Revelation 11:6
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse emphasizes not just the ability of the two witnesses to bring plagues, but that they wield this power "as often as they will." This highlights their absolute authority, mirroring the divine control over creation shown by Moses and Elijah, demonstrating that their authority flows directly from God and is not limited by human desire or convenience.
They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage describes the incredible, supernatural power given to two prophetic witnesses who will minister during a tumultuous period. Their authority mirrors that of biblical figures like Elijah and Moses, allowing them to withhold rain, turn waters into blood, and inflict plagues upon the earth, demonstrating God's ultimate control and judgment. These signs serve as powerful endorsements of their message, striking fear into their enemies and validating their divine commission.
Ever notice how certain Old Testament figures pop up again in Revelation? These two witnesses wield powers that sound eerily familiar.
The text explicitly connects the powers of these two witnesses to the miracles performed by Moses and Elijah.
God's Chosen Tools
These aren't just random acts of power; they are demonstrations of God's sovereign authority, channeled through His faithful servants. The parallels are intentional, reminding readers of God's historical faithfulness and His ultimate control over creation.
What does it mean for God's messengers to have the power to strike the earth with plagues? It's more than just punishment.
The authority given to these witnesses is not arbitrary or vindictive. It's intrinsically tied to their prophetic message and God's sovereign plan.
Ask a follow-up
A Message of Warning
Understand the original words
exousia · Greek Noun
A divine, supernatural capacity or authority granted by God to perform signs, exercise ministry, or accomplish His will.
propheteia · Greek Noun
A messenger called by God to proclaim His truth, often warning of judgment and calling for repentance. Prophets are the mouthpiece of God to humanity.
The powers described for the two witnesses directly echo the miraculous interventions of Moses and Elijah, demonstrating that God's messengers throughout history have wielded divine authority to bring judgment and sustenance.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God intervenes through Moses and Aaron to liberate the Israelites from slavery, unleashing ten devastating plagues upon Egypt.
c. 870 BC
Elijah's Ministry
The prophet Elijah confronts idolatrous Israel, calling down a drought by shutting up the heavens, and later restores rain.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus Christ, the ultimate prophet and witness, teaches, performs miracles, and is crucified, initiating a new covenant.
c. AD 33
Pentecost and the Early Church
The Holy Spirit empowers the apostles, enabling them to preach the gospel with supernatural authority and effect.
c. AD 60-70
Paul's Missionary Journeys and Imprisonment
Apostle Paul spreads the gospel across the Roman Empire, facing persecution and imprisonment, demonstrating God's power through his ministry.
c. AD 95— this verse
John Receives the Revelation
The Apostle John, exiled on the island of Patmos, receives a vision from Jesus Christ detailing future events and divine judgment.
This passage directly parallels the witnesses' power to shut the sky, explicitly stating Elijah did so, causing a drought because of Israel's sin.
Exodus 7:19-21This shows Moses turning the waters of Egypt into blood, mirroring the second part of the witnesses' power and highlighting divine judgment through plagues.
Luke 4:25Jesus Himself references Elijah's power to shut the sky during a time of drought, underscoring the prophetic precedent for such divine authority.
James 5:17This New Testament reference confirms Elijah's prayer as the source of the drought, reinforcing the connection between prophetic prayer and supernatural control over the elements.
Deuteronomy 32:2This verse speaks of God's word falling like rain, suggesting that the withholding of rain by the witnesses can symbolize a spiritual drought or the withholding of God's truth from the unrighteous.
pulpitRevelation 11:6: "These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will."
Verse 6. - These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will; the power... the heaven... the waters... every plague (Revised Version). The…
vincentRevelation 11:6: "These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will."
To shut up the heavenAs Elijah, 1 Kings 17:1; Luke 4:25; James 5:17.That it rain not (ἵνα μὴ βρέχῃ ὑετὸς)Lit., that the rain may not wet.To turn them into bloodCompare Exodus 7:19.To smite (πατάξαι)Used by John only in Revelation, here and Revelation 19:15. Compare Matthew 26:…
The verse emphasizes not just the ability of the two witnesses to bring plagues, but that they wield this power "as often as they will." This highlights their absolute authority, mirroring the divine control over creation shown by Moses and Elijah, demonstrating that their authority flows directly from God and is not limited by human desire or convenience.
This passage describes the incredible, supernatural power given to two prophetic witnesses who will minister during a tumultuous period. Their authority mirrors that of biblical figures like Elijah and Moses, allowing them to withhold rain, turn waters into blood, and inflict plagues upon the earth, demonstrating God's ultimate control and judgment. These signs serve as powerful endorsements of their message, striking fear into their enemies and validating their divine commission.
This passage describes the incredible, supernatural power given to two prophetic witnesses who will minister during a tumultuous period. Their authority mirrors that of biblical figures like Elijah and Moses, allowing them to withhold rain, turn waters into blood, and inflict plagues upon the earth, demonstrating God's ultimate control and judgment. These signs serve as powerful endorsements of their message, striking fear into their enemies and validating their divine commission.
"They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire." — The verse emphasizes not just the ability of the two witnesses to bring plagues, but that they wield this power "as often as they will." This highlights their absolute authority, mirroring the divi…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
