Revelation 11:7

When the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will wage war with them, and will overpower and kill them.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The narrator describes a specific moment when the two witnesses conclude their prophetic ministry. At that exact point, a hostile force emerges to confront them.

The words — ὅταν (hotan) functions as a temporal marker meaning "when," pinpointing the conclusion of their work. θηρίον (thērion) literally translates to "beast," identifying the opposing entity that rises from the Abyss.

The thread — Revelation 11:7 states that the beast will wage war and overpower the witnesses. This directly parallels Revelation 13:7, which records the beast being permitted to wage war against the saints and conquer them, and aligns with Daniel 7:25 and Daniel 8:23, which describe a powerful ruler oppressing the faithful during the final phase of a reign.

Why it lands — The text establishes a fixed sequence where earthly opposition follows the completion of prophetic witness. It requires the reader to acknowledge that persecution is a documented outcome of faithful testimony, not a deviation from divine timing.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

Cross-references

Revelation 13:7 Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.
Daniel 8:23 In the latter part of their reign, when the rebellion has reached its full measure, an insolent king, skilled in intrigue, will come to the throne.
Daniel 7:25 He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.
Daniel 7:21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and prevailing against them,
Luke 13:32 But Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘Look, I will keep driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach My goal.’
John 17:4 I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.
Zechariah 14:2 For I will gather all the nations for battle against Jerusalem, and the city will be captured, the houses looted, and the women ravished. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be removed from the city.
Acts 20:24 But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival.
Revelation 11:3 And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”