But first we are given a glimpse of the crowning in Heaven of God’s rightful king. It seems as though they never get tired of crowning Him in Heaven!
• In Revelation 5 the title deed of earth were given to Him and the elders cast their crowns at His feet.
• In Revelation 11 he is acknowledged as earth’s rightful King.
• In chapter 19, he comes forth as King of kings and Lord of lords, and on his head are many crowns.
The Word of God tells us in verse14 the second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
Look at Revelation 11:14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
There are three woes in the book of Revelation…
Look at Revelation 8:13, we read, “As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!”.
• The first woe was recorded in Rev. 9:1-12;
• The “second woe” in Rev. 9:13-21 and
• The third woe is revealed after the seventh trumpet judgment. This woe is parallel to the trumpet that sounds in Joel 2 and signals the consummation of God’s plan for the entire world.
-This third woe marks the finishing of God’s judgment on sin; it occupies the book of Revelation through the 19th chapter, when Christ’s Kingdom is established on earth. Incorporated within this third and final woe are the seven “bowls” of God’s wrath, described in Revelation 16:1-21.
-This series of judgments is the greatest horror the citizens of earth have ever seen. Jesus said, “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive” (Matthew 24:22).
Most likely, 11:18 hints at the third woe which will include the battle of Armageddon—the final battle between God and Satan. This will begin when the angel sounds the seventh trumpet.
WHAT ARE THE WOES IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION?
These three woes are a whole set of events brought about in the last three trumpet blasts.
That is, each of these three woes are filled with horror like the world has ever seen before.
It is important to notice how there is a broadening of events from the 1st to the 3rd Woe.
• For example, the things done in the 2nd are far more than the 1st.
• Every Woe is over when the events from its blast are completed.
For example, there is a clue given regarding when the 7th Trumpet would be completed. The time would be over.
The 3rd woe (7th trumpet) sound in Revelation 11:15, we read, And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Notice the words “GREAT VOICES IN HEAVEN”
These GREAT VOICES IN HEAVLEN where are they coming from? It could be coming from…
(1) Angelic host
(2) Risen saints
The seventh angel blows the seventh trumpet, and instead of immediate destruction there is loud praise from “voices in heaven.”
The reference to loud voices implies a group, but we are not told the specific identity of the group. Perhaps it is everyone who is in Heaven, but most likely it is angels in Heaven,
Remember in Revelation 5:11 singing. “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.”
WHY ARE THESE GREAT VOICES REJOICING?
In Revelation chapter five the Lord is given the title and deed to the earth. However, during the tribulation period satan is in full control of the earth.
But at the close of the tribulation period and the battle of Armageddon the Lord is now fixing to reclaim what is His!!!
He will rule and reign during the Millenial for a thousand years.
Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Notice the word “Shoulder” is singular. It does not say “Shoulders”. That is, it will be an easy thing for Him during the Millenial to rule and to reign.
He will not need the congress of the United States
He will not need the senate of the United States
He will not need the supreme court of the United States
He will re-claim, and He will rule and the Bible says THE GOVERNMENT SHALL BE UPON HIS SHOULDER.
And now these GREAT VOICES are rejoicing that the Lord is re-claiming the earth.
These GREAT VOICES are saying in verse 15, “…Saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
The heavenly host of heaven is rejoicing!!!
Look at Revelation 11:16-17 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
HOW DOES THE LOST WORLD REACT TO GOD RECLAIMING THE EARTH?
Look at verse 18, And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
This event is so certain to happen that the angels sang of it as though it had already occurred. They were shouting that the whole world has now become Christ’s kingdom. These voices were declaring the triumph of Christ and His assuming His rightful place on the throne, reigning forever and ever. The focus of this praise is this: The kingdom of this world has become Jesus’ kingdom.
Revelation 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
Over and over again, things are opened in this book.
• A door is opened (4:1),
• The seals are opened (6:1-9),
• The abyss is opened (9:2),
• The tabernacle of the testimony (the holy of holies) is opened (19:11),
• The books are opened (20:12),
• The temple of God is opened (11:19). Here is opened up to human view, the true, eternal temple in the heavens.
Did you know there was a literal temple in Heaven?
The opening of the temple displays the ark which in Old Testament times was always concealed, thus signifying that God is about to act on behalf of Israel.
• In the Old Testament, the ark was connected with the tabernacle and Moses, the land and Joshua, the kingdom and David, the temple and Solomon.
• All the covenants and promises of God to His people are in that ark. God’s solemn promises cannot be broken—they are forever settled in Heaven.
• The ark was the symbol of God’s presence and God’s covenant with Israel.
• The ark of the covenant had to do with Israel, not with the Gentiles or the Church.
The appearance of the ark announces the speedy fulfillment of all that God has spoken, all that He has promised concerning the earth, the righteous, the wicked, and all creation. There is a lovely passage that speaks of the great anticipation of all creation for God to fulfill His promises.
The twenty-four elders are closely associated with the worship which takes place in that heavenly temple. Their praise is directly linked to the opening of the heavenly temple and the subsequent rumblings of judgment heard on earth. Their occupation with the Word, the ways, and the will of God is linked with the onward march of the divine purpose. What a lesson for God’s people in all ages!
“And there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.”
The thunder, lightning, and hail are reminds us of the power of God that was present the first time He revealed His covenant with the children of Israel, at the unveiling of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-20).
The “lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail” all indicate God’s name on these events.
These events occur here, at the sounding of the seventh trumpet, and they also occurred at the opening of the seventh seal (8:5). This will occur again at the pouring out of the seventh bowl (16:18-21).
Conclusion:
Jesus came the first time as a babe in a manger—a tender Lamb. He is coming the second time at the end of the Great Tribulation in great power, taking vengeance on them that do not know God. He will roar out of Zion, “the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.”
