What does the "second woe" signify in the context of Revelation 11:14? Scripture Focus “The second woe has passed. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.” (Revelation 11:14) Setting the Stage • Revelation 8:13 announces three impending “woes” tied to the last three trumpet blasts. • The first woe corresponds to the fifth trumpet (Revelation 9:1-12). • The second woe covers the events of the sixth trumpet and concludes at Revelation 11:14. • The third woe will unfold with the seventh trumpet (Revelation 11:15 ff.). Events That Make Up the Second Woe 1. Sixth-trumpet judgment • Revelation 9:13-19—Four released angels at the Euphrates lead an army of 200 million, killing a third of mankind. • Literal timeframe: this plague follows the fifth-trumpet demonic locust assault (first woe). 2. Hardened human response • Revelation 9:20-21 highlights that even after such massive loss, people “did not repent.” • Echoes Pharaoh’s hardness in Exodus 7-11. 3. Ministry, martyrdom, and resurrection of the two witnesses • Revelation 11:3-12—The witnesses prophesy 1,260 days, are killed by the beast, lie unburied three-and-a-half days, then are raised and taken up to heaven. • Their vindication displays God’s power and exposes the rebellious world’s impotence. 4. Jerusalem earthquake • Revelation 11:13—A great quake destroys a tenth of the city and 7,000 people perish; survivors are “terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.” • For a moment, genuine fear of the Lord surfaces, though widespread repentance still lags. These four threads together form the second woe, ending with the declaration of Revelation 11:14. Why God Labels It a “Woe” • Intensified judgment—A third of humanity dies (compare Revelation 6:8’s quarter). • Rejection of grace—Even in catastrophe, most refuse to turn. • Escalation toward final wrath—Sets the stage for seventh-trumpet bowl judgments (Revelation 16). Key Purposes and Lessons • Vindication of God’s witnesses—Their resurrection affirms the trustworthiness of prophecy (cf. 2 Kings 1:9-12; Acts 2:32). • Wake-up call for the earth—Judgment aims to shake complacent hearts before it is too late (Ezekiel 18:23). • Certainty of God’s timetable—“Coming quickly” (Revelation 11:14) stresses that God’s schedule is fixed and unstoppable (Habakkuk 2:3). Encouragement for Believers Today • God’s sovereignty over history—The “woes” unfold exactly as foretold, assuring us He remains in control amid global turmoil. • Faithful witness matters—Like the two witnesses, believers are called to proclaim Christ boldly regardless of opposition (Philippians 1:28-30). • Hope in imminent victory—The second woe’s end means the seventh-trumpet proclamation of Christ’s kingdom is next (Revelation 11:15), pointing us to the final restoration. |
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