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The Two Witnesses
In this apocalyptic vision, the speaker is told to measure parts of the temple and then hears about two witnesses. The passage gives exact periods of time and striking images of opposition, witness, and power.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
Revelation 11:1–6 reports a vision. The speaker receives a reed for measuring and is told what to measure and what to leave out. The passage then introduces two witnesses, states how long they prophesy, describes them with imagery, and names powers they have during their prophecy.
Revelation 11:1–6Main takeaway
This vision presents measured worship, a limited time of trampling, and two witnesses whom God empowers for their prophetic work.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A reed and a command to measureThe speaker is given “a reed like a rod” and told to rise and measure God’s temple, the altar, and those who worship there.
Explanation
The speaker is given “a reed like a rod” and told to rise and measure God’s temple, the altar, and those who worship there. The command includes people as well as places. This draws attention to the temple area and to the worshippers within it.
02What is left outThe outer court is not to be measured. It is outside the temple and has been given to the nations.
Explanation
The outer court is not to be measured. It is outside the temple and has been given to the nations. The holy city will be trodden under foot for forty-two months. The vision sets a clear contrast between what is measured and what is left outside.
03Two witnesses for 1,260 daysGod says, “I will give power to my two witnesses”. Their task is to prophesy for 1,260 days, and they are clothed in sackcloth.
Explanation
God says, “I will give power to my two witnesses”. Their task is to prophesy for 1,260 days, and they are clothed in sackcloth. The verse gives the source of their power, the length of their prophetic work, and their appearance during it.
04How the witnesses are presentedThe witnesses are described as “the two olive trees and the two lamp stands”, standing before the Lord of the earth.
Explanation
The witnesses are described as “the two olive trees and the two lamp stands”, standing before the Lord of the earth. The passage does not explain these images here, but it uses them to present the witnesses and their place before the Lord.
05Protection and striking powerIf anyone desires to harm the witnesses, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies in the vision’s imagery.
Explanation
If anyone desires to harm the witnesses, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies in the vision’s imagery. They also have power to shut the sky so rain does not fall during their prophecy, to turn waters to blood, and to strike the earth with every plague.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What is measured, and what is specifically left out?
Compare the temple, altar, and worshippers in Revelation 11:1 with the outer court in Revelation 11:2.
02What exact details are given about the witnesses’ task?
Look for who gives them power, how long they prophesy, and what they are wearing in Revelation 11:3.
03How does the passage present the witnesses through imagery and actions?
Notice the images used in Revelation 11:4 and the powers named in Revelation 11:5 and Revelation 11:6.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Revelation 11:1–6
1A reed like a rod was given to me. Someone said, “Rise and measure God’s temple, and the altar, and those who worship in it.
2Leave out the court which is outside of the temple, and don’t measure it, for it has been given to the nations. They will tread the holy city under foot for forty-two months.
3I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
4These are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands, standing before the Lord of the earth.
5If anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies. If anyone desires to harm them, he must be killed in this way.
6These have the power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.