Bible Commentaries
Revelation 11

Verse 1

^{TIMES OF THE GENTILES TO END IN 42 MONTHS, AT END OF FIRST HALF OF DANIEL’S 70th WEEK OF PROPHECY v. 1-12}

^{Note: see also Introduction Revelation}

^{1) "And there was given me a reed," (kai edothe’ moi kalamos) "And a reed was given to me," John, the writer. It was like a walking-staff, a support, a protective, defensive instrument, a measuring reed, Ezekiel 40:3; Zechariah 2:1.}

^{2) "Like unto a rod," (homois hrabdo) "similar to a staff," a pilgrim’s staff to lean upon, usually about six to ten feet tall, to be grasped near the upper end when carried, as the pilgrim plodded along, Ezekiel 40:3; Revelation 21:15.}

^{3) "And the angel stood, saying," (legon) -(And the angel stood) saying," instructing me, the angel which stood with one foot on land and one on the sea, Revelation 10:8.}

^{4) "Rise, and measure the temple of Go " (egeire kai metreson ton naon tou theou) "Rise up and measure the shrine (temple proper) of God:” the one to be rebuilt just before or during the early part of the 70th week of Jacob’s Trouble, where the morning and evening sacrifices and oblations are to be offered again, Daniel 9:26-27; Acts 15:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:2-12.}

^{5) "And the altar," (kai to thusiasterion) "And the Altar of oblation and sacrifice," where Hebrew sacrifices were offered in the holy temple area, Exodus 40:10-16, after the altar had been sanctified. It is to be built and sanctified again, Acts 15:13-18.}

^{6) "And them that worship therein," (kai tous proskunountasen auto) "and those worshipping in it." To “ measure the people" means to number or identify them (the ones who worship here); Those who as true Hebrews shall look, long for, and offer sacrifices of repentance for Him whom they have rejected. These are likely the 144,000 from among the twelve tribes to be sealed against physical death during the later 42 months of the Great Tribulation, Daniel 9:26-27; Revelation 7:3-4; Revelation 12:6; Revelation 12:14; Revelation 14:1-5.}

Verse 2

^{1) "But the court which is without the temple," (kai ten aulen ten eksothen tou naou) "And the court outside the shrine (temple proper)," the court of the Gentiles, the third open court, farthest from the temple proper, Ezekiel 46:21.}

^{2) "Leave out," (ekbale eksothen) "Leave it or cast it outside," the temple and altar area; do not include it for the people of Israel.}

^{3) "And measure it not," (kai me auten metresle) "And thou mayest not measure it," or not include it in the jurisdictional area of the restored Jewish temple worship.}

^{4) "For it is given unto the Gentiles," (hoti edothe tois ethnesin) "Because it was given over to the Gentiles, nations," Luke 21:24; until the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled, which is to end in, or at the midst of the 70th week of Jacob’s Trouble, when the antichrist demands worship of himself, Daniel 9:27; 2 Thessalonians 2:4; Hebrews 11:26.}

^{5) "And the holy city shall they tread under their foot," (kai ten polin the hagian patesousin) "and the holy city (Jerusalem) they will trample down, govern, or occupy," by divine decree, till the "time of the Gentiles be fulfilled," for a period of Isaiah 63:18; Luke 21:24.}

^{6) "Forty and two months," (menas tesserakonta (kai) duo) "even for a period of forty-two months," during the prophesy of the two witnesses - Israel and the church begin prophesying simultaneously in Jerusalem, v. 3a. This continues until the antichrist ascends the temple and requires personal worship of himself; John 5:44; 2 Thessalonians 2:4.}

Verse 3

^{(THE TWO WITNESSES, ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH, TO PROPHESY SIMULTANEOUSLY FIRST 42 MONTHS OF THE 70th WEEK OF DANIEL’S PROPHESY, v. 3-12}

^{1) "And I will give power unto my witnesses," (kai doso tois dusin martusin mou) "And I will give over, dole out, (power) authority, to my two witnesses," 1) Israel restored to temple worship, and 2) to the church which continues "till the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled," Luke 21:24; This is the 42 months before Satan is cast to the earth, Revelation 12:7; Revelation 12:14.}

^{2) "And they shall prophesy," (kai propheteusousin) and they (both) - Israel and the church - will prophesy as both bore witness simultaneously, at Christ’s first coming, from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1 to Matthew 7:29), until His death on the cross and the veil of the temple was rent, 2 Corinthians 3:7-11; Colossians 2:14-17; Matthew 27:51.}

^{3) "A thousand two hundred and threescore (1260) days," (hermeras chilias diakosias heksekonta) "For a period of twelve hundred and sixty days," "forty and two month, or a time, times, and a half time," the first half of Daniel’s seventieth week, Daniel 9:26-27.}

^{4) "Clothed in sackcloth," (peribeblemenoi sakkous) "having been clothed in sack clothes," garments of repentance of sorrow for sin and anticipation of pending divine judgment upon all the earth, and the blessed hope of the coming of the Messiah, the Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, Titus 2:13; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 10:36-37; Revelation 1:7.}

^{It appears that the end of the Gentile age, the church age, will extend (overlap) the first half of the 70th week of the time of Jacob’s Trouble, just as the church age overlapped the Law Age some 31/2 years, beginning with the Sermon on the Mount, ending when Christ died on the cross, Matthew 5:1 to Matthew 7:29; Colossians 2:14.}

Verse 4

^{1) "These are the two olive trees," (houtoi eisin hai duo elaiai) "These (two witnesses) are (exist as) the two olive trees," Israel and the church, the latter of which was “called from among the Gentiles," as a people for His name’s sake, to be custodian of His worship and service, during the Gentile era on earth, Matthew 4:15-17; Acts 10:37; Acts 15:13-15; Romans 11:13; Romans 11:17-21; Romans 11:24-25; Ephesians 3:1; Ephesians 3:6-10; Ephesians 3:21.}

^{2) "And the two candlesticks," (kai hai duo luchniai) and these are (exist as) the two lampstands, or candlesticks," Israel and the church; the candlestick was the center of Israel’s worship in the tabernacle and temple; and the church of Jesus Christ is declared to be the "candlestick" or the center of divinely approved worship in the New Testament, Matthew 5:15-16; Revelation 1:20.}

^{3) "Standing before the God of the earth," (hai enopion tou kuriou tes ges hestotes) "who are standing (presenting themselves) before the Lord (Master) of the earth;” as armies stand before the king or commander-in-chief, for review, to do his bidding, so do Israel and the church stand side-by-side to witness, as the seam-in-the cloth of the 42 month era of the Gentile and church age end, while Israel’s final half of the 70th week of Jacob’s trouble begins, Revelation 11:5-7; Daniel 9:27; Ephesians 3:21; Matthew 28:18-20.}

Verse 5

^{1) "And if any man will hurt them," (kai ei tis autous thelei adikesai) "And if anyone determines by a strong will to harm them," the two witnesses, the two olive trees, the two candlesticks continually standing before, having the divine sanction and protection of God, Luke 1:30-31; Matthew 16:18.}

^{2) "Fire proceedeth out of their mouth," (pur ekporeuetai ek tou stomatos auto n) "fire pours forth out of their mouths," in sanction of their witnessing and prophesying as it verified Elijah’s testimony, 2 Kings 1:10; 2 Kings 1:12; Jeremiah 1:16; Jeremiah 5:14; Jeremiah 23:29.}

^{3) "And devoureth their enemies," (kai katesthiei tous echthrous auton) "and devours or consumes their enemies," those who do battle against them and reject their testimony. God’s promises to Israel in Abraham and to His church "by Jesus Christ" shall live on, Genesis 12:1-3; Matthew 16:18; Matthew 28:18-20.}

^{4) "And if any man will hurt them," (kai ei tis thelese autous, adikesai) "and if anyone should have a strong will (premeditate) to harm them," or plot to harm them, or presumes to destroy these two anointed witnesses of God, Israel and the church, or do offense to them, 1 Corinthians 10:32. Men are to touch not God’s anointed, 1 Chronicles 16:22; Psalms 105:14-15.}

^{5) "He must in this manner be killed," (houtos elei auton apoktothenai) "He must (or it becomes him) to be killed, because of this plot of premeditated nature." The manner of the death of those that oppose Israel and the church during the 70th week of Jacob’s trouble is to be by a fiery tormenting,- consuming death, as the fiery judgment of God came upon Noah’s scoffers and those of Elijah, 2 Kings 1:10.}

Verse 6

^{1) "These have power to shut heaven," (haitoi echousin ten eksousian klesai ton ouranon) "These have or hold administrative power, or authority In their prophecy work, to shut up the heaven," to control the natural law by supernatural power for divine purposes, as in the Law Age and apostolic times.}

^{2) "That it rain not in the days of their prophecy," (hina me huetos breche tas hemeras tes propheteias auton) "in order that rain may not fall in the days of their prophecy," as Elijah prayed and it rained not for three years and six months, James 5:17-18; 1 Kings 17:1; 1 Kings 18:41-46.}

^{3) "And have power over waters," (kai eksousian echousin epi ton hudaton) "and they have or hold administrative power over the waters," of heaven and earth.}

^{4) "To turn them to blood," (strephein auta eis haima) "to turn them (the waters) into blood," as Moses and Aaron did against Egypt, Exodus 7:19-25.}

^{5) "And to smite the earth with all plagues," (kai pataksai ten gen en pase plege) "and to strike the earth (land) with every kind (manner) of plague," similar to those administered by Moses and Aaron over Egypt under rebellious King Pharaoh.}

^{6) "As often as they will," (hosakis ean thelesosin) "as often as they may strongly will," repeatedly, with plague after plague; Luke 9:53-54, indicates that they had the power to call fire from heaven, Like Elijah, but were restrained. They will not be here. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9.}

Verse 7

^{1) "And when they shall have finished their testimony," (kai hotan telesosin ten marturian auton) "and whenever they (the two witnesses) complete their witness, prophecy, or testimony," after forty-two months, Revelation 11:2, about the midst of Daniel’s seventieth week, Daniel 9:21-27.}

^{2) "The beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit," (to therion to anabainon ek tes abusson) "the beast coming up (that rises up) out of the abyss," the bottomless pit; Satan or the Devil, who is to reek havoc, terrible suffering, on all the earth, the latter (42) months of the time of Jacob’s trouble, Revelation 13:5; Daniel 9:27.}

^{3) "Shall make war against them," (poiesei met’ auton polemon) "will make war with (against) them," the two witnesses, the two olive trees, the two candlesticks or restored Israel in her land, worshipping in the restored temple and the church of our Lord at the close of the Gentile and Church Age, Luke 21:24; Romans 11:25-26.}

^{4) "And shall overcome them," (kai nikesei autous) "And will overcome (conquer) or subdue them," for a temporary period (a short time). It appears that after the 144,000 of the Israel saints are sealed against death for the following (final) 42 months of the tribulation the great, the rest of national Israel is to endure the prophetic half week of final woe, Daniel 9:27.}

^{5) "And kill them," (kai apoktenei autous) "and will kill, slay, or bring death (to) them," or cut them off from witnessing, by the permissive will of God. The voices or testimony of the two witnesses (Israel and the church) are silenced, as it appears the Holy Spirit, as anointer and administrator of the church is withdrawn, and the church raptured as the sealed Israel saints are preserved in Petra, the place for them in the desert; Revelation 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-11.}

Verse 8

^{1) "And their dead bodies," (kai to ptoma auton) "and their corpse-form," not nekros (a dead body) the outward forms of unspiritual, natural Israel, and formal unspiritual Christiandom, later referred to as that great whore and her children, Revelation 17:1; Revelation 17:5; Revelation 12:17.}

^{2) "Shall lie in the streets of the great city," (epi tes plateias tes poleos tes megales) "shall appear upon the open street of the great city," the city of Jerusalem, where they, the two true witnesses, had prophesied for forty-two months. Their lifeless, spiritless, physical, spurious bodies, synagogues, of natural Israel, in formal religion and formal spiritless Christiandom, shall visibly appear in the streets of Jerusalem, 2 Timothy 3:5; Matthew 5:20.}

^{3) "Which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt," (hetis kaleitai pneumatikos sodoma kai aiguptos) "which spiritually (in a spiritual sense) is called Sodom and Egypt," indicating a city of moral and ethical evil, debauchery, and spiritual rebellion against God, also spiritually referred to as Babylon, Revelation 14:8; Revelation 18:10; Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 1:9-10.}

^{4) "Where also our Lord was crucified," (hopou kai ho kurios auton estaurothe) "even where their Lord was crucified," John 19:17-18; Acts 7:58; Hebrews 13:12; Revelation 18:24; Acts 7:52; Acts 7:58.}

Verse 9

^{1) "And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations," (kai blepousin ek ton laon kai phulon kai glosson kai ethnon) "And (shall) see (some) out of the peoples (masses) and family tribes and languages and nations," the masses of both Israel and of the Gentiles gathered in Israel and Judea, Revelation 17:15.}

^{2) "Shall see their dead bodies," (to ptoma auton) "the lifeless forms of them," (not nekros, dead corpses) but assemblies of worship, the two witnesses, two candlesticks, or two olive trees. They (the masses) shall look upon the remains of them, their lifeless forms, assembly-bodies. This appears to be the unsaved of Israel (not sealed against death as the 144,000 had been) and the masses of formal Christiandom which had not, or followed not, the Spirit of God which seems to have been taken out of the Way at the rapture, 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-9; Matthew 23:29-35.}

^{3) "Three days and an half," (hemeras treis kai hemisou) "for a period of three days and a half," the last half-week of Daniel’s seventieth week of prophesy, here referred to as the half week in days, Daniel 9:26-27.}

^{4) "And shall not suffer their dead bodies," (kai ta ptomata auton ouk aphiousin) "and the lifeless religious body forms of them they do (shall not) allow or permit." That the two witnesses are not merely two human beings, but two (congregate) bodies of witnessing, Israel and the church, is evidenced by the term (Gk. ptoma) not nekros", used of literal physical bodies that are dead.}

^{5) "To be put in graves," (tethenai eis mnema) "to be placed or put away Unto a tomb, an hiding;” - The dead (barren, unfruitful, spiritually unproductive forms of the formal religious bodies), fakes of the two true witnesses will be permitted to continue under the antichrist rule of oppression as synagogues of Israel and formal spiritless Christiandom, protestantism and Catholicism, as both receive divine judgment, Revelation 13:16-18; Revelation 17:18; Daniel 9:27.}

Verse 10

^{1) "And they that dwell upon the earth," (kai hoi katoikountes epi tes ges) "And those dwelling upon the earth," those left after the church has been raptured, the 144,000 of Israel have been sealed against death, the antichrist has required to be worshipped as God, and the restraining power of the Holy Spirit has been taken away with the church; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10; Revelation 7:3-4.}

^{2) "Shall rejoice over them, and make merry," (chairousin epi autois kai euphrainontai) "Rejoice over them and are glad." The people following the antichrist (John 5:43; Daniel 9:26-27; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12) who requires worship of himself, like Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel 3:4-18; shall first rejoice that there is no gospel preached to prick or convict their conscience, but it will be temporary, Proverbs 29:11; Hebrews 4:7; John 16:20.}

^{3) "And shall send gifts one to another," (kai dora pempsousin allelois) "and they will send gifts (indiscriminately) one to another;" The joy of the world order is so foolish, so fickle, so fleeting, for soon thereafter they "gnaw their tongues" for pain, in anguish, when God shall laugh, Revelation 16:10; Proverbs 1:22-32.}

^{4) "Because these two prophets," (hoti houtoi hoi duo prophetoi) "because these two prophets," or prophesying witnesses, Israel and the church, 1) the two olive trees, 2) the two candlesticks, 3) the two custodians of the Old and New Testaments whose testimony and programs of worship shall overlap about 31/2 years prior to the end of the church and Gentile age as they did during the ministry of Christ, until the veil of the temple was rent, Revelation 11:3-4; 1 Corinthians 10:32; Matthew 27:51; 2 Corinthians 3:7; 2 Corinthians 3:11; Colossians 3:14-17; Matthew 5:17-18; John 3:29.}

^{5) "tormented them that dwelt on the earth," (ebasanisan tous katoikountas epi tes ges) "tormented those dwelling upon the earth;” The message of the gospel is a conscience-tormenting one to sinners, to call them to repentance, without which none can be saved; under its conviction Paul was pricked, Felix trembled, Acts 9:5-6; Acts 24:25.}

Verse 11

^{1) "And after three days and an half," (kai meta (tas) treis hemeras kai hemisu) "And after the three days and a half;" After the three and a half years of the lifeless, spiritless, formal bodies of Christiandom and the Messiah-rejecting body of Israel have been tormented and unfruitful to God for these days.}

^{2) "The Spirit of life from God entered into them," (pneuma zoes ek tou theou eiselthen en autois) "Spirit of life out of (originating from) God entered into them," into the two witnesses. This describes the restoration of true Israel, the 144,000 who had been sealed against death and the church, as they are given positions of service for the coming millennial age.}

^{3) "And they stood upon their feet," (kai estesan epi tous poclas auton) "And they arose and stood upon their feet;” for further worship, service, and positions of honor for their God, even as they had given God special honor for 42 months as witnesses in temple worship and in Jerusalem before their temporary cessation of testimony, Revelation 11:3-4.}

^{4) "And great fear fell upon them which saw them," (kai phobos megas epepsen epi tous theorountas autous) “and great fear came down upon or over those who beheld them;”- Acts 5:11. It appears that there shall be a heavenly view of the raptured church, the redeemed of the ages, and the rapture of the 144,000 of redeemed Israel, as the latter are caught up to heaven, to the judgment seat of Christ where the true church had been already, and "every eye" on earth may see the momentary rapture of the 144,000 of Israel to glory and their return with Jesus to Mount Zion, Revelation 1:7; Revelation 14:1-5.}

Verse 12

^{1) "And they heard a great voice," (kai ekousan phones megales) "And they heard a megaphone-like voice." The "they" refers to the two witnesses or two witnessing bodies (assemblies), the church and the true body of worshipping Israel, who had reinstituted the morning and evening oblations, Daniel 9:26-27; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:5-9.}

^{2) "From heaven saying unto them," (ek tou ouranou legouses autois) "out of heaven saying to them," to the lifeless forms of the two witnesses. This appears to be the calling of the remnant of the saved and of the church who were beheaded, who took not the mark of the beast, and the redeemed of Israel (144,000) who were barren, non fruit bearing during the latter 31/2 days or 42 months, Revelation 13:15-18; Revelation 20:4; Revelation 14:1-5.}

^{3) "Come up hither." (anabate hode) "You all come up here." This appears to be the final call to the judgment seat of Christ, the judgment of rewards, at the marriage reception in the air, in heaven, Revelation 19:7; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 20:4-6.}

^{4) "And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud," (kai anebesan eis ton ouranon en te nephele) "and they went up into heaven in the cloud," the two witnesses were carried up bodily in a cloud, though it appears that the larger body of the church went up some 3 years before that of Israel, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12.}

^{5) "And their enemies beheld them," (kai etheoresan autous hoi echthroi auton) "and their enemies gazed upon them," Revelation 1:7; Revelation 2:25-28; Deuteronomy 30:3.}

^{Both the church and Israel shall eventually triumph over all suffering and all their enemies, to their enemies’ consternation, and all the redeemed of all ages, neither in Israel or the church’s program of worship shall be justly rewarded, individually; Revelation 22:12.}

Verse 13

^{THE SECOND WOE v. 13,14}

^{1) " And the same hour was there a great earthquake," (kai en eikine te hora egeneto seismos megas) "And in that hour there occurred (became) a great earthquake," indicating a calamitous judgment upon the earth, and that men must learn to fear God and keep His commandments, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Hebrews 12:25-27.}

^{2) "And the tenth part of the city fell," (kai to dekaton tes poleos epesen) ’ I and the tenth part (one tenth) of the city fell;” of the city of Jerusalem, also spiritually called Sodom, Egypt, and Babylon, Revelation 11:8; Isaiah 1:1; Isaiah 1:9-10 : Revelation 14:20.}

^{3) "And in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand," (kai apektanthesan en to seismo onomata anthropon chiliades hepta) "and there were names of seven thousand men who were killed by or in the earthquake," indicating completeness of vengeance of God against His enemies, Psalms 9:16; Zechariah 14:4-5.}

^{4) "And the remnant were affrighted," (kai hoi loipoi ephoboi egenonto) "and the remainder (those remaining alive) were terrified." Even in prayers for death the wicked vindicate the righteousness of God’s judgment on the earth, Revelation 6:14-17.}

^{5) "And gave glory to the God of heaven," (kai edokan doksan to theo tou ouranou) "And gave glory to or toward the God of heaven," 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9; Revelation 15:4.}

Verse 14

^{1) "The second woe is past," (he ouai he deutera apelthen) "Second (of the three) woe is passed away," or gone away, as described in Revelation 9:12-21, before the parenthetical rest and relief from the trumpet soundings, Revelation 10:1 to Revelation 11:13.}

^{2) "And behold, the third woe cometh quickly," (idou he ouai he trite erchetai tochu) "Behold the third woe (of the three) is coming quickly." It is the final period of punishment of wicked men on earth. It is the judgment of earth’s ungodly, occasionally interrupted to describe the blessed rest, preservation, and reward of the just who are in the presence of the Lord, abiding their return with Him to the earth, when the trumpet-visions are finished, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9; Revelation 11:15 to Revelation 18:24.}

^{This is the end of the second parenthetical passage of Revelation, Revelation 10:1 to Revelation 11:14.}

Verse 15

^{1) "And the seventh angel sounds," (kai ho hebdomos angelos esalpisen) "and the seventh (last of the seven) angel trumpeted," let forth a trumpet-blast, as a minister of God, announcing further pending judgment to the earth, Revelation 8:2; Revelation 8:6.}

^{2) "And there were great voices in heaven," (kai egenonto phonai megalai en to ourano) "and there became loud voices- in heaven," like a mighty symphony or orchestra, coming from the four and twenty elders, the four living creatures, and the redeemed before the throne, Revelation 11:16; Revelation 4:9-11; Revelation 5:6; Revelation 5:8-10.}

^{3) "Saying, the kingdoms of this world are become," (legontes egeneto he basileia tou kosmou) "saying the kingdom of the world became," or has come to be, to exist as - - the administrative property or domain, Matthew 6:10; Matthew 6:13.}

^{4) "The kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ," (tou kuriou hemon kai tou christou autou) "The kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ." The term "kingdom", singular, as one government, is used at this point, indicating that the reign of Christ has come or is approaching over all the earth, 1 Corinthians 15:23-28.}

^{5) "And he shall reign for ever and ever." (kai basileusei eis tous aionas ton aionon) "and he shall reign (with honor) unto the ages of the ages," Luke 1:30-33. With our Lord in this glorious pending millennial reign shall be His church, with the twelve apostles sitting on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel - and members of His church reigning with Him; Revelation 5:9-10.}

Verse 16

^{1) "And the four and twenty elders," (kai hoi eikosi tessares prebuteroi) "and the twenty-four elders," representing the church and the twelve tribes of the redeemed of Israel before the central throne of God in heaven, Revelation 4:4; Revelation 4:9-10; Revelation 5:6-8.}

^{2) "Which sat before God on their seats," (hoi enopion tou theou kathemenoi epi tous thronous auton) "who were sitting before (in the presence) of God upon their thrones," round about, encircling the throne of God. The term “seats" upon which the twenty-four (24) elders are seated is derived from the (Gk. thronous) meaning thrones, such as Jesus promised the twelve apostles, Luke 22:28-32; Ephesians 3:21; Revelation 4:4.}

^{3) "Fell upon their faces," (epesan epi ta prosopa auton) "fell upon their faces," bowed their faces before, toward the throne of God, as in subjection to Him, confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God who gave Him to die for the world, Philippians 2:9-11; John 3:16.}

^{4) "And worshipped God," (kai prosekunesan to theo) and worshipped God," worshipped with their faces bowed to the earth before Him, as His obedient servants, to do His sovereign will, Revelation 4:10-11; Revelation 5:8-12; the hundred and forty-four thousand (144,000) of the redeemed of Israel are to join in this worship and praise when the Lord appears with them on Mount Zion to begin His golden era of millennial reign with and over them, Revelation 14:1-3; Luke 1:30-33.}

Verse 17

^{1) "Saying, We give thee thanks," (legontes eucharistoumen soi) "Saying we thank thee," offer thanks to thee, for their salvation and deliverance from things to come, and privileged position of service to Him. The redeemed should never cease giving thanks to Him for His unspeakable gift, John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 9:15; James 1:17.}

^{2) "0 Lord God Almighty," (kurie ho theos ho pantokrator) "0 Lord, the God Almighty," This term -Lord God" signifies or is used to signify periods of divine judgment by royal and destructive power, Genesis 17:11; Ruth 1:20; Revelation 4:8.}

^{3) "Which art, and wast, and art to come," (hon on kai ho hen) "the one being (who exists), and the one who was," as the "Lord God Almighty," all powerful, in righteous judgment wrath, Revelation 4:8; Proverbs 1:22-30; Romans 2:4-10; the continuing "one God," 1 Corinthians 8:6; Revelation 1:4; Revelation 1:8; Revelation 16:5.}

^{4) "Because thou hast taken to thee thy great power," (hoti eilephas ten dunamin sou ten megalen) "because thou hast taken (assumed) thy great power," thy dynamic power of administering the tribulation the great judgments on earth, while administering the rapture of the church, resurrection of the righteous dead and the marriage of the Lamb, Revelation 6:14-17; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7-9; Malachi 3:1.}

^{5) "And hast reigned," (kai ebasileusas) "and didst reign," Revelation 19:6-9. This specific praise seems to be because of the vision the elders had of the completed earthly judgment God had sent during the 70th week of Daniel’s description of the time of Jacob’s trouble, Daniel 9:24-27. It is completed by the marriage of the Lamb and Christ’s return to the earth to begin His reign from Mount Zion on the throne of David, Zechariah 14:1-9; Luke 1:30-33.}

Verse 18

^{1) "And the nations were angry," (kai ta ethne orgistheson) "and the nations (races) were wrathful," upon the earth, while the judgment reward of the redeemed was occurring in heaven where Christ had gathered His church and the redeemed of the ages, Matthew 24:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.}

^{2) "And thy wrath is come," (kai elthen he orge sou) "and thy wrath came," is come upon the nations that had become embattled at the river Euphrates in the east and in Israel round about Jerusalem, Zechariah 14:3-5; Zechariah 14:16; Zechariah 14:20; Revelation 9:14; Revelation 16:12.}

^{3) "And the time of the dead, that they should be judged," (kai ho kairos ton nekron krithenai) "and the time-season of the dead to be judged," before, the judgment seat (Gk. bema) of Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; 1 Corinthians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 1 Corinthians 3:15; Romans 14:11-12.}

^{4) "And that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets," (kai dounai ton misthon tois doulois sou tois prophetais) "And the (time period) to give (dole out) rewards to thy servants, the prophets (the two witnesses as prophets)," to Israel and the church, presided over by the twenty-four elders, Revelation 11:3-6; Luke 22:28-30; Malachi 3:16-18.}

^{5) "And to the saints, and them that fear thy name," (kai tois hagiois kai tois phoboumenois to onoma sou) "even to those saints and those fearing (reverencing) thy name (thy authority)," Malachi 3:16-18; Matthew 25:28; Luke 19:17.}

^{6) "Small and great," (tois mikrios kai tois megalois) "the small ones and the great ones," 1 Corinthians 3:8; Revelation 22:12. The least believer shall not be left out, 2 John 1:8; John 12:26.}

^{7) "And shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth," (kai diaphtheirai tous diaphtheirontas ten gen) “and to destroy those destroying the earth," by corrupting it and by war, 1 John 2:17; Revelation 13:10; Revelation 18:2; Revelation 18:6.}

Verse 19

^{1) "And the temple of God was opened in heaven," (kai enoige ho naos tou Theou ho en to ourano) "and the shrine of God was opened in the heaven," the door was opened or curtains pulled aside for a revelation or disclosure of contents and evolving, coming events, originating from the central throne area, Revelation 15:5.}

^{2) "And there was seen in his temple," (kai ophtheento nao autou) "and there was seen in his shrine." Former mysteries become revelations, clearly to be understood, of judgments yet to be poured upon the earth, Revelation 15:8.}

^{3) "The ark of his testament," (he kibotos tes diathekes autou) "the ark of his covenant," his testament, as given to Israel, Exodus 25:16-22; Deuteronomy 31:24-26.}

^{4) "And there were," (kai egenonto) "and there occurred or became," a barrage of heaven’s artillery leashed against the wicked of the earth.}

^{a) "lightnings," (astrapai) "lightnings," Revelation 8:5; Revelation 16:18. These resulted in accompanying horror as follows:}

^{b) "and voices," (kai phonai) "and voices (numerous)," with fear and wailings, Revelation 6:14-17.}

^{c) "and thunderings," (kai brontai) "and rumbling thunders," recurring, rolling, shaking thunders.}

^{d) "and an earthquake," (kai seismos) "and an earthquake," such as never existed before, Revelation 16:18.}

^{e) "and great hail," (kai chalaza megale) "And a great hail," weighing about a talent, 50 to 100 pounds, in size, Revelation 16:21. These judgments were beheld by John as coming directly from God’s throne of justice, Acts 17:30-31; 1 Thessalonians 1:7-10.}