Revelation 11

Revelation 11, part of the Book of Revelation, written around AD 70 by the apostle John while exiled on Patmos, to churches in Asia Minor facing persecution, describes the measuring of God’s temple, the ministry and martyrdom of two witnesses, and the sounding of the seventh trumpet. The chapter emphasizes God’s protection of His people, the power of faithful testimony, and the triumph of His kingdom, culminating in divine judgment and worship.
Key Sections
Measuring the Temple (11:1–2): John is given a reed to measure God’s temple, altar, and worshipers, but to exclude the outer court, given to the nations to trample for forty-two months. 
The Two Witnesses (11:3–14): God grants authority to two witnesses, clothed in sackcloth, to prophesy for 1,260 days. They’re called two olive trees and lampstands before God. If anyone harms them, fire from their mouths consumes enemies. They shut the sky, turn waters to blood, and strike with plagues. When their testimony ends, the beast from the abyss kills them, and their bodies lie in the great city (spiritually Sodom, Egypt, where the Lord was crucified) for three and a half days. Nations rejoice, refusing burial, but God breathes life into them, raising them to heaven as enemies watch. A great earthquake destroys a tenth of the city, killing 7,000, and survivors give glory to God. The second woe passes; the third comes soon.
Seventh Trumpet: Kingdom Proclaimed (11:15–19): The seventh trumpet sounds, with loud voices declaring, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ, and He shall reign forever!” The twenty-four elders worship, thanking God for taking His power and reigning. Nations raged, but His wrath brings judgment, rewarding prophets, saints, and those fearing His name, and destroying earth’s destroyers. God’s temple in heaven opens, revealing the ark of the covenant, with lightning, thunder, earthquake, and hail.
Cross-References
Measuring Temple: 
Ezekiel 40:3–5: Measuring temple.

Zechariah 2:1–2: Measuring Jerusalem.

Revelation 21:15: City measured.
Forty-Two Months: 
Revelation 13:5: Beast’s authority.

Daniel 7:25: Time, times, half.

Luke 21:24: Times of Gentiles.
Two Witnesses: 
Zechariah 4:3, 11–14: Olive trees.

Deuteronomy 19:15: Two witnesses.

Matthew 17:3: Moses, Elijah.
Fire, Plagues: 
2 Kings 1:10–12: Elijah’s fire.

Exodus 7:19: Water to blood.

1 Kings 17:1: Elijah shuts sky.
Beast’s Attack: 
Revelation 13:1: Beast from sea.

Daniel 7:21: Horn wars saints.

Revelation 17:8: Beast from abyss.
Resurrection, Ascension: 
Ezekiel 37:10: Breath of life.

Acts 1:9: Jesus’ ascension.

Revelation 20:4: Martyrs reign.
Seventh Trumpet: 
1 Corinthians 15:52: Last trumpet.

Revelation 10:7: Mystery fulfilled.

Psalm 2:1–3: Nations rage.
Theological Meaning
God’s Protection: Measuring the temple symbolizes preserving His faithful amid persecution (vv. 1–2; Psalm 46:5).

Powerful Testimony: The witnesses’ ministry shows God’s truth prevailing despite opposition (vv. 5–6; Acts 1:8).

Martyrdom’s Victory: Their death and resurrection affirm God’s power over evil (vv. 7–12; Romans 8:37).

Satanic Opposition: The beast’s rise reveals evil’s temporary power (v. 7; 2 Thessalonians 2:7–8).

Kingdom’s Triumph: The seventh trumpet proclaims Christ’s eternal reign and judgment (vv. 15–18; Daniel 7:14).

Divine Presence: The open temple and ark signify God’s covenant faithfulness (v. 19; Hebrews 9:4).
Questions and Answers
What does measuring the temple mean (v. 1)?
It symbolizes God’s protection of His people, distinguishing them from the ungodly (v. 1; Ezekiel 22:26).

Who are the two witnesses (v. 3)?
Likely symbolic of the church’s prophetic role or specific figures (e.g., Moses, Elijah) testifying for God (v. 3; Zechariah 4:14).

Why 1,260 days (v. 3)?
A symbolic or literal period of tribulation, matching forty-two months (v. 2; Daniel 12:7).

What is the great city (v. 8)?
Jerusalem or a symbolic evil city (Babylon, Rome), where Christ was crucified (v. 8; Revelation 17:18).

Why do the witnesses rise (v. 11)?
To show God’s victory over death, vindicating His servants (v. 11; Acts 2:32).

What does the seventh trumpet signify (v. 15)?
The establishment of God’s eternal kingdom and final judgment (v. 15; Matthew 24:31).

How does this apply today?
Testify boldly, trust God’s protection, and hope in His kingdom’s victory (v. 15; 1 Corinthians 16:13).
Eschatological Interpretations
Dispensational Premillennial View:
Interpretation: The temple (vv. 1–2) is a literal rebuilt Jewish temple in Jerusalem during the tribulation, post-rapture, with forty-two months as the tribulation’s second half under Antichrist’s control. The two witnesses (vv. 3–14) are literal individuals (possibly Moses and Elijah) preaching during the tribulation, killed by the Antichrist (beast, v. 7) in Jerusalem (great city, v. 8). Their resurrection (v. 11) inspires tribulation saints. The seventh trumpet (vv. 15–19) signals the transition to Christ’s return, pre-millennium, with judgments on nations. The church is absent, raptured earlier; Israel and tribulation saints are in view.

Timing: Future, during tribulation, before Christ’s return and literal millennium.

Key Features: Literal temple, witnesses; pre-trib rapture; Antichrist’s reign; Israel’s role.

Support: Specific time periods (v. 2; Daniel 9:27); literal resurrection (v. 11).
Historic Premillennial View:
Interpretation: The temple (vv. 1–2) symbolizes God’s people (church or Israel), protected spiritually during tribulation before Christ’s return (post-tribulation, no rapture). The forty-two months (v. 2) are a symbolic or literal persecution period. The two witnesses (vv. 3–14) represent the church’s prophetic role or specific figures, martyred by a Satanic power (beast, v. 7), possibly in Jerusalem or a symbolic city (v. 8). Their resurrection (v. 11) foreshadows believers’ victory. The seventh trumpet (vv. 15–19) announces Christ’s return, initiating the millennium (Rev. 20). All saints endure tribulation together.

Timing: Future, end of tribulation, before literal millennium.

Key Features: Symbolic or literal witnesses; unified redeemed; single return.

Support: Church as temple (v. 1; Ephesians 2:21); kingdom’s triumph (v. 15; Daniel 2:44).
Amillennial View:
Interpretation: The temple (vv. 1–2) symbolizes the church, spiritually protected throughout the church age, with forty-two months (v. 2) as the period of tribulation until Christ’s return. The two witnesses (vv. 3–14) represent the church’s prophetic mission, empowered by God’s Spirit, facing persecution (beast, v. 7) in the world (great city, v. 8). Their resurrection (v. 11) symbolizes the church’s vindication. The seventh trumpet (vv. 15–19) depicts Christ’s final victory at His return, with the millennium (Rev. 20) as the current spiritual reign. The vision encourages endurance now.

Timing: Church age or Christ’s single return; symbolic, not chronological.

Key Features: Symbolic temple, witnesses; spiritual conflict; present millennium.

Support: Church as lampstands (v. 4; Revelation 1:20); symbolic periods (Zechariah 4:6).
Postmillennial View (Including Preterist):
Interpretation: Postmillennial: The temple (vv. 1–2) is the church, preserved during trials for gospel triumph in a future golden age (millennium, Rev. 20). The two witnesses (vv. 3–14) symbolize the church’s mission, overcoming persecution (beast, v. 7) through testimony. The forty-two months (v. 2) are temporary opposition. The seventh trumpet (vv. 15–19) heralds kingdom growth. Preterist: The temple is the Jerusalem temple pre-AD 70, with forty-two months as the siege (AD 66–70). The witnesses are early Christian prophets, killed in Jerusalem (great city, v. 8) by Rome or Jewish leaders (beast). Their resurrection (v. 11) is the church’s survival post-70. The trumpet (v. 15) is the new covenant’s victory.

Timing: Postmillennial: Gospel millennium. Preterist: Mostly AD 70; final victory future.

Key Features: Gospel triumph; symbolic or AD 70 fulfillment; church’s mission.

Support: Witnesses’ power (v. 6; Acts 4:33); AD 70 for Preterists (Luke 21:24).
Additional Notes for Readers
Historical Context: Written to seven churches in Asia Minor (Rev. 1:4) under Domitian’s persecution (AD 95). John’s Patmos exile shapes the vision’s hope, using Jewish apocalyptic imagery (Ezekiel, Zechariah) to assure God’s victory amid persecution.

Cultural Questions: “Temple” (v. 1) evokes Jewish worship, central in synagogues (Ezekiel 40:2). “Forty-two months” (v. 2) uses Jewish prophetic periods, debated in churches (Daniel 7:25). “Olive trees” (v. 4) tie to Jewish anointing, vivid for readers (Zechariah 4:3). “Great city” (v. 8) recalls Jerusalem’s significance, bold in diaspora (Psalm 48:1). “Resurrection” (v. 11) mirrors Jewish hopes, striking in persecution (Daniel 12:2). “Ark” (v. 19) symbolizes God’s covenant, resonant in worship (Exodus 25:10).

Application: Revelation 11 calls believers to proclaim God’s truth, endure suffering, and trust His kingdom’s triumph. It challenges fear, silence, and compromise, urging bold faith in a hostile world (Romans 12:1–2; 2 Timothy 1:7–8).