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Revelation Chapter Eleven

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Two Witnesses and the Sounding of the Seventh Trumpet

I. The two witnesses (v.1-14):

  A. John was asked to measure the temple of God but leave out the court which is outside of the temple (v.1-2)

  B. The two witnesses will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days (v.3-6)

  C. Afterwards they will be killed by the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit and their bodies will lie three-and-a-half days (v.7-10)

  D. The two witnesses rise and ascend to heaven and a tenth of the city fell because of the great earthquake (v.11-14)

II. Sounding the seventh trumpet (v.15-19):

  A. Sounding the seventh trumpet and Christ shall receive the kingdom and reign (v.15-17)

  B. The time of the judgment of wrath has come (v.18)

  C. The temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen (v.19)

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Rev. 11:1 “Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.

   YLT: “And there was given to me a reed like to a rod, and the messenger stood, saying, `Rise, and measure the sanctuary of God, and the altar, and those worshipping in it;”

   Meaning of Words: “reed”: bulrush; “measuring”: there is not this word in the original; “temple”: oracle, sanctuary; “altar”: the place to offer sacrifice; “worship”: prostrate oneself in homage; “measure”: estimate, survey.

   Spiritual Meaning: “Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod.” “A reed” is used for measurement (See 21:15-16). It means that the things that have been measured are separated to be protected (Num. 35:2, 5; Ezek. 42:15, 20; 45:1-3; 48:8, 12, 15). “Rod” implies punishment (Ps. 89:32; Prov. 10:13; Is. 10:5; 11:4). “A reed like a measuring rod” symbolizes that God intended to separate and protect His people with the spiritual reality through judging and punishing the external holy city and the temple.

And the angel stood, saying, Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.” “The temple of God” symbolizes the spiritual temple and what God wants to protect is not the physical temple. “The altar” should refer to the altar of incense in the sanctuary instead of the altar of burnt-offering in the outer court because the outer court is not within the measurement range (See v.2). The altar of incense symbolizes having the imitate tie with God through praying and communion. “Those who worship there” symbolizes those who truly fear God among God’s people.

The things mentioned in this chapter were the latter half of a week which was predicted by Daniel (See Dan. 9:27), i.e. the things that shall happen in the last three and a half years. At that time, the anti-Christ will break the agreement, blaspheme God and persecute the people of God (See 13:5-7; Dan. 7:25; 12:7). However, God will keep all His people who truly fear Him.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Reed” is fragile and easy to be broken, however, it can be used by God as the standard of measurement. Persons and things that are despised in the church can be used by God to show who is of Him.

2) Everything of God has its measurement and no one can tread the bounds that God has kept (See v.2).

 

Rev. 11:2 “But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.

   YLT: “and the court that is without the sanctuary leave out, and thou mayest not measure it, because it was given to the nations, and the holy city they shall tread down forty-two months;”

   Meaning of Words: “court”: outer court; “leave out”: send away, cast, throw out; “the Gentiles”: the nations; “tread”: trample.

   Spiritual Meaning: “But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it,” “the court which is outside the temple” refers to the outer court and it symbolizes God’s earthly people. “Leave out” refers to being not in the range of protection.

“For it has been given to the Gentiles” symbolizes it shall suffer the persecution from the Gentiles.

And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.” “The holy city” refers to Jerusalem on earth (See Is. 52:1; Matt. 27:53). “Forty-two months” is equal to a half of a week, i.e. three and a half years. “Tread...underfoot for forty-two months” symbolizes that the great tribulation lasts forty-two months.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) God do not like those who seem to be of Him apparently but love others actually. Many people honor God with their lips, however, their hearts are removed far from Him and they are not listed among those who are protected by God.

2) In order to manifest God’s true witnesses, God would rather let the holy city be trod underfoot by the Gentiles who do not know God. The time that the trend of the world sweeps away the church is also the opportunity for those who love the Lord from their pure hearts to stand for Him.

 

Rev. 11:3 “And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.’”

  YLT: “and I will give to My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy days, a thousand, two hundred, sixty, arrayed with sackcloth;”

   Meaning of Words: “witness”: the one who bears witness (it shares the same root with “martyr” in the original); “prophesy”: exercise the prophetic office, foretell events; “sackcloth”: rough cloth used for making sacks.

   Spiritual Meaning: “And I will give power to my two witnesses,” it implies that they had already been prepared for this purpose. “Two” is the number of witness in the Bible. “Two witnesses” To sum up the opinions of the Bible exegetes and find out the reasonable suppositions, generally there are three possibilities: 1) Moses and Elias. They were the figures who summed up the prophecies of the Old Testament (See Mal. 4:4-6) and they appeared with the Lord Jesus in the Mount (See Matt. 17:3). 2) Enoch and Elias. Only they had not tasted the death in the Bible (See Gen. 5:24; 2Kings. 2:11). 3) Zerubbabel and Joshua. They were related to the two olive trees and the two lampstands (See v.4; Zech. 3:8-4:14).

“And they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.’” “Clothed in sackcloth” it is the cloth for mourning and it implies mourning (See 2Sam. 3:31). “Prophesy” refers to foretelling events, i.e. speaking for God. “One thousand two hundred and sixty days” is equal to forty-two months (See v.2), i.e. the time of three and a half years.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Treading forty-two months (See v.2) refers to treading “every month”, however, prophesying one thousand two hundred and sixty days refers to bearing witness “every day”.

2) The important conditions for being God’s witnesses are that: a) “two” shows that one should stand for the Lord boldly and do not fear the opposition from the public; b) “witnesses” shows that one should have the determination to be martyred for the Lord (the word root in the original); c) “clothed in sackcloth” shows that one should have the same mind with the Lord (“sackcloth” refers to mourning in the original); d) “prophesy” shows that one should have the word of God; e) “one thousand two hundred and sixty days” shows that one should have patience and perseverance.

 

Rev. 11:4 “These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.

   YLT: “these are the two olive [trees], and the two lamp-stands that before the God of the earth do stand;”

   Meaning of Words: “standing”: on feet, be upright; “the earth”: all the earth, the world.

   Spiritual Meaning: “These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands” “the two olive trees” olive trees are famous for their production of oil and oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit in the Bible. The two olive trees were called “the sons of fresh oil” (See Zech. 4:14 in the original). And therefore the two olive trees symbolize men who are full of the Holy Spirit. “The two lampstands” symbolizes shining for God in the world (See Matt. 5:14-16).

“Standing before the God of the earth” “The God of the earth” compared to Satan the god of the world, the true God is the true Lord of all the earth. “Standing before the God of the earth” means that they are those who serve the true God.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) While the Lord has not come back, believers should make haste to take oil in our vessels (See Matt. 25:4)----being filled by the Holy Spirit and being able to help others to have the Holy Spirit more.

2) We should also shine for the Lord on the earth----in the midst of this nation,  among whom we shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life(See Phil. 2:15-16).

 

Rev. 11:5 “And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner.

   YLT: “and if any one may will to injure them, fire doth proceed out of their mouth, and doth devour their enemies, and if any one may will to injure them, thus it behoveth him to be killed.”

   Meaning of Words: “harm”: injure, bully, do wrong; “devour”: eat; “be killed”: put to death.

   Spiritual Meaning: “And if anyone wants to harm them” “anyone” refers to men that are utilized by Satan.

“Fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies.” “Fire” refers to the fire of the Holy Spirit because they are ones that are full of the Holy Spirit (See the note in v.4).

And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner.” “In this manner” indicates that there is no exception.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When the Lord comes for the second time, the Lord Jesus will consume the lawless ones with the breath of His mouth (See 2Thess. 2:8-9).

2) The word of preachers must have the power like “fire” which can wipe away all the passions and lusts on the negative aspect and stir up the listeners on the positive aspect (See 2Tim. 1:6).

 

Rev. 11:6 “These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.

   YLT: “These have authority to shut the heaven, that it may not rain rain in the days of their prophecy, and authority they have over the waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the land with every plague, as often as they may will.”

   Meaning of Words: “power”: authority, making decision; “prophecy”: prophesying, prediction; “shut”: close, stop up; “strike”: smite; “as often”: on every occasion, as often as.

   Literal Meaning: “These have power” “power” refers to the power from God.

“To shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy;” “To shut heaven, so that no rain falls” it is the sign which Elias had done (See James. 5:17).

“And they have power over waters to turn them to blood,” “have power over waters to turn them to blood” it is the sign that Moses had done (See Exod. 7:20).

“And to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire” “As often as they desire” means that the time and the number of times are according to their will.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) A true servant of God has the heavenly power which can not only open the heaven but also shut the heaven----bringing men under the heavenly control.

2) The drinkable living “waters” turn into “blood” of death. It warns us that all the enjoyments beyond God contain the toxins of death (See 2Kings. 4:38-41).

 

Rev. 11:7 “When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.

   YLT: “`And when they may finish their testimony, the beast that is coming up out of the abyss shall make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them,”

   Meaning of Words: “finish”: accomplish, complete; “overcome”: conquer, get the victory.

   Literal Meaning: “When they finish their testimony,” refers to at the expiration of one thousand two hundred and sixty days (See v.3).

“The beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit” refers to “Abaddon” the beast of the bottomless pit which is also called “Apollyon” (See 9:11).

“Will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.” God temporarily allowed the enemy to overcome and kill them for His predestinated plan, just like the time the Lord Jesus was in the world.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Apparently, the beast had overcome and killed them, but actually they were called to heaven after they had “finished their testimony” (See v.12).

2) To Christians, death is not frightful (See Matt. 10:28; Heb. 2:15) because it is not our termination and contrarily, it gives us a new beginning (See 1Cor. 15:36).

 

Rev. 11:8 “And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

   YLT: “and their dead bodies [are] upon the broad-place of the great city (that is called spiritually Sodom, and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified,)”

   Meaning of Words: “body”: corpse; “spiritually”: divinely; “Sodom”: burning; “Egypt”: dual barrier.

   Literal Meaning: “And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city” “The great city” refers to the city of Jerusalem. “Street” refers to the street where people come and go; the bodies lay in the street in order to make the public know.

“Which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt,” “Sodom” indicates that the cry of Sodom is great because their sin is very grievous (See Gen. 18:20). “Egypt” refers to the worldly enjoyment and enticement (See Exod. 11:5).

“Where also our Lord was crucified” “Where our Lord was crucified” refers to Golgotha outside of the city of Jerusalem (See Matt. 27:33).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The holy city was formerly the place of the dwelling and dealing of God’s people, however, it became Sodom, Egypt and the place where the Lord was crucified. The church was formerly the place where the children of God worship God and have communion with each other and probably it can become the place where sins and the greed for the world and the opposition to the Lord are tolerated.

2) When a church begins to tolerate sins such as homosexuality (Sodom), brings in many ways and customs of the world (Egypt) and abandons the truth of the cross----crucifying to herself the Son of God afresh, and putting Him to an open shame (See Heb. 6:6), this church changes into having a name that she lives and is dead (See Rev. 3:1).

 

Rev. 11:9 “Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.

   YLT: “and they shall behold -- they of the peoples, and tribes, and tongues, and nations -- their dead bodies three days and a half, and their dead bodies they shall not suffer to be put into tombs,”

   Meaning of Words: “people”: race; “tribe”: breed; “tongue”: dialect; “nation”: country; “see”: behold, observe.

   Literal Meaning: “from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations” refers to the whole world.

Then those will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days,” “then those will see” the modern television proves that in various kinds of demarcations in the whole world, men can see it. Some Bible exegetes held that at that time representatives from various kinds of sources and classes would be sent to the holy city to cerebrate and watch it. “Three-and-a-half days” is between three days and four days. The Lord was raised up and did not see corruption in three days (See John. 2:19; Acts. 2:30-31). Lazarus stank after four days (See John. 11:17, 19).

“And not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.” it means that men bitterly hated the two witnesses.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord said that blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake. And woe to you when all men speak well of you (See Luke. 6:22, 26).

2) Laying bodies and whipping bodies are the inhuman cruel behavior. Today in the church, some preachers are keen on whipping bodies----preaching and writing books to attack dead ones (it refers to the personal attack instead of the defense of the truth). Their behavior is almost the same as that of unbelieving Gentiles.

 

Rev. 11:10 “And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.

   YLT: “and those dwelling upon the land shall rejoice over them, and shall make merry, and gifts they shall send to one another, because these -- the two prophets -- did torment those dwelling upon the land.'”

   Meaning of Words: “send gifts”: send, dispatch, send away; “torment”: pain, torture.

   Literal Meaning: “And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another,” “those who dwell on the earth” this word is the opposite to the sojourner and pilgrim and it refers to the unbelieving world and believers who love the world. “Rejoice” shows that they agreed to the two witnesses being killed from the depth of their hearts. “Sending gifts to one another” shows that it is a great event worthy of being remembered.

“Because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth” “Tormented” shows that the pain they suffered was remembered by them with gratitude constantly and forever.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The joy and pain of common people are a kind of selfish reaction----one rejoices when things profit him and suffers pain when things harm him. However, the motive for Christians’ joy and pain is just contrary to it and they rejoice when suffering for the Lord (See Acts. 5:41; 1Pet. 2:19).

2) We are only sojourners and pilgrims in the world (See 1Pet. 2:11) and therefore we should not have the same mind and idea with those who dwell on the earth.

 

Rev. 11:11 “Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.

   YLT: “And after the three days and a half, a spirit of life from God did enter into them, and they stood upon their feet, and great fear fell upon those beholding them,”

   Meaning of Words: “breath”: spirit, breeze, blast; “great”: exceeding.

   Literal Meaning: “Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them,” “the three-and-a-half days” please see the note in v.9. “The breath of life” refers to the spirit of life.

“And they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.” “Stood” refers to being raised among the dead.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “The breath of life” from God can not only make the dust become a living soul (See Gen. 2:7) but also make the dead be raised up. What believers pursue today is not the knowledge and doctrine but the spirit of life.

2) May God grant us, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man” (See Eph. 3:16), that we can “stand” for the Lord.

 

Rev. 11:12 “And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, Come up here. And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.

   YLT: “and they heard a great voice out of the heaven saying to them, `Come up hither;' and they went up to the heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them;”

   Meaning of Words: “in”: above, among, at.

   Literal Meaning: “And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them,” “a loud voice” the two prophets (the two witnesses) heard it and probably their enemies also heard it.

  “‘Come up here. And they ascended to heaven in a cloud,” “here” refers to heaven. “In a cloud” it is just like the scene that the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven after He was raised up (See Acts. 1:9).

“And their enemies saw them.” “Their enemies” refers to those who dwell on the earth and rejoice over their death (See v.10).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The scene that the two witnesses were raised among the dead and ascended into heaven proves the Lord’s crucifixion, resurrection and ascension before the eyes of the world. From the eighteenth century, men of liberalism always denied the supernatural signs, however, they shall see the fact which they had denied personally.

2) The resurrection and ascension of the two witnesses also prove that the Lord shall come for the second time with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air (1Thess. 4:16-17).

 

Rev. 11:13 “In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.

   YLT: “and in that hour came a great earthquake, and the tenth of the city did fall, and killed in the earthquake were names of men -- seven thousands, and the rest became affrighted, and they gave glory to the God of the heaven.”

   Meaning of Words: “afraid”: affrighted, fear; “people”: names of men (it is constituted of two words in the original); “gave”: bestow, grant.

   Literal Meaning: “In the same hour there was a great earthquake,” “the same hour” refers to the time the two witnesses ascended to heaven. “There was a great earthquake” refers to the wrath of God (See Jer. 10:10; Joel 3:16).

“And a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed,” “the city” refers to the city of Jerusalem (See v.8). “And a tenth of the city fell” later the city of Jerusalem was divided into three parts in another earthquake (See 16:19). “Seven thousand people were killed” it refers to seven thousand names of men in the original. It implies that probably only the famous ones among the dead were counted and at that time many politicians and famous gentles in various countries probably came to Jerusalem to attend the meeting which was held to celebrate the two witnesses’ being killed.

“And the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.” it means that they admitted that there is God existing in heaven while they were afraid, however, they did not repent for their behavior.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) At the last day God shall shake not only the earth, but also heaven, until He removes the creatures that can be shaken, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain (See Heb. 12:26-27).

2) City is the representative of man-made construction. Today the whole world is building various kinds of constructions and the church is also engaged in building, however, most of the constructions are of men’s work. One day in future, all the man-made constructions shall be shaken and destroyed and only “the kingdom which cannot be moved” shall remain (See Heb. 12:28).

 

Rev. 11:14 “The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.

   YLT: “The second wo did go forth, lo, the third wo doth come quickly.”

   Meaning of Words: “past”: pass away; “quickly”: shortly, without delay.

Literal Meaning: “The second woe is past.” It indicates that the woes which were brought in by the trumpet of the sixth angel (See 9:12-13) came to an end here (See 9:13-11:13).

Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.” It indicates that the woes which are brought in by the trumpet of the seventh angel shall come. The woes are the last ones during the period of the great tribulation and therefore they include all the woes from the fifteenth verse to the realization of the kingdom of a thousand years. And the woes of the seven bowels are also included (See 15:1; 16:1-21).

 

Rev. 11:15 “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’”

   YLT: “And the seventh messenger did sound, and there came great voices in the heaven, saying, `The kingdoms of the world did become [those] of our Lord and of His Christ, and he shall reign to the ages of the ages!'”

   Meaning of Words: “reign”: rule.

   Literal Meaning: “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying,” “the seventh angel sounded” the voice of the trumpet shall last until all the woes ended. “There were loud voices in heaven” these voices began when the voice of the trumpet stopped and therefore there was a period of time between the sounding of the trumpet and the loud voices in heaven. The following words to the eighteenth verse all refer to the ending brought in by the seventh trumpet and the woes brought in by the seventh trumpet were recorded in the seven bowels of woes in the sixteenth chapter.

“‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ,” according to the predictions in the Book of Daniel, this case indicates that the great image was broken in pieces by a stone and the stone became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth (See Dan. 2:31-35; 44-45). The stone is the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. When the Lord comes again, He shall judge the nations, conclude the generation of grace, bring in the generation of the kingdom and establish the kingdom of Christ (See Dan. 7:13-14).

“And He shall reign forever and ever!’” “He shall reign” from the beginning of the generation of kingdom, Christ shall reign (See 20:4, 6). “Forever and ever” Christ shall not only reign a thousand years but also reign forever and ever in a new heaven and a new earth (See Is. 9:7; Dan. 2:44).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When the last trump sounds, the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we (those who are alive) shall be changed (See 1Cor. 15:52; 1Thess. 4:16-17). Though the woes brought in by the seventh trumpet are terrible, they also bring in the new hope to believers who love the Lord.

2) Today Satan reigns over the kingdom of the world (See John. 14:30; 1John. 5:19) and there is unrighteousness everywhere. However, when the Lord comes again, it will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, the kingdom of Christ is full of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (See Rom. 14:17).

 

Rev. 11:16 “And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God,

   YLT: “and the twenty and four elders, who before God are sitting upon their thrones, did fall upon their faces, and did bow before God,”

   Meaning of Words: “fell on”: fail, fall upon.

   Literal Meaning: “And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones” “the twenty-four elders” (please see the note in 4:4).

“Fell on their faces and worshiped God,” “felling on their faces” refers to the humble manner of worship (See 4:10; 7:11).

 

Rev. 11:17 “saying: We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.

   YLT: “saying, `We give thanks to Thee, O Lord God, the Almighty, who art, and who wast, and who art coming, because Thou hast taken Thy great power and didst reign;”

   Meaning of Words: “taken”: hold, receive.

   Literal Meaning: “saying: O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come,” “who is to come” (See 1:4, 8; 4:8). The whole sentence probably emphasizes that the conditions of the present and the past on the earth are different, however, He does not change yesterday and today and He still reigns in heaven. “Lord God” indicates that He is Yahweh who takes the full rights of the universe. “Almighty” has two meanings: 1) He is Almighty and all existences are of Him; 2) He is El Shaddai and all provisions are of Him.

We give You thanks...because You have taken Your great power and reigned.” “Give You thanks” the universe can return to normal because of His works. “You have taken Your great power and reigned” indicates that He reigned in the “realization” of the kingdom, however, He is always the king in the “reality” of the kingdom.

 

Rev. 11:18 “The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.’”

   YLT: “and the nations were angry, and Thine anger did come, and the time of the dead, to be judged, and to give the reward to Thy servants, to the prophets, and to the saints, and to those fearing Thy name, to the small and to the great, and to destroy those who are destroying the land.'”

   Meaning of Words: “the nations”: the Gentiles; “destroy”: corrupt.

   Literal Meaning: “The nations were angry,” it indicates that the nations were resentful about the people of Israel’s being selected by God (See Ps. 2:1-3).

“And Your wrath has come,” “Your wrath” refers to the bowels of the wrath of God carried by the seven bowels (See 16:1).

And the time of the dead, that they should be judged,” the judgment to the dead unbelieving ones shall be carried out before the great white throne after the kingdom of a thousand years (See 20:11-13), however, who shall be able to partake in the first resurrection (See 20:5)? According to the scriptures here, probably there will be a judgment about qualifications (See John. 5:27-29; 1Cor. 15:23).

Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name” “Your servants the prophets” refers to those who speak for God. “The saints” refers to all the faithful ones in the generations of the New Testament and the Old Testament (See Heb. 11). “Those who fear Your name” refers to the sheep that treat God’s children well (See Matt. 25:31-40).

And that You should reward, small and great,” “small and great” refers to no matter one is respectful or lowly and it does not mean that everyone shall be rewarded. “That You should reward” indicates that when the Lord comes again, all men of God shall gather together before the judgment seat of Christ (See 2Cor. 5:10) and receive judgment (See 1Pet. 4:17). And all the nations who are alive shall gather together before the throne of Christ’s glory (See Matt. 25:31-32) and at that time, He shall judge that who is worthy of the reward.

And should destroy those who destroy the earth’” “destroy” refers to ruining. “Those who destroy the earth” indicates that when the Lord comes again, all shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God (See 14:9-11) and receive the seven bowels of the wrath of God (See 15:1, 7~16:21). BABYLON THE GREAT (17, 18) and those who became the meat of the great supper of the flows that fly in the midst of heaven (See 19:17-21) are Satan and the anti-Christ and their followers and the whole world shall be destroyed by them.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When the time is come, the Lord shall react to wrath with wrath and corruption with corruption. Only those who fear God and do the will of God shall be rewarded.

2) When the Lord rewards, He treats all the people the same regardless of smallness and greatness. When the Lord destroys, He destroys all regardless of nobleness and lowliness.

 

Rev. 11:19 “Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

   YLT: “And opened was the sanctuary of God in the heaven, and there was seen the ark of His covenant in His sanctuary, and there did come lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and great hail.”

   Meaning of Words: “temple”: oracle, the sanctuary.

   Literal Meaning: “Then the temple of God was opened in heaven,” “the temple of God in heaven” does not refer to “the temple of God” that is measured in the first verse but the temple in the third heaven where the throne of God is (See the fourth chapter).

“And the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple.” “His covenant” symbolizes God’s presence and witness. “Was seen in His temple” shows that He is God who is faithful and keeps the covenant----He is about to carry out the covenant that He has made.

And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.” These are the preludes to the judgment that God carries out (See 8:5).

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

The Two Witnesses

I. “Two” (v.3): few men are against many ones and they cooperate with each other 

II. “Witnesses” (v.3): having the determination to be martyred for the Lord

III. “Clothed in sackcloth” (v.3): sympathizing with the Lord

IV. “Prophesy” (v.3): speaking for God

V. “One thousand two hundred and sixty days” (v.3): accomplishing the work of the Lord with endurance

VI. “The two olive trees” (v.4): being full of the Holy Spirit

VII. “The two lampstands” (v.4): shining for the Lord

VIII. “Standing before the God of the earth” (v.4): standing before the Lord

IX. “Fire proceeds from their mouth” (v.5): having the power of the fire of the Holy Spirit

X. “Have power to shut heaven” (v.6): having the heavenly power

XI. “Have power over waters to turn them to blood” (v.6): can expose the vanities of the worldly enjoyment

XII. “They were killed and their dead bodies will lie in the street three-and-a-half days” (v.7-9): they bear about in the body the dying of Jesus

XIII. “These two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth” (v.10): they are not welcome by the earthly men

XIV. “Being raised up” (v.11): the life of Jesus is made manifest in their body

XV. “They ascended to heaven in a cloud” (v.12): sitting together in heavenly place in Christ

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren