The Two Witnesses
Revelation 11:1-19
- What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
Summarize the main story: Describe the events of the scriptural story in your own words.
Review and retell the story.
#People = John (the Revelator), The Two Witnesses, The Beast from the Abyss, The Inhabitants of the Earth, God, The Twenty-Four Elders
#Time =
#Place = The Holy City, The Temple of God, Heaven, The Abyss
#Obedient faith =
#Sin =
#Key Idea =
The Two Witnesses
1Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, 2but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. 3And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
4These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. 6They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. 7And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pita will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, 8and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolicallyb is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. 9For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, 10and 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. 11But 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. 12Then 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. 13And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is soon to come.
The Seventh Trumpet
15Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” 16And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17saying,
“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
who is and who was,
for you have taken your great power
and begun to reign.
18The nations raged,
but your wrath came,
and the time for the dead to be judged,
and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints,
and those who fear your name,
both small and great,
and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.”
19Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings,c peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.
The Temple and Altar
Measured
The chapter begins with instructions to measure the temple,
altar, and those worshiping there (Revelation 11:1). This emphasizes God's
sovereignty and control over His temple and people.
The Ministry of the
Two Witnesses
The two witnesses prophesy for 1,260 days, calling people to
repentance (Revelation 11:3-6). They have special powers:
- Fire
comes from their mouths to devour their enemies
- They
have authority to shut up the sky, turn water to blood, and smite the
earth with various plagues
Their ministry is a witness against the world, causing great
distress for those who oppose them.
Death of the Two
Witnesses
After completing their mission, the two witnesses are killed
by their enemies (Revelation 11:7-10). Their bodies lie exposed for three and a
half days, during which time people mock them and celebrate their deaths.
Resurrection and
Ascension
On the third day, God intervenes:
- Life
enters them, and they stand on their feet
- A loud
voice commands them to ascend to heaven
- They
are caught up in a cloud, and their enemies watch
- A
massive earthquake occurs, killing 7,000 people.
This event marks the end of the second woe and the beginning
of the third woe.
Cosmic Significance
The resurrection of the two witnesses serves as a sign in
the sky, visible to everyone on earth (Revelation 11:12). It demonstrates God's
power and control over even death itself.
The Seventh Trumpet
The chapter concludes with the sounding of the seventh
trumpet:
- It's
announced that the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of God and
Christ.
- The 24
elders worship God, declaring that His reign has begun.
- God's
temple in heaven is opened, accompanied by lightning, thunder, an
earthquake, and hail.
Conclusion
Revelation 11 emphasizes God's sovereignty, the importance
of faithful witness, and His ultimate triumph over evil. This chapter serves as
a transition point in Revelation, marking the end of the trumpet judgments and
setting the stage for the seven bowl judgments to come. It demonstrates
God's continued sovereignty and the ultimate victory of His kingdom, even in
the midst of intense persecution and judgment on the earth. The chapter
concludes with a warning that the third woe is coming soon.
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- What transformative move needs to be made?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Take Away Challenges
What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?
Whom do you know who needs to hear this?
What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts, or actions need to be addressed or changed?
Other Resources:
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Series Theme: The Last Word Insights from Revelation
Title: Breath of Life
Opening Thoughts:
Have you ever been called as a witness in a case? Tell us about it. If not, imagine being called as a witness to give testimony. What would be the most challenging part of it?
Why does the New Testament sometimes use the word "witness" to describe our role in sharing the gospel? What is the significance of the term (for examples, see Acts 1:8; 22:15)
Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 8:1-3 On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Text: Revelation 11:1-13
The Two Witnesses
11 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.” 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.
11 But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.
13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
Summarize main story: Describe the events of the story in your own words.
Reflections:
Witnesses are not always wanted.
Revelation 11 is called the most puzzling chapter in the Bible.
Read Revelation 11:1-2. What is the meaning behind "measuring the temple"? Where is the temple of God today (see 1 Corinthians 5:16-17)?
Measure the temple. (After 70 A.D. the temple is gone)
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
Acts 17:24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands.
Two Witnesses:
Read Revelation 11:3-6. Who are the "two witnesses" God will appoint to prophesy for a limited time?
11:3 Possibly two literal individual human beings are in view: either two Christian prophets who were martyred shortly before the fall of Jerusalem, or two prophets who will appear shortly before the Second Coming. But their identification with two lampstands (v. 4) suggests they might be symbolic figures standing for the witness of the lampstand churches of 1:20. If this is the case, they would symbolize churches rather than specific individuals. Two lampstands, rather than seven, are mentioned to imitate the pattern of Zech. 4 and of Moses and Elijah (11:1–14 note; cf. Deut. 17:6; Matt. 17:3, 4; Luke 10:1).
The Church needs to use its prophetic voice in this world. (Acts 1:8)
What does it mean for the Church to use its prophetic voice to bear witness for Christ in the world? When and how does the Church serve as a witness?
The prophetic witness of the church must testify to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
How does Satan try to silence the witness of the Church today? To what extent is he effective?
Read Revelation 11:11-12. What will happen to the two witnesses after "31/2 days"? How is this news intended to be received by first century Christians facing intense persecution?
Breath of life.
Allow God to breathe life into you!
In what part(s) of your life do you need God to breathe life? In your attitude, marriage, family, friendships, ministry, vocation, Christian witness, etc.? Explain.
God will not give up on you!
How do you feel knowing God won't give up on you—that He wants to bring life to you?
Digging Questions:
What do these biblical texts tell you about God and His nature?
Take Away Challenges
What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts or actions need to be addressed or changed?
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