The inhabitants of the earth will rejoice, celebrate, and exchange gifts because these two prophets were a torment to them.
Commentaries
11:1 - 11:14
The Two Witnesses.
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.
11:15 - 11:18
The Seventh Trumpet.
But Christian prophets, aided by God, do not ultimately fall to evil. Their preaching does not fail. After a short period of persecution (three and a half days), the Spirit of God grants them life; they rise and stand tall, resurrected like the Lamb who remains forever (5:6), and ascend triumphantly to heaven, to God’s region. The destiny of the prophetic Church mirrors that of Jesus; Christian witnesses replicate his very life: preaching, death, shame. If they die with him, they will also rise with him. Christ continues to testify to the world today through his prophets and witnesses.
11:19 - 12:18
The Woman and the Dragon.
This chapter is filled with highly complex symbolic details, which have led to unlikely interpretations based on primitive myths. The core message refers to the Church as the new people of God, who, amid hostility and persecution leading to death, bring forth Jesus, the Messiah.
Commentaries
The Two Witnesses.
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.
The Seventh Trumpet.
But Christian prophets, aided by God, do not ultimately fall to evil. Their preaching does not fail. After a short period of persecution (three and a half days), the Spirit of God grants them life; they rise and stand tall, resurrected like the Lamb who remains forever (5:6), and ascend triumphantly to heaven, to God’s region. The destiny of the prophetic Church mirrors that of Jesus; Christian witnesses replicate his very life: preaching, death, shame. If they die with him, they will also rise with him. Christ continues to testify to the world today through his prophets and witnesses.
The Woman and the Dragon.
This chapter is filled with highly complex symbolic details, which have led to unlikely interpretations based on primitive myths. The core message refers to the Church as the new people of God, who, amid hostility and persecution leading to death, bring forth Jesus, the Messiah.