The Two Witnesses
1 Then I was given a stick like a measuring rod and was told, “Arise and measure the temple of God, and the altar and those worshiping at it. 2 But leave out the outer court and don’t measure it, because it was given to the other nations, who will trample the holy city for forty-two months. 3 And I will give my two witnesses the charge of prophesying for one thousand, two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
4 These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands set before the Master of the Earth. 5 And if anyone decides to harm them, fire goes out of their mouths and consumes their enemies; this is how whoever decides to harm them must die. 6 These two have permission to lock up the sky so it doesn’t rain for as long as they prophesy, to turn the waters into blood, and to strike the earth with all kinds of disasters as often as they choose. 7 And when they complete their testimony, the beast ascending out of the Abyss will fight and conquer them, and kill them.
8 Their corpses will lie in the main square of that city which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt— that is, where their Master was crucified. 9 People from every group and tribe and language among the nations gawk at the corpses for three and a half days, refusing them burial. 10 The earth dwellers gloat over them and even send gifts to each other, because these two prophets had tormented them. 11 But after the three and a half days, the spirit of life from God entered into them and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell upon those who watched. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from the sky say to the two, “Come up here!” and they ascended into the sky in a cloud while their enemies watched. 13 In that very hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand individuals were killed, and the survivors were gripped with fear and gave honor to the God of heaven.
14 The second “woe” has passed, but look! The third “woe” is coming rapidly.
The seventh Trumpet
15 Then the seventh trumpet sounded, and there were loud voices in the sky saying, “The kingdom of the world now belongs to our Master and his Christ, who will reign forever!” 16 Then the twenty-four elders sitting on thrones before God fell down on their faces and worshiped God: 17 “We thank you, oh Master God Almighty, who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and assumed your reign! 18 The nations were angry and your rage came, and now is the time for the dead to be judged— to repay your slaves the prophets and the small and great who fear your name, and to ruin those who ruin the earth.”
19 Then the temple of God in heaven was opened so that the Ark of the Covenant could be seen inside, and there came lightning, rumblings, thunder, an earthquake, and large hail.