abyss shall make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 11:7 marks a pivotal moment in the apocalyptic narrative, depicting the conclusion of the Two Witnesses' divinely appointed prophetic ministry. Upon the completion of their testimony, a formidable, demonic entity, identified as "the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit," is empowered to wage war against them, ultimately overcoming and killing them, setting the stage for subsequent dramatic events in God's redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 11:7 concludes the powerful and protected ministry of the Two Witnesses, described in [Revelation 11:3-6](/revelation/11-3-6 "Revelation 11:3-6 - The Two Witnesses' Ministry"). For 1,260 days, these two figures, empowered by God, have prophesied in sackcloth, inflicting plagues and consuming their enemies with fire from their mouths. This divine protection ensures their mission is completed without interruption. Verse 7 signals a divinely ordained shift: once their testimony is "finished" (G5055, *teléō* – to complete, fulfill), their immunity is lifted, allowing the forces of evil to act against them. This transition is crucial, as it demonstrates God's sovereign control over the timing and extent of both prophetic ministry and the opposition it faces, leading directly into the global spectacle of their death and resurrection in [Revelation 11:8-12](/revelation/11-8-12 "Revelation 11:8-12 - The Death and Resurrection of the Witnesses").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of "the beast" and "the bottomless pit" would have resonated deeply with John's original audience, who were familiar with Old Testament prophetic literature (e.g., Daniel's beasts in [Daniel 7](/daniel/7 "Daniel 7 - Daniel's Vision of Four Beasts")) and contemporary Roman imperial power. The Roman Empire, with its emperor cult and persecution of Christians, often functioned as a "beast" in the eyes of early believers, embodying oppressive, anti-God authority. The "bottomless pit" (Greek: *abyssos*) draws on ancient Jewish cosmology, representing a primeval watery chaos, a prison for demonic forces, and the dwelling place of Satan and his agents (as seen in [Luke 8:31](/luke/8-31 "Luke 8:31 - Demons Begging Not to Be Sent to the Abyss")). This context underscores the supernatural, malevolent, and global nature of the opposition faced by God's witnesses, reflecting the real-world persecution experienced by early Christians.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Revelation. Firstly, it highlights the **Sovereignty of God** over all events, even the apparent defeat of His servants. Their death is not a failure but occurs precisely "when they shall have finished their testimony," indicating God's precise timing and purpose. Secondly, it introduces the theme of **Spiritual Warfare** and the **Nature of Evil**, personified by "the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit." This entity represents the ultimate human and demonic opposition to God's kingdom, a theme further developed in [Revelation 13](/revelation/13 "Revelation 13 - The Beast from the Sea and the Beast from the Earth"). Thirdly, the verse underscores the **Cost of Discipleship and Faithful Witness**, demonstrating that true testimony for Christ may lead to persecution and martyrdom, mirroring Christ's own path of suffering before exaltation. This theme resonates with Jesus' warnings to His disciples about persecution in [Matthew 10:22](/matthew/10-22 "Matthew 10:22 - Persecution for Christ's Name").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **testimony (Greek, _martyría'_):** From *martys* (witness), this term signifies evidence given, a record, or a report, often in a judicial or public sense. In the context of Revelation, it carries the profound meaning of bearing witness to Christ, even to the point of death (martyrdom). The Two Witnesses' "testimony" is not merely verbal proclamation but a powerful demonstration of God's truth and judgment through their miraculous acts and prophetic declarations. Their completion of this testimony implies a full and faithful declaration of God's message for their appointed time.
* **beast (Greek, _thēríon'_):** This diminutive noun refers to a dangerous or wild animal. In Revelation, it is consistently used to describe powerful, oppressive, and demonic entities that oppose God and persecute His people. The "beast" here is a highly symbolic figure, representing an anti-God political and spiritual power, often identified with the Antichrist or a satanically inspired world system, whose nature is further elaborated in [Revelation 13:1-18](/revelation/13-1-18 "Revelation 13 - The Two Beasts"). Its wild, untamed nature underscores its destructive and malevolent character.
* **bottomless pit (Greek, _ábyssos'_):** Literally meaning "depthless" or "abyss," this term denotes a deep, immeasurable chasm. In Revelation, it is consistently portrayed as a place of confinement for demonic forces and evil spirits, emphasizing the supernatural and malevolent origin of the beast's power. The beast's ascent "out of the bottomless pit" signifies its demonic origin and its connection to the forces of chaos and evil that are unleashed upon the earth, as also seen in [Revelation 9:1-11](/revelation/9-1-11 "Revelation 9:1-11 - The Fifth Trumpet and the Locusts from the Abyss").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they shall have finished their testimony":** This clause emphasizes the divinely ordained timing of events. The Two Witnesses' ministry, marked by supernatural power and protection, is not cut short by external forces but reaches its completion according to God's sovereign plan. Their death is not a sign of failure but the final act in their prophetic assignment, indicating that God's purposes for their witness have been fully accomplished.
* **"the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit":** This introduces the primary antagonist. The description highlights the beast's origin from the "bottomless pit," signifying its demonic, hellish nature and its connection to the forces of evil. Its "ascending" indicates its emergence onto the world stage, empowered by Satan, to execute its destructive agenda against God's people.
* **"shall make war against them":** This signifies a direct, aggressive confrontation. The beast's nature is inherently hostile to God and His servants. This "war" is not merely a political or physical conflict but a spiritual battle, demonstrating the intense opposition faced by those who faithfully bear witness to Christ in the end times.
* **"and shall overcome them":** This phrase indicates a temporary victory for the beast. Despite the witnesses' previous invincibility, the beast gains the upper hand. This "overcoming" is a shocking reversal, designed to demonstrate the beast's power and to seemingly validate its anti-God agenda in the eyes of the world.
* **"and kill them":** The ultimate act of the beast's triumph. The death of the Two Witnesses is a public spectacle, intended to silence their testimony and celebrate the beast's power. This act of martyrdom, however, serves a higher divine purpose, setting the stage for their resurrection and God's subsequent judgments.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 11:7 is rich in literary devices that amplify its dramatic and theological impact. **Symbolism** is paramount, with "the beast" representing the ultimate human and demonic opposition to God, and "the bottomless pit" symbolizing the source of hellish evil and chaos. The "Two Witnesses" themselves are symbolic figures, embodying faithful prophetic testimony. The phrase "when they shall have finished their testimony" employs **Foreshadowing**, hinting at a predetermined divine timetable for all events, including the suffering and apparent defeat of God's servants, which ultimately leads to a greater triumph. There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony** in the beast's "victory"; while it appears to conquer the witnesses, their death is, in fact, part of God's sovereign plan, leading directly to their resurrection and the subsequent outpouring of God's wrath, thus turning the beast's apparent triumph into a catalyst for its own ultimate downfall.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 11:7 profoundly underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the cost of faithful witness in a fallen world. It reveals that God's servants, though divinely protected for a season, are not immune to suffering and even martyrdom. Yet, their death is never outside of God's sovereign control; it occurs only when their "testimony" is "finished," highlighting that God's purposes are always accomplished, even through apparent defeat. This passage reminds believers that opposition from the forces of evil is an expected part of the Christian journey, and that true victory is not always defined by earthly success or survival, but by faithful endurance and the completion of one's divine assignment. The beast's temporary triumph serves to magnify God's ultimate power when He raises the witnesses to life, demonstrating His absolute dominion over death and evil.

* [Revelation 13:7](/revelation/13-7 "Revelation 13:7 - The Beast Makes War on the Saints")
* [Matthew 10:28](/matthew/10-28 "Matthew 10:28 - Fear God, Not Man")
* [John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Overcoming the World")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 11:7, while describing future prophetic events, offers timeless principles for contemporary believers. It calls us to consider the nature of our own "testimony" for Christ. Are we faithfully proclaiming His truth, even when it is unpopular or challenging? The passage reminds us that opposition is not a sign of God's absence or disapproval, but often an indicator that we are truly engaging in spiritual warfare. Just as the Two Witnesses were protected until their work was done, we can trust in God's sovereign timing and protection over our lives and ministries. Even in moments of apparent defeat or suffering, our ultimate hope rests in God's power to raise the dead and bring about His final victory. This verse encourages resilience, steadfastness, and a deep trust in God's overarching plan, knowing that our faithfulness, even unto death, is never in vain but contributes to the unfolding of His eternal purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean for my "testimony" to be "finished" in God's eyes, and how does that understanding impact my daily faithfulness?**
* **How does the reality of spiritual opposition, as depicted in this verse, shape my prayer life and my reliance on God's power?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to define "victory" differently than God does, especially when facing adversity or apparent defeat?**
* **How does the sovereignty of God over the timing of life and death, even for His faithful witnesses, bring comfort or challenge to my faith?**

### FAQ
**Who are the Two Witnesses mentioned in Revelation 11?**

Answer: The identity of the Two Witnesses is a subject of much debate among biblical scholars. Some interpret them literally as two specific individuals, often identified as Moses and Elijah due to their miraculous powers (Moses' ability to turn water to blood, Elijah's power to call down fire and withhold rain) and their unique departures from earth. Others view them symbolically, representing the faithful witness of the Church (or Israel) throughout history, or a specific group of believers empowered by God during the tribulation period. Regardless of their precise identity, their function is clear: to powerfully proclaim God's truth and judgment to a rebellious world for a divinely appointed period of 1,260 days, demonstrating God's enduring presence and power even amidst intense spiritual darkness, as described in [Revelation 11:3-6](/revelation/11-3-6 "Revelation 11:3-6 - The Ministry of the Two Witnesses").

**What is the significance of the "bottomless pit" in Revelation?**

Answer: The "bottomless pit" (Greek: *ábyssos*) in Revelation consistently refers to a deep, immeasurable chasm, serving as a prison or dwelling place for demonic forces and evil spirits. It is where Satan is bound for a thousand years in [Revelation 20:1-3](/revelation/20-1-3 "Revelation 20:1-3 - Satan Bound for 1000 Years"), and from which demonic locusts emerge in [Revelation 9:1-11](/revelation/9-1-11 "Revelation 9:1-11 - The Fifth Trumpet and the Abyss"). The beast's ascent "out of the bottomless pit" in [Revelation 11:7](/revelation/11-7 "Revelation 11:7 - The Beast from the Bottomless Pit") and [Revelation 17:8](/revelation/17-8 "Revelation 17:8 - The Beast that Was, and Is Not, and Is To Come") signifies its demonic origin and empowerment. It emphasizes that the beast is not merely a human political power, but a supernaturally evil entity, drawing its authority and malevolence directly from the deepest realms of hell, embodying the ultimate opposition to God's kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 11:7, while detailing the tragic death of the Two Witnesses, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the pattern of suffering, death, and triumphant resurrection established by Jesus Christ Himself. The witnesses' faithful testimony, culminating in their martyrdom, mirrors the perfect witness of Christ, who "made himself nothing, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" ([Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7-8 "Philippians 2:7-8 - Christ's Humiliation")). Just as the world celebrated the apparent defeat of the witnesses, so too did the powers of darkness and humanity rejoice at Christ's crucifixion, believing they had silenced God's ultimate testimony. However, Christ's death was not a defeat but the very means by which He "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). The beast's temporary "victory" over the witnesses foreshadows the ultimate, decisive victory of the Lamb of God, who, through His own death, "delivered all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery" ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). Thus, the witnesses' death, like Christ's, is a seed planted, destined to yield abundant fruit through resurrection and the ultimate establishment of God's kingdom, reminding us that true life comes through dying to self and that apparent defeat is often the prelude to divine triumph ([John 12:24](/john/12-24 "John 12:24 - A Grain of Wheat")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 13:7

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Daniel 8:23

And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

Daniel 8:24

And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

Daniel 7:25

And he shall speak [great] words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Luke 13:32

And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third [day] I shall be perfected.

Daniel 7:21

I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

Daniel 7:22

Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.