Follow along with today’s message. Use the blank spaces for fill-in notes and use the to add your own. Select “Email” at the bottom of this page to send a PDF to yourself.
Revelation 11
1 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. —Revelation 11:1-2 (NIV)
God doesn’t measure our outward appearance but our
3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4 They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.” 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.—Revelation 11:3-6 (NIV)
12 Again I asked him, “What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?”
13 He replied, “Do you not know what these are?”
“No, my lord,” I said.
14 So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.”—Zechariah 4:12-14 (NIV)
God empowers ordinary people to be
7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.—Revelation 11:7-10 (NIV)
Faithfulness to Jesus often leads to
18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.”—John 15:18-20 (NIV)
11 But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.
13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.—Revelation 11:11-14 (NIV)
God brings
15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying:
“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.
18 The nations were angry, and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”
19 Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.—Revelation 11:15-19 (NIV)
Jesus doesn’t just win in this moment; He reigns
God’s Judgement is coming, but so is His
Next Week: Revelation 12
Discussion Questions
- What do you think it means that God tells John to “measure the temple and the worshipers”? How does that idea challenge you personally in terms of your walk with God?
- Why do you think God uses the two witnesses to challenge and confirm the Church’s role in the world? In what ways are you currently being a witness where God has placed you?
- The witnesses are eventually killed by the beast, and the world celebrates. Why is the truth so often rejected or even hated in our culture today? How do you respond when your faith meets resistance?
- Have you ever felt like your faithful obedience was met with silence, defeat, or even suffering? How does the resurrection of the witnesses encourage you in seasons like that?
- What does it mean for you to live as a citizen of Christ’s kingdom, especially in a world full of political tension and moral confusion? What are some practical ways to shift your mindset from fear to faith?
- Revelation 11 ends with both judgment and reward. How should the promise of eternal reward impact your daily decisions, priorities, and relationships?
- What is one specific step you can take this week to be a more faithful witness for Jesus—at home, work, school, or in your community? Who can you encourage or pray for as they live out their witness?