Revelation 11

1Someone handed me a wooden measuring rod like a staff. He commanded: Go and measure the temple sanctuary of God! Measure the altar, and count the holy worshipers there.

2Do not measure the outer courtyard; leave it out completely! God handed that courtyard over to the rebellious nations. They will trample the holy city underfoot for forty-two months!

3God declared: I will commission my two faithful witnesses. They will prophesy for 1,260 days, dressed in rough sackcloth.

4These witnesses are the two olive trees and two lampstands. They stand continuously before the Lord of the earth!

5If enemies try to harm them, fire blasts from their mouths! That holy fire devours their enemies completely. Anyone trying to harm them must die that exact way!

6These two prophets have authority to lock the sky. No rain will fall while they preach their message! They have authority to turn water into thick blood. They can strike the earth with plagues whenever they wish!

7When they finish their testimony, the beast from the abyss will attack! The monster will conquer them and slaughter them.

8Their dead bodies will lie exposed in the city street. That wicked city is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt. It is the same city where their Lord was crucified.

9For three and a half days, people from every nation will gawk at them. They will refuse to let their corpses be buried in graves!

10Earth's inhabitants will rejoice, celebrate, and send each other gifts. They will celebrate because these two prophets tormented them!

11After three and a half days, God's breath of life entered them! They stood upright on their own feet! Terrifying dread gripped everyone watching them.

12A booming voice from heaven shouted: Come up here! The two witnesses ascended into heaven inside a cloud! Their enemies stood watching them disappear into the sky.

13At that exact moment, a violent earthquake struck the city. One-tenth of the city collapsed in ruins. Seven thousand people were crushed to death in the quake. The terrified survivors gave glory to the God of heaven!

14The second terror is past. The third terror is coming soon.

15The seventh angel blasted his trumpet! Loud voices in heaven thundered: The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ! And He will reign as King forever and ever!

16The twenty-four elders fell face down before God and worshiped:

17We give You thanks, Lord God Almighty! You are the One who is and who always was. You took Your supreme power and began Your glorious reign!

18The rebellious nations raged with fury, but Your wrath has arrived! The appointed time has come to judge the dead. It is time to reward Your servants the prophets and Your holy people. You will reward everyone who honors Your name, small and great! And You will destroy the wicked who destroy the earth!

19Then God's temple in heaven swung open wide! Inside the temple stood the sacred Box of the Agreement. Lightning flashed, thunder crashed, and a terrible hailstorm struck!