Revelation 11:7-14: Unstoppable.

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.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.” NIV

Like the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who died and rose again (and because of Jesus) the church is unstoppable. He is building His church and the gates of hell will not be able to prevail against it, however much they may try. The measuring of the temple (i.e. the church) in verses 1&2 speaks of protection. It’s obvious that God’s people will not always be sheltered from danger and harm, but ultimately they are safe

Someone said, ‘I am immortal until all God’s will for me is accomplished.’ It is worth noting that the two witnesses (symbolic of the whole church remember?) are able to complete their witness before being overpowered and killed (7). Then even when they are dead they are not finished. There is a terrifying comeback (11); terrifying for their enemies that is. As someone said, you can have no power over those who rise from the dead.

There is an echo of Ezekiel 37 in verse 11, and of 2 Kings 2:11 in verse 12 (see also 1 Thess.4:16, 17).

The church is called to witness ‘’in the public square of the great city’’ (9). The ‘’great city’’ is a symbol of worldly power and evil. As with the Lord Himself, this is the scene of the church’s service, suffering and death – but also of resurrection. Like the Lord Himself, and because of the Lord Himself, the church is unstoppable. Hallelujah!