Keraia
Revelation 11

Revelation 11:6

The Two Witnesses · Revelation 11:1–6
Read Revelation 11

Translations

Modern
These witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy, and power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.
Traditional
These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
Literal
These have the authority to shut the sky, so that no rain may fall in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague as often as they might want.
Latin
Hi habent potestatem claudendi cælum, ne pluat diebus prophetiæ ipsorum: et potestatem habent super aquas convertendi eas in sanguinem, et percutere terram omni plaga quotiescumque voluerint.

Original

Greek
English
These witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy, and power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.

Notes

Revelation 11:6

These two witnesses received the power to stop the rain and bring plagues, similar to Elijah (see 1 Kings 17:1; 18:41–46) and Moses (see Exodus 7:14–24; 8:1–11:10).

Revelation 11:1–13

  • This section shows people choosing to ignore God's call to repent. Attempts to silence his messengers fail, and God wins.

  • Many have tried to identify the two witnesses in this chapter. Moses and Elijah, who appeared with Jesus at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:3; Mark 9:4; Luke 9:30), are likely candidates (see Revelation 11:6). They represent the law and the prophets. Others suggest Enoch and Elijah because they did not die (see Genesis 5:21–24; 2 Kings 2:11–12). Some think of Peter and Paul, or James and John.

    More important than their identities is their role in confirming God's message through the testimony of two or three witnesses (see Deuteronomy 17:6). God provides a dual witness to the world about the coming judgment, making it clear that his word will come true (Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:15–16).

Revelation 10:1–11:14

This interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets has two parts:

  1. the seven thunders and the small scroll (Revelation 10:1–11), and

  2. the two witnesses (Revelation 11:1–13).

The interlude ends with the announcement that the second terror is over (Revelation 11:14).

Theme notes and profiles

Elijah The Purpose of the Judgments Visions

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of Revelation Elijah Numbers and Numerology

Topics

Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena: General Scriptures Concerning Meteorology and Celestial Phenomena: Symbolical used in the Revelation of John Plague: Foretold Plagues Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Two Witnesses