ACC ~ Revelation 11 v11 - 14

OVERVIEW:

After three and a half days the two witnesses came alive through the breath of God. They rose up and ascended into heaven on the dominical chariot of the clouds (ANDREW OF CAESAREA). Their rising symbolizes the general resurrection at the time of the second coming of Christ, when those still alive are shaken at the sight of the rising of the dead. The rising of the two witnesses indicates also the separation of the just from the unjust at that time (TYCONIUS). Although at the end of time there may be a natural earthquake and the physical death of thousands, more likely these things are symbols of the change of the world’s substance into something more secure and stable and of the eternal judgment of those who remained attached to the present life (ANDREW OF CAESAREA). It is also likely that the whole time of the church is indicated, for the church always suffers the earthquakes of persecution and the fall of perverse doctrine within it. Within the church there are two buildings, one laid upon the Rock and the other laid upon the sand. Those built upon the sand crumble at the violence of present dangers and are given over to punishment. Those built upon the Rock rejoice that they are free of the torments of punishment and increase in their obedience to the commandments (TYCONIUS).

11:11-12 | A Breath of Life from God

THE RISING OF THE WITNESSES. TYCONIUS: “And they went up to heaven in a cloud.” The apostle spoke of this, saying, “We will be caught up in the clouds to meet Christ in the air.” It is written that this cannot happen to anyone before the coming of the Lord, since at his coming all flesh is approved to arise from their graves. And so the faulty idea of those is excluded who think that these two witnesses are only two men who ascend on the clouds before the coming of Christ. For how could those “who dwell on the earth” rejoice at the death of two men if they died in only one city? Or how do they “exchange presents” if in a short period of time those who threw their bodies in the streets were disquieted by their resurrection although shortly beforehand they were rejoicing at their death? Their courage and reason were stupefied because throughout the earth the announcement came not of their death but of their resurrection. What kind of joy would it be, or what kind of pleasure for those who are feasting would it be, if along with the feast there was the stench of the dead? “And a great fear fell on those who saw them.” He says this of those who are alive when they see the resurrection of those who sleep and are shaken by a horrible fear. “And their enemies saw them [ascend].” Here he separates the unrighteous from the righteous and those who were steadfast in faith from those who were timid. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 11.11-12.

THE WITNESSES ASCEND. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: Being dead for as many days as there were years of their prophecy, they will rise up and ascend into heaven on a cloud, that dominical chariot. And fear and perplexity will seize those who see it. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 11.11-12.

11:13 | The Rest Feared and Glorified God

THE DEATH OF SINNERS. TYCONIUS: “In that hour there was a great earthquake.” By mentioning again the persecution, he confirms what he had said above. The Lord also expressed an opinion that is in harmony with this passage. He said, “In that hour let him who is on the housetop not come down to take whatever is in the house, nor let him who is in the field turn back.” When he says “in that hour,” he is indicating all time. “And a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand were killed in the earthquake.” The number ten and the number seven are perfect. Even were it not the case, it would be fitting to understand the whole from the part. He says that a tenth of the city, that is, all of it, fell, along with its builders who allowed the construction of perverse doctrine in the temple of their hearts. For there are two kinds of structures in the church. One structure is laid upon the Rock. The other structure is founded upon the sand and is not able to withstand the onslaught of present dangers. Rather, it crumbles straightway and topples with it whoever had not kept the faith of the true church with a pure heart. “The rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.” These are those who have been laid upon the Rock. When the unrighteous are dying from the earthquake, these fear lest they also become partakers with the unrighteous in this punishment. And through the confession of the Christian name and by the despising of their souls, they glorify the Lord, since they have been spared the torments of the unrighteous. The saint sang of this when he said, “The righteous will rejoice when he sees vengeance; he will wash his hands in the blood of the sinner.” For when the righteous sees the death of the sinner, he increases all the more in obedience to the commandments and does them with greater joy and purity, since he is himself being freed from the punishments of the wicked. As it is written, “When a just man sees the wicked punished, he becomes wise.” COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 11.13.

THE SECOND DEATH. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: It is possible that these things will happen at that time in a physical way. But we think that the “earthquake” symbolizes the transposition of those things that are shaking and tottering to something more firm and secure. That a “tenth of the city” falls refers to the corpse of impiety, which was not wise in the seizing of those prophets. The “seven thousand” who are killed signify those who remained attached to the seven days of the present life but did not wait for the eighth day of the resurrection and who must also be killed with “the second death” in Gehenna, namely, eternal punishment. Or, perhaps the seven thousand will be those Jews who were persuaded by the antichrist. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 11.13.