The contents of this chapter will be better understood as we proceed with the exposition. In the meantime it is enough to say that we have a second consolatory vision, which stands to that of chap. 10 in much the same relation as does the vision of the palm-bearing multitude in chap. 7 to the sealin... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 11:1. A REED WAS GIVEN to the Seer, it is not said by whom, and we are left to infer, as at chap. Revelation 6:2; Revelation 6:4; Revelation 6:8; Revelation 6:11, that it was by one in heaven. The word ‘my' in Revelation 11:3 may lead us to the thought of the Lord Himself. The reed is for... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 11:2. While it shall be thus with the innermost part of the temple-buildings it shall be otherwise with the rest. THE COURT WHICH IS WITHOUT THE TEMPLE includes every part of the precincts not belonging to the Holy and Most Holy place; and this fact, together with the instruction ‘cast it... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 11:3. The voice is continued, and the use of the word my connected with the TWO WITNESSES seems to indicate that it is the Lord who speaks, though in all probability by means of the ‘strong angel' mentioned in chap. Revelation 10:1. The witnesses receive both the words of their prophecy a... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 11:4. First, the witnesses are described AS THE TWO OLIVE TREES, AND THE TWO CANDLESTICKS STANDING BEFORE THE LORD OF THE EARTH. The figure is taken from Zechariah 4, with this difference, that there we have only one candlestick with an olive tree on either side of it, while here we have... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 11:5. IF ANY MAN DESIRETH TO HURT THEM FIRE PROCEEDETH OUT OF THEIR MOUTH, AND DEVONRETH THEIR ENEMIES. There can be no doubt that the allusion is to 2 Kings 1:10; 2 Kings 1:12, although literal fire may not be thought of, but rather those ‘words' of the Lord in the mouth of His prophet o... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 11:6. Not only does fire proceed out of the mouth of the witnesses; they have also THE POWER TO SHUT THE HEAVEN THAT IT RAIN NOT DURING THE DAYS OF THEIR PROPHECY, AND THEY HAVE POWER OVER THE WATERS TO TURN THEM INTO BLOOD, AND TO SMITE THE EARTH WITH EVERY PLAGUE AS OFTEN AS THEY SHALL... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 11:7. That the witnesses have A TESTIMONY to deliver has already appeared from the words ‘they shall prophesy' in Revelation 11:3, and from their coming before us in Revelation 11:4 as fruit-bearing and light-giving. This work they shall accomplish: this witness they shall ‘finish' in the... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 11:8. Their enemies are not satisfied with putting them to death. Dishonour and contumely are heaped upon them after they have been slain. The use of the singular for the plural number in speaking of them in this verse is remarkable, for the true reading is not, as in the Authorised Versi... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 11:9. The spectators mentioned in this verse come from the whole world in its fourfold designation of PEOPLES AND TRIBES AND TONGUES AND NATIONS. All look upon the ‘dead body' of the witnesses without commiseration for the miserable state in which it lies. This they do for three days and... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 11:10. Even this is not all. THEY THAT DWELL UPON THE EARTH, that is, the ungodly everywhere rejoice and hold high festival over their destruction. In the words used it is impossible to mistake the mocking contrast to God's holy festival as described in Nehemiah 8:10-12.... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 11:11. The short time of the world's triumph passes away. Then A SPIRIT OF LIFE OUT OF GOD enters into them, and imparts to them such power that they stand up upon their feet, and strike all beholders with terror.... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 11:12. Nor that alone. They hear a voice summoning them to ascend into heaven in the presence of the same beholders, and they obey. THEY WENT UP INTO HEAVEN IN THE CLOUD, not in the clouds, or simply in a cloud; but in a distinct and definite cloud, that of the angel of chap. Revelation 1... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 11:13. AND IN THAT HOUR, that is, at the very moment when the witnesses ascended, judgment fell upon the guilty world. There was A GREAT EARTHQUAKE, the constant symbol of judgment. THE TENTH PART OF THE CITY FELL. The city is without doubt ‘the great city' of Revelation 11:8; but only... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 11:14. THE SECOND WOE IS PAST, BEHOLD THE THIRD WOE COMETH QUICKLY. At chap. Revelation 8:13 mention was made of three Woes. At chap. Revelation 9:12 the first Woe was said to be past. The sixth trumpet then sounded and was continued to chap. Revelation 9:21. From chap. Revelation 10:1 to... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 11:15. It is difficult to say to whom the GREAT VOICES spoken of in this verse belong. They can hardly come from angels, or from the four living creatures, or indeed from any created thing. They seem rather a poetic method of giving expression to the fact that those counsels of the Almigh... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 11:16. The voices in heaven are now answered by the twenty-four Elders, the representatives of the redeemed Church on earth. Enraptured with the prospect before them, these FELL UPON THEIR FACES AND WORSHIPPED GOD.... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 11:17. Contains the first part of their song of praise and thanksgiving. In reading, a comma is to be placed after the word LORD, which presents us with the name of Him who has thus triumphed, and brought the troubles of His Church to an end. The name ‘Lord' is then followed by three appe... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 11:18. contains the second part of the song of praise, defining more accurately, and apparently in three particulars, the precise nature of the moment which had arrived, and of the events which distinguish it. The first of these particulars is, THE NATIONS WERE ROUSED TO WRATH (comp. Psal... [ Continue Reading ]
Revelation 11:19. We have here exhibited in act what had just been proclaimed in word (Revelation 11:14-18). As throwing light upon the imagery of Revelation 11:1 and Revelation 11:2 it is important to notice that, when THERE WAS OPENED THE TEMPLE OF GOD THAT IS IN HEAVEN, THERE WAS SEEN IN HIS TEMP... [ Continue Reading ]