Revelation 11:1-14

Revelation 11:1-14

[1] And  there was given  a reed  like  unto a rod:  and  saying,  Rise,  and  measure  the temple  of God,  and  the altar,  and  them that worship  therein.  [2] But  the court  which  is without  the temple  leave  and  measure  it  not;  for  it is given  unto the Gentiles:  and  the holy  city  shall they tread under foot  forty  and two  months.  [3] And  I will give  two  witnesses,  and  they shall prophesy  a thousand  two hundred  and threescore  days,  clothed in  sackcloth.  [4] These  the two  olive  trees, and  the two  candlesticks  standing  before  of the earth.  [5] And  will  hurt  them,  fire  proceedeth  out of  their  mouth,  and  devoureth  their  enemies:  and  will  hurt  them,  he must  in this manner  be killed.  [6] These  have  power  to shut  heaven,  it rain  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.  [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.  [8] And  their  dead bodies  shall lie in  the street  of the great  city,  which  spiritually  is called  Sodom  and  Egypt,  where  also  Lord  was crucified.  [9] And  of  the people  and  kindreds  and  tongues  and  nations  shall see  their  dead bodies  three  days  and  an half,  and  not  suffer  their  dead bodies  to be put  in  graves.  [10] And  they that dwell  upon  the earth  shall rejoice  over  them,  and  make merry,  and  shall send  gifts  one to another;  because  these  two  prophets  tormented  them that dwelt  on  the earth.  [11] And  after  three  days  and  an half  the Spirit  of life  from  God  entered  into  them,  and  they stood  upon  their  feet;  and  great  fear  upon  them which saw  them.  [12] And  they heard  a great  voice  from  heaven  saying  unto them,  Come up  hither.  And  they ascended up  to  heaven  in  a cloud;  and  their  enemies  beheld  them.  [13] And  the same  hour  was there  a great  earthquake,  and  the tenth part  of the city  fell,  and  in  the earthquake  were slain  of men  seven  thousand:  and  the remnant  were  affrighted,  and  gave  glory  to the God  of heaven.  [14] The second  woe  is past;  behold,  the third  woe  cometh  quickly. 

What does Revelation 11:1-14 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

John recorded the revelation dealing with the two witnesses to inform his readers of the ministries of these important individuals during the Great Tribulation. This section continues the parenthetical revelation begun in Revelation 10:1. It is one of the more difficult chapters to interpret, and students of the book have proposed many different explanations.