The throne of the beast: this is the first beast (see 13.2; see also “Satan’s throne” in 2.13).

Its kingdom was in darkness: the beast is a king, and the country it rules is a kingdom. Something like “darkness covered its kingdom” or “its kingdom was plunged into darkness” can be said (see the plague of darkness in Egypt, Exo 10.21-22). For the verb “to become dark,” see 9.2. In the symbolism of this book the beast’s kingdom was the Roman Empire. One may also express this as “The place where he ruled as king (or, high chief) became completely dark,” or even “All light disappeared from the place where….”

Men gnawed their tongues in anguish: instead of men the gender-inclusive “people” should be used. And instead of gnawed something like “bit” may be more appropriate. The word translated anguish means “pain,” “suffering” (it is used also in 21.4, where it is translated “pain”). The pain, or suffering, of these people was not caused by the darkness as such; it seems that the confusion caused by the darkness intensified the pain of the sores they had received when the first bowl was poured out (verse 2).

Cursed: as in verse 9. For God of heaven see 11.13.

For their pain and sores: this can be taken to mean “because of the pain of their sores,” that is, “because their sores were so painful.”

Did not repent of their deeds: as in 9.20, 21, the meaning here is that they did not cease from their evil actions.

An alternative translation model for verse 11 is:

• And they said bad (or, evil) things about God, who lives in heaven, because their sores (or, ulcers) were so painful. But they did not stop doing evil things.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .