Tyndale Open Study Notes

Verse 1

11:1-13 This section pictures the willful rejection of God’s continuing call for repentance. The many attempts to silence his witnesses ultimately fail, and God triumphs. • Many attempts have been made to identify the two witnesses of this chapter. Moses and Elijah, who appeared with Jesus at the transfiguration (Matt 17:3; Mark 9:4; Luke 9:30), are likely candidates (see Rev 11:6); they represent the law and the prophets. Others have suggested Enoch and Elijah because they did not die (see Gen 5:21-24; 2 Kgs 2:11-12). Other possibilities include Peter and Paul, or James and John. More important than their identities is their role of confirming God’s message by the testimony of “two or three witnesses” (see Deut 17:6). God provides a twofold witness to the world about the impending judgment, making it clear that his word is certain to be fulfilled (Deut 19:15; Matt 18:15-16).

11:1 The instructions to measure the Temple are reminiscent of Ezekiel’s visions (see Ezek 40–42; 43:13-17). The Jerusalem Temple was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70; these details symbolize God’s precise knowledge of and care for his people who belong to him (cp. Rev 7:2-4; Zech 2:1-5).

Verse 2

11:2-3 The outer courtyard in the Jerusalem Temple, outside the stone warning fence, was regarded as the place for the Gentile nations. John makes a clear distinction between the people God recognizes and those he does not. • The 42 months and 1,260 days refer to a period of three and a half years, or a broken seven (see study notes on Dan 7:24-25; 8:26; 9:24-27). John repeatedly uses these time designations in Revelation when persecution is evident and evil appears to dominate the world. God’s people will be secure in him (see study note on Rev 11:1) even though God allows evil forces to persecute them (see 13:7; Mark 10:30).

Verse 3

11:3 During the period of persecution, God will not abandon the world but will send his two witnesses to proclaim the coming judgment, just as God sent Jonah to Nineveh (Jon 1:2; 4:11). • Clothing made of burlap was symbolic of mourning or repentance (see Gen 37:34; 2 Sam 3:31; Neh 9:1; Esth 4:1; Jon 3:6).

Verse 4

11:4 two olive trees and . . . two lampstands: See study note on 1:12; see also Exod 25:31-40; Zech 4:2-6.

Verse 5

11:5 In one of the psalms, God is portrayed with fire coming from his mouth, a picture of judgment on his enemies (Ps 18:8; see also 2 Sam 22:9). Cp. Elijah, 2 Kgs 1:1-15.

Verse 6

11:6 These two witnesses were given power to stop the rain and bring down plagues, as were Elijah (see 1 Kgs 17:1; 18:41-46) and Moses (see Exod 7:14-24; 8:1–11:10).

Verse 7

11:7-8 When the witnesses finish their testimony, the scene changes dramatically. The beast (cp. 13:1) is introduced for the first time; it is associated with the bottomless pit. Like all enemies of God, the beast engages in war against God’s witnesses, and he kills them.

Verse 8

11:8 their bodies will lie in the main street: Evil is so vindictive that it even desecrates the dead. • Jerusalem (literally the great city): The designation “the great city” would have immediately suggested Rome to early readers (16:19; 17:18; 18:10, 16, 18-19, 21). But John also describes it as the city where their Lord was crucified as well as Sodom and Egypt—all places that were hostile to God and his people (see also 17:5, 9). • where their Lord was crucified: There is a direct connection between how the Lord was treated by evil forces and the experience of persecuted Christians (see Acts 9:5).

Verse 9

11:9 Leaving people’s bodies out for public display was a way to dishonor them after their death (see 1 Sam 31:10; the usual Roman custom was to leave bodies hanging after crucifixion). • peoples, tribes, languages, and nations: All the peoples of the world are represented in this exhibition.

Verse 10

11:10 All the people . . . will gloat and celebrate: God’s enemies despise and reject his messengers.

Verse 11

11:11 The death of the two witnesses is not the end of their ministry. God was not defeated in the death of Jesus and he will not be defeated in the slaughter of his witnesses. The God of the resurrection breathed life into the dead so that they stood up (see Ezek 37:3-5, 10), leaving no doubt about God’s power. • Terror struck: It is a fearful experience for sinful humans to face the power of the living God (see Heb 10:31).

Verse 12

11:12 they rose to heaven in a cloud: The event is reminiscent of the ascent of Jesus (see Acts 1:9) and others (see 2 Kgs 2:11-12; 1 Thes 4:17).

Verse 13

11:13 An earthquake often accompanies key moments in biblical history (see Exod 19:18; 1 Kgs 19:11-12; Matt 27:51). • Seven thousand: The number who died shows God’s involvement in judgment (contrast 1 Kgs 19:18). • everyone else . . . gave glory to the God of heaven: Those who survived the earthquake were forced to acknowledge God’s power and sovereignty over the world (see Phil 2:9-11).

Verse 15

11:15-19 The seventh trumpet (“the third terror,” 11:14; see also 9:12) presents a scene of final judgment and the eternal Kingdom. As in 7:9-17, this scene provides a dramatic window into the ultimate Christian hope with God. In the midst of a picture of judgment, the reader is reminded of eternity with God.

11:15 Loud voices in the court of heaven sing a victory hymn; the earth has been transformed into the realm of our Lord and his Christ, who is enthroned as king forever.

Verse 16

11:16-18 The twenty-four elders, representing the people of God, confirm God’s victorious enthronement (see study note on 4:4). Their worship acknowledges God’s sovereign rule as the Almighty (see 4:10-11; 5:8-10).

Verse 17

11:17 The thanksgiving prayer describes God as the one who is and who always was; the description “is still to come” (see 1:4, 8) no longer applies, because in this scene eternity has come and God has begun to reign.

Verse 18

11:18 The nations were filled with wrath when they refused to do as God commanded (see Ps 2). But things will now be different because God’s wrath has come. God will reward his holy people (see Rev 22:12) with new life as his children (see John 1:12; 20:31). • fear your name: God’s name implies his nature; fearing God’s name means accepting who he is (see “Fear of the Lord” Theme Note). • The end of the age will be the time to destroy those who have not accepted God’s love (see John 3:16-20). They will go into the lake of fire (Rev 20:15). This doom of God’s enemies is the third and final terror (11:14).

Verse 19

11:19 This verse provides a dramatic conclusion to the first half of Revelation and a link to the second half. • In this scene, the Temple and the Ark are symbols of God’s presence; the earthly Ark was the copy of the design of the Ark in heaven (see Exod 25:40; Heb 8:5).