Daily Bible Study — Revelation 11

George Frideric Handel was born February 23, 1685 in Germany, but he spent the majority of his life in England.

In his lifetime, Handel eloquently composed 42 operas; 29 oratorios; 16 organ concerti; over 120 cantatas, trios, and duets; and numerous arias, chamber music pieces, odes, and serenatas. Of his over 200 masterpieces, the most famous piece is the Messiah, which features the Hallelujah Chorus.

The lyrics in the Hallelujah Chorus are derived from three passages of the New Testament, Revelation 19:6, Revelation 19:16, and Revelation 11:15. It is this last biblical reference that is the centerpiece of the entire 11th chapter of the book.

Many people believe the two witnesses of the chapter mirror with the woman in the wilderness of Revelation 12 and that both represent the church. The witnesses are killed and their bodies are displayed for the satisfaction of evil entities. The witnesses, however, are resurrected, giving rise to the hymn of praise in verse 15 that Handel used.

The church may be down and out, but it can never be killed. God rules the world, not man. As Paul wrote the preacher Timothy, “he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen,” (1 Timothy 6:15-16 ESV).