Revelation Part 46

Revelation 11:7 says that when the witnesses have finished their testimony, 

"the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them." 

This is the first major reference to the beast in Revelation. The beast is not Satan himself, but a ruler empowered and energized by Satan. He represents the final Antichrist figure and will imitate Christ while demanding worship and exercising authority over the world.

The key point is that the witnesses are not killed because the beast is stronger than God. They are killed only after their assigned work is complete. God allows the beast to overcome them at the appointed time. Their bodies will then be left lying in the street of the great city. This public display is intended to dishonor them and demonstrate the apparent victory of the beast and his system.

The great city is identified spiritually as Sodom and Egypt, and yet the text makes clear that it is the city "where also our Lord was crucified." Therefore, the immediate reference is Jerusalem. Jerusalem is described using the names of Sodom and Egypt because, under the control of the beast, it will have become representative of a corrupt and rebellious world system. Sodom represents moral corruption and destruction, while Egypt represents oppression and resistance to God's authority. Babylon, Sodom, Egypt, and Rome can all serve as symbolic pictures of worldly systems opposed to God.

The contrast with the New Jerusalem is significant. Revelation 21 describes the future Holy City, while Revelation 11 presents Jerusalem under the influence of the beast as a city spiritually corrupted by the world system. The city that should represent God's presence has become identified with the systems that reject Him.

Revelation 11:9 says that people from tribes, peoples, tongues, and nations will see the dead bodies of the witnesses. For many years, interpreters have considered how people throughout the world could simultaneously see bodies lying in one location. Modern communication technology makes this much less difficult to imagine. Phones, television, internet networks, livestreaming, and other technologies can instantly distribute images throughout the world. Whatever specific means God allows, the point is that the witnesses' deaths will become a worldwide event.

The people of the earth will celebrate their deaths because these two prophets tormented them by proclaiming the truth and exposing their sins. The world will rejoice because it believes the voices of God's witnesses have finally been silenced. Yet this celebration will be short-lived.

After three and a half days, the breath of life from God will enter the witnesses, and they will stand on their feet. Great fear will fall upon those who see them. Their resurrection will publicly demonstrate that the apparent victory of the beast was temporary. The very men whom the world celebrated as dead will suddenly stand alive by the power of God.

Then the witnesses will hear a loud voice from heaven saying, "Come up here." They will ascend heaven in the sight of their enemies. Their resurrection and ascension provide a powerful testimony to God's authority. The witnesses' death was public, and their resurrection will also be public. Their experience reminds us of the unusual departures of Elijah and Moses, as well as the resurrection of Lazarus and the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.