Revelation 11 12

Revelation 11:12 kjv

And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

Revelation 11:12 nkjv

And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.

Revelation 11:12 niv

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.

Revelation 11:12 esv

Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here!" And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them.

Revelation 11:12 nlt

Then a loud voice from heaven called to the two prophets, "Come up here!" And they rose to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched.

Revelation 11 verses

Revelation 11 12 Meaning

Revelation 11:12 describes the dramatic ascension of the two resurrected witnesses into heaven. Following their public death and miraculous revival, a loud, divine voice calls them upwards. They are visibly transported to the celestial realm in a cloud, a direct display of God's power and vindication, witnessed by the very enemies who had celebrated their demise. This event signifies their divine acceptance and triumph over worldly opposition.

Revelation 11 12 Context

Revelation 11:12 occurs immediately after the miraculous resurrection of the two witnesses (Rev 11:11), whose prophetic ministry of 1,260 days had concluded with their assassination by the Beast (Rev 11:7-9). Their bodies had lain in the street for three and a half days, and the inhabitants of the earth celebrated their deaths (Rev 11:10), rejoicing over the silencing of these prophets who tormented them with plagues. Their public ascension serves as God's swift and powerful rebuttal to this global celebration, demonstrating His ultimate authority over death and human evil. Historically, the audience would have understood the significance of divine vindication of prophets in the face of persecution, a theme deeply rooted in Old Testament narratives and Jewish apocalyptic literature.

Revelation 11 12 Word analysis

• And they heard (Καὶ ἤκουσαν - kai ēkousan): Refers directly to the "two witnesses." The act of "hearing" implies a clear reception of a divine mandate, not a mere internal prompting. It underlines their obedience to the heavenly directive.
• a loud voice (φωνῆς μεγάλης - phōnēs megalēs): The "loudness" denotes the clarity, power, and undeniable authority of the command. In Revelation, a loud voice often signifies a significant, divine pronouncement or angelic declaration, ensuring its notice and impact (e.g., Rev 1:10, 4:1, 14:18).
• from heaven (ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ - ek tou ouranou): Specifies the ultimate origin of the voice. This definitively establishes the call as emanating from God Himself, granting it divine authority and indicating supernatural intervention.
• saying to them (λεγούσης αὐτοῖς - legousēs autois): A direct, imperative address. It emphasizes a personal command specifically for the witnesses.
• "Come up here!" (Ἀνάβητε ὧδε - Anabēte hōde): This is a command to ascend, paralleling John's own invitation into the heavenly throne room in Revelation 4:1. It signals an immediate and irresistible summons from the earthly realm of suffering to the heavenly realm of safety and glory. It's a clear declaration of divine favor and ultimate triumph.
• And they went up (Καὶ ἀνέβησαν - kai anebēsan): This swift action demonstrates their immediate compliance and the effective power of the divine command. It's a literal, physical ascent, affirming the miraculous nature of the event.
• to heaven (εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν - eis ton ouranon): Their ultimate destination, indicating their transfer to God's presence, signifying a secure, vindicated state beyond the reach of their earthly tormentors.
• in a cloud (ἐν τῇ νεφέλῃ - en tē nephelē): The cloud is a consistent biblical symbol of divine presence (Exod 13:21; Exod 16:10), glory (Lk 9:34-35), and often serves as a supernatural mode of transportation (Acts 1:9; Dan 7:13). Its presence authenticates the event as being of divine origin and emphasizes the extraordinary nature of their ascent, placing it in parallel with other divine appearances and transportations (e.g., Jesus' ascension).
• and their enemies watched them (καὶ ἐθεώρησαν αὐτοὺς οἱ ἐχθροὶ αὐτῶν - kai etheōrēsan autous hoi echthroi autōn): The enemies are eyewitnesses. The Greek verb etheōrēsan implies a careful observation or spectacle. This public viewing underscores the humiliation and frustration of their adversaries, who had just celebrated the witnesses' deaths. Their witnessing the vindication reverses their moment of triumph into one of stunned disbelief and impotent rage, proving God's sovereignty over those who oppose Him.

Revelation 11 12 Bonus section

The sequence of death, resurrection, and ascension for the two witnesses parallels the Paschal mystery of Christ: crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. This not only signifies divine vindication for the witnesses but also implicitly strengthens their identification as "another Christ-like figure" or types of Christ, in their prophetic suffering and eventual glorification. Their "Come up here!" can also be interpreted as a mini-rapture event for these individuals, prefiguring the general resurrection and rapture of all believers at the Lord's return in the clouds (1 Thes 4:17). The public witnessing by their enemies emphasizes that God's justice is not a hidden act but a clear demonstration for all, particularly those who have defied Him.

Revelation 11 12 Commentary

Revelation 11:12 forms the climax of the two witnesses' ministry, marking a profound demonstration of God's power and justice. After suffering martyrdom and a public display of their lifeless bodies, their sudden resurrection in verse 11 is followed by this dramatic, visible ascension. The "loud voice from heaven" signals an unmistakable divine decree, echoing the sovereign authority often seen in prophetic calls. The command "Come up here!" serves not just as an invitation but a divine mandate for transfer from the earthly realm of persecution to the heavenly realm of vindication and security.

Their ascent "in a cloud" carries rich theological weight. Biblically, clouds are deeply intertwined with divine presence, glory, and often act as supernatural chariots. This method of ascension links the witnesses' experience directly to the departure of Elijah (2 Ki 2:11) and, most notably, to the ascension of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:9). This parallelism elevates the witnesses' status and confirms the authenticity of their prophetic ministry, identifying them as divinely appointed and accepted.

Crucially, the scene is performed "in front of their enemies." Those who celebrated their death, gloated over their bodies, and felt they had achieved a decisive victory are now forced to witness God's triumphant reversal. This public spectacle is not just an ascent; it's a profound humiliation of God's adversaries and a powerful vindication of His faithful servants. It foreshadows the ultimate fate of all who align with the Beast against God: their perceived triumphs are fleeting, and God's justice ultimately prevails for His saints, often in a stunning public display. This verse affirms God's commitment to honor and preserve those who bear witness to His truth, even in the face of death.