Revelation 11:4
What does Revelation 11:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 11:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 11:4 means
The witnesses are described as two olive trees and two lampstands standing before the Lord of the earth, drawing from the imagery of Zechariah. Olive trees supply oil; lampstands give light. The picture is of Spirit-sustained witness that shines in dark times. To stand before the Lord is to serve under His commission and in His presence. As lampstands, they bear God’s light; as olive trees, they have a continual source. Their ministry is not self-generated but God-fueled. This symbolism presents them as faithful bearers of divine testimony who illuminate and nourish God’s people while confronting the world, anchored in the Lord’s authority over all the earth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks, standing before the Lord of the earth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks, standing before the Lord of the earth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949These are the two olive-trees and the two lights, which are before the Lord of the earth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862these are the two olive <FI>trees<Fi> , and the two lamp-stands that before the God of the earth do stand;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks that stand before the Lord of the earth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890These are the two olive trees and the two lamps which stand before the Lord of the earth;
Context
Having introduced the witnesses and their time of ministry, John now identifies them with rich biblical symbols that explain their nature and power. This sets the theological foundation for the protective judgments that follow in the next verses. The imagery assures readers that their effectiveness comes from God’s Spirit and standing before Him, not from human strength. This prepares for the depiction of fire, drought, blood, and plagues—judgments that are not random violence but the outworking of an authorized, Spirit-enabled testimony amid global opposition.
v.3And I will give unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
v.4This passage
v.5And if any man desireth to hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth and devoureth their enemies; and if any man shall desire to hurt them, in this manner must he be killed.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 11:16
Jehovah called thy name, A green olive-tree, fair with goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.
- Isaiah 54:5
For thy Maker is thy husband; Jehovah of hosts is his name: and the Holy One of Israel is thy Redeemer; the God of the whole earth shall he be called.
- Romans 11:17
But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree;
- Revelation 1:20
the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks are seven churches.
- Psalms 52:8
But as for me, I am like a green olive-tree in the house of God: I trust in the lovingkindness of God for ever and ever.
- Zechariah 4:2
And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have seen, and, behold, a candlestick all of gold, with its bowl upon the top of it, and its seven lamps thereon; there are seven pipes to each of the lamps, which are upon the top thereof;
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