Revelation 11:1-14
The Two Witnesses
Read the passage
1Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there.
2But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months.
3And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
4These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.
5If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouths and devours their enemies. In this way, anyone who wants to harm them must be killed.
6These witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy, and power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.
7When the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will wage war with them, and will overpower and kill them.
8Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city—figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where their Lord was also crucified.
9For three and a half days all peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will view their bodies and will not permit them to be laid in a tomb.
10And those who dwell on the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and send one another gifts, because these two prophets had tormented them.
11But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered the two witnesses, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell upon those who saw them.
12And the witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched them.
13And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand were killed in the quake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14The second woe has passed. Behold, the third woe is coming shortly.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
John receives a measuring rod and is told to measure God's temple and altar and count the worshipers. He must exclude the outer courtyard, which has been given to the nations. They will trample the holy city for forty-two months.
God gives power to His two witnesses, who prophesy for 1,260 days clothed in sackcloth. They are called the two olive trees and two lampstands standing before the Lord of the earth. Fire comes from their mouth against anyone who would harm them, and they have authority to shut the sky, turn waters to blood, and strike the earth with plagues.
After the witnesses finish their testimony, the beast from the Abyss kills them. Their bodies lie unburied in the great city, figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. People from many nations watch for three and a half days. They celebrate and exchange gifts because the two prophets had tormented them.
Then the breath of life from God enters the witnesses. They stand, terrifying those who see them, and ascend to heaven in a cloud at a voice's command. Their enemies watch. A great earthquake follows: a tenth of the city falls, seven thousand die, and the rest are terrified and give glory to the God of heaven. The second woe has passed; the third is coming.
The beast kills the witnesses only after their testimony is finished. The crowd can dishonor their bodies, but it cannot prevent God from raising them. Their public rejection is answered by public vindication. The churches are shown why apparent defeat cannot settle the outcome of faithful witness.
Questions
1 What is John told to measure?
AnswerHe is told to measure the temple and altar and count the worshipers, while excluding the outer court. The act marks God's knowledge and claim even while the holy city is being trampled.
2 How long do the witnesses prophesy?
AnswerThey prophesy for 1,260 days in sackcloth. Their witness is marked by mourning rather than comfort or prestige.
3 What happens after they finish?
AnswerThe beast kills them, and their bodies are left unburied in the street. Their public humiliation lasts three and a half days before God raises them.
4 How are they restored?
AnswerGod's breath enters them, they stand, and a voice calls them to heaven. Their enemies see the vindication they thought death had prevented.
What This Means for Us
People may mock testimony about Jesus or welcome the silencing of someone who speaks it. That response does not decide whether the testimony is true. Ask Christ for courage to speak faithfully and without spite. Encourage a believer who has faced ridicule, and remember that God's verdict matters more than the crowd's celebration.
Prayer
God of faithful witnesses, strengthen people who speak truth under threat. Protect the vulnerable, give us courage to mourn what is wrong, and remind us that apparent defeat cannot prevent Your vindication. Amen.