Rev 11:1-2 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Rev 11:1-13: 11:1-13 This section pictures the willful rejection of God’s continuing call for repentance. The many attempts to silence his witnesses ultimately fail, and God triumphs. • Many attempts have been made to identify the two witnesses of this chapter. Moses and Elijah, who appeared with Jesus at the transfiguration (Matt 17:3 ; Mark 9:4 ; Luke 9:30 ), are likely candidates (see Rev 11:6 ); they represent the law and the prophets. Others have suggested Enoch and Elijah because they did not die (see Gen 5:21-24 ; 2 Kgs 2:11-12 ). Other possibilities include Peter and Paul, or James and John. More important than their identities is their role of confirming God’s message by the testimony of “two or three witnesses” (see Deut 17:6 ). God provides a twofold witness to the world about the impending judgment, making it clear that his word is certain to be fulfilled (Deut 19:15 ; Matt 18:15-16 ). 11:1 The instructions to measure the Temple are reminiscent of Ezekiel’s visions (see Ezek 40–42 ; 43:13-17 ). The Jerusalem Temple was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70; these details symbolize God’s precise knowledge of and care for his people who belong to him (cp. Rev 7:2-4 ; Zech 2:1-5 ).

Summary for Rev 11:1-13: 11:1-13 ^a This section pictures the willful rejection of God’s continuing call for repentance. The many attempts to silence his witnesses ultimately fail, and God triumphs.

• Many attempts have been made to identify the two witnesses of this chapter. Moses and Elijah, who appeared with Jesus at the transfiguration (Matt 17:3 ^b; Mark 9:4 ^c; Luke 9:30 ^d), are likely candidates (see Rev 11:6 ^e); they represent the law and the prophets. Others have suggested Enoch and Elijah because they did not die (see Gen 5:21-24 ^f; 2 Kgs 2:11-12 ^g). Other possibilities include Peter and Paul, or James and John. More important than their identities is their role of confirming God’s message by the testimony of “two or three witnesses” (see Deut 17:6 ^h). God provides a twofold witness to the world about the impending judgment, making it clear that his word is certain to be fulfilled (Deut 19:15 ⁱ; Matt 18:15-16 ^j). 11:1 ^k The instructions to measure the Temple are reminiscent of Ezekiel’s visions (see Ezek 40–42 ^l; 43:13-17 ^m). The Jerusalem Temple was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70; these details symbolize God’s precise knowledge of and care for his people who belong to him (cp. Rev 7:2-4 ⁿ; Zech 2:1-5 ^o).
Summary for Rev 11:2-3: 11:2-3 ^p The outer courtyard in the Jerusalem Temple, outside the stone warning fence, was regarded as the place for the Gentile nations. John makes a clear distinction between the people God recognizes and those he does not.

• The 42 months and 1,260 days refer to a period of three and a half years, or a broken seven (see study notes on Dan 7:24-25; 8:26; 9:24-27). John repeatedly uses these time designations in Revelation when persecution is evident and evil appears to dominate the world. God’s people will be secure in him (see study note on Rev 11:1) even though God allows evil forces to persecute them (see 13:7 ^q; Mark 10:30 ^r).