Sunday Evening June 23, 2002 Bel Aire Baptist Church
Series: “The End” [#13]
TERRIBLE TRUMPETS (PART 4)
Revelation 11:15-19
Introduction:
1. We have been waiting since Revelation 8:13 for this third “woe” to arrive and now it is here.
2. When the seventh angel blew the trumpet three dramatic events occurred.
An Announcement Of Victory (Verse15)
1. These “great voices” were probably the choirs of heaven. The great announcement is that the kingdom (John uses the singular because “the beast” now has the world under his control) of this world belongs to Jesus Christ. Of course, Christ does not claim His royal rights until He returns; but the victory has already been won. Satan offered Him the world’s kingdoms, but He refused the offer (Matthew 4:8-9). Instead, He died on the cross, arose and returned victoriously to heaven; and there the Father gave Him His inheritance (Psalm 2:4-9).
2. However, we must not incorrectly assume that our Lord is not reigning today, because He is. According to Hebrews 7:1-2, Jesus Christ is “King of righteousness” and “King of peace.” He is enthroned with the Father (Revelation 3:21), and He will reign until He defeats all His foes (1 Corinthians 15:25). Today, He rules over a spiritual kingdom; but in that future day, He will reign over the nations of the world and rule with a rod of iron.
3. No matter how difficult the circumstances might be, or how defeated God’s people may think they are, Jesus Christ is still King of kings and Lord of lords, and He is in control. One day, we shall triumph!
An Acclamation Of Praise (Verse 16-18)
1. The elders left their own thrones and prostrated themselves in worship before God’s throne. They gave thanks for three special blessings: that Christ reigns supremely (Revelation 11:17), that He judges righteously (Revelation 11:18), and that He rewards graciously (Revelation 11:18).
2. In Revelation 4:10-11, the elders praised the Creator; and in Revelation 5:9-14, they worshiped the Redeemer, Here the emphasis is on the Conqueror and the King. Keep in mind that in John’s day the church on earth looked as though it were defeated, for Rome was the conqueror and king. John was reminding the saints that they were “a kingdom of priests” reigning with the Savior (Revelation 1:5-6). It may seem at times that the throne of heaven is empty, but it is not. Jesus Christ has both power and authority-in fact, all Authority.
3. Christ not only reigns supremely, but He judges righteously (Revelation 11:18). The Lamb is also the Lion! In Revelation 11:18, we have a “table of contents” for the remainder of the Book of Revelation. These events did not take place the instant the angel blew his trumpet; he simply signaled the beginning of the process, and now these events would take place as planned.
4. “The nations were angry.” What do the nations have to be angry about? Certainly the Lord has been good and gracious to them. He has provided their needs, assigned their territories, and graciously postponed His judgment to give men opportunity to be saved. Even more, He sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. Today God offers forgiveness to the nations! What more could He do for them?
5. Then, why are the nations angry? Because they want to have their own way. (Psalm 2:1-3). They want to worship and serve the creatures instead of the Creator (Romans 1:25). Like adolescent children, the nations want to cast off all restraint; and God will permit them to do so. The result will be another “Babylon” (Revelation 17-18), man’s last attempt to build his Utopia a “heaven on earth.”
6. Note the change in attitude shown by the nations of the world. In Revelation 11:2, the nations ruthlessly take over Jerusalem. In Revelation 11:9, they rejoice at the death of the two witnesses. But now they are angry; their arrogance and joy did not last very long. This belligerent attitude finally will cause the nations to unite to fight God at the great battle of Armageddon.
7. “And the time of the dead, that they should be judged” take us to the very end of God’s prophetic program. In one sense, every day is a “day of the Lord” because God is always judging righteously. God is long-suffering toward lost sinners and often postpones judgment, but there will be a final judgment of sinners and none will escape. This judgment is described in Revelation 20:11-15.
8. There will also be a judgment of God’s children, known as “the Judgment Seat of Christ” (Romans 14:10-13). God will reward his faithful servants (Matthew 25:21) and the sufferings they experienced on earth will be forgotten in the glory of His presence. Though God’s children will not be judged for their sins (That judgment took place on the cross), they will be judged for their works and rewarded generously by the Master.
9. The Judgment Seat of Christ will take place in heaven after Christ has called His people home. When He returns to earth to establish His kingdom, the saints will be ready to reign with Him, with every blemish of the church removed (Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 19:7-8). Today, we groan as we serve God, because we know only too well our handicaps and blemishes; but one day, we shall serve Him perfectly!
10. “Them that destroy the earth” refers to the rebellious earth-dwellers who will not submit to God. How ironic that these people live for the earth and its pleasures, yet at the same time are destroying the very earth that they worship! When man forgets that God is the Creator and he is the creature, he begins to exploit his God-given resources, and this brings destruction. Man is a steward of creation, not the owner.
11. As mentioned before, Revelation 11:18 is a summary statement of events yet to come. It is heaven’s song of praise for the lord’s faithfulness to accomplish His purpose in the world.
An Assurance Of God’s Faithfulness (Verse 19)
1. This chapter opened with a temple on earth, but not we see the temple in heaven. The focus of attention is on the ark of God, the symbol of God’s presence with His people.
2. In the Old Testament tabernacle and temple, the ark stood behind the veil, in the holy of holies. God’s glory rested on the ark, and God’s Law was within the ark, beautifully illustrating that the two must never be separated. He is the holy God and must deal righteously with sin. But He is also the faithful God who keeps His promises to His people. It was the ark of God that led Israel through the Jordan and into their inheritance (Joshua 3:11-17). This vision of the ark would greatly encourage God’s suffering people to whom John sent this book. “God will fulfill His promises! John was saying to them. “He will reveal His glory! Trust Him!”
3. Once again, John saw and heard the results of a storm. Greater judgment is about to fall on the rebellious people on earth! But God’s people need not fear the storms for He is in control. The ark reminds them of His presence and the faithfulness of His promises. And on the ark was the mercy seat on which the blood was sprinkled each Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:15-17). Even in wrath, God remembers His mercy.
Conclusion:
1. The stage is now set for the dramatic appearance of “the beast,” Satan’s masterpiece, the false Christ who will control the world.
2. We have seen the worship of God in heaven and can see that what is to come is worse.
3. Do you know Jesus as Savior?
4. Are you serving Him?
