Revelation 11 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
Revelation Chapter 11 (New Testament)
7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
11 And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
Revelation Chapter 11 (New Testament)
13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
| Greek Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| κάλαμος — kalamos | Verse 1 — “A reed like a rod…” | “Reed,” measuring rod. | Kalamos (“reed”) here is a tool of measurement (“rod/measuring reed”). It symbolizes divine authority to evaluate worship and purity. The term stresses God’s right to assess His sanctuary. — Joseph Henry Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (1889) |
| ναός — naos | Verse 1 — “…measure the temple of God…” | “Sanctuary,” inner temple. | Naos (“sanctuary”) denotes the holiest part of the temple (“inner temple”). John measures God’s true worshipers. The term emphasizes spiritual reality rather than physical structure. — B. F. Westcott, Revelation of the Risen Lord (1898) |
| πατέω — pateō | Verse 2 — “…the holy city shall they tread under foot…” | “Trample,” crush down. | Pateō (“to trample”) reflects violent domination (“tread underfoot”). It depicts Gentile oppression permitted for a season. The term expresses humiliation preceding restoration. — Richard C. Trench, Commentary on the Epistles to the Seven Churches (1861) |
| μυκάω — mykaō | Verse 3 — “…prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days…” | “Prophesy,” speak forth. | Mykaō (“to prophesy”) denotes authoritative declaration (“prophesy”). The two witnesses speak under divine empowerment. The term evokes OT prophetic continuity. — Philip Schaff, Commentary on Revelation (1882) |
| δύναμις — dynamis | Verse 3 — “…clothed in power…” | “Power,” miraculous strength. | Dynamis (“power”) describes supernatural enablement (“power”). Their ministry is divinely protected. The term communicates prophetic invincibility until their task ends. — Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
| στόμα — stoma | Verse 5 — “…fire proceedeth out of their mouth…” | “Mouth,” instrument of speech. | Stoma (“mouth”) symbolizes prophetic judgment (“mouth”). Fire imagery signals divine authority behind their words. The term stresses God’s judicial Word. — R. C. Trench, Synonyms of the NT (1896) |
| θηρίον — thērion | Verse 7 — “…the beast that ascendeth out of the pit…” | “Beast,” monster. | Thērion (“beast”) indicates brutal, hostile power (“beast/monster”). It personifies anti-divine rebellion. The term heightens spiritual warfare. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| ἀνάστασις — anastasis | Verse 11 — “…the Spirit of life entered into them…” | “Rising,” resurrection. | Anastasis (“resurrection”) marks divine reversal (“rising again”). God vindicates His witnesses openly. The term prefigures final resurrection hope. — Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church (1890) |
| οὐαί — ouai | Verse 14 — “The second woe is past…” | “Woe,” lamentation. | Ouai (“woe”) indicates intense sorrow (“woe”). It acts as a prophetic warning. The term highlights escalating severity in judgment. — James Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (1898) |
| βασιλεία — basileia | Verse 15 — “…the kingdoms of this world…” | “Kingdom,” realm of rule. | Basileia (“kingdom”) denotes dominion and rule (“kingdom”). Christ’s universal reign replaces earthly powers. The term captures eschatological consummation. — B. F. Westcott, Epistles of St. John (1883) |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar | Work | View on Chapter 11 |
|---|---|---|
| R. H. Charles (University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1855–1931) | The Revelation of St. John | The two witnesses represent faithful testimony, while the seventh trumpet signals God’s ultimate intervention. |
| Ferdinand Christian Baur (University of Tübingen, Germany, 1792–1860) | Paul, the Apostle of Jesus Christ | Baur interprets the chapter as emphasizing the tension between witness and judgment in early Christian thought. |
| A. T. Robertson (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, United States, 1863–1934) | Word Pictures in the New Testament | Robertson highlights the prophetic and eschatological significance of divine vindication. |
| Alfred Plummer (University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1841–1926) | A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St. John | Plummer emphasizes the chapter as an exhortation to steadfastness in witness. |
| William Rainey Harper (University of Chicago, United States, 1856–1906) | Hebrew Bible Studies | Harper notes the chapter combines historical reflection with eschatological instruction. |
Revelation Chapter 11
Verse: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever." - Revelation 11:15
Lesson: This verse speaks of the ultimate victory of God's kingdom over the kingdoms of this world. It reminds us that no matter how powerful the kingdoms of this world may seem, they will ultimately bow before the Lord and His Messiah.
What's Next? Read Our Bible Verses About Life With Purpose and Encouragement
Conclusion: We can take comfort in the fact that God's kingdom is ultimately victorious. We must not be discouraged by the temporary setbacks and struggles we face in this world, but rather keep our eyes fixed on the eternal kingdom of God.
Prayer Points:
l Thank God for the victory of His kingdom.
l Pray for strength and perseverance to face the struggles of this world.
l Ask for a renewed focus on the eternal kingdom of God.
What's Next? Get A Piano Lesson in Houston or Online from The Alive Christians' School of Music
