Reflection on Revelation 11

The first part of this chapter is the second part of the interlude between the six and seventh trumpet. During the second part of this chapter, the seventh trumpet signals that the second coming of Christ is drawing closer.

At the beginning of this chapter, John was "given a reed like a measuring rod," was told to measure the temple of God, and the altar, and count the worshipers there. What temple is John to measure? At that time, no temple remained in Jerusalem. While the interpretation is disputed, the message is clear; the temple reminds God's people of His presence among them. God dwells with His people and divinely protects and preserves His own. Sometimes it is physical protection, but it is always spiritual protection. John was told not to measure the outer courtyard which was given to the Gentiles who refused to believe the truth about His Son. This probably indicated it was outside God's protection。Those who occupied the outer court "will trample on the holy city for 42 months." This may be a set time period of intense persecution still future to us. Whether the time mentioned here is symbolic or literal, God limits the suffering of His people. At His appointed time, He will end all suffering completely. No attack on God's people can continue one moment longer than God allows.

Now God promises to appoint and empower two witnesses who are to prophesy for the same length of time as the holy city was trampled. Out of His love and patient, He withholds the final judgment. He assigns His two witnesses who "are the two olive trees and the two lamp-stands that stand before" Him to testify the truth. How great is God's love! He patiently waits for sinners to repent. Jewish law requires at least two witnesses to prove any matter legally. Those two serve the purpose. They have God's power to stand for the truth to be witnesses. They wear sackcloth, the clothing of mourning. Their deep personal repentance and sorrow over an unrepentant world make them presenting God's truth in a humble, humiliating way. The truth has to be spoken in love, with sincere tears in eyes. Still the hardened hearts will reject God's truth. The unbelievers don't like to hear what the two humble but powerful witnesses say, they try to harm them. The witnesses don't have easy time. They witness the Word with their lives on the line. But God protects His witnesses and God's Word has to be delivered. So if anyone tries to harm the witnesses, "fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies." The fire from their months did not show that the two witnesses are immune to harm, but that God's Word, spoken in God's power, cannot be stopped or overcome.

Each one of us who belongs to Jesus is His witness. He calls us to witness not simply to those who respect us, but also to those who may reject us, might try to harm us.

The two witnesses "have power to shut up the sky 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." The two witnesses are not showing off, no one shows off in sackcloth. They are not trying to revenge since the unbelievers want to harm them. They are asking God whatever it takes to get people's attention, to call sinners to repent.

Now they finished their testimony. Their work is well done. Surprisingly what is waiting for them is not a fanfare of victory. But a beast " that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them." The beast's power comes from God's enemy Satan. It is Satan's relentless hatred of Christ and His truth that fuels the opposition to Christ's followers. The beast will kill the two witnesses where their Lord was crucified. Jerusalem, where God's temple once stood, was also the place where the greatest sin ever committed by sinners. The Lord was rejected and crucified in this city.

After the witnesses are murdered, "for three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts." Just as the great multitude who love and worship the Lamb is drawn from all people groups and every corner of the world, so are the big crowd who hate Him. They celebrate the death of the witnesses because they think "those two had tormented" them. The two witnesses have not tortured them. It is the truth they testified tortured the unbelievers. In any unbeliever's ear, the call of repentance is a torture to their soul. What a relief they think they can get rid of those two witnesses who speak truth against them. They may think they have won, but that will never happen.

Their temporary celebration lasts three and a half days. Suddenly, "a breath of life from God entered" the bodies of the witnesses, "and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 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." Jesus said, "Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life."(John 12:25) The witnesses took up their cross and followed Jesus. Now they ascend to heaven, just as Jesus had done. The beast killed their body, but God reserves eternal life for them. Even when attacked all the way to death, God's people can arise with His life giving breath.

As the witnesses ascending to heaven, a severe earthquake strikes Jerusalem. A tenth of the city collapses and seven thousands die. Now, "the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven."  This seems points to true repentance. Only God can turn a heart of stone into a heart of flesh. And, "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ."(Romans 10:17) God calls all His people to be messengers to deliver the message to the unbelievers. You and I are messengers too; we need to testify the truth of our message about Christ.

After the praise to God flows from months that once only cursed God, the climactic seventh trumpet resounds amid worship in heaven. John's vision shifts from the praising on earth to the worship of heaven. This seventh trumpet signals that the second coming of Christ. Note that the worship gives thanks to "the One who is and who was," but not "who is to come" because the One comes so close. At the great proclamation of Christ's kingdom to come, the twenty four elders around God's throne fall face down in worship. They thank God that "the time has come for judging the dead and for rewarding" His people and destroy "those who destroy the earth." Creation will be renewed, without the danger of being worshipped or destructively exploited. 

In this vision of fast approaching future, "God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant." The ark of the covenant hidden in the earthly temple could now be seen by all people. The ark was God's symbolic dwelling place with His people, but it also contained the tablets of God's law, broken by His people. The way into the holy of holies, into heaven itself, is opened for God's people. God will say, "Come up here" to His people. I cannot wait to answer, "I'm coming."

But for the unbelievers, "flashes of lighting, rumblings, and peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm" serve as another round of warnings. God's judgment is sure to come. Yes, God still warns the rebels.