The first interlude between the sixth and seventh seals introduced us to (a) sealing of the 144,000 Jews and (b) salvation of the Great Multitude. Rev. 10-11:14 is the second interlude placed between the sixth and seventh trumpets which will introduce us to:
The angel swore by Him who created the heaven, earth and sea thus implying that God the Creator has the right to judge what He has created (cf., the first four trumpet judgments on creation). Then he declared that "there will be no more delay" once the seventh trumpet is sounded (10:6-7) ... suggesting that the subsequent judgments (the bowl judgments) will come very quickly allowing little time for repentance.
The angel shouted in a loud voice like a lion’s roar and the voices of the seven thunders responded with further revelation. John was about to write them down what he heard but an authoritative voice from heaven instructed him not to do so (10:3-4). While God has revealed much, there are still secrets that He has chosen not to reveal to us at this time; the voices of the thunders were meant only for John's ears.
That same voice instructed John to go take the little scroll that laid open in the angel's hand (10:8). It is possible that this open little scroll is the same sealed scroll that the Lamb opened ... now with most of its contents revealed, it had become smaller. Also note that the chain of revelation in Rev. 1:1 is from Jesus to an angel then to John thus permitting the mighty angel to hold the little scroll.
But when John approached the angel, he (the angel) told John to take the scroll and eat it! Eating is an idiom for partaking and appropriating knowledge (cf., Jer. 15:16; Ezek. 3:1-3). Then John was informed that his commission to prophesy continues and he must prophesy again before many peoples, nations, languages and kings (10:11) ... indicating that the little scroll symbolizes the remaining judgments that John was about to pronounce.
The scroll tasted sweet in John's mouth but turned bitter in his stomach (10:10). How could that be? John rejoiced knowing that the return of the LORD draws ever nearer and that He will return in glory to deliver and vindicate His people. Yet at the same time, John was saddened knowing that God will mete out judgment upon the rebellious and apostate.
THE TEMPLE MEASURED - Following the renewal of his prophetic ministry, John was told to measure the temple, the altar and the worshippers in it (11:1).
The act of measuring seems to signify that that God wants these to be marked as belonging to His jurisdiction; this was confirmed by the pronouncement that the the outer court (unmeasured part) had been given to the Gentiles who would trample the holy city for 42 months (11:2).
God would appoint two witnesses to prophesy for 1260 days or 42 months clothed in sackcloth (11:3). In wearing sackcloth, their message was "Repent for judgment is coming!" (cf., Jon. 3:5,6,8). These witnesses would be able to protect themselves with fire coming out of their mouths. They could stop rain and turn rivers into blood and release any manner of plague anywhere on the earth. Thus the two witnesses tormented the people (11:5-6).
When they had finished their testimony at the end of the 1260 days, the beast from the Abyss would attack them, and overpower and kill them. Their corpses laid in the public square of the great city which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt. This great city is the place where their Lord was crucified (11:7-8) ... indicating that the city is likely Jerusalem.
The inhabitants of the earth celebrated the death of the two witnesses by sending each other gifts. They denied burial of the two witnesses and gloated over their corpses; this was the ultimate way of dishonoring and desecrating the two witnesses (11:9-10). But after 3½ days, the two witnesses came alive, stood on their feet and went up to heaven to the dismay of the people (11:11-12).
At that very hour, there was a great earthquake that destroyed one tenth of the city and killed 7000 people. The survivors were terrified and gave glory to God (11:13).
The scene shifted to heaven where the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign for ever and ever." This pronouncement fast forward to the future, to the eternal rule of God (11:15).
A chorus of celebration erupted in heaven ... the 24 elders fell on their faces and worshipped God, saying, "... The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people ... and for destroying those who destroy the earth." There was praise in heaven for God's reign but hostility on earth against God; the nations were angry that God's wrath had come (11:16-18).
In Rev. 11:1, John was told to measure the temple that will be in existence (on earth) during the tribulation and here in Rev. 11:19, he saw a vision of God’s temple in heaven (11:19). It was opened, and within His temple the ark of His covenant. This ark is likely the heavenly throne room, the original from which Moses made a copy for the earthly tabernacle (Exo. 25:8). And with the opening of the temple in heaven, there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm on earth.
I like to draw some observations about ministry from the Apostle John and the two witnesses in these two chapters.
The length of the prophetic ministry of the two witnesses is 1260 days (3½ years). Do they minister in the first half or second half of the Tribulation?
Before I attempt to answer this question, let's seek to understand a few terms and background information.
The ministry of the two witnesses CANNOT overlap with ...
Conclusion: The two witnesses will minister in the first half of the Tribulation and at the end of 1260 days, they would be killed by the Beast from the Abyss, probably referring to the scarlet beast (17:8).