The horizon of proclaiming the Word of God extends to all. No one should be excluded from revealing the mystery of God. The Church is compared to a temple, with God’s sanctuary and altar being preserved, even though the outer courtyard is trampled and given over to pagans. This image suggests that the Church will face periods of persecution (42 months, a limited period), but it will not be destroyed or completely wiped out. God’s power supports and guards what is most sacred in the Church. The two witnesses symbolize the prophetic Church; they represent the entire Church’s mission of evangelization before the world. The witnesses die where ‘their Lord was crucified,’ meaning they are mistreated in Jesus’ name. If they persecuted the Master, his followers are also persecuted (cf. Jn 16:20). This is the core reason for all persecution and the defining mark of glory for every martyr: to be a witness to Jesus.