The eleventh chapter of Revelation is speaking of the overcoming of the testimony, of the witnessing power of the majority of the believers, by means of the subtlety and viciousness of Antichrist. Christ Himself never can be harmed, but His followers indeed can be overcome (and indeed are being overcome in the present hour) by the world and the spirit of Antichrist. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament teach that the saints will be overcome in the last days.

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. (Revelation 13:7)

What happens to the saint happens to Christ, according to the Scriptures. When the saints are in prison, Christ is in prison. When they are thirsty, He is thirsty. When they are sick, He is sick (Matthew 25:45).

If we are correct in our interpretation, the eleventh chapter of the Book of Revelation is describing a double portion of God's witnessing power that will enable the saints of the last days to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom for a testimony to every nation on the earth. We saints are one witness. The Lord Jesus who works with us and confirms the Word with signs following is the second Witness.

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:20)

This is similar to the pattern of Jesus and the Father working together:

I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. (John 8:18)

The end-time witness will be borne, and when it is finished God will permit Antichrist to overcome the testimony for a season. The "bodies" of the witnesses lying in the "street of the great city" refer, we believe, to the Christian institutions, such as churches and schools, that Antichrist will subsidize but that will be void of the witnessing power of the Holy Spirit.

Only the strongest, most faithful of the saints will survive Antichrist's season of temptation.

As soon as God determines that wickedness has come to the full He will enter His true remnant of saints in the sight of the wicked of the earth (including the worldly "Christians"). Then will come to pass that which is written:

The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. (Joel 3:16)

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. (Isaiah 60:1,2)

After the testimony of the resurrection of the saints has been given, God will raise His witnesses from the earth until a cloud hides them from sight, just as the Lord Jesus was taken up until a "cloud received him out of their sight" (Acts 1:9; Revelation 11:12).

The wicked, beholding the awesome majesty of the Lord, will be terrified; but this is just the beginning of their torment.

Now will commence the Day of God's wrath and the work of judging the dead. Now will the kingdoms of this world become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. (from The Symbolism of the Two Witnesses; from It Is Time for a Reformation of Christian Thinking)