Nazarene Commentary 2000©
21st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures©
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21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures©
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A REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
CHAPTER ELEVEN:
TWO PROPHETS DURING DAYS OF WAR
[“Great Oppression and Two Witnesses”]
Key Word: Trampled
Theme Verse: 7
Revelation 11:1-4 – Holy City Trampled 42 Months
RV11:1 And the angel gave me
a reed like a staff,
[Ezekiel 40:3] saying: “Rise and measure the Divine Habitat of The God,
[Zechariah 2:1, 2] and the Altar,
and those worshipping in the Divine Habitat.
| 404 | A reed like a staff: Compare Ezekiel 40:3, 5. With chapter eleven begins one of three very fundamental portions of Revelation –
the subject of the Great Oppression and the end-time Saints during a period of three and a half years. This is drawn from Daniel 7:21-25. [For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on Daniel.] |
| 405 | Measure the Divine Habitat of The God: Compare the KAI METRESON at Zechariah 1:16; 2:1, 2. There are dimensions to the Temple of God just as there are to the New Jerusalem. |
| 406 | Altar: The incense altar, as this occurs elsewhere. (Revelation 6:9; 9:13; 14:18) |
| 407 | Those worshipping in the Divine Habitat: The worshippers in the NAOS. (Revelation 4:10; 5:14; 7:11; 11:16) These must be angels for Saints are to be raptured
later at Revelation 11:12. With Revelation 7:14, 15 this will include the Large Crowd or 144,000. |
RV11:2 Do not measure
the Courtyard
[Exodus 27:9] outside the Divine Habitat. For
the Courtyard
is given to the non-Jews.
The non-Jews will trample the Holy City 42 months.
[Luke 21:24; Daniel 12:7]
| 408 | The Courtyard is given to the non-Jews: This makes it clear the “courtyard” is not within the Temple. There is something
of this in Hebrews 10:22 with its allusion to the altar and basin. The Saints are a spiritual priesthood (1 Peter 2:9-11) serving within an earthly courtyard. (Hebrews 13:10, 15) This “courtyard” should not be confused with the “court
of the Gentiles” in Herod’s Temple. It is more appropriate to consider it as the “courtyard” of the Tabernacle where the sacrificial altar and water basin were located. [For details on the above compare Nazarene Commentary 2000©
on the epistle to the Hebrews.] |
| 409 | The non-Jews will trample the Holy City 42 months: This can only be the New
Jerusalem. Compare Revelation 3:12; 20:9; 21:2, 10; 22:19. The Holy City exists in some form since Hebrews 12:22 in order for the “nations” to trample her. Compare the echoes at Zechariah 14:16 and Daniel 8:13. This is a strong paraphrase of Luke
21:24 and Daniel 12:7. |
RV11:3 And I will authorize my 2 Witnesses
and they will prophesy
dressed in sackcloth
1,260 days.
[Daniel 7:25]
| 410 | My 2 witnesses: Or, martyrs. These are a symbol for the Saints of Revelation 13:5-7 and Daniel 7:25. They are the 144,000 Large Crowd. The voice is from Revelation 10:8 and likely that of the Master Jesus Christ. (Revelation 11:7; 12:11; 17:6) |
| 411 | They will prophesy: The 2 Martyrs are prophets as shown later. The contents of their prophecy may include elements of the 7 Trumpets as proclamations. |
| 412 | Dressed in sackcloth: Because of repentance or deep sorrow. Compare Psalm 35:3; 69:11; Daniel 9:3; Matthew 11:21. Because of their oppressed state with much sadness due to prison and execution. (Revelation 13:5, 7, 10) The theme of their prophesying also spells doom. |
| 413 | 1,260 days: These equal 42 months (Revelation 13:5, 7) or time, times, and half a time. (Revelation 12:6, 14) This is drawn from Daniel 7:25 and Daniel 12:7. It is three and a half years of Great Oppression. It is a period first seen against Jerusalem from Fall of 66 to Spring of 70 CE. |
RV11:4 These [two] are
the 2 olive trees
and the 2 lampstands
who stand before the Sovereign Lord of the earth.
[Zechariah 4:2, 11, 14]| 414 | 2 olive trees: The angelic interpretation alludes to Zechariah 4:11 LXX where Joshua and Zerubbabel are under
consideration. |
| 415 | 2 lampstands: Again from Zechariah 4:2, 11. There is a problem here as Zechariah mentions only one lampstand. The oil is for the lampstand that then sheds its illumination. There was a lampstand within the NAOS and was the means to light up the interior, not the world outside, but those worshipping within the NAOS. |
| 416 | Before the Sovereign Lord of the earth: This is a paraphrase of Zechariah 4:14 LXX. The Greek text has either “God” or “Lord” as LXX has it. |
Revelation 11:5-6 – Prophets Torment Humanity
RV11:5 “And if any wish to harm the 2 Witnesses
fire issues from their mouths and devours their enemies.
[1 Kings 17:1] And if any wish to harm them this is how they will be killed.
| 417 | If any wish to harm the 2 Witnesses: The 2 Martyrs can expect “harm” in the form of persecution. It is possible the “harm”
here is something of a more permanent nature. |
| 418 | Their enemies: These will be around to observe their snatching
or rapture. (Revelation 11:12) |
| 419 | They will be killed: They have this kind of power to use against any that would harm them. Compare the paraphrase of 1 Kings 17:1; 18:1. If they have this ability literally they would have no enemies. This fire may be that of Jeremiah 23:29. This is a clear allusion to Elijah the prophet who appeared in the Transfiguration scene. (Matthew 17:1-9) |
RV11:6 These 2 Witnesses have authority to
shut up Heaven so that no rain will fall [1 Kings 17:1] during the days of their prophecy. And
the 2 Witnesses have
authority over the waters to turn them into blood,
[Exodus 7:17, 19] and to
smite the earth with every plague
[Exodus 7-10] as often as they wish.| 420 | Shut up Heaven so that no rain will fall: Another allusion to Elijah. (1 Kings 18:1+) Compare
this with Luke 4:35. The Nazarene is the one to provide the period of three and a half years. The disciple James also gives this period. (James 5:17) |
| 421 | Authority over the waters to turn them into blood: Moses is here introduced. (Exodus 7:17; 8:16; 11:10) Thus the two Prophets are like Moses and Elijah of the Transfiguration Vision. (Matthew 17:1-9) The two also appear
in Malachi representing the Law and the Prophets. |
| 422 | Smite the earth with every plague: Compare Exodus 10:17;
11:1; 12:23 LXX. With this much power they would be invincible. These are likely the trumpet-like announcements in Revelation 8, 9. |
Revelation 11:7-10 – Wild Beast Kills 2 Prophets
RV11:7 “And the wild Sea Beast who ascends out of the Abyss
will finish their witness and
make war with them and conquer and kill them
[Daniel 7:21-25]
| 423 | The wild Sea Beast who ascends out of the Abyss: At some point in the prophetic context of the Great Oppression their prophesying
ends. This ascension out of the Abyss is first mentioned here but expanded in chapters 13 and 17. The whole period of three and a half years cannot start until the Beast ascends out of the Abyss as the 8th World Power – a one-world government. |
| 424 | Make war with them and conquer and kill them: This is all a paraphrase of Daniel 7:21, 25. In Daniel it is the Little Horn or Small Power.
Compare Revelation 6:11. The blood of the martyrs is told to rest, for others will later be killed as they had been. The Saints can expect this in the bloody Great Oppression. |
RV11:8 And their
fallen body
will be on the Broadway of the Great City.
A spiritual City called Sodom and Egypt
where their Master was impaled.
| 425 | Their fallen body: The Greek here is TO PTOMA (a fallen body or corpse). It is a unique term occurring at Matthew 24:28. Evidently
a sizable body of the Saints will be executed or killed in persecution. |
| 426 | Great City: Babylon the Great.
Here the subject is mentioned for the first time and then later amplified as in the case with several important subjects in Revelation. (Compare Revelation 11:2, 13 with Revelation 16:19; 17:18; 18:10) God’s own people are still within Babylon. They are called out in Revelation 18:4 by a snatching to safety in the Rapture. |
| 427 | Sodom and Egypt: Compare Isaiah 1:9; 3:9; Romans 9:29; Deuteronomy 32:32. The Great City Babylon is compared to three other places: a] Sodom for its immorality; b] Egypt for its doctrines; and, c] Jerusalem for its apostasy as God’s people. The Great City is that corporate body of “weeds” – the corrupted Christian Church – of Matthew 13:24-29, 36-43. See notes on the Great City in Revelation chapter 18. |
| 428 | Where their Master was impaled: Jesus was executed on the Tree outside of Jerusalem but within the Babylonish framework which had overcome the Jews. |
RV11:9 And the
peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations
[Daniel 7:14] will look at their fallen body for 3½ days.
Their fallen bodies are not laid in a tomb.
| 429 | Peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations: This is a phrase occurring in Revelation 5:9; 7:9; 13:7; 17:15. This may indicate the three
and a half years occurs during the time of attempts to compel the earth to worship the wild Sea Beast and its Image. |
| 430 |
3½ days: Compare Lazarus’ time in the tomb, slightly longer than the Nazarene. Is it about this time the eagles begin to gather around the TO PTOMA? (Matthew 24:28) This may represent how their enemies view them. |
RV11:10 Those on earth will rejoice over them,
making themselves rejoice, and they will send gifts to one another. For these 2 Prophets tormented those dwelling on earth.| 431 | Those on earth
will rejoice over them: Likely a global affair judging from chapter 13. |
Revelation 11:11-13 – Raptured out of the Great City
RV11:11 “And after 3½ days
spirit of life from The God entered them. [Ezekiel 37:5, 10] The 2 Witnesses
stood up on their feet
[Ezekiel 37:5, 10] and great fear fell upon those beholding them.
| 432 | Stood up on their feet: This is a strong allusion to Ezekiel 37:5, 10 LXX. The end-time Saints have suffered executions and imprisonment
and for all practical purposes appear “dead.” |
RV11:12 And the 2 Witnesses heard a great voice out of the Celestialum, calling: “Come up here!” And the 2 Witnesses
ascended into the Sky in the cloud
[2 Kings 2:11; Daniel 7:13] and their enemies beheld them.
| 433 | Ascended into the Sky in the cloud: This ascension in the cloud to heaven is too similar to Matthew 24:30, 31; Acts 1:9; 1 Thessalonians
4:17 to be coincidental. It breathes of the Rapture. It occurs at the appropriate time in harmony with Matthew 24:29-31. |
| 434 |
Their enemies beheld them: The Rapture is visible to their enemies with the Great City. |
RV11:13 In that hour
there occurred a great earthquake.
[Ezekiel 38:19, 20]
A tenth
of the [Great] City fell.
[Isaiah 6:13]
7,000 human names
[1 Kings 19:2] were killed by the earthquake.
The remaining became frightened and
they glorified The God of Heaven.
[Isaiah 66:5]| 435 | There occurred a great earthquake: Compare Revelation 6:12; 16:18. |
| 436 | A tenth of the Great City fell: Compare Isaiah 6:13 LXX. A symbol for a remnant of survivors. |
| 437 | 7,000 human names were killed by the earthquake: A symbol for a remnant of survivors. This is a strong allusion to 1 Kings 19:18 also quoted by Romans 11:4. It infers a remnant or small group.
In Elijah’s case only Yehowah knew who they were. The Saints were still inside Babylon. If these two terms, one-tenth and 7,000, stand for the TO PTOMA or corpse it would appear that these former inhabitants of Babylon appeared to die. Compare
Ezekiel 37:1-14. |
| 438 | The remaining became frightened and they glorified The God of Heaven: Those who viewed the
Rapture, like those of the Nazarene’s teaching are those “left behind.” These are Christians who do not receive the “seal” mentioned earlier. (Matthew 24:40, 41; Luke 17:34) They respond to the angelic warning at Revelation
14:7 and fear and glorify God. They evidently repent and are among those “nations” (Revelation 11:2) which came against Jerusalem but survive (Zechariah 14.16) into the Thousand Years. (Revelation 20:3) |
Revelation 11:14 – A Third Woe Coming!
RV11:14 “The second Woe is passed! Look! the third Woe is coming quickly!” | 439 | The third Woe is coming quickly: Clearly sequential. The Greek TACHY (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5035 = shortly, quickly,
suddenly) may be rendered “suddenly,” that is with surprise. It is variously rendered here: KJV: quickly; TCN: soon; PHM: following hard on the heels. TACHY occurs Revelation 2:5, 16; 3:11; 11:4; 22:7, 12, 20. |
Revelation 11:15-19 – The Last Trumpet
RV11:15 And the 7th Angel trumpeted.
Great voices occurred in the Celestialum, saying: “The sovereignty of the world of humankind
became
our Sovereign Lord’s and His Messiah.
[Psalm 2:1] [The Sovereign Lord] will reign throughout all future periods of time.”
| 440 | The 7th Angel trumpeted: Thus, the “last trumpet” here. (1 Corinthians 15:53; 1 Thessalonians 4:17) |
| 441 | The sovereignty of the world of humankind: Or, KJV: kingdom of the world; WEY: sovereignty of the world; MOF: rule of the world; KNX: dominion
of the world. The world is not destroyed but becomes the realm or territory of YHWH and His Anointed One. |
| 442 | Messiah:
Messiah began his rule (1 Corinthians 15:25) upon his return to heaven (Ephesians 1:20-23) and throughout 2,000 years he has reigned over his Church. (Colossians 1:13) Now, the Saints, both the living and the dead, united with him following the three and a
half years of Great Oppression, join him in fulfillment of Daniel 7:22, 27. Daniel 7:27 lists “all the kingdoms under heaven” given to the Saints at this moment. This “sovereignty” and territory (domain) is now brought under the reign
of Messiah. Whether peoples submit to this of their own free will or resist the King at Armageddon is left to each one. The whole TOU KYRIOU KAI KRISTOU is right out of the LXX at Psalm 2:1. Peter’s quotation of this in his prayer at Acts 4:24-29
gives it an application since 33 AD and Christ’s ascension to heaven. Paul also quotes Psalm 2:7 at Acts 13:33 and Hebrews 1:5; 5:5 so that Christ becomes Messianic “son” upon his resurrection and ascension. (Romans 1:4) Therefore, Psalm 2:6, “I have installed my king on Mount Zion,” is fulfilled from 33 CE. The view of Hebrews 2:5 is now greatly expanded as one sees the “sovereignty of the world (Kosmos)” now in the process of subjugation. (Compare John 12:31; 1 John 5:19) Since Psalm 2:1 has YHWH, some would prefer the noma sagrada to occur here. Again, note, if this were true, the YHWH comes from a celestial mouth. |
| 443 | [The Sovereign Lord] will reign throughout all future periods of time: This hymnal praise (Revelation 19:6-8) marks a new phase or aspect of Messiah’s near two thousand year old reign for he no longer rules alone but with his Saints; and, not just over his own Church, but over the world. Matters may proceed to a finale. It does not mean he just now begins his reign. Compare this phrase at Revelation 19:6 with Psalms 93:1; 96:10; 97:1; 99:1. |
RV11:16 And the 24 Presbyters, those in the sight of The God, those sitting on their thrones, they fell upon their faces and worshipped The God, saying:
RV11:17 “We give thanks to you, YHWH,
The God, The Almighty,
The-One-Who-Is, [Exodus 3:14, 15] and, The-One-Who-Was,
because you have taken your great power and reigned.
| 444 | YHWH: The Greek has KYRIE here without the article and YHWH may be fitting here. Note the noma sagrada comes from the mouths of celestial
beings. |
| 445 | The-One-Who-Is, and, The-One-Who-Was: Note, the third phrase of the apocalyptic name of God is missing
here, “The One Who Is Coming,” for He has, in fact, come. As pointed earlier on notes elsewhere the HO ON is from the LXX at Exodus 3:14. |
| 446 | You have taken your great power and reigned: Note comments above on a similar phrase. God does not here begin to reign, but He has exercised His power in a marvelous way. The language is similar to Revelation 19:6 when
this is repeated at the judgment on Babylon. It marks a monumental phase of God’s rule. |
RV11:18 And the nations were wrathful,
and Your wrath came. The appointed time
to judge the dead.
[2 Timothy 4:1] To give the reward to Your Slaves the Prophets,
to the Saints, [Daniel 7:22] to
those fearing Your Name,
[Malachi 3:16] the small and the great.
To corrupt
those who thoroughly corrupted the earth.”
[Isaiah 24:5, 6]
| 447 | The nations were wrathful: Or, non-Jews. This may be an echo of Psalm 2:1, 2 but Peter shows the fulfillment in 33 CE with the execution
of Messiah. The wrath of the nations is noted because of the plague which has occurred earlier. There are more plagues to come. (Revelation chapter 16) |
| 448 | The appointed time to judge the dead: This is similar to Daniel 7:22’s TO KAIROS in the context of judgment. The “dead” here are the Christian dead for this is the parousia-Judgment on God’s
slaves the prophets, that is, Saints. This is the first judgment. (2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Peter 4:5; Matthew 24:31) |
| 449 |
Your Slaves the Prophets: Compare Revelation 1:1; 6:11; 7:3; 10:7; 19:2; 22:3, 6 where “slaves” are always the Saints. The Greek TOIS DOULOIS TOIS PROPHETAIS is a paraphrase of LXX at Amos 3:7. On “prophets” compare Revelation
10:7; 16:6; 18:20, 24; 22:9. Note also Revelation 11:10; Ephesians 2:20; 3:5; 4:11. |
| 450 | Those fearing Your Name:
Though some may be tempted to break this down into three groupings, it may also be viewed in harmony with 1 Corinthians 15:23 to mean all “those of Christ at his Arrival.” The phrase “those fearing His name” is from Malachi 3:16.
All of these several allusions taken together show the subjects of the reward are the Saints and not humankind in general. On the general or second resurrection see notes on Revelation 20:5. |
| 451 | The small and the great: Compare “least” at Matthew 25:40. The “great” would include the Apostles, Paul, Timothy, etc.; the “small” including the elderly,
women, and children, humble persons of no outward significance. |
| 452 | To corrupt those who thoroughly corrupted the
earth: No evidence for this needs to be given. This is not just environmental disasters but also the polluting of earth by bloodshed from wars and oppressions. Compare Isaiah 24:5, 6. |
RV11:19 And
the Divine Habitat of The God in the Celestialum was opened.
The
Ark of the Covenant
[Jeremiah 3:16] was seen in the Divine Habitat. And there occurred
flashes of lightning, voices, thunders, earthquakes, and great hail.
[Exodus 19:16]| 453 | The Divine Habitat of The God in the Celestialum was opened: The NAOS is clearly celestial. |
| 454 | Ark of the Covenant: Ending forever speculations as to where it has been since the destruction of Jerusalem in the Fifth Century BC. Now
it appears in heaven. The Ark of the Covenant has always represented the Presence of God. Compare Paul’s discussion of it in Hebrews chapters 7 to 9. |
| 455 | Flashes of lightning, voices, thunders, earthquakes, and great hail: The Sinai manifestation. (Exodus 19:16; Hebrews 12:18) |
Review Questions on Chapter Eleven
- How will the Holy City be treated? For how long?
- How do Moses and Elijah come into the picture?
- Who brings an end to the work of the two prophets?
- How are the prophets rescued?
- What does the last trumpet say and include?
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Nazarene Commentary 2000©
Mark Heber Miller
©2000 All Rights Reserved
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