Analysis Of The Chapter This chapter Revelation 11 which is very improperly separated from the preceding, and improperly ended - for it should have been closed at Revelation 11:18 - consists (excluding the last verse, which properly belongs to the succeeding chapter) essentially of three parts: I.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE WAS GIVEN ME - He does not say by whom, but the connection would seem to imply that it was by the angel. All this is of course to be regarded as symbolical. The representation undoubtedly pertains to a future age, but the language is such as would be properly addressed to one who had been... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE COURT WHICH IS WITHOUT THE TEMPLE - Which is outside of the temple proper, and, therefore, which does not strictly pertain to it. There is undoubtedly reference here to the “court of the Gentiles,” as it was called among the Jews - the outer court of the temple to which the Gentiles had acce... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I WILL GIVE POWER UNTO MY TWO WITNESSES - In respect to this important passage Revelation 11:3 I propose to pursue the same method which I have pursued all along in this exposition: first, to examine the meaning of the words and phrases in the symbol, with a purpose to ascertain the fair signifi... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE ARE THE TWO OLIVE-TREES - These are represented by the two olive-trees, or these are what are symbolized by the two olive-trees. There can be little doubt that there is an allusion here to Zechariah 4:3, Zechariah 4:11, Zechariah 4:14, though the imagery is in some respects changed. The prophe... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF ANY MAN WILL HURT THEM - This implies that there would be those who would be disposed to injure or wrong them; that is, that they would be liable to persecution. The word “will” is here more than the mere sign of the future; it denotes “intention, purpose, design,” θέλεὶ thelei - “if any ma... [ Continue Reading ]
THESE HAVE POWER TO SHUT HEAVEN - That is, so far as rain is concerned - for this is immediately specified. There is probably a reference here to an ancient opinion that the rain was kept in the clouds of heaven as in reservoirs or bottles, and that when they were opened it rained; when they were cl... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THEY SHALL HAVE FINISHED THEIR TESTIMONY - Prof. Stuart renders this, “And whenever they shall have finished their testimony.” The reference is undoubtedly to a period when they should have faithfully borne the testimony which they were appointed to bear. The word rendered here “shall have... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEIR DEAD BODIES SHALL LIE IN THE STREET - Prof. Stuart, “Shall be in the street.” The words “shall lie” are supplied by the translators, but not improperly. The literal rendering would be, “and their corpses upon the street of the great city”; and the meaning is, that there would be a state of... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY OF THE PEOPLE - Some of the people; a part of the people - ἐκ τῶν λαῶν ek tōn laōn. The language is such as would be employed to describe a scene where a considerable portion of a company of people should be referred to, without intending to include all. The essential idea is, that the... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY THAT DWELL UPON THE EARTH SHALL REJOICE OVER THEM - Those dwelling in the land would rejoice over their fall and ruin. This cannot, of course, mean all who inhabit the globe; but, according to the usage in Scripture, those who dwell in the country where this would occur. Compare the notes o... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AFTER THREE DAYS AND AN HALF - See the notes on Revelation 11:9. THE SPIRIT OF LIFE FROM GOD - The living, or life-giving Spirit that proceeds from God entered into them. Compare the notes on Job 33:4. There is evidently allusion here to Genesis 2:7, where God is spoken of as the Author of life.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY HEARD A GREAT VOICE FROM HEAVEN - Some manuscripts read, “I heard” - ἤκουσα ēkousa - but the more approved reading is that of the common text. John says that a voice was addressed to them calling them to ascend to heaven. COME UP HITHER - To heaven. AND THEY ASCENDED UP TO HEAVEN IN A... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE SAME HOUR - In immediate connection with their triumph. WAS THERE A GREAT EARTHQUAKE - “An earthquake is a symbol of commotion, agitation, change; of great political revolutions, etc. See the notes on Revelation 6:12. The meaning here is, that the triumph of the witnesses, represented by th... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SECOND WOE IS PAST - That is, the second of the three that were announced as yet to come, Revelation 8:13; compare Revelation 9:12. AND, BEHOLD, THE THIRD WOE COMETH QUICKLY - The last of the series. The meaning is, that what was signified by the third “woe” would be the next, and final event, i... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE SEVENTH ANGEL SOUNDED - See the notes on Revelation 8:2, Revelation 8:6. This is the last of the trumpets, implying, of course, that under this the series of visions was to end, and that this was to introduce the state of things under which the affairs of the world were to be wound up. The p... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE FOUR AND TWENTY ELDERS WHICH SAT ... - See the notes on Revelation 4:4. FELL UPON THEIR FACES, AND WORSHIPPED GOD - Prostrated themselves before him - the usual form of profound adoration. See the notes on Revelation 5:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
SAYING, WE GIVE THEE THANKS - We, as the representatives of the church, and as identified in our feelings with it (see the notes on Revelation 4:4), acknowledge thy goodness in tires delivering the church from all its troubles, and having conducted it through the times of fiery persecution, thus est... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE NATIONS WERE ANGRY - Were enraged against thee. This they had shown by their opposition to his laws; by persecuting his people; by slaying his witnesses; by all the attempts which they had made to destroy his authority on the earth. The reference here seems to be to the whole series of event... [ Continue Reading ]
ANALYSIS OF THE CHAPTER 11:19–12 This portion of the book commences, according to the view presented in the closing remarks on the last chapter, a new series of visions, designed more particularly to represent the internal condition of the church; the rise of antichrist, and the effect of the rise... [ Continue Reading ]