Revelation 11:9-10; Bible Predicts Satellite Television

Revelation 11:9-10 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. 

The use of the all-inclusive phrase peoples and tribes and tongues and nations (cf. 5:9; 7:9; 10:11) indicates that people around the world will look at the dead bodies of the two witnesses (on satellite television or some other form of visual media). In a morbid, ghoulish display of contempt and hatred, for three and a half days the world will not permit their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb. The unrepentant, sin-hardened masses will want to gloat along with their leader, the Antichrist, and glorify him for his victory over the two irritating preachers, who brought the drought and proclaimed the hated gospel.

The deaths of the two witnesses will touch off wild celebrations around the world. Incredibly, those who dwell on the earth (a technical term for unbelievers; cf. 6:10; 8:13; 13:8, 12, 14; 14:6; 17:2, 8) will rejoice over them and celebrate; and they will send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. Ironically, this is the only mention in Revelation of rejoicing. Sinners will be happy because those who declared to them God’s judgments, tormented them with miracle power and messages condemning their sin and proclaiming God’s impending judgment (vv. 5–7), and called for them to repent are dead. This emotional response graphically reflects the finality of their rejection.

 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1999). Revelation 1–11 (p. 304). Chicago: Moody Press.