Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 11:7

"And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that cometh up out of the abyss shall make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them." — Revelation 11:7 (ASV)

When they finish their witness, the witnesses are killed by the beast from the Abyss. This is the first reference to the “beast” (GK 2563) in the book. The abruptness with which it is introduced seems not only to presuppose some knowledge of the beast but also to anticipate what is said of him in chs. 13 and 17. Only here and in 17:8 is the beast described as coming “up from the Abyss” (cf. 9:1), showing his demonic origin. He attacks the prophets (lit., “makes war with them”; cf. 9:7; 12:7, 17; 13:7; 16:14; 19:19; 20:8). This attack possibly reflects Da 7:21 and is again described in 12:17 and 13:7. This is the second and final phase of the dragon’s persecution of the Christian prophets and saints.