What is the meaning of Revelation 11:14?

The second woe has passed

• Revelation 8:13 warned of “three woes” that would follow the first four trumpet blasts.

• Revelation 9:12 already declared, “The first woe has passed.” Now Revelation 11:14 confirms that the second has ended.

• The second woe is tied to the sixth trumpet (Revelation 9:13-21), where a vast demonic cavalry kills a third of mankind—a literal, terrible judgment.

• Revelation 11:13 adds an earthquake that kills seven thousand and drives survivors to give glory to “the God of heaven,” showing God’s mercy even amid wrath (compare Jonah 3:5-10).

• As each woe closes, God punctuates His justice with unmistakable signs, reminding us that He “is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish” (2 Peter 3:9).

---

Behold

• “Behold” is a divine attention-getter, used throughout Scripture when God wants His people to focus (Revelation 1:7; Isaiah 7:14).

• It halts the reader in the narrative swirl of Revelation, urging readiness and awe.

• The word also underscores God’s sovereignty: He alone controls the timing of each woe (Isaiah 46:9-10).

---

the third woe is coming shortly

• “Shortly” echoes Revelation 1:1 and 22:6, affirming that God’s timetable is imminent from heaven’s vantage point.

• The third woe unfolds with the seventh trumpet (Revelation 11:15), ushering in the seven bowl judgments (Revelation 15–16) that culminate in Christ’s visible reign.

• Like labor pains (Matthew 24:8), the judgments increase in intensity, but they will end in the birth of the kingdom (Revelation 11:15; Daniel 2:44).

• For believers, this is both a sober warning and a strengthening promise: “Strengthen your hearts, for the Lord’s coming is near” (James 5:8).

---

summary

Revelation 11:14 marks a transition: the second woe—centered on the sixth trumpet and its devastating judgments—has ended; God calls us to pay close attention, because the third and final woe tied to the seventh trumpet will arrive without delay. Each woe demonstrates God’s righteous wrath, yet His patient mercy shines through, and all moves swiftly toward the triumphant reign of Christ.