What is the meaning of Revelation 11:6? These witnesses have power - “These witnesses” refers to the two prophets introduced in Revelation 11:3–4, who are divinely commissioned and protected. - The phrase “have power” (Revelation 11:6) underscores that their authority is delegated directly from God—mirroring how Jesus granted the apostles power over demons and disease (Luke 9:1). - Old Testament precedent: Moses stood before Pharaoh “in the name of the LORD” (Exodus 9:13); Elijah spoke by “the word of the LORD” (1 Kings 17:1). - Their ministry unfolds in literal history during the future tribulation period, aligning with the prophetic timeline of Daniel 9 and Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:15–22. To shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy - Exact parallel: Elijah declared, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives… there will be neither dew nor rain except at my word” (1 Kings 17:1); James reminds us it lasted “three years and six months” (James 5:17). - The witnesses’ drought could span the same 1,260 days (Revelation 11:3), intensifying the global judgments already unleashed by the seals and trumpets (Revelation 8:7–13). - The authority to withhold rain demonstrates that God alone sustains creation (Acts 14:17). Shutting heaven exposes the futility of earth-dwellers’ rebellion and calls them to repent, echoing Amos 4:6–8. Power to turn the waters into blood - This sign recalls Moses striking the Nile: “All the water of the Nile was turned to blood” (Exodus 7:20). - In Revelation 8:8–11 the second trumpet brings a similar judgment, and Revelation 16:4 describes rivers becoming blood under the third bowl. The witnesses’ plague harmonizes with these later judgments, not contradicting but previewing them. - Such a literal transformation testifies that the Creator judges idolatry; ancient Egypt worshiped the Nile, just as end-time humanity exalts its resources (Romans 1:25). And to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish - “Every kind” evokes the full range of Exodus plagues (Exodus 9:14). • Darkness (Exodus 10:22; Revelation 16:10) • Hail and fire (Exodus 9:24; Revelation 8:7) • Locusts (Exodus 10:13; Revelation 9:3) - The phrase “as often as they wish” highlights continual opportunity, yet always within God’s sovereign plan—similar to Jesus giving the disciples “authority… over all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19). - These judgments are remedial before they are final; like Pharaoh, many will harden their hearts (Revelation 9:20–21), but a remnant will heed the warning (Revelation 7:9–14). summary Revelation 11:6 presents the two witnesses as end-time prophets wielding literal, God-given authority to reproduce the miracles of Elijah and Moses. Their drought, water-to-blood sign, and cascading plagues are concrete judgments designed to confront a rebellious world, affirm God’s supremacy, and urge repentance during the tribulation’s darkest days. |
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