Revelation of John 11:5

King James Version (1769)

5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
Untruth

A frequent misinterpretation views the verse literally, expecting two end-times figures to physically breathe fire to kill adversaries, ignoring its apocalyptic symbolism where fire from the mouth represents the devouring power of proclaimed divine judgment, akin to prophetic imagery in Jeremiah 5:14; others erroneously apply it to justify violent retaliation by believers today, overlooking the specific context of God's sovereign protection during a prophetic 1,260-day period.

Truth

This verse highlights the divine protection and authority given to the two witnesses in Revelation 11, portraying their prophetic testimony as a powerful weapon against enemies; fire proceeding from their mouths symbolizes the consuming judgment of God's word, which devours opposition and ensures that any who seek to harm these faithful servants will face inevitable destruction, underscoring the invincible nature of true prophecy empowered by God.

Read Revelation of John 11