The Book of Revelation: Chapter 11

Scripture References:

• Revelation 11 - The temple measured, the two witnesses, and the seventh trumpet
• Hebrews 9:27 - It is appointed for man to die once, then judgment
• Malachi 4:5-6 - Prophecy of Elijah's return before the day of the Lord
• 2 Kings 1 - Elijah calls down fire from heaven
• Zechariah 4 - Vision of two olive trees and lampstands
• Genesis 3 - The fall of Adam and Eve; Satan gains influence over the world
• Matthew 4:8-9 - Satan tempts Jesus by offering the kingdoms of the world
• John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11 - Satan called the prince and ruler of this world
• Psalm 2:1-3 - The nations rage against the Lord and His Anointed
• Matthew 6:10 - "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done" from the Lord's Prayer
• Matthew 7 - Warning about those who claim to know Christ but do not
• Revelation 4:10-11 - Worship of God who created and sustains all things
• Revelation 5:8-14 - Worship of the Lamb who was slain
• Revelation 7 - The first interlude in Revelation
• Revelation 10 - The mighty angel and the little book

Introduction: A Time of Judgment and Mercy

We find ourselves now at a critical juncture in the book of Revelation. The church has been raptured, and we are approximately three and a half years into the Tribulation period: the midpoint of this seven-year time of unprecedented judgment upon the earth. Yet even in the midst of God's righteous wrath, we will see an extraordinary demonstration of His mercy and patience. God is not willing that any should perish, and He continues to provide opportunities for people to turn to Him, even in the darkest hour the world has ever known.
Revelation chapters 10 through 11:14 constitute the second interlude in the book of Revelation (the first being found in chapter 7). This is a pause between the trumpet judgments, giving us deeper insight into what God is doing during this tumultuous time.

The Temple Measured (Revelation 11:1-2)

The chapter opens with John being given a measuring rod and instructed to measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. However, he is told not to measure the outer court, "for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months."

This passage indicates that a third temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem: something that Jewish organizations like the Temple Institute are actively preparing for even today. The fact that the outer court is given over to the Gentiles for forty-two months (three and a half years) confirms we are at the midpoint of the Tribulation, with three and a half years remaining.

The Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:3-14)

Who Are They?

"And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth" (Revelation 11:3).

The identity of these two witnesses remains one of the most debated topics in Revelation study. Scripture does not explicitly name them, and if their identities were essential for us to know, God would have revealed them. However, there has been much speculation over the years.

Some believe the witnesses may be Enoch and Elijah, as they are the only two people in Scripture who did not experience physical death. Hebrews 9:27 tells us "it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." Others suggest Moses and Elijah, as they appeared together at the Transfiguration.

A strong case can be made that at least one witness is Elijah. Malachi prophesied that Elijah would come before "the great and dreadful day of the Lord." Additionally, the powers these witnesses display (calling down fire and withholding rain) mirror the ministry of Elijah in the Old Testament.

Yet we must be careful not to teach speculation as fact. The truth is, we simply do not know their identities with certainty.

Their Appearance and Mission

These witnesses will appear clothed in sackcloth, the traditional garment of mourning and distress in biblical times. In our modern context, imagine two individuals suddenly appearing in Jerusalem dressed in rough, woven garments; they would immediately stand out. Their clothing alone would communicate that their message is not one of comfort, but of urgent warning and a call to repentance.

Verse 4 describes them as "the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth." This echoes the prophecy of Zechariah 4 and emphasizes their role as light bearers in an extraordinarily dark time. Just as Israel was created to be a light to the Gentiles, these two witnesses will fulfill that calling in the holy city during the final half of the Tribulation.

Their Supernatural Power

God will empower these witnesses with extraordinary supernatural abilities to authenticate their message and protect them during their ministry:

• Fire proceeds from their mouth to consume anyone who tries to harm them (verse 5)
• Power to shut heaven so that no rain falls during their prophecy (verse 6)
• Power to turn water into blood and strike the earth with plagues as often as they desire (verse 6)

Why such dramatic power? Because they will be ministering during a time when the Antichrist is performing signs and wonders to deceive the world. God empowers His witnesses with genuine miraculous power to demonstrate that He alone is the true and living God. This is spiritual warfare on a scale we can barely imagine.

Global Hatred

These two witnesses will minister for 1,260 days, exactly three and a half years. Throughout this time, they will be proclaiming that all the judgments falling upon the earth are the result of humanity's sin and rebellion against God. Imagine living through the horrors of the Tribulation judgments and having two men tell you that you deserve it all because of your wickedness. The world will hate them with a passion.

But they will be immortal until their testimony is complete. This is a profound truth for all believers: we are immortal until God's purpose for our lives is fulfilled. Nothing can harm us until God says our work is done. We are safe in His hands, and everything that comes our way must first pass through our Father's filter.

Their Death and Resurrection

"When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them" (Revelation 11:7).

This is the first mention of "the beast" in Revelation, a term that appears 36 times throughout the book. Just as God exists as a Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), Satan will establish a counterfeit unholy trinity: the Antichrist, the beast, and the false prophet. When we see references to "the beast," we should understand this as the demonically inspired Antichrist who opposes God during the Tribulation.

Once the witnesses complete their God-ordained mission, the beast will kill them. In an act of supreme disrespect, their bodies will be left lying in the streets of Jerusalem for three and a half days. The Bible tells us this city, once holy, will be so depraved that it will be spiritually compared to Sodom and Egypt.

Revelation 11:9 contains a remarkable detail: "Those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three and a half days and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves."

We are the first generation in history that can see how this prophecy could literally be fulfilled. With CNN International broadcasting to over 200 countries, with internet live streams and social media, the entire world could simultaneously watch these bodies lying in the street. What previous generations struggled to understand, we can easily envision.

Verse 10 reveals just how wicked human hearts will be at this time: "Those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth." The world will celebrate their deaths like Christmas, exchanging presents in a macabre holiday celebration. Why? Because darkness hates light, and these witnesses exposed the evil deeds of a rebellious world.

But after three and a half days, God will have the final word. The breath of life from God will enter them, they will stand on their feet, and great fear will fall on all who witness it. Imagine the news cameras capturing this moment: breaking news alerts flooding phones worldwide as dead men suddenly stand up alive!

Then a loud voice from heaven will say, "Come up here," and they will ascend to heaven in a cloud while their enemies watch. Unlike Jesus' quiet ascension, these witnesses will depart with dramatic fanfare that leaves no doubt about God's power.

The Second Woe

Immediately following their ascension, the second woe occurs: a great earthquake strikes Jerusalem, killing 7,000 people and destroying a tenth of the city. The Bible says "the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven" (verse 13).

Some will genuinely turn to God in this moment, recognizing the truth of the witnesses' message. But sadly, many will offer only empty gestures, crying out to God in crisis only to return to their rebellion once the immediate danger passes. This pattern is all too familiar. Remember the aftermath of September 11, 2001? Churches were packed the following Sunday. People sought spiritual counsel and cried out to God. But within months, most had returned to their old ways.

The Seventh Trumpet (Revelation 11:15-19)

"Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!'" (Revelation 11:15).

This is one of the most significant moments in all of Scripture. For over 2,000 years, Christians have prayed the words Jesus taught us: "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Here in Revelation 11:15, that prayer finds its fulfillment.

Satan has assumed kingship of this world ever since Adam and Eve's rebellion in the Garden of Eden. Scripture calls him "the prince and ruler of this world." He even claimed the ability to offer Jesus all the kingdoms of the world during the temptation in the wilderness. But now, God Almighty rightfully reclaims kingship over the world He created.

This moment fulfills Psalm 2, where David wrote: "Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed."

Heaven's Worship

When this cosmic transfer occurs, another worship service breaks out in heaven. The loud voices are joined by the twenty-four elders (representing the church) who fall on their faces and worship God.

Their song in verses 17-18 is one we will sing one day: "We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the one who is and who was and who is to come, because You have taken Your great power and reigned. The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth."

Throughout Revelation, we've seen worship focused on different aspects of God's character:

• In Revelation 4:10-11, we worship the God who created and sustains all things
• In Revelation 5:8-14, we worship the Lamb who was slain and redeems nations by His blood
• Now in Revelation 11:17-18, we worship the One who brings history to its climactic end and begins His eternal reign

The song emphasizes that God is "the Lord God Almighty"; there is no one as powerful and omnipotent as our God. He is "the one who is and who was and who is to come." All things were created by Him and for Him, including you and me. One day we will give Him all the glory He deserves when we worship Him in complete sincerity and truth.

Reward and Judgment

The second part of the song focuses on reward and loss. As believers, we will one day stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ—not to be judged for our sins (Jesus paid that debt in full on the cross), but to give an account for how we stewarded the blessings, opportunities, and time God gave us.

Imagine standing before God and hearing: "Before I laid the foundations of the earth, I thought of you and planned out your days. I gave you neighbors, coworkers, family members who needed Me. I equipped you with My Spirit and My Word. Let's talk about how that went."

How we live on this side of eternity determines how we serve Him in eternity. Remember Jesus' parable of the talents? The faithful servants were given greater responsibility. If God cannot trust us with little things, how will He trust us with greater things?

On the other hand, unbelievers will stand before God at the Great White Throne Judgment and hear the most tragic words ever spoken: "Depart from Me, I never knew you" (Matthew 7). It will be too late then.

Can we pause and praise God that as believers, we don't have to face judgment for our sins? Jesus already paid that debt in full at Calvary. When I think about that, all I can do is cry out with the church in heaven: "Thank You, Lord God Almighty. You are worthy of my praise!"

The Temple in Heaven

Chapter 11 began with a temple on earth being measured, but it concludes with a vision of the temple in heaven. Verse 19 focuses on the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolized God's presence, power, and glory in the Old Testament. In the tabernacle and temple, the ark stood behind the veil in the Holy of Holies.

Within the ark was the law (the Ten Commandments), beautifully illustrating that God's holiness and His faithfulness to His promises can never be separated. He is the holy God who must deal righteously with sin, but He is also the faithful God who keeps His promises to His people.

This vision of the ark would have greatly encouraged the suffering believers to whom John sent this letter. John was telling them—and us—that God will fulfill His promises. He will reveal His glory. We can trust Him.

The chapter concludes with "lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail" (verse 19). These signs indicate that even greater judgment is about to fall. The seventh trumpet contains the seven bowl judgments, and things are about to get worse than anything the world has yet experienced.

But here's the beautiful truth: God's people need not fear the storm, because God is in control. The ark reminds us of His presence and the faithfulness of His promises.
Living in Light of These Truths

As we study these prophetic passages, several critical truths emerge for us today:
God's mercy extends even into judgment. Even during the most horrific judgments imaginable, God continues to provide witnesses, to call people to repentance, to offer salvation. His patience and love are beyond our comprehension.

We are living in a time of spiritual warfare. The enemy wants Christians fighting each other over preferences and personal agendas rather than fighting the true enemy. We must be in God's Word, equipped with spiritual armor, ready for battle.

We have a responsibility to shine our light. The world is increasingly chaotic, anxious, and angry. People are on edge. This is our moment to be different, to demonstrate the peace that passes understanding, to point others to the hope we have in Christ.

Judgment day is coming. All of us will stand before God. There will be no excuses, no lies, no place to hide. The question is: Will we be found faithful? Will we hear "Well done, good and faithful servant"?

Our time is short. We have family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors who don't know Jesus. We have everything we need: the Holy Spirit's power, God's Word, and the greatest message ever told. We are without excuse.

The nations may rage. The world may grow darker. But we serve the Lord God Almighty who reigns forever and ever. His kingdom will come. His will shall be done. And one day, we will join that eternal worship service in heaven, giving Him all the glory He deserves.

Until that day comes, may we be found faithful. May we devour God's Word like the angel commanded John. May we shine as lights in this dark world. And may we never forget that even in Revelation—the book that describes earth's darkest hour—the overwhelming theme is God's mercy, God's patience, and God's unfailing love for sinners.

All for Him,

Pastor Dustin