Revelation 11 takes us deeper into God’s unfolding plan, showing us His authority, His power over history, and the certainty of His promises. This chapter contains striking imagery, including the two witnesses, the measuring of the temple, the great earthquake, and the sounding of the seventh trumpet. Each of these elements reveals something about God’s justice, mercy, and ultimate victory. As we read, we are reminded that even in times of darkness and opposition, God’s purpose remains unshaken, and His kingdom will prevail.
The chapter begins with John receiving a measuring rod and being told to measure the temple of God, along with the altar and those who worship there. However, he is instructed not to measure the outer court, as it has been given to the nations, who will trample the holy city for forty-two months. This measurement signifies God’s protection over His people, assuring us that He knows those who belong to Him. Though the world may seem to be in chaos, God’s sovereignty extends over all things. The outer court being excluded reminds us that there is a distinction between those who are set apart for God and those who reject Him. The mention of forty-two months, which equals three and a half years, ties into biblical themes of trial and tribulation, reinforcing the idea that we may face difficulties, but they are temporary and under God’s control.
Next, we are introduced to the two witnesses. These individuals are clothed in sackcloth, a sign of mourning and repentance, and they prophesy for 1,260 days, the same time period as the forty-two months. The two witnesses stand as a testimony to the truth, proclaiming God’s message in the midst of opposition. They are described as the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the Lord. This imagery connects to Zechariah’s vision, where two anointed ones stand by the Lord, empowered by His Spirit. The olive trees symbolize the continual supply of God’s power, and the lampstands represent the light of His truth shining in the darkness. This reminds us that when we stand for God, He equips us with the strength and authority needed to fulfill His mission.
The witnesses have great power: fire comes from their mouths to consume their enemies, they can stop the rain, turn water into blood, and strike the earth with plagues. Their role mirrors that of prophets like Moses and Elijah, who performed similar signs in the Old Testament. Yet, despite their power, the beast that comes from the abyss makes war against them and kills them. Their bodies lie in the street of the great city, symbolically called Sodom and Egypt, places associated with wickedness and oppression. The people of the world rejoice over their death, refusing to bury them, as if celebrating the silencing of God’s truth. This chilling scene serves as a warning that the world often rejects God’s messengers and prefers darkness over light.
However, after three and a half days, God breathes life into the witnesses, and they stand up, terrifying those who see them. A voice from heaven calls them to ascend, and they rise up in a cloud while their enemies watch. At that moment, a great earthquake strikes, causing a tenth of the city to fall and killing seven thousand people. Those who remain are so overwhelmed by fear that they give glory to God. This dramatic turn of events reminds us that God has the final say. Even when it seems that evil has won, God’s power is greater. His witnesses may be silenced for a time, but they will rise again. This moment also shows that, even in judgment, God’s purpose is to bring people to repentance.
After this, the seventh trumpet sounds, marking the culmination of God’s plan. Loud voices in heaven proclaim that the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever. This declaration is the fulfillment of what we long for: God’s complete and final rule over all creation. The twenty-four elders fall on their faces and worship, thanking God for taking His great power and reigning. They acknowledge that the nations were angry, but God’s wrath has come, along with the time to judge the dead and reward His servants. This shows us that history is moving toward a definite conclusion. The wicked will not prevail, and God’s faithful people will be vindicated.
Finally, God’s temple in heaven is opened, and the ark of His covenant is seen within it. Lightning, voices, thunder, an earthquake, and great hail accompany this revelation. The appearance of the ark signifies God’s faithfulness to His promises. In the Old Testament, the ark represented God’s presence among His people and His covenant with them. Now, as the heavenly temple is revealed, we see that God has not abandoned His covenant—He is bringing it to completion. The accompanying storm-like phenomena reinforce the majesty and power of God’s presence, reminding us that His plans will not be thwarted.
Revelation 11 offers us encouragement and hope, even as it presents sobering realities. It reminds us that God protects His people, even when the world opposes them. The two witnesses show us that proclaiming the truth may come at a cost, but God’s power is greater than any opposition we face. Their resurrection and ascension affirm that God’s purposes cannot be stopped. The sounding of the seventh trumpet reassures us that God’s kingdom is coming, and His justice will be fully established. Though the world may rage against Him, His reign is inevitable, and His people will share in His victory.
This chapter challenges us to consider our own role in God’s plan. Are we willing to stand as witnesses, even if the world rejects us? Do we trust in God’s power to sustain us, even in times of trial? Revelation 11 calls us to faithfulness, perseverance, and a deep trust in the certainty of God’s promises. We may face hardship, but we are never forgotten. God sees, God knows, and God will act. In the end, His kingdom will reign, and we will stand in His presence, rejoicing in the fulfillment of His word.