The daily devotional on Revelation 11 presents a profound and vivid account of God’s sovereignty, the bold testimony of the two witnesses, and the ultimate declaration of Christ’s eternal reign. This chapter invites us to reflect on the power of faith and the lengths God goes to draw people to Himself. As the witnesses prophesy, face opposition, and experience resurrection, their story reminds us of God’s control over history and His desire for humanity to believe in Him. What did it take for you to place your trust in Jesus? As we explore this chapter, let’s consider the heart of God’s message and the hope we find in the promise of His kingdom. To learn about the angel and the little book, read the daily devotional on Revelation 10.
Revelation 11 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
In Revelation 11, we will look at the two witnesses and the seventh trumpet. What does it take for some to believe in Jesus? What did it take for you to believe in Jesus? Please read or listen to Revelation 11.
What Is Revelation 11 Talking About?
In 1995, on Revelation 11, I wrote, “Two witnesses will testify for a period of time, then the beast will kill them. They will somehow be displayed as defeated and dead for a short period of time. And people will be very happy. But then they will come back to life and ascend into heaven.” I continued, “The seventh trumpet. Kingdom of earth turned over to Jesus who will begin to reign.”
What Happens to the Two Witnesses in Revelation?
In 2008, after reading Revelation 11, I wrote, “Two witnesses left for dead three and a half days, then resurrect in public.” And I wrote, “Numbers: real or figurative? I don’t pretend to understand it all, but believe God is in control. The world will see. Some will believe, some will not.”
What Does the Bible Say about Rebuilding the Temple in Revelation?
In 2013, I split this chapter into two different days. On the first day I wrote, “Revelation 11:1-14. Will the temple be rebuilt? If so, the dome of the mosque must be destroyed, referring to what is in place in Israel today in Jerusalem.” I continued, “Two witnesses give testimony from the Holy City. When their work is done, they are killed, but not before. With global news coverage, they will be in the streets for days, and everyone will see that they are dead. The world will rejoice in their deaths, but surprise, surprise! The world is going to witness resurrection, according to verses 11- 12. Some will finally give glory to God.”
Which Angel Announced the Coming of Jesus?
The next day, I finished chapter 11, verses 15 through the end, and wrote, “Finally, history is coming to a close. Jesus is going to come and reign on earth forever; as the seventh angel announces Jesus, there is wonderful worship in heaven. Does God have a temple in heaven, according to verse 19?”
One of the questions in my journal was, will the temple be rebuilt? That’s a reference to 11:1, when John was told, “‘Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar’”. Terry and I visited Jerusalem. There was no temple on the temple site; it is a mosque. Many Christians wonder if that mosque will be destroyed and the temple will be rebuilt on that same site or if something else may happen. Though many talk about it, it is hard to say, hard to know.
What City was Destroyed in Revelation?
The first few verses of this chapter seem to say the Holy City is going to be trampled and, afterwards, God will raise up two witnesses to proclaim His truth from Jerusalem.
The question we must ask as we read Revelation is, do we take everything literally like these dates and these numbers, these witnesses, fire coming out of their mouths, or do we take them as figurative? I am not a biblical scholar. I am not a biblical expert. I like to listen to people debate these kind of issues, though. All I know is there are going to be two witnesses in Jerusalem. They are going to proclaim prophesy, they are going to proclaim God’s truth, and they are going to be killed. “And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pitwill make war on them and conquer them and kill them, and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified” (vs. 7-8).
I do not know why Jerusalem is referred to as Sodom and Egypt here; but we know this is Jerusalem, because that is the city where the Lord was crucified. These two witnesses will lie in the streets. And verse 10 says, “and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth.”
What Are the Two Resurrections in Revelation?
If we place this moment in our world today, we know we have global media coverage, and everyone is going to know about this event. They will have seen these prophets give testimony. They will have seen them lying dead in the streets. And the world will rejoice. But they are not prepared for verse 11, “But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.” Again, if you think about this happening in our day, what utter amazement this would be.
The next scene is even more so, “Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here!’ And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them” (v. 12). Their resurrection is going to be seen. It is probably going to be recorded. It is going to be on media everywhere. Then, just like when Jesus died on the cross, there is going to be a great earthquake. After all this, some are even going to give glory to the God of heaven. Sometimes you wonder what it would take for people to believe. This is something that is going to happen and cause some people to believe.
What Happens When the Seventh Angel Sounded His Trumpet?
Finally, the seventh angel is going to blow his trumpet, and heaven is going to announce, “‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever’” (v. 15). This is the moment in history heaven has been waiting for. They respond accordingly, with worship and rejoicing. This is also the moment many Christians wait for.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, when You were on this earth, You said You would come again. Here, in this chapter of Revelation, it is true, You are coming again. Heaven announces it. As heaven rejoices, we will rejoice as You come and reign here on earth. It is the moment in history that heaven waits for. It is also the moment in history most of us wait for. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Come quickly. Amen.