Revelation 11:8 - Their dead bodies will be in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.
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What does "Revelation 11:8" mean?
Revelation 11:8 is a highly symbolic verse that's been interpreted in many ways. Here's a breakdown of its components and common understandings:
Key Elements of the Verse:
"Their dead bodies will be in the street of the great city...": This refers to the bodies of the two witnesses mentioned earlier in Revelation 11, who are prophesying and witnessing against the world. Their death is a result of their faithful testimony. "Lying dead in the street" signifies public shame, dishonor, and a complete silencing of their message.
"...which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt...": This is the core of the interpretative challenge. The "great city" is not literally Sodom or Egypt. Instead, it spiritually embodies the characteristics of those places.
Sodom: Represents extreme wickedness, moral depravity, sexual perversion, and rebellion against God. Think of the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.
Egypt: Symbolizes oppression, slavery, and resistance to God's will. Think of the Israelites enslaved in Egypt in the book of Exodus.
"...where also their Lord was crucified.": This identifies the "great city" further. It's the place where Jesus was crucified, which is Jerusalem. However, the verse doesn't only mean the physical city of Jerusalem. It's Jerusalem in its spiritual state, reflecting the characteristics of Sodom and Egypt.
Interpretations:
The meaning of this verse is debated, primarily focused on identifying the "great city." Here are the main viewpoints:
1. Literal Jerusalem: Some believe this refers to the literal city of Jerusalem in the end times. They argue that Jerusalem, despite its history as God's chosen city, could fall into a state of spiritual depravity and oppression, mirroring Sodom and Egypt. The crucifixion of Jesus within its walls is a historical fact, connecting it to the verse. Proponents of this view often look for signs of moral decay and political unrest in modern-day Jerusalem to support their interpretation.
2. Rome: Historically, many have interpreted the "great city" as Rome, the center of the Roman Empire, which persecuted Christians. Rome was notorious for its immorality (like Sodom) and its oppressive rule (like Egypt). The reference to the Lord's crucifixion can be seen as a reminder that even powerful empires can reject God. This view was more common in early church history when Rome was the primary persecutor of Christians.
3. Apostate Christendom: This view sees the "great city" as a corrupted form of Christianity that has abandoned its true faith. This apostate church exhibits the wickedness of Sodom (immorality and compromise) and the oppression of Egypt (spiritual bondage through legalism or false teachings). The "crucifixion" in this context could be seen as a symbolic rejection or betrayal of Christ.
4. The World System/Global Society: A broader interpretation sees the "great city" as the world system itself, characterized by rebellion against God, materialism, and oppression. This interpretation emphasizes the global nature of wickedness and its resistance to God's kingdom. It suggests that the spirit of Sodom and Egypt permeates societies worldwide.
In summary, the verse is saying:
The two witnesses will be killed in a place that, while it might be a specific location, is primarily characterized by spiritual wickedness, oppression, and rejection of God. This "great city" embodies the evils of Sodom and Egypt and repeats the sin of rejecting and killing God's messengers.
Important Considerations:
Symbolic Language: Remember that Revelation is full of symbolic language. It's crucial to avoid overly literal interpretations.
Context: Always read the verse in the context of the entire chapter and the book of Revelation as a whole.
Humility: There is no single, universally agreed-upon interpretation of Revelation. Approach the text with humility and a willingness to consider different perspectives.
Ultimately, the meaning of Revelation 11:8 is complex and open to interpretation. The most important takeaway is that the verse highlights the persistent opposition to God's truth and the consequences for those who reject His messengers.
Revelation 11:8 - Their dead bodies will be in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.
What does "Revelation 11:8" mean?
Revelation 11:8 is a highly symbolic verse that's been interpreted in many ways. Here's a breakdown of its components and common understandings:
Key Elements of the Verse:
"Their dead bodies will be in the street of the great city...": This refers to the bodies of the two witnesses mentioned earlier in Revelation 11, who are prophesying and witnessing against the world. Their death is a result of their faithful testimony. "Lying dead in the street" signifies public shame, dishonor, and a complete silencing of their message.
"...which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt...": This is the core of the interpretative challenge. The "great city" is not literally Sodom or Egypt. Instead, it spiritually embodies the characteristics of those places.
Sodom: Represents extreme wickedness, moral depravity, sexual perversion, and rebellion against God. Think of the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.
Egypt: Symbolizes oppression, slavery, and resistance to God's will. Think of the Israelites enslaved in Egypt in the book of Exodus.
"...where also their Lord was crucified.": This identifies the "great city" further. It's the place where Jesus was crucified, which is Jerusalem. However, the verse doesn't only mean the physical city of Jerusalem. It's Jerusalem in its spiritual state, reflecting the characteristics of Sodom and Egypt.
Interpretations:
The meaning of this verse is debated, primarily focused on identifying the "great city." Here are the main viewpoints:
1. Literal Jerusalem: Some believe this refers to the literal city of Jerusalem in the end times. They argue that Jerusalem, despite its history as God's chosen city, could fall into a state of spiritual depravity and oppression, mirroring Sodom and Egypt. The crucifixion of Jesus within its walls is a historical fact, connecting it to the verse. Proponents of this view often look for signs of moral decay and political unrest in modern-day Jerusalem to support their interpretation.
2. Rome: Historically, many have interpreted the "great city" as Rome, the center of the Roman Empire, which persecuted Christians. Rome was notorious for its immorality (like Sodom) and its oppressive rule (like Egypt). The reference to the Lord's crucifixion can be seen as a reminder that even powerful empires can reject God. This view was more common in early church history when Rome was the primary persecutor of Christians.
3. Apostate Christendom: This view sees the "great city" as a corrupted form of Christianity that has abandoned its true faith. This apostate church exhibits the wickedness of Sodom (immorality and compromise) and the oppression of Egypt (spiritual bondage through legalism or false teachings). The "crucifixion" in this context could be seen as a symbolic rejection or betrayal of Christ.
4. The World System/Global Society: A broader interpretation sees the "great city" as the world system itself, characterized by rebellion against God, materialism, and oppression. This interpretation emphasizes the global nature of wickedness and its resistance to God's kingdom. It suggests that the spirit of Sodom and Egypt permeates societies worldwide.
In summary, the verse is saying:
The two witnesses will be killed in a place that, while it might be a specific location, is primarily characterized by spiritual wickedness, oppression, and rejection of God. This "great city" embodies the evils of Sodom and Egypt and repeats the sin of rejecting and killing God's messengers.
Important Considerations:
Symbolic Language: Remember that Revelation is full of symbolic language. It's crucial to avoid overly literal interpretations.
Context: Always read the verse in the context of the entire chapter and the book of Revelation as a whole.
Humility: There is no single, universally agreed-upon interpretation of Revelation. Approach the text with humility and a willingness to consider different perspectives.
Ultimately, the meaning of Revelation 11:8 is complex and open to interpretation. The most important takeaway is that the verse highlights the persistent opposition to God's truth and the consequences for those who reject His messengers.