<< Previous | Index | Next >>"THE BOOK OF REVELATION" The Seventh Trumpet: The Kingdom Proclaimed! (11:15-19) INTRODUCTION 1. Previously, we considered the interlude with three visions between the sixth and seventh trumpets a. The first vision of the mighty angel and the little book, with instruction for John to eat the book b. The second vision which called upon John to measure the temple but not the outer court c. The third vision of the two witnesses and their ultimate triumph -- Like the interlude between the sixth and seventh seals, these visions seem designed to offer comfort to faithful Christians who would be living during the difficult times described by the seals & trumpets 2. The second interlude ended, it is time for the third woe and final trumpet... a. John does not actually say what the "third woe" was b. Only that it was "coming quickly", and then proceeds to the seventh trumpet - Re 11:14-15 -- Which leads me to think that the "third woe" relates to the announcement when the seventh trumpet sounded [If my understanding is correct, what is "woe" to the nations is actually cause for "praise" from the followers of Jesus Christ! To see how this is possible, let's first examine the text of Re 11:15-19...] I. THE SEVENTH TRUMPET: THE KINGDOM PROCLAIMED (15-19) A. AS DESCRIBED IN THE TEXT... 1. Victory proclaimed - Re 11:15 a. The seventh angel sounded his trumpet and there were loud voices in heaven b. Saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" 2. The twenty-four elders worship God - Re 11:16-18 a. The elders fell on their faces and worshiped God - cf. Re 4:9-11; 5:8-10,11-14 b. Giving thanks to the Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come c. Because He has taken His great power and reigned d. The nations were angry, and His wrath has come e. And the time has come 1) That the dead should be judged 2) That His servants the prophets, the saints, and those who fear His name should be rewarded 3) That He should destroy those who destroy the earth 3. The temple of God opened in heaven - Re 11:19 a. The temple of God was opened in heaven b. The ark of His covenant was seen in the temple c. There were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail -- The seventh trumpet announces the reign of God and His Christ, and the great praise in heaven as a result, with a surprising revelation regarding the ark of the covenant! B. OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION... 1. We have reached what I believe is the climax of the first half of Revelation, in which we have been shown judgment against unbelieving Israel, in particular the city of Jerusalem a. Through the visions of the seven seals and seven trumpets we learn of the arsenal at Christ's disposal: conquest, war, famine, pestilence, natural calamities, moral decay, external invasion b. Just as God used such instruments in His dealings with the nations in the Old Testament, so His Son would use His power to reign over the nations with a rod of iron - cf. see II. below 2. Truly, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" - Re 11:15 a. The destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, as foretold by Jesus in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, exemplified the power of His reign over the nations b. His victory over Rome described later in Revelation will also confirm His power and dominion as King of kings and Lord of lords - Re 17:14 3. We have seen visions designed to comfort saints being oppressed by their enemies, especially martyrs a. God has taken notice of their suffering, and while persecution may temporarily be their lot, victory will ultimately be theirs! - Re 7:9-17 b. Those who suffer death at the hands of their enemies are promised salvation and the blessing of being in the presence and care of the Lord - Re 6:9-11 c. Nothing can totally stop their witness, and nothing can keep God from remaining true to His covenant with them! - Re 11:3-14 4. So also has the time come for the dead to be judged - Re 11:17-18 a. Which may refer to the martyrs seen earlier, who were now vindicated - cf. Re 6:9-11 b. His servants the prophets and the saints to be rewarded c. And for the destruction of those who destroy the earth (land), e.g., Palestine by the Roman army? 5. The physical temple in Jerusalem, which along with the ark (that had disappeared long before) was once the focal point of God's worship and reign, would be no more in Jerusalem 6. The temple of God and ark of the covenant are seen in heaven, perhaps symbolizing that the worship and reign of God through His Christ (Jesus) has become universal rather than localized in a physical city and nation - Re 11:19; cf. Jn 4:20-24 -- My conclusion is this: That Jesus is truly "the ruler over the kings of the earth" (Re 1:5) and "the kingdoms of the world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" (Re 11:15) was to be evidenced by the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.! [One may ask, "Is this consistent with the reign of Christ as taught elsewhere? Isn't He the Prince of peace?" This may be a good time to review what is taught in the Scriptures about the reign of Christ as King of kings...] II. THE NATURE OF THE MESSIAH'S REIGN A. PROPHESIED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT... 1. Psalms 2 (quoted by the apostles in Ac 4:25-28) a. The Lord's anointed would break the nations with a rod of iron, dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel - Psa 2:6-9 b. Kings and judges are therefore admonished to serve the LORD and kiss (pay homage to) the Son - Psa 2:10-12b c. All who put their trust in Him are blessed - Psa 2:12c 2. Psalms 110 (one of the most often OT passages quoted in the NT) a. The Messiah would rule in the midst of His enemies, execute kings in the day of His wrath, judge among the nations - Psa 110:1-2,5-6 b. His people (which I take to be the church that submits to His authority) would be volunteers in the day of His power, serving Him in the beauty of holiness - Psa 110:3 -- Important to note is that the Messianic reign would involve His ruling and judging among the nations while His people serve as a royal priesthood and proclaimers of God's grace through the gospel of Christ - cf. 1Pe 2:9-10 B. PROCLAIMED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT... 1. Christ has all authority in heaven and on earth - Mt 28:18 2. He is head over all things to the church - Ep 1:20-22 3. He is the only Potentate (Sovereign), the King of kings and Lord of Lords - 1Ti 6:14-15 4. He is the ruler over the kings of the earth - Re 1:5 5. He received power over the nations from His Father to rule them with a rod of iron - Re 2:26-27 6. He will overcome those who make war with Him - Re 17:14 7. He will deliver the kingdom to God when He puts an end to all rule, authority, and power - 1Co 15:21-24 8. But He must reign till He has placed all enemies under His feet, the last enemy being death (i.e, at the resurrection) - 1Co 15:25-26 -- Important to note is that Christ has all authority and rules over the nations even now by holding them accountable for their deeds CONCLUSION 1. How does Jesus exercise His kingly reign over the nations...? a. From the prophets of the OT (e.g., Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, etc.) we learn that God providentially used such methods as conquest, war, famine, pestilence, natural calamities, moral decay, external invasion 1) Judging not just Israel and Judah, but also Edom, Moab, Syria, Tyre; i.e., surrounding countries 2) And also judging world empires like Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece b. From the first half of Revelation, we learn that similar things would lead to downfall of unfaithful Jerusalem (which it did in 70 A.D.) c. In the second half of Revelation, we will see how Jesus will judge pagan Rome... 1) Whom Satan deceived to persecute the people of God 2) With important lessons for us should Satan deceive the nations in which we live today 2. Perhaps you are left with the question: "If Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords who judges the nations, then how is He the Prince of peace?" I can think of at least two ways... a. He holds wicked nations accountable, and brings about their ultimate downfall 1) Think of Germany, Japan, and Italy during WWII 2) In which the outcomes of major battles were often affected by the weather - cf. Job 38:22-23 b. He offers an inner peace the world cannot give to all who will follow Him - Jn 14:27 1) Even in a world filled with tribulation - Jn 16:33 2) A peace that surpasses all understanding - Ph 4:6-7 If you desire that inner peace that only Jesus can give, then freely submit to His authority as King of kings and Lord of lords by obeying His gospel (Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:36-39; 22:16). Then serve as His volunteers in the day of His power as "pilgrim priests" (see below), to minister the grace of our Lord to a sinful world by proclaiming the gospel of God's grace accompanied by good works: "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation." - 1Pe 2:9-12<< Previous | Index | Next >>
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