“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.”
And if anyone tries to harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes; anyone who wants to harm them must be killed in this way — the witnesses possess power to destroy their enemies; fire (pur) from their mouths (compare 2 Kings 1:10, Elijah's power) consumes adversaries. This power recalls Moses and Elijah, establishing the witnesses' prophetic authority and divine backing.
Church Fathers on Revelation 11:5
“If any man will hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouth, and devours their enemies.” That fire proceeds out of the mouth of those prophets against the adversaries, bespeaks the power of the world. For all afflictions, however many there are, shall be sent by their messengers in their word. Many think that there is Elisha, or Moses, with Elijah; but both of these died; while the death of Elijah is not heard of, with whom all our ancients have believed that it was…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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