Revelation 11
The Two Witnesses
Revelation 11:1-14
Introduction:
This can be a difficult passage of Scripture to understand
*there may be different ways to understand what is being taught
Essentially talking to Jews in this chapter: Temple, furniture, Holy City
*good time to remember that the Jews are the center of God’s plan
*We do not replace the Jews
*Right now God’s plan is centered on the Church, in Rev. it will be on
Israel again.
This is a prophetic chapter: Not historical.
Again I believe that as much as possible we must understand it literally
Great city = Jerusalem
Time given = actual months, weeks, and days
2 witnesses = two people
When it mentions that 7000 die, 7000 people will die
I. The setting of this chapter
1. The word “and” ties with chapter 10
Appears to be a parenthetical passage
2. Temple v. 11
5 different biblical temples
1) Solomon’s temple: destroyed in 587 BC by Nebuchadnezzar
2) Zerubbalbal’s temple in Daniel’s time
destroyed in 168BC after desecrated with a pig
3) Herod’s temple: Built in 70 AD, also destroyed
4) Tribulation temple
5) Millennial temple
We also know that the anti-christ will set himself up as god in this temple
2 Thess. 2:3-4
3. John’s Part
1) Take a reed like a rod and measure the temple
2) Purpose? Not for God to know the size
Must be a sign of judgment
In Exodus rod was a instrument of judgment
3) Also measure the altar and those that worship thereon
II. The Witnesses sent by God 3+
1. They are real people
Not the NT and the OT
Not the law and prophets
Not representative of 144,000
1) Their clothing: sackcloth
Sign of mourning
2) Their time
1260 days = 3 ½ years
3) Their description: Two olive trees and 2 candlesticks
Same description given in Zech. 4:11-14
Olive tree: produced oil to keep fire burning
These witnesses kept the fire of the gospel burning
Candlesticks: shone brightly
These witnesses will shine brightly: whole world will see
2. The are prophets v. 3
They will prophesy: They are preachers
They will be a pair: God often used pairs:
2 angels testified to resurrection
2 men in white at ascension
Jesus sent out 12 and 70 in pairs
Who are they?
Possibly Elijah: Malachi 4:5-6
Jews looked for Elijah: Passover put a cup for
Thought John was
Did not experience death
Used the same sign: stopped rain v. 6
Period of drought 3 ½ years
Appeared on Mt. of Transfiguration in Matt. 17
Possibly Moses
They were together at Mt. of Transfiguration
Performed the 2nd half of miracles
No one knows where he was buried
Deut. 34:5-6 Jude 9
Some believe body set aside for this task
3. They are powerful
1) Powerful preaching: Speaking to a hostile crowd
Jesus is Lord of the earth
How did they respond when Elijah told no rain?
Human wickedness will be great
Point at judgment and fact it will get worse
Against the beast: ruler, leader
Your religion is paganism
2) Powerful plagues v. 5
From their mouths 5
From the drought 6
From disease 6
You would think that people would have to take their message seriously, yet we must remember the hardness of people’s heart, even today we see same thing.
4. They are persecuted
1) Death of the two v. 7
Came when they were finished: “God’s man, in the center of God’s will, is immortal until God is finished with Him.”
Beast will kill: instant popularity
2) Display of the two
This would have been obscene in Jewish culture: Even criminals were buried the same day they died
v. 9 People laughed at for years as an impossibility
3) Delight of the enemies v. 10
5. They are Preserved vv. 11-12
1) Imagine the media covering this event
2) 3 ½ days proves that they are dead
3) Great fear as a result: again you would think people would listen
4) Ascension into the cloud at voice of God
5) Great earthquake v. 13
6) Gave glory to God v. 13
This doesn’t mean that they were saved: difference between fear and faith
Many turn to God in trouble and fear today, but they are far from truly coming to Lord for salvation