Revelation 11:11

"But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them" (Revelation 11:11 RSV).

Comment:

Earlier in the 11th chapter we are introduced to two anonymous 'witnesses' who will be sent from the Lord, clothed in sackcloth and with the gift of prophesy. They are described as olive trees and lampstands—sources of spiritual substance and light. They will be killed by the beast from the bottomless pit and will lie in the street unburied for 'three days and a half.' Then comes the sentence quoted above. 

I explain at some length in my book on Revelation, Kingdom Come, that I see these faceless witnesses as emblematic of our initial resistance to the Truth of our spiritual Power, often expressed by leaving behind the religion of our upbringing and thinking for a while that we have no need for Spirit. The breath of life brings a new awareness, lifting our innate understanding of our Oneness with Spirit to a higher level. We are empowered, but that spiritual Power can be very scary when we are first asked to claim it. Hence the 'great fear.'

Blessings!

Rev. Ed