What if being faithful to God brings rejection, opposition, or even apparent failure?
Key Verse:
“And when they have finished their testimony…” —Revelation 11:7 NASB
Background Context:
In Revelation 10, John receives the little scroll and is reminded that God’s plan is still unfolding according to His timing. Though some things remain hidden, God’s people are called to continue proclaiming His message faithfully.
Now in Revelation 11:1–14, John sees the measuring of the temple and the ministry of the two witnesses. This passage highlights faithful testimony in the face of opposition and reminds believers that God ultimately vindicates those who remain faithful to Him.
(Continued and expanded after scripture.)
The Two Witnesses
1Then there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, “Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it. 2“Leave out the court which is outside the temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations; and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty-two months. 3“And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5And if anyone wants to harm them, fire flows out of their mouth and devours their enemies; so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way. 6These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.
7When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them and kill them. 8And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which mystically is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9Those from the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will look at their dead bodies for three and a half days, and will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. 10And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
11But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them. 12And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them. 13And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14The second woe is past; behold, the third woe is coming quickly.
Reflection on Revelation 11:1–14:
One of the strongest themes in this passage is that God knows those who belong to Him.
John is told to measure the temple and those who worship there. Throughout Scripture, measuring often signifies ownership, protection, and God’s intimate knowledge of what is His.
This serves as an important reminder.
Even in times of turmoil and opposition, God has not lost sight of His people.
He knows them.
He sees them.
He remains sovereign over their circumstances.
The focus then shifts to the two witnesses.
Much discussion has centered on their exact identity, but the primary lesson of the passage is not who they are—it is how they serve.
They are faithful witnesses.
They proclaim God’s truth boldly during a hostile time. Their ministry is marked by courage, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to God’s message.
This is significant because the world does not welcome their testimony.
The witnesses confront a culture that resists God.
And throughout Scripture, faithful proclamation of truth often produces opposition rather than applause.
We see this with:
- the prophets
- John the Baptist
- the apostles
- and ultimately Yeshua Himself
Faithfulness has never been measured by popularity.
The witnesses continue their ministry until God determines that their work is complete.
Notice the wording:
“When they have finished their testimony…”
This is a powerful statement.
The enemy could not stop them early.
The world could not silence them before God’s appointed time.
Their ministry ended only when God allowed it.
This reminds us that our lives and service remain in God’s hands.
The witnesses are eventually killed, and from a human perspective, it appears that evil has won.
The world celebrates.
People rejoice.
Their enemies seem victorious.
If the story ended there, it would look like faithfulness accomplished nothing.
But the story does not end there.
After three and a half days, God raises the witnesses and calls them into His presence.
The same world that celebrated their death witnesses their vindication.
This reveals a profound truth:
Faithfulness is never wasted.
There are times when obedience to God may appear unsuccessful.
Truth may seem rejected.
Righteousness may seem defeated.
But God’s perspective is different from ours.
Scripture repeatedly teaches that we are called to faithfulness, not merely visible results.
The witnesses were successful because they completed the task God gave them.
Their apparent defeat was not their final chapter.
This passage also reminds us that God ultimately vindicates His servants.
The world may misunderstand, mock, reject, or oppose God’s people, but God’s judgment is the only judgment that ultimately matters.
This does not mean believers seek persecution or enjoy conflict.
Rather, it means we remain faithful regardless of how others respond.
The example of the two witnesses encourages us to focus on obedience rather than outcomes.
Our responsibility is to:
- speak truth
- live faithfully
- honor God
- and leave the results in His hands
Because faithfulness is never wasted when it is offered to God.
Application:
- Remain faithful to God’s truth even when it is unpopular.
- Remember that success in God’s eyes is measured by faithfulness, not popularity.
- Trust that God knows, sees, and values your obedience.
- Focus on completing the work God has given you rather than controlling the results.
- Take comfort that God ultimately vindicates those who belong to Him.
Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to remain faithful regardless of the response of others. Strengthen me to stand for truth with humility, courage, and perseverance. Remind me that my responsibility is obedience, while the results belong to You. Thank You for seeing every act of faithfulness and for promising ultimate victory to those who trust You. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
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