The Party's Cancelled
12/11/25 Bible Thought (Revelation 11)
Evil’s reign is functioning on borrowed time. This is the takeaway from Revelation 11.
However, the details are fuzzy. Very fuzzy.
A Look at Revelation 11
At first, we are shown John’s measuring of the temple. Which temple? Well, some conclude it to be a reconstructed, literal temple. Others believe it to be representative of the church, and still others conclude it to be representative of Israel.
Likewise, we are then introduced to two witnesses who are not unanimously understood in scholarly thought.
The witnesses certainly serve as genuine witnesses of the living God to nonbelievers. However, whether they are to be two literal figures or representative of the church or a combination of the two is uncertain.
The good news is that in the midst of details that are debated, the overall teaching of this passage is clear.
Suffering will be on the horizon. The outer court of the temple would be trampled by the nations for forty-two months, the duration of the witnesses’ ministry (Rev. 11:3). This concludes with the beast making war on them and their subsequent martyrdom at his hands (Rev. 11:7). Shamefully, their bodies will be scattered in the streets while the nonbelievers party (Rev. 11:9-10), but this isn’t the end of the story.
Afterwards, they will be raised to life again and ascend on high unto heaven (Rev. 11:11-12). Furthermore, after this period of three and a half years, we hear a final trumpet blow and a great cry:
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever” (Rev. 11:15b).
The triumph of the Kingdom of God is a detail from this passage that is not debatable.
For three and a half years, there will be trouble. However, this is a clear and finite timeframe.
Contrasting this, we see that suffering as a whole is not unending, for the reign of the King is unending. There will come a day when God will wipe every tear away (Rev. 7:17; 21:4).
Bringing it Home
So, in the meantime, while details may remain unclear, the victory of Christ is certain.
The triumph of good over evil is undeniable. And the utter futility of those who fight against the reign of God is likewise made plain. Witnesses who are killed would then be merely resurrected and ascended on high—how can you defeat that?!
Let us then remain hopeful. One day, God’s reign will be finally established. The prayer, “Your Kingdom come. Your will be done,” will be finally and for all time answered.
In that we can rejoice and hope—no matter what happens during the in-between.
Challenge for Today:
Do I focus more on the tears of today, or the tearless future that is ahead?
In the present, there can be despair. But let us rest assured, the future is filled with hope for the redeemed!
Thanks for the restack!