John doesn’t sugarcoat what will happen to God’s witnesses in the last days. They will be clothed in sackcloth, an ancient image of mourning (11:3). And they will eventually be overcome and killed by their enemies (11:7). The experience of countless martyrs throughout the ages leaves us with no doubt that the unbelieving world has always been hostile to the truth of God’s Word, and will continue to use force to try to stamp it out.

But at the same time, John makes it clear that God’s people will be protected, even in the face of the greatest hostility against them. In 11:1, he is told to measure the temple of God, which recalls Ezekiel’s vision of a perfectly holy place of worship, inhabited by the Lord Himself (Ezekiel 40:3,5; 43:1-5). In this way, the Lord reassures John that the unbelieving nations will not be able to overcome the Lord’s people, but will be confined to the outer courts (11:2).

And regardless of whether the unbelieving world is convinced or not, the Lord makes it clear in 11:5-6 that His witnesses will speak words of amazing power, a power similar to that of Moses in the presence of Pharaoh (Exodus 7:20), a power similar to that of Elijah as he faced down faithless king Ahab (I Kings 17:1; II Kings 1:10).

In fact, the Lord compares His witnesses to the olive trees and lampstands that Zechariah saw in his vision, a vision that pointed to “the two anointed ones who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth” (Zechariah 4:14). After all, in the same chapter the Lord refers to Zerubbabel, the descendant of David, rebuilding the Temple, the place where the priests ministered. So it is likely that the olive trees and lampstands thus point to the kingly and priestly duties that all God’s people perform (Revelation 1:6). Just as Old Testament priests and kings were anointed to their offices, God’s people have been set apart to bear witness to His righteousness and truth, as well as His love and grace.

But even though the world may continue to spurn God’s witnesses and reject the powerful words we speak, the Lord makes it clear that such opposition will not go on forever. After all, 1260 days may seem to be a long time to testify before a hostile audience (11:3), but it’s only three and a half years – half of seven, which is the number of completion. Just so, the three and a half days of the unbelievers’ jubilation is also just half of a week.

In other words, those who persecute the Church may rejoice and may seem to be victorious today, but their jubilation will be cut short by the coming of Christ which is symbolized by the earthquake in 11:13 (see also 11:19). So let us continue to proclaim His Word, regardless of whatever opposition we face. For the Lord is coming soon.

Zechariah 4:2-4, 11-14

2 And he said to me, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps on it with seven spouts belonging to each of the lamps which are on the top of it;
3 also two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left side.”
4 Then I answered and said to the angel who was speaking with me saying, “What are these, my lord?”

11 Then I answered and said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right of the lampstand and on its left?”
12 And I answered the second time and said to him, “What are the two olive branches which are beside the two golden pipes, which empty the golden oil from themselves?”
13 So he answered me saying, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.”
14 Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who are standing by the Lord of the whole earth.”

Revelation 11:1-14

And there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, “Rise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and those who worship in it.
2 “And 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.”
4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.
5 And if anyone desires to harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies; and if anyone would desire to harm them, in this manner he must be killed.
6 These have the power to shut up the sky, in order that rain may not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.
7 And when 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.
8 And 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.
9 And those 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.
10 And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
11 And 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 beholding them.
12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them.
13 And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; and seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe is past; behold, the third woe is coming quickly.