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Revelation 11

Revelation book home•Chapter 11 of 22•19 verses

Chapter overviewAt a glance + deeper study

REVIEWED OVERVIEW

Revelation 11 Overview

John is given a reed to measure the temple of God, while the outer court is given to the Gentiles for forty-two months. Two witnesses prophesy for 1,260 days, display extraordinary power, are killed by the beast from the bottomless pit, lie dead in the great city, then rise and ascend to heaven. The seventh trumpet sounds, announcing the kingdoms of this world becoming the kingdoms of the Lord and His Christ.

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11Chapter

19Verses

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Before you read Revelation 11

Coming from

A mighty angel descends with a little book open, plants one foot on sea and one on earth, and cries like a lion. Seven thunders speak, but John is forbidden to write their words. The angel swears there will be delay no longer when the seventh trumpet sounds. John eats the little book; it is sweet in his mouth but bitter in his belly, and he is told he must prophesy again.

In this chapter

Leads into

John sees a great sign: a woman clothed with the sun gives birth to a man child destined to rule all nations with a rod of iron, while a great red dragon seeks to devour Him. The child is caught up to God, the woman is preserved, and war breaks out in heaven. Michael and his angels defeat the dragon, who is explicitly identified as the old serpent, the Devil, and Satan.

Key understandingExplore deeper

The chapter gives specific durations—forty-two months and 1,260 days—that should be allowed their textual weight.

The identity of the two witnesses is not explicitly named. Moses/Elijah and other proposals have reasons behind them, but certainty should not exceed the text.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

God preserves prophetic witness during severe opposition

The two witnesses complete their appointed testimony before the beast kills them.

Death is not final for God’s servants

The witnesses rise after three and a half days and ascend.

The seventh trumpet announces Christ’s kingdom

Earthly kingdoms do not remain ultimate.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Zechariah 4

Two olive trees and candlesticks provide important background for the witnesses.

Exodus 7–11

Plague powers recall Moses’ ministry.

1 Kings 17–18

Withholding rain recalls Elijah.

Revelation 19:6,15–16

Later visions display openly the reign of the Lord and His Christ.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Do not name the two witnesses dogmatically

The chapter describes them symbolically but does not give personal names.

Do not casually redefine the stated time periods without reason

The durations are explicit.

Do not separate the seventh trumpet from the kingdom proclamation

The trumpet is immediately followed by the declaration that the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of the Lord and His Christ.

Read Revelation 11 watching for…

The measured temple and unmeasured court.

Forty-two months and 1,260 days.

Powers of the two witnesses.

The beast’s attack.

Their resurrection and ascension.

The seventh trumpet and kingdom announcement.

Chapter outline5 sections

1-2John is given a reed to measure the temple while the outer court is left to the Gentiles 3-6Two witnesses prophesy for 1,260 days with power to defend their testimony and bring plagues 7-10The beast kills the two witnesses, and their dead bodies lie in the great city while the world rejoices 11-14After three and a half days the witnesses rise, ascend to heaven, and a great earthquake follows 15-19The seventh trumpet sounds, heavenly voices announce God’s kingdom, and the temple in heaven is opened

And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not 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.

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 their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

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.

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 fell upon them which saw them.

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.

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.

The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

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Revelation 11:3

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