Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 11:5

"And 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." — Revelation 11:5 (ASV)

Here the prophets’ divine protection from their enemies is described in terms reminiscent of the former prophets’ protection by God (2 Kings 1:10; Jeremiah 5:14). Fire is understood symbolically as judgment from God; and since it proceeds from the witnesses’ mouths, we understand that their message of judgment will eventually be fulfilled by God’s power (Genesis 19:23–24; 2 Samuel 22:9; Psalms 97:3). Their Lord gives them immunity from destruction until they complete their confirmation of God’s saving deed in Christ. This assures the people of God that no matter how many chosen saints are oppressed and killed, God’s witness to Christ will continue until his purposes are fulfilled.