Keraia
Revelation 11

Revelation 11:7

The Witnesses Killed and Raised · Revelation 11:7–14
Read Revelation 11

Translations

Modern
When the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will wage war with them, and will overpower and kill them.
Traditional
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
Literal
And when they shall have completed their testimony, the beast coming up out of the Abyss will make war with them and will overcome them and will kill them.
Latin
Et cum finierint testimonium suum, bestia, quæ ascendit de abysso, faciet adversum eos bellum, et vincet illos, et occidet eos.

Original

Greek
English
When the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will wage war with them, and will overpower and kill them.

Notes

Revelation 11:7–8

After the witnesses complete their testimony, the scene changes dramatically. The beast (compare Revelation 13:1) appears for the first time. It is linked to the bottomless pit. Like all enemies of God, the beast fights against God’s witnesses and kills them.

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 Bottomless Pit Elijah Numbers and Numerology Place of the Dead

Topics

Animals: Beasts Symbolical Hell: The Future Home of the Wicked Martyrdom: General Scriptures Concerning Pit: The Bottomless Pit Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Beast That Came up out of the Bottomless Pit Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Two Witnesses War: The Contest Between Antichrist and the Church