“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” 16 And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying,
“We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. 18 And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”
"We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth."
And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm."
Let's look at verses 15-16, "Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever."
When the seventh angel sounds his trumpet, spontaneous worship breaks out in heaven, and what happens in the seventh trumpet extends all the way through the rest of the book of Revelation up through chapter 20. So, the seventh trumpet, is rather a lengthy term. By the way, though this is the last of the seven trumpets, the same as the last trump. It is frequently confused with the trumpet in I Corinthians 15. The rapture of the church is a different event than the final judgement.As a footnote, this is not only a judgment trumpet, but it is also a coronation trumpet, associated with the coronation ceremony in the crowning of a sovereign.
Notice is says "kingdom" and not kingdoms, plural. This is important, the Holy Spirit wants us to note this, because though the world is divided into many nations, people and languages is really one kingdom under one king. Remember back in Genesis chapter 11, God destroyed the tower of Babel to make it more difficult for Satan to accomplish his purposes. And, in the end it is going to be reunited again under the power of Antichrist.
And, according to Romans 13, though God has ordained government, the people within those governments, are not submissive to God. In other words, there have never been any Christian nations. Acts 4 tells us "The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against His Christ."
As we have discusses, this includes the seven bowl judgments, the outpouring of final wrath, which will be described for us in the next chapter, which will encompass five pairs of visions, both on earth and in heaven that will lead us to Christ establishing His kingdom. Remember, the purpose of the book of Revelation is the unveiling of the glory of Jesus Christ. I believe that you will be able to see His glory shining through the text.
We are now in the day of the Lord. I'd like you to notice, that here "Lord" is referring to God the Father, underscoring the equality that exists between the Father and the Son in terms of their nature as well as in terms of their rule. The words "has become," is the verb "gínomai," which is rare in the original language, however, it also informative. Because it is a past tense verb used to describe a future event, as if it were already accomplished. The transference of power of the earth from Satan to God is still in the future, however, it's certainty is as sure as if its already accomplished. All these glorious realities now in sight.
As we move through these events, we will see them from both earth and heaven.In other words, we will see judgment on the one hand and rejoicing on the other. As I stated earlier, we get a unique panoramic view of these historic events. So the seventh angel sounded, and there arose loud voices in heaven proclaim the good news that the kingdom of the world is now the kingdom of God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Then, in verses 16 and 17, "And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, "We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign."
Here, we see further praise in heaven as the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God. What we are looking at here is praise for sovereignty, from heaven’s perspective. You will remember that the twenty-four elders are the representatives of the glorified raptured Church, as we learned in our study back in chapter four. What a dramatic demonstration of humility and veneration, erupting into spontaneous jubilation and sing this paeon of praise. All the anticipations and hopes of God’s people are expressing their gratitude for God answering their prayers.
I'd like you to keep in mind, this is the last woe, which sweeps through the remaining events of the history in this eschatological hour and encompasses the bowl judgments in chapter 16. The seventh trumpet is a trumpet of destruction and judgment.
Verse 18, "And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth."
As a foot note, up until this time the kingdom has not been fully established on earth. This is important, because there are some who have claimed that Christ's reign began in AD 70 when Jerusalem was destroyed. While others believe that the kingdom is synonymous with the church.This is certainly a contradiction to the biblical text. There's no room for allegorical interpretation here.
It's important to mention, before we move forward, in chapters 12, 13 and 14, we’re actually going to go backward, to the very beginning of the tribulation. And then, we’re going to be brought right back to the very same point we are in chapter 11, verse 15, The actual sounding of the trumpet, will actually be done in chapter 15. I just want you to understand this. Because some people get confused. In other words, we’re going to track back through the Great Tribulation, following the career of the Antichrist.And, at the end of chapter 14, we’ll come right back to where we are.
In chapter 12, we will be looking at the Tribulation from Satan’s perspective. The purpose is collect all the information about Antichrist before we come to the final seventh trumpet. In verse 15, we have the angel sounding the trumpet, the effects of the judgment s not yet described to us until we get to chapter 15. All we hear about here, is the praise in heaven.
So, back to verse 18, here we move from heaven to earth, and we see all the nations were enraged. The Greek verb used here is "orgízō," expresses defiant rage. After everything that has happened, you would think that the nations would be humbled, that they would be repentant. But that's not the case. They are enraged, they are filled with hostility. Which is precisely the reason for these terrifying judgments, because of their persistent rebellion and stubborn unbelief. Millions and millions of people who repeatedly reject every attempt to
respond to the gospel of grace, every invitation, until finally it is
too late. And God has judicially seals them in their unbelief. Just as He did Pharaoh.
Notice "and Your wrath came," John is speaking in the past tense as if it has already happened. But we won't see that until we get to chapter 15. It hasn’t yet happened. Remember, we're looking forward as if it’s already taken place. The prophets knew these events were to come. I believe when John says "and the time came for the dead to be judged, he’s talking about when He sorts out the sheep and the goats, at the end of the time of the tribulation. The Kingdom will be made up of exalted saints from the church, those who died during the tribulation time, those who died and have been dead. Together, we will come down to inhabit the Kingdom.
I believe he's talking about a general judgement, as described in John 5. "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live." It will be a resurrection of life for some, and a resurrection of judgement for others.
Isaiah chapter 30 says "Behold, the name of the Lord comes from a remote place; burning is His anger and dense is His smoke; His lips are filled with indignation and His tongue is like a consuming fire; His breath is like an overflowing torrent, which reaches to the neck, to shake the nations back and forth in a sieve, and to put in the jaws of the peoples the bridle which leads to ruin. You will have songs as in the night when you keep the festival, and gladness of heart as when one marches to the sound of the flute, to go to the mountain of the Lord, to the Rock of Israel. And the Lord will cause His voice of authority to be heard, and the descending of His arm to be seen in fierce anger, and in the flame of a consuming fire, in cloudburst, downpour and hailstones."
It’ll be a time of judgment, a time of destruction. It'll also a time of reward, "and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great." This is not a measure of time, such as on a clock. The word used is "kairós," which refers rather to the right moment or opportunity.
When the seventh trumpet blows, heaven will sing praises, and the earth will begin to panic. It is a time for reward, His reward is with Him. As true followers of Christ, we are promised at Christ’s coming that we will receive those rewards. In Luke 19, Jesus teaches that faithful service on earth is the basis for kingdom rewards both in the millennial kingdom as well as in the eternal state. God will increase our charge on earth and in heaven based upon our faithfulness and our taking advantage of the opportunities that the Lord gives us. Our reward is to inherit the millennia Kingdom and the eternal Kingdom.
"Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great," refers to any and all who have proclaimed the truth of God throughout redemptive history, and to all who have prophesied the Kingdom. All who proclaimed the coming King and the coming Kingdom. From preachers to people. Whether they’re alive or asleep.
Then, there are crowns, the crown which is life, the crown which is righteousness, the crown which is glory and so on. When Christ finally rules the world, there will be no more crime, warfare, corruption, poverty, injustice, or blasphemy.
At the end of verse 18, John says "and to destroy those who destroy the earth." Here, we see that the seventh trumpet encompasses the all-embracing of judgment of the dead, both believing and unbelieving. This is not an attack on people who mess up the environment, as some have believed, this is a characterization of unbelievers. All of the evil people who are part of Satan's world system. Those who have rejected God and Christ. Fire is going to come down from heaven and judge them.
In Genesis 1:28, God gave man dominion over the earth to make it flourish, instead, man has corrupted it. God will destroy those who have destroyed the earth. Every man will receive his just reward!
That brings us to verse 19, the transcended promise of communion. The promise of unbroken fellowship with God for all eternity. The covenant which God has promised us comes into fullness.
"And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm."
The temple is open, the Ark of the covenant is there, the imagery here is that God is drawing His people right into the throne room of God where He dwells. The covenant is eternal communion with God for the redeemed, and even though the Ark illustrates the pouring out of God’s wrath here, it corresponds to the rewarding of the faithful. This is what our salvation in Christ assures us. This is so fascinating.
The earthly temple was opened only once a year, the Ark of the covenant is the place where God made covenant with His people. And, we see it here in heaven. All of this is in the midst of this vision of covenant, there is "lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and earthquake and a great hailstorm." We should not be surprised. This is the place where mercy and justice come together.
That’s the great climactic event in the blowing of that seventh trumpet. All of this is going to unfold in the second half of the Tribulation, where the unbelievable happens.
In Closing..
Our sovereign, omnipotent, and merciful God is working His plan and He is coming soon. If you are a sinner, who continues to refuse to respond in humility to the message of saving grace, I beseech you to humble yourself today and surrender to Jesus Christ before it is too late. Acknowledge your rebellion against Christ in your heart. Ask him to forgive you, so that when He returns, and He will return, He will return as your Savior, not as your judge.
If you are one who claim to be a Christian, but your life bears not the fruit of genuine repentance, I pray this message serves as a reminder of what Christ has done for you. confess before Him your sin. Ask Him to forgive you, and surrender all to Him now, before He comes.
If you are a true follower of Christ, fear not. May you be encouraged by this message to persevere, and renew your hope in the coming of our Lord and Savior.
No matter who you are, or what you've done, God's offer for salvation through Jesus Christ, is being offered to you today. He saves both Jew and Gentile, Muslim and Buddhist, Catholic and Atheist.
Please do not be indifferent to this message, Christ is knocking at the door of your heart, I pray that you will receive Him. May God's Word of truth do its work in every heart with us here today.
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen