ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Revelation 11

Rev. 11:1–14 The visions of the temple and the witnesses reassure believers of God’s protection. However, spiritual protection still allows physical suffering.

Rev. 11:1–2 John was given a measuring rod and instructed to measure the temple of God. Some think this implies that during the great tribulation the Jewish temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem. Jewish worship will be restored there. At this midpoint of the tribulation, the Antichrist will take “his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God” (2 Thess. 2:4). Others see the “temple” in Revelation 11 as a symbol for believers (1 Cor. 3:16–17; 1 Pet. 2:4–10; see Rev. 3:12; 21:22). They note that John must measure the sanctuary, its altar (compare Ezek. 40:2–3), and those who worship there. This “measuring” of persons also shows God’s protection and ownership. John must not measure the court outside, because the holy city will be given over to the nations. This language echoes Jesus’ prediction of Jerusalem’s destruction (Luke 21:24; compare Dan. 8:13). Thus some believe that Revelation was written before a.d. 70 and predicted that disaster. Others think that “the holy city” refers to the true church. Forty-two months (see also Rev. 13:5) is equivalent to “1,260 days” (counting 30 days to a month; see 11:3; 12:6) and “a time, and times, and half a time” (three and a half years; 12:14). This symbolizes the shortness of the church’s suffering, which lasts until Christ comes. These calculations of time echo Dan. 7:25; 12:7.

Rev. 11:3–14 Scripture requires two witnesses to confirm testimony (Deut. 19:15; Matt. 18:16). The two witnesses of Revelation may represent the saints, as the parallel between Rev. 11:7 and 13:7 suggests. They wear the sackcloth of repentance (compare Isa. 37:1–2; Jonah 3:5; Matt. 11:21) to symbolize their message. Some scholars believe these are two actual individuals who will appear at the end of history.

Rev. 11:4 two olive trees. In Zechariah’s vision, the “two olive trees” symbolized “two anointed ones” (Zech. 4:11, 14). One was a royal leader to rebuild God’s temple (Zech. 4:6–10) and the other was a high priest to lead worship in it (Zech. 3:1–5). Thus the witnesses of Rev. 11:3 represent everyone the Lamb has redeemed to serve as priests and rule as kings (1:6; 5:10).

Rev. 11:5–6 The witnesses especially fulfill the church’s prophetic role. They pour out God’s word as fiery judgment from their mouth. They announce drought as Elijah did (1 Kings 17:1). They turn waters . . . into blood as Moses did (Ex. 7:14–25).

Rev. 11:7–10 The great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt is the site of the martyrs’ death and their Lord’s crucifixion. See also references to “the great city” in 16:19; 17:18; and five times in 18:10–21. In these instances “the great city” is called “Babylon,” which stands for Rome. In 11:8, however, the “great city” is Jerusalem. It is likely that John has merged Rome and Jerusalem here into one combined symbol. “The great city” is further identified symbolically (or “spiritually”; see esv footnote) as “Sodom,” a place known for its sinfulness and rebellion against God. It is also called “Egypt,” which was known for persecuting God’s people. “The great city” symbolizes every empire that rejects God and harms his church.

Rev. 11:11–14 they stood up on their feet. . . . they went up to heaven in a cloud. The two witnesses (v. 3) may symbolize the church. If so, then these verses promise resurrection (see Ezek. 37:10) and enthronement with God (see Dan. 7:13). If the witnesses are two actual individuals, then they are miraculously resurrected at this point. As in Acts 1:9, the “cloud” symbolizes the mysterious active presence of God.

Rev. 11:15–18 the seventh angel blew his trumpet. Many believe this trumpet signals Christ’s second coming. has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ. The elders celebrate a future day when God and his Christ have begun their reign by judging the dead (20:11–13), rewarding their servants (21:1–7; 22:1–5), and destroying the destroyers of the earth (20:14–15).

Rev. 11:19–14:20 This vision reveals the heart of the conflict the church faces. Through his sacrificial blood, Christ (the seed of the woman) has defeated Satan (the accuser of his people). Believers’ sufferings result from Satan’s desperation because “he knows that his time is short” (12:12).

Rev. 11:19 A deeper opening of God’s temple in heaven brings the ark of his covenant into view as John peers into the Most Holy Place itself, prepared to receive visions that explain the church’s spiritual conflict.