Revelation 11:7

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.

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}.

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

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.

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

Revelation 11:7 marks a dramatic turning point in the ministry of the Two Witnesses, detailing the conclusion of their powerful testimony and their subsequent confrontation with a formidable satanic entity, leading to their death.

Context

This verse follows the account of the Two Witnesses, who are given supernatural power to prophesy for 1,260 days (three and a half years), performing miraculous signs and plagues that halt the world. During this period, they are divinely protected from all harm. Verse 7 signifies the end of their prophesying ministry, which then allows the beast to act against them.

Key Themes

  • Completion of God's Appointed Time: The phrase "when they shall have finished their testimony" is crucial, emphasizing that the witnesses' mission is completed precisely according to God's sovereign timetable. Their death is not a failure but the divinely ordained conclusion of their prophetic assignment.
  • The Emergence of the Beast: The "beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit" is a significant figure in end-times prophecy, often identified with the Antichrist or a powerful, demonic world system. This entity is characterized by its opposition to God and His servants, and its full nature is further described in Revelation 13.
  • Spiritual Conflict and Martyrdom: The beast's actions—making war, overcoming, and killing the witnesses—highlight the intense spiritual warfare characteristic of the end times. This event foreshadows the persecution and martyrdom faced by those who faithfully bear witness to Christ, even as it serves a higher divine purpose in God's ultimate plan.

Linguistic Insights

The term "bottomless pit" is derived from the Greek word abyssos (ἄβυσσος), meaning "abyss" or "very deep." In the Book of Revelation, it consistently refers to a place of confinement for demonic forces and evil spirits, emphasizing the supernatural and malevolent origin of the beast's power. This connection is also seen in Revelation 9:11, where an angel of the abyss is mentioned.

Practical Application

While Revelation 11:7 speaks to specific prophetic events, it offers enduring lessons for believers:

  • Faithfulness in Witness: Like the Two Witnesses, believers are called to bear witness to God's truth, regardless of the opposition. Our testimony is part of God's unfolding plan.
  • Understanding Adversity: The passage reminds us that spiritual opposition and persecution are real. It encourages resilience and faith, knowing that even in apparent defeat, God's purposes are being fulfilled.
  • God's Sovereignty in All Things: The fact that the witnesses' death occurs only after they "finished their testimony" underscores God's ultimate control. He orchestrates all events, including the timing of life, death, and the rise and fall of earthly powers, ultimately leading to the triumph of Christ and His kingdom, as described in Revelation 19:11.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, 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.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
The 7 "Woes" of Revelation The Great Tribulation The Second Coming of Christ The Rapture: Views and Interpretations The Prophecy of Elijah's Return Before the Day of the Lord

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.
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