Revelation 11:7-12

7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

Once the two witnesses have finished their prophesying and testifying of the living God and salvation in Jesus, they will be attacked by the beast. He will make war against them until he can murder them. The abyss is the realm of the demonic, the bottomless pit. There are 36 references to the beast in Revelation and a more graphic picture is provided in chapter 13. John’s describes him as the Antichrist and Paul refers to him as the lawless one.

He will bind the world together and rule it as a fake savior. The Bible makes it clear that He is Satan possessed and demonically controlled. Here he murders God’s witnesses and then disrespects them by making a spectacle of them by leaving their dead bodies out for the whole world to see. The phrase “every people, tribe, language, and nation” is used again. I am sure that he intends to show the world that he has more power than they have since I would guess that he could do very little with regard to the drought, waters of blood, and droughts.

Sodom, represents an abominable, immoral, and wicked city. Egypt, symbolizes slavery, oppression, suffering, and idolatrous nation. The idea is that Jerusalem will be not better in this day than Sodom or Egypt was in their worst days. Any Jew hearing this would be shocked, angered, and deeply saddened.

Here we see the only mention of rejoicing in the world in the book o Revelation. The people hated and despised the witnesses so much that their killing is cause for celebration. They party like its 1999. They send each other gifts like its Christmas or Easter. Interesting isn’t it. The two holidays that seem to involve gift giving are Christian in nature. Here the world celebrates giving gifts to one another at the death of the witnesses to Christ. We should be reminded of Jesus’ words that since the world hated Him, it will hate us also.

11 But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.

Paul writes in Romans 12:19, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” Here we see the breath of life restored for these witnesses and all who see it are terrified. The 3 ½ days reminds us of the death and resurrection of Jesus. This is miraculous by any account. They are resurrected and ascend into heaven while their enemies watch and can do nothing.