Devine Scripture

Revelation 11:12

What does Revelation 11:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 11:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 11:12 means

A loud voice from heaven calls the witnesses to come up, and they ascend in a cloud while their enemies watch. The summons and the cloud signal divine approval and presence, as in other moments when God publicly receives His servants. Their ascension completes the pattern: testimony, suffering, resurrection, and glorification. That this occurs before watching foes underscores that vindication is not hidden. The God who allowed them to be seen in shame now allows them to be seen in honor. The movement heavenward confirms that their mission is complete and their reward secure, even as earthly consequences for the city swiftly follow.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they went up into heaven in the cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they went up into heaven in the cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And a great voice from heaven came to their ears, saying to them, Come up here. And they went up into heaven in the cloud, and were seen by those desiring their death.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they heard a great voice out of the heaven saying to them, `Come up hither;' and they went up to the heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they heard a great voice from heaven, saying to them: Come up hither. And they went up to heaven in a cloud: and their enemies saw them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I heard a great voice out of the heaven saying to them, Come up here; and they went up to the heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them.

Context

Following their resurrection, the heavenly call immediately elevates the witnesses. This public ascension marks the end of their earthly role and triggers an intensification of judgment. The next verse records a great earthquake with significant loss, which serves both as retribution and as a sign meant to sober survivors. These events form the climax of the two-witness narrative, after which the text will explicitly announce that the second woe has passed, clearing the way for the sounding of the seventh trumpet and the universal proclamation of God’s reign.

v.11And after the three days and a half the breath of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them that beheld them.

v.12This passage

v.13And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell; and there were killed in the earthquake seven thousand persons: and the rest were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Kings 2:1

    And it came to pass, when Jehovah would take up Elijah by a whirlwind into heaven, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.

  • Psalms 24:3

    Who shall ascend into the hill of Jehovah? And who shall stand in his holy place?

  • Exodus 14:25

    And he took off their chariot wheels, and they drove them heavily; so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for Jehovah fighteth for them against the Egyptians.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:17

    then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

  • 2 Kings 2:5

    And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came near to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that Jehovah will take away thy master from thy head to-day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.

  • Acts 1:9

    And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

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