When the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will wage war with them, and will overpower and kill them.
Parallel translations
- WEB 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.
- KJV And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
- NKJV When they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them.
- NASB 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.
- NLT When they complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit will declare war against them, and he will conquer them and kill them.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
When their testimony is finished, the beast from the abyss kills them. Only after their God-given mission is complete can the enemy prevail.
Overview
This is the first mention of "the beast," the great persecuting power that opposes God's people (developed in Revelation 13). Significantly, the witnesses die only "when they have finished their testimony"—the beast cannot act until their work is done. Their apparent defeat recalls the cross, where seeming defeat masked God's purpose. It assures believers that no power can end faithful witness before God permits, and that death is not the final word.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- Rev 13:7Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.
- Dan 8:23–24In the latter part of their reign, when the rebellion has reached its full measure, an insolent king, skilled in intrigue, will come to the throne.
- Dan 7:25He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.
- John 17:4I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.
- Dan 7:21–22As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and prevailing against them,
- Luke 13:32But Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’
- Rev 13:11Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. This beast had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon.
- Rev 17:6–8I could see that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus. And I was utterly amazed at the sight of her.
- Rev 13:1–4Then I saw a beast with ten horns and seven heads rising out of the sea. There were ten royal crowns on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads.
- Rev 19:19–20Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies assembled to wage war against the One seated on the horse, and against His army.
- 2 Th 2:8–9And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival.
- Zech 14:2–21For I will gather all the nations for battle against Jerusalem, and the city will be captured, the houses looted, and the women ravished. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be removed from the city.
- Acts 20:24But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
- Rev 13:16–17And the second beast required all people small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,
- Rev 11:3And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
- John 19:30When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.
- 2 Tim 4:7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
- Rev 9:1–2Then the fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from heaven to earth, and it was given the key to the pit of the Abyss.
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Christ at the center
Revelation ends the story with the slain-yet-standing Lamb who is worthy, the Lion of Judah, the Alpha and Omega, the returning King who makes all things new and dwells with his people forever.
How Revelation 11:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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