Bible Groups - Digests of Bible Commentaries

The Revelation to John - Chapter 11

Revised 2013

Both 7 seals & 7 trumpets describe events before full coming of God’s kingdom. Now complete: 7th trumpet proclaims end of present age and coming f fullness of God’s kingdom (cf 10:6). Lamb had been proclaimed worthy (5:9-12); now, thanks are given for Lamb’s rule, and judgement of enemies. Sentence has been passed with Lamb now on throne, but the evil powers are yet to be destroyed. Chap 11 parallel to previous, introducing themes of time limit for woes & beast from abyss.
1 The 2nd woe (11:1-13), see 11:14, cf 9:12. In Ezek temple is measured because it is to be restored (Ezek 40:3), symbolising restoration of Jewish religious life. Measuring rod (cf Ezek 40:3-42:20; 47:1-12; Zech 2:1-6), but not to measure the Jerusalem temple: seems to be the Christian community, ie “those who are worshipping”. The new temple to which Christians looked forward is to consist entirely of human beings, of “those who worship there”. In the earthly temple the separation of inner & outer courts symbolised separation of Judaism from the rest. But in the new Jerusalem, the new temple will have no such separation: the Gentiles will trample the holy city, with no respect for an area set aside for God’s people. Christians now saw there whole identity threatened. But this time of tribulation will be limited, and God will protect his holy people, who will survive by bearing witness, which is the church’s destiny. Symbolically marks out space where God’s glory resides on earth: identifies boundaries of protection for God’s people. God will preserve a faithful remnant, those still worshipping Christ. Later the city will be measured & established for ever as the dwelling place of God & the Lamb (21:15-27.
2 Measuring serves to protect them against destructive forces, which possess the outer court, = the Court of Gentiles, & will control the world, trampling the holy city for a time. 3.5 years as Antiochus IV Epiphanes controlled Jerusalem 167-164BC (Dan 7:25; 12:7). So limited time, during which faithful will be protected by God. Preservation of part of the temple symbolises preservation of a remnant, the holy ones of God. This prophecy is an allusion to the past showing that the events and expectations in the prophecy belong to the times being lived then/now. Outer court given over to the Gentiles may represent earthly temple destroyed by Rome, and/or a Judaism no longer protected by God.
3 During this time 2 witnesses (Greek: martyria) will lament & prophesy. Only in mid C2 did “witness” come to mean martyr.
4 “Olive trees “ - so anointed. “Lampstands” “stand before the Lord of the earth” (cf Zech 4:14), evoking anointed high priest Joshua, responsible for building the temple, & Jewish anointed king Zerubbabel (Zech 4:1-14) who laid foundations for the temple. Lamps fuelled by oil from olives. Witnesses cannot be killed by human enemies, but will die at hands of mythical beast (chaps 13 & 17).
5 Then portrayed as like Elijah & Moses (2 Kings 1:10; 1 Kgs 17:1; 18:36-40; Exod 7:17-20). Elijah had words like fire (Sir 48:1). He was expected to return to preach repentance before the end-time day of judgement (Mal 3:23-24). Witnesses like Moses & Elijah expected (Deut 18:15-22).
6 So witnesses have authority to protect God’s people during this time.
7 But then the 2 witnesses will be martyred by the beast from the pit (13:1-8). 2 required (Deut 19:15). When/if this beast is identified as Nero (13:1,8; 17:8), 2 witnesses seen to be Peter & Paul, martyred in 60s under Nero. Could be whole church, or all Christian martyrs. Vv 7-14: typical Wisdom tale (cf Wis 2:10-3:12), answering problem of suffering by consolation & hope: the righteous will be rescued, the unjust punished.
8 Witnesses death is in “great city”: term used often in Rev for Babylon (14:8; 16:19; 17:18; 18:2, 10, 21), but also code for Rome (cf 1 Pet 5:13). Emphasised as Rome also by calling it Sodom (Gen 18:16-19:29) & Egypt (Exod 1:11 -15). Bodies lying in streets recalls Ezek 11:6.
9 Jesus also died by Rome’s authority. Peoples of Roman empire would gloat over witnesses’ deaths, thinking they are totally defeated. Leaving unburied adds insults.
10 Gloat because their witness was a torment to them.
11 Vindication of 2 witnesses via their resurrection, seen by their enemies. Description reminds of creation (Gen 2:7; 6:17; 7:15, 22) & dry bones (Ezek 37:1-14). Traditional Jewish story pattern: enemies gloat over the downfall of the righteous; then they witness resurrection of the righteous and are frightened , & perhaps repent. But is it too late, will they be saved, since they worship out of fear only (Zech 12:10ff)?.
12 And exaltation in God’s heavenly court. Taken up to heaven, like Elijah (2 Kgs 2:11) & Moses (Deut 34:6) & Enoch (Gen 5:24). Parallel with Christ probably also intended - he is the faithful witness.
13 Gloating by enemies turns to terror, both at seeing their ascension & at earthquake. Enemies now realise what they have done and those not killed repent and give glory to God. God is sovereign & just, but also merciful - he will not destroy creation for ever. As usual purpose of cosmic catastrophes is to lead people to repent. 7,000: 7 all social classes, 1000 = many. Matt transferred earthquake from end of world to Christ’s death & resurrection.
14 This is 2nd woe (9:2), one more to come (11:15-19). But first a triumphant interlude.
15 Seventh trumpet proclaims the coming of God’s reign, after the victory over diabolical powers. God’s plan is fulfilled, as promised (10:7). Climax towards which trumpets & woes have been directed. But not a single cataclysm, accomplished in a moment, but expresses reasoned judgement on whole of history, to be explained in 2nd half of Rev. First John must describe events in heaven, before can describe corresponding events on earth. Eschatological future, not yet present reality for John. Here it is a hymn of praise: God is king, but his kingship not yet fully recognised on earth. God & Messiah on same level as “he”. We pray “your kingdom come” that all humanity will acknowledge God as king. 7th trumpet shows this is at last coming to pass. Hence hymn of praise from heavenly worshippers. What has been prayed for has at last come.
17 Cf Ps 2, originally song for triumphal enthronement of anointed king of Israel. Also cf Ps 115:13. “who are & who were” = eternal one. General judgement, implying general resurrection. Reward: blessing = salvation for the righteous. Destroy: punishment for the wicked.
18 Essential elements of final establishment of God’s kingship: judgement is given; righteous are recompensed for sufferings at hands of wicked; destructive forces of evil finally eliminated. Opening of Holy of Holies expresses extraordinary self-revelation of God.
19 The new Temple in heaven is revealed, with the restored ark of the covenant. Darkness behind curtain hiding innermost sanctuary of Temple, where God believed to dwell, symbolises effort of faith needed to believe in Lordship of God: now curtain removed, darkness turns to light, divine presence revealed to all. Ark of Covenant symbolised God’s faithfulness to his people. Now God’s merciful faithfulness is visible to all at the moment of judgement. The ark was lost when Solomon’s temple destroyed 587BC. Jewish legend expected it to be returned (2 Macc 2:7) in Messianic age: here it is in heavenly temple. 2nd temple destroyed AD70. No temple in new Jerusalem (21:22) - not needed, God lives with his people. This vision proclaims present sovereignty of the Lamb, judgement of those hostile to God’s people has been made, sentence is passed with the enthronement of the Lamb, even though the Lord has not yet destroyed the evil powers from the face of the earth. It provides a heavenly prologue to the horrors of the beast that are to come, and which directly affect the author and his audience.