Revelation 11 - Heaven Finally Comes to Earth!

Click Here to Read or Listen to Revelation 11

The Two Witnesses

11 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.”[a] 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

Today in Revelation 11 we meet the two witnesses, who will play a major role in the chapters ahead. John is told to go and measure the temple courts and to exclude the courts where Gentiles were allowed according to the Law of Moses. For three and a half years the Gentiles will trample on the holy city of Jerusalem. 

The first role of the two witnesses is that they will prophesy for three and a half years. They are accompanied by two olive trees and the two lampstands. (see below for explanation) They are an impressive force and fire will come out of their mouth as they prophesy. If anyone were to try and deter them they would die by fire. These witnesses have the authority keep the rain from dropping when they are speaking God's Word. They also have the right to turn the water into blood and strike the earth with plagues. 

What does the temple represent? 

Some people have thought the temple represented the church. But it seems as though because of all the details it is a reference to the Old Testament temple. (Guzik)

It is more likely that this is the temple that must be on the earth for the fulfillment of what Daniel, Jesus, and Paul said regarding the abomination of desolation. (Guzik)

Jesus said to look for an abomination standing in the holy place, which would be the pivotal sign that the season of God’s wrath was upon the earth (Matthew 24:15-16 and 24:21). (Guzik)

The simplest explanation of all these passages is to see a real Jewish temple on the temple mount in Jerusalem, yet to be built – but coming soon. (Guzik)

Some people relate this temple to a future temple that the nation of Israel would build. There are some orthodox Jews, who still believe that the Messiah will build this temple. But the New Testament idea of temple is that it is already complete in Jesus. Paul tells the Corinthians that the church is a temple of God filled by the presence of the Holy Spirit. In a sense each person's body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. 

Besides the sacrificial system was completely fulfilled by Jesus' death on the cross, so there is no longer any need for sacrifices to be offered in the temple, and in this sense it is obsolete. Yet, still the temple John is describing will be a place that the abomination that causes desolation will take place so it is worthy of our study. 

What does outer court where the Gentiles are represent? 

When the Romans conquered Jerusalem in A.D. 70 they destroyed the city so completely that the foundations of the old temple are not easily found. Most have long assumed that the Dome of the Rock shrine stands on the place of the old temple. But new research gives some evidence that the temple may have stood to the north where the Dome of the Rock shrine is today, and that if the temple were to be rebuilt at its old place, the Dome of the Rock shrine would be in its outer courts. If this is the case (and the research is by no means settled), then it would explain why the angel told John leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. (Guzik)

Who are the two witnesses? 

This introduces two of the more interesting characters of Revelation, the two witnesses. The character of their ministry is prophetic (they will prophesy); they preach and demonstrate repentance (clothed in sackcloth), and they have an effective ministry (I will give power). (Guzik)

Many interpreters see the two witnesses as symbolic of the entire church in the tribulation period or as symbols of the law and the prophets. But how can so many specific details in their ministry be reconciled with such a symbolic interpretation? The most plain and straightforward interpretation sees them as two real individuals, not symbolic representations.

Other commentators think they might have been two people from the Old Testament like Enoch, Elijah, Moses etc... But I don't see any reason to make this assumption if we are not told specifically. Whoever these two individuals are, they were faithful to preach the gospel in the midst of severe persecution and eventually death, Yet, God raised them from the dead. 

May we be faithful witnesses in our generation!

What do the 2 olive trees and 2 lampstands represent?

 In the picture from Zechariah, oil lamps were filled directly from olive trees which piped oil right to the lamps. This is a picture of continual, abundant supply. If we will be witnesses, we must first have something to witness – our own personal encounter with Jesus Christ. Then, we must have the power of the Holy Spirit to bring forth the story of what we have witnessed effectively.

7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

After three and a half years of faithful testimony, the beast (Anti-Christ), will come up from the Abyss, overpower, and kill them. Since we know the two witnesses were filled with power it shows us that the beast was given much power as well. Not only were the witnesses killed, but they were denied a proper burial. Part of the humiliation would be that people from all parts of the world would stare at them and refuse them a proper burial. 

The fact that the inhabitants of the earth also gloat over the witnesses, show that they are not Christians and oppose God. These people hate the prophets because the prophets tormented them on earth. Most likely this was because preaching convicted them of their evil lifestyle, as they refused to repent. But fortunately this was not the end of the story. 

"The preaching of these two witnesses and their call to repentance was a torment for many, because they could not stand to hear the truth while they loved their lie." (Guzik)

How might we translate this scene today? 

The earth saw and rejoiced over the deaths of the two witnesses. The fact that this is seen by all people, tribes, tongues, and nations is perhaps an oblique prophecy of modern mass media. It is amazing – and not far-fetched at all – to think of a live, worldwide broadcast on new channels and over the internet, “Live from Jerusalem,” and seeing the amazing scene described here taking place. (Guzik)

11 But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on. 

But death did not keep the witnesses down. God's Spirit revived them and as they stood and all those who saw them were struck down in terror. Then they were raptured back up into heaven. They had been faithful even unto death! 

13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon. 

The first woe was the locusts who stung like scorpions. They were permitted to torment those who did not have the mark on their foreheads endlessly. The second woe was executed by 200 million dark angels who killed a third of people on the earth. The second woe, which was announced through the sixth trumpet was not complete. 

The Seventh Trumpet

15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” 16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. 18 The nations were angry, and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophet and your people who revere your name, both great and small— and for destroying those who destroy the earth.” 19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.

The Seventh trumpet's announcement marked a great turn of events. With the judgment of the first two woes, heaven was now coming to earth. We live in the time when God's kingdom came to earth through His Son, and the time when God's kingdom would be consummated. The consummation of God's kingdom coming to earth as it is in heaven is described here. 

The seventh seal brought forth a profound silence (Revelation 8:1); the seventh trumpet initiates joy at the inevitable resolution. There can’t be a more glorious proclamation than this: The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever! (Guzik)

How can there be such joy, when the King is not reigning completely yet? At the headquarters of a successful political campaign on election night, there is joy, even though it will be a while until their candidate is actually installed into office. The joy anticipates a certain result. (Guzik)

We see again the theme of "worship" when the twenty four elders bow down and continue to worship the God who was, who is, and who is to come. They are seeing the fulfillment of what all worshippers look for, God's kingdom, His reign being established forever. 

This thanksgiving isn’t to thank God that He has already done this; but that the hour has come for it to take place, and that these things are permanently set in motion. (Guzik)

The time of final judgment is at hand. We say in the Apostle's Creed, "You will return to judge the living and the dead". This is that time of judgment. God's servants both great and small will be rewarded, whereas those who did evil will be judged once and for all. 

Is it fair for God to be wrathful against those who rejected him? 

God’s punishment matches the crime; there is nothing arbitrary about it. The nations are angry with God and He responds with wrath; those that destroy the earth are themselves destroyed. The nations were angry: They are angry because God comes to rule. The world wants anything but the reign of God. As it says in a parable of Jesus, We will not have this man to reign over us (Luke 19:14). (Guzik)

19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.

It is called the ark of His covenant – in the Old Testament, this was the earthly representation of God’s throne – to emphasize God’s faithfulness. (Guzik)

The ark of the covenant is “The symbol of God’s faithfulness in bestowing grace on His people, and inflicting vengeance on His people’s enemies.” (Alford)

And there were lightnings, noises,thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail: The great and awesome phenomenon at the opening of the temple and the revelation of the ark show that the presence of the Lord is there; it is reminiscent of God’s manifested presence at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:16-19).(Guzik)