“When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where our Lord was also crucified. Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth“
11:7
When they finish their testimony,
No child of God can die until he finishes his testimony. Some Christians possess no sense of purpose. “I am of no account here. Why does the Lord keep me here?” As long as we are alive, God has a purpose for us.
the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.
After the two witnesses complete their testimony, a beast from the bottomless pit kills them. The book of Revelation refers to this “beast” 36 times. This verse is the first occurrence. A “beast” in prophetic literature portrays two things: 1) a king and 2) a kingdom (Daniel 7). This beast represents world government (11:7).
These two witnesses stood against the religious and political system of the beast. The source of the beast’s authority is straight out of the pit. It is a satanic system. This satanic system goes to war against the two witnesses. World government will not allow testimonies such as these to go out to the world if they can keep from it. The beast kills the two witnesses publicly.
11:8
And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt,
The religious system of Satan puts the dead bodies of the two witnesses on display in the street to show that the beast has dominion over them and what they represent. Their bodies lie in the streets of Jerusalem, which is symbolically called “Sodom and Egypt.” Sodom is a symbol of moral corruption, perversion, and degradation. God obliterated this city along with Gomorrah. “Egypt” reduced Israel to slavery. Two cities, one representing perversion and the other representing persecution, are a picture of the city of Jerusalem in the Tribulation.
where also our Lord was crucified.
This identifies the place where the beast killed the two witnesses – the city of Jerusalem.
11:9
Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days,
People from all over the world will see the testimony of the beast – the dead bodies of the two witnesses for Christ. This is possible through satellite television.
and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves.
This government of the Antichrist exhibits barbarism and ghoulish behavior by allowing the dead bodies to lay in the street for 3 ½ days. Television cameras will focus on them as the party continues.
11:10
And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth
People around the world will throw a party because of the defeat of the two witnesses. They will even give each other gifts in celebration of the victory of the beast. The message of the two prophets tortured the people of the world mentally and caused them great distress. They could not bear their message. They hated objective dogmatism. That is why they were so glad to get rid of them. Religion is full of sweetness and light until you oppose it.
Principle:
For as long as we are alive, God has a plan for us.
Application:
God has a plan for all Christians, and we are invincible until that plan is done. We need not fear any man or devil. The Devil can do nothing to us without divine permission (Job 1). As long as we are alive, God has a purpose for us. Until we die, we still have a testimony to the world.
The only exception to the principle we just discussed is the “sin unto death,” whereby we impose our self-will over God’s will. If we refuse to give testimony, God may choose to remove us from this planet because we do not bear fruit.
