Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 11:12

"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." — Revelation 11:12 (ASV)

The witnesses now experience a resurrection and an ascension to heaven following their three-and-one-half-day death. It is generally held that John had Ezekiel’s vision of the restoration of the dry bones in mind (Ezekiel 37:5, 10–12). Just as interpretations of Ezekiel’s vision vary, so interpretations of vv.11–12 vary. Some hold that the dry bones vision refers to the spiritual quickening of the nation of Israel. Others understand the descriptions to refer to the physical resurrection of the dead. If the two witnesses represent the witness of the church, then physical resurrection and ascension could be in mind. The summons “Come up here,” followed by “they went up to heaven in a cloud,” perhaps points to the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).

On the other hand, John may be using the figure of physical resurrection to represent the church’s victory over the death blow of the beast. In Ro 11:15 Paul uses the figure of resurrection symbolically to depict a great spiritual revival among the Jews in a future day. Here in v.12 the reference to the “cloud” (GK 3749) is significant. Normally, the “cloud” depicts God’s power, presence, and glory; this is the only instance in the book where strictly human figures are associated with a cloud. These two witnesses share in Christ’s resurrection, and the cloud is a sign of heaven’s acceptance of their earthly career. Even their enemies see them, just as they will see Christ when he returns with the clouds (1:7). The events of Christ’s return and the ascension of the witnesses seem to be simultaneous. Thus in the two witnesses, John has symbolized the model of all true prophets, taking as a central clue the story of Jesus’ appearance in Jerusalem and describing the common vocation of appearing in the holy city (or temple) in such a way that reaction to their work separates the worshipers of God from the unbelievers.