How does Revelation 11:8 connect to the crucifixion of Jesus? The Prophetic Scene of Revelation 11:8 “And their bodies will lie in the street of the great city figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was also crucified.” (Revelation 11:8) - Two witnesses are slain in the very place where Jesus once died. - John’s wording anchors an end-times prophecy to a past, literal event—the crucifixion. - By weaving the cross into the vision, the Spirit ties every hope of final victory back to Calvary. Jerusalem—Literal Location, Loaded Meaning - “Where their Lord was also crucified” pinpoints Jerusalem (John 19:17-20). - Luke 13:33 reminds us, “it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside Jerusalem.” - Hebrews 13:12 adds, “Jesus also suffered outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood.” So while Revelation often speaks symbolically, the phrase about the crucifixion keeps our feet on historical ground: Jesus truly died outside Jerusalem’s walls; the two witnesses will, likewise, be slain in that same city. Why Call Jerusalem “Sodom and Egypt”? - Sodom: graphic shorthand for moral corruption and brazen sin (Genesis 19). - Egypt: emblem of bondage and oppression (Exodus 1-12). - When Jerusalem rejects God’s witnesses—first Christ, later the two prophets—she is behaving like both Sodom and Egypt, despite her sacred history. The cross demonstrated this tragic reality: the Holy City became the place of greatest sin—killing the sinless Son of God. Parallels Between the Two Witnesses and Jesus - Faithful proclamation – Jesus: “For this reason I was born… to testify to the truth” (John 18:37). – Witnesses: prophesy 1,260 days (Revelation 11:3). - Public execution – Jesus: crucified before multitudes during Passover (Mark 15:29-32). – Witnesses: killed, bodies displayed in the street (Revelation 11:8-9). - Worldwide reaction – Jesus: nations rage, religious leaders gloat (Psalm 2; Matthew 27:41-43). – Witnesses: “those who dwell on the earth will gloat and celebrate” (Revelation 11:10). - Resurrection and vindication – Jesus: rose on the third day (Luke 24:6-7). – Witnesses: raised and taken up after three-and-a-half days (Revelation 11:11-12). These echoes remind us that the pattern set at Calvary—suffering, apparent defeat, then triumphant resurrection—will repeat at history’s climax. Old-Testament Foreshadowing of Rejected Witnesses - Joseph: betrayed by brothers yet later exalted (Genesis 37; 41). - Moses: rejected by Israel, returns with power (Exodus 2; Acts 7:35). - Isaiah’s “Suffering Servant” (Isaiah 53) bears witness through affliction. All point forward to Jesus first, then extend to His servants in the last days. Why the Cross Matters for End-Times Hope - The same city that crucified Christ cannot finally silence His testimony (Acts 2:23-24). - Calvary guarantees every promise in Revelation; the Lamb who was slain is also “standing” (Revelation 5:6). - Because Jesus conquered death in Jerusalem, the future resurrection of the two witnesses—and of all believers—is certain (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). Key Takeaways - Revelation 11:8 roots a future prophecy in a past, historical crucifixion, reinforcing Scripture’s seamless storyline. - Jerusalem’s titles “Sodom” and “Egypt” warn that any city—or heart—that rejects Christ becomes spiritually corrupt and enslaved. - The cross is the template: witness, suffering, apparent defeat, then resurrection and glory. - Trust the literal accuracy of God’s Word; the same God who recorded the place of Jesus’ death will fulfill every remaining promise just as precisely. |
    |