Revelation 11:12
New International Version
Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.

New Living Translation
Then a loud voice from heaven called to the two prophets, “Come up here!” And they rose to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched.

English Standard Version
Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them.

Berean Standard Bible
And the witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched them.

Berean Literal Bible
And they heard a great voice out of heaven, saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.

New American Standard Bible
And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them.

NASB 1995
And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them.

NASB 1977
And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them.

Legacy Standard Bible
And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” Then they went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them.

Amplified Bible
And the two witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” Then they ascended into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies watched them.

Christian Standard Bible
Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” They went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies watched them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” They went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies watched them.

American Standard Version
And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they went up into heaven in the cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

Contemporary English Version
The witnesses then heard a loud voice from heaven, saying, "Come up here." And while their enemies were watching, they were taken up to heaven in a cloud.

English Revised Version
And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they went up into heaven in the cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven calling to them, "Come up here." They went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them.

Good News Translation
Then the two prophets heard a loud voice say to them from heaven, "Come up here!" As their enemies watched, they went up into heaven in a cloud.

International Standard Version
Then the witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven calling to them, "Come up here!" So they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them.

Majority Standard Bible
And the witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched them.

NET Bible
Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them: "Come up here!" So the two prophets went up to heaven in a cloud while their enemies stared at them.

New Heart English Bible
I heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." They went up into heaven in the cloud, and their enemies saw them.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they heard a great voice from heaven, saying to them, Come up hither. And they ascended to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

Weymouth New Testament
Then they heard a loud voice calling to them out of Heaven, and bidding them come up; and they went up to Heaven in the cloud, and their enemies saw them go.

World English Bible
I heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” They went up into heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and they heard a great voice out of Heaven saying to them, “Come up here”; and they went up to Heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them;

Berean Literal Bible
And they heard a great voice out of heaven, saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them.

Young's Literal Translation
and they heard a great voice out of the heaven saying to them, 'Come up hither;' and they went up to the heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them;

Smith's Literal Translation
And they heard a great voice from heaven saying to them, Come up here. And they went up to heaven in the cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they heard a great voice from heaven, saying to them: Come up hither. And they went up to heaven in a cloud: and their enemies saw them.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they heard a great voice from heaven, saying to them, “Ascend to here!” And they ascended into heaven on a cloud. And their enemies saw them.

New American Bible
Then they heard a loud voice from heaven say to them, “Come up here.” So they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies looked on.

New Revised Standard Version
Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud while their enemies watched them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they heard a great voice from heaven saying to them, Come up here. And they went up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies saw them.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And they heard a great voice from Heaven that said to them, “Come up here.” And they went up to Heaven in a cloud and their enemies gazed at them.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And they heard a great voice from heaven, saying to them: Come up hither. And they went up into heaven in a cloud, and their enemies beheld them.

Godbey New Testament
And they heard a great voice out of the heaven saying to them, Come up hither; and they ascended up into the heaven in a cloud; and their enemies saw them.

Haweis New Testament
And they heard a great voice out of heaven, saying unto them, Ascend up hither. And they ascended into heaven in a cloud: and their enemies beheld them.

Mace New Testament
then they heard a great voice from heaven, saying to them, "come up hither." and they ascended up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies beheld them.

Weymouth New Testament
Then they heard a loud voice calling to them out of Heaven, and bidding them come up; and they went up to Heaven in the cloud, and their enemies saw them go.

Worrell New Testament
And they heard a great voice out of Heaven, saying to them, "Come up hither." And they went up into Heaven, in the cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

Worsley New Testament
And they heard a great voice from heaven, saying to them, Come up hither; and they ascended up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies beheld them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Witnesses Killed and Raised
11But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered the two witnesses, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell upon those who saw them. 12And the witnesses heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Come up here.” And they went up to heaven in a cloud as their enemies watched them. 13And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand were killed in the quake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.…

Cross References
Acts 1:9
After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.

2 Kings 2:11
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind.

Luke 24:51
While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. / After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.

John 6:62
Then what will happen if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before?

Daniel 7:13
In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence.

Matthew 24:30-31
At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. / And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Mark 16:19
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.

Philippians 3:20-21
But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, / who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.

Isaiah 26:19
Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— / in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Ezekiel 37:12-14
Therefore prophesy and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘O My people, I will open your graves and bring you up from them, and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. / Then you, My people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. / I will put My Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.’”

Psalm 68:18
You have ascended on high; You have led captives away. You have received gifts from men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.

Hebrews 11:5
By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.


Treasury of Scripture

And they heard a great voice from heaven saying to them, Come up here. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

Come.

Revelation 4:1
After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Psalm 15:1
A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

Psalm 24:3
Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?

And they.

Revelation 3:21
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Revelation 12:5
And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

2 Kings 2:11
And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

in.

Isaiah 60:8
Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?

Acts 1:9
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

1 Thessalonians 4:17
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

and their.

Exodus 14:25
And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.

2 Kings 2:1,5,7
And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal…

Psalm 86:17
Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

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Ascended Beheld Bidding Cloud Ears Enemies Foes Great Heard Heaven Hither Loud Sight Voice Watched
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Ascended Beheld Bidding Cloud Ears Enemies Foes Great Heard Heaven Hither Loud Sight Voice Watched
Revelation 11
1. The two witnesses prophesy.
6. They have power to shut heaven so that it rain not.
7. The beast shall fight against them, and kill them.
8. They lie unburied;
11. and after three and a half days rise again.
14. The second woe is past.
15. The seventh trumpet sounds.














And they heard a loud voice from heaven
The phrase begins with "And they heard," indicating a continuation of the narrative. The "loud voice" is a recurring motif in Revelation, often signifying divine authority and command. The Greek word for "loud" is "megas," which implies not just volume but also significance and power. The "voice from heaven" suggests a direct communication from God, emphasizing the divine origin of the message. This heavenly voice is a call to action, a divine summons that cannot be ignored, reflecting God's sovereign control over the events unfolding.

saying to them, 'Come up here.'
The command "Come up here" is an invitation to ascend, symbolizing a transition from earthly suffering to heavenly glory. The Greek word "anabaino" for "come up" is often used in the New Testament to describe ascension, both literal and spiritual. This phrase echoes the call to John in Revelation 4:1, where he is invited to witness heavenly realities. It signifies a divine elevation, a call to enter into God's presence, and a reward for faithfulness. This invitation is a powerful reminder of the hope of resurrection and eternal life for believers.

And they went up to heaven in a cloud
The imagery of "a cloud" is rich with biblical symbolism. In the Old Testament, clouds often represent God's presence and glory, as seen in the Exodus narrative where God leads the Israelites by a pillar of cloud. The Greek word "nephele" for "cloud" suggests a divine vehicle, a means of transport to the heavenly realm. This ascension in a cloud mirrors Christ's own ascension in Acts 1:9, reinforcing the theme of victory over death and the promise of eternal life. It is a visual representation of the believers' ultimate glorification and union with Christ.

as their enemies watched them
The presence of "their enemies" as witnesses to this ascension underscores the vindication of the faithful. The Greek word "theoreo" for "watched" implies a careful observation, suggesting that the enemies are not just passive onlookers but are witnessing a divine act that confirms the truth of the gospel. This public display of God's power serves as a testimony to the unbelieving world, highlighting the ultimate triumph of God's people over persecution and opposition. It is a powerful reminder of God's justice and the eventual defeat of all that stands against His kingdom.

(12) And they heard . . .--Translate, And they heard (or, I heard; the MS. authority is divided, though the balance inclines to the first) a great voice out of the heaven saying to them. Come up hither. And they went up into the heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them. The resurrection of the witnesses is followed by their ascension. It is the token that in this too they shall have a portion with their Lord; rejected and slain, there is welcome and honour for them; they take their place with those who through faith and patience inherit the promises; they rest from their labours. But this is not all. Like Elijah (2Kings 2:11), they are taken up gloriously, but not, like Elijah, in comparative secret; their enemies see their exaltation. As for the witnesses themselves there is the welcome rest of heaven, so there is the visible recognition of their work and power on earth; the cause which seemed dead revives, and with its revival comes the recognition of those who laboured for it; the martyred are seen transfigured, they become glorious in the eyes of men:

"Persecution dragged them into fame,

And chased them up to heaven."

They went up in the cloud: There is here, perhaps, a touch of recollection. St. John remembers the cloud which received his Lord out of sight. Since then the cloud mingles with his every thought of ascension or descending from heaven. (Comp. Revelation 1:7; Acts 1:9.) The witnesses, like their Master, disappeared in the cloud.

Verse 12. - And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. The reading ἤκουσα, "I heard," for ἤκουσαν, "they heard," in a correction of א, and in B, Coptic, Armenian, Andreas, may have arisen from the similarity of the passage to Revelation 6:6; Revelation 9:13. Dusterdieck, who reads, "I heard," points out that in Revelation 6:11; Revelation 9:4, the phrase used in addressing others is, "It was said unto them." Thus the fate of the Church is that of her Lord, and it is the fate of each individual who may witness of God. Suffering, apparent extinction, perhaps, but ultimate triumph and ascension into the presence of God is their common inheritance. If so be that they suffer with him, they are also glorified with him (Romans 8:17). Alford remarks that "no attempt has been made to explain this ascension by those who interpret the witnesses figuratively of the Old and New Testaments, or the like." Is it not the resurrection of the just, of the witnesses of God, and their exaltation at the beginning of the last judgment? Thus St. Paul says, "But each in his own order: Christ the Firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming. Then cometh the end" (1 Corinthians 15:13). This "end" is immediately referred to by the seer. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them; in the cloud. The parallelism with Elijah and Christ (see vers. 5, 6, 8) is carried still further. The Church is triumphantly vindicated and glorified as they were; the only difference is that now all men behold it. The cloud is not that which hides them from view, but rather, like that in Revelation 14:14, something which exalts and enhances the glory of the witnesses. The effect upon the worldly is told in vers. 11, 13.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

[the witnesses] heard
ἤκουσαν (ēkousan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

a loud
μεγάλης (megalēs)
Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

voice
φωνῆς (phōnēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5456: Probably akin to phaino through the idea of disclosure; a tone; by implication, an address, saying or language.

from
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

heaven
οὐρανοῦ (ouranou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

saying,
λεγούσης (legousēs)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“Come up
Ἀνάβατε (Anabate)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 305: To go up, mount, ascend; of things: I rise, spring up, come up. From ana and the base of basis; to go up.

here.”
ὧδε (hōde)
Adverb
Strong's 5602: From an adverb form of hode; in this same spot, i.e. Here or hither.

And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they went up
ἀνέβησαν (anebēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 305: To go up, mount, ascend; of things: I rise, spring up, come up. From ana and the base of basis; to go up.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

heaven
οὐρανὸν (ouranon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

a
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

cloud
νεφέλῃ (nephelē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3507: A cloud. From nephos; properly, cloudiness, i.e. a cloud.

[as]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

enemies
ἐχθροὶ (echthroi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2190: Hated, hostile; subst: an enemy. From a primary echtho; hateful; usually as a noun, an adversary.

watched
ἐθεώρησαν (etheōrēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2334: From a derivative of theaomai; to be a spectator of, i.e. Discern, (experience) or intensively (acknowledge).

them.
αὐτοὺς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 11:12 I heard a loud voice from heaven (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
Revelation 11:11
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