Revelation 11

7-10 When the two witnesses (or members of the church) have finished their work of witnessing and prophesying, their bodies will no longer be protected from harm. At that time, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them. This beast is also mentioned in Revelation Chapter 13. The beast is a symbol of the Roman Empire and all other evil powers of the world (Daniel 7:7; Revelation 13:1).

The bodies of the two witnesses will be left in the street of the great city. In the book of Revelation, the expression “great city” usually stands for the city of ROME (the capital of the Roman Empire), or the Roman Empire itself. Here in this verse, however, the great city probably refers to Jerusalem, because John writes that it was also the place where their Lord was crucified. Whichever city is in John’s mind—whether Rome or Jerusalem—this great city is meant to be a symbol of worldly power and evil, just as Sodom and Egypt in the Old Testament were symbols of worldly power and evil.

11 But after three and a half days, God will raise up these two witnesses (or the church) from the dead. Those evil men who killed them will be filled with terror, because they will have no power over those who rise from the dead.

12-13 While their enemies watch, these two witnesses (or the church—all believers) will ascend into heaven (2 Kings 2:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Then a great earthquake will destroy a tenth of that great city. Those who survive the earthquake will give glory to God; it is not certain whether John means that they will truly repent, or whether they will only give glory to God out of fear. This earthquake is the second woe (verse 14).

14 Here John says that the second woe (or sixth plague) has passed; the third woe (or seventh plague) is now about to come.

15 The seventh trumpet announces God’s final judgment against the world and the establishment of Christ’s kingdom. In this section (verses 15-19), John gives a summary of everything that will occur after the seventh trumpet has been sounded. That is, this short section is a summary of all the remaining chapters in the book of Revelation. Therefore, John writes here as if all these future events had already happened. The most important event of all comes here in verse 15: The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ (Daniel 2:44; 7:13-14,27).

16-18 The twenty-four elders (Revelation 4:4) give thanks to God for punishing the evil nations and rewarding the prophets and all the saints (believers). The reward of the prophets and saints is to live forever in Christ’s kingdom.

The nations had risen up in anger against God; they had destroyed the earth (verse 18). But now God has destroyed them (Psalm 2:2,5; Romans 2:5-6).

19 Then according to John’s vision, God’s temple in heaven was opened, and inside the temple the ark of his covenant was seen (Exodus 25:10-22). The ark is a sign of God’s presence with His people. In this way, the believers enter into God’s presence in heaven, which is their reward (verse 18). But on the earth, God’s judgment is poured out in the form of lightning, an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.