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.

REVELATION 11:12KJV
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Revelation 11:12 (KJV)

What does Revelation 11:12 mean?

Revelation 11:12 describes a moment when a powerful voice from heaven calls two witnesses to ascend, and they rise up into heaven in a cloud while their enemies watch. This scene shows a dramatic reversal, where those who had opposed or harmed the witnesses are forced to see their vindication and elevation.

In the setting of Revelation 11, the two witnesses have just finished their testimony and have been killed by their enemies, but after three and a half days, they are brought back to life. The "great voice from heaven" addresses them directly, inviting them to "come up hither," and they visibly ascend in a cloud, echoing other biblical moments of divine presence. The fact that their enemies "beheld them" highlights the public nature of this event and the clear sign of God's approval.

The Greek behind Revelation 11:12

  • Ἀνέβησαν (anebēsan, "ascended up"): This word carries the sense of going up or rising, often used for physical movement upwards. Here, it emphasizes the witnesses' dramatic and visible elevation to heaven.
  • ἐν νεφέλῃ (en nephelē, "in a cloud"): The Greek word for "cloud" often signals God's presence or glory in the Bible. The use of this word connects the event to other moments where clouds signify divine action, such as Jesus' ascension.
  • ἐθεώρησαν (etheōrēsan, "beheld"): This word means to look at or observe carefully. It stresses that the witnesses' enemies did not just see but witnessed the event with attention, underscoring the public and undeniable nature of what happened.

Why Revelation 11:12 matters

  • Revelation 11:12 clarifies that the witnesses' vindication is not secret or hidden but witnessed by their enemies, making the reversal of fortunes unmistakable.
  • The use of the "cloud" links this event to other key biblical moments of God's intervention, helping readers see the continuity in how God acts throughout Scripture.
  • This verse sets up the following events in Revelation, showing a turning point where God's power is displayed openly after a period of suffering and apparent defeat for His servants.

Where else these words appear

“cloud” Greek G3507 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
  • Luke 9:35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
  • 2 Peter 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

“enemies” Greek G2190 · used in 32 verses

  • Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
  • Luke 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
  • Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

“beheld” Greek G2334 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 27:55 And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
  • John 6:19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
  • John 20:14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

“hither” Greek G5602 · used in 56 verses

  • Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
  • Mark 9:1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.
  • Luke 22:38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.