Revelation 11:15–19
As we continue our Journey through Revelation, we come to the sounding of the seventh trumpet. Let’s dive in and see what’s coming next from our God and Savior in a time yet future.
The Seventh Trumpet Sounds
15 “And the seventh angel sounded; and there arose 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’”:
· Though the full results from the sounding of the seventh trumpet are only introduced here and not brought to finality (as vv.15-19 will be in chap. 16), the introduction of the seventh trumpet itself is dramatic.
· The fact that this will be fulfilled at the Second Coming makes it clear that the period of the seventh trumpet chronologically reaches forward to Christ’s return:
o Therefore, the seventh trumpet introduces and includes the seven bowl judgments of the wrath of God that are revealed in chapter 16.
· When the seventh trumpet sounds, John hears great voices in heaven announcing that the kingdom of earth has become the kingdom of Christ and that from this point forward He shall reign forever and ever:
o In contrast to previous instances where a single voice makes the announcement, here, there is a great symphony of voices rejoicing in the triumph of Christ.
· The expression “the kingdoms of this world” in the best manuscripts is in the singular:
o The fact that earthy rule will pass into the hands of God is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament prophecies (Ezek. 21:26–27; Dan. 2:35, 44; 4:3; 6:26; 7:14, 26–27; Zech. 14:9).
o The question that remains is how can the kingdom of the world become, at this point, the kingdom of Christ when, as a matter of fact, the seven vials are still to be poured out?
o The answer, as indicated previously, seems to be that just as the seven trumpets are understood in the seventh seal, so the seven vials are understood in the seventh trumpet.
o In other words, the process of destruction of earthly power is already underway.
· A further problem is presented in the fact that Christ is declared to reign “for ever and ever”:
o This is more than simply announcing His kingdom on earth.
o The millennial reign, while it extends for only one thousand years, is in some sense continued in the new heaven and the new earth.
o Never again will the earth be under the control and stewardship of man.
o Even the brief rebellion recorded in Revelation 20 at the close of the Millennium is unsuccessful.
The Worship of the Twenty-four Elders
16 “And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying, ‘We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign’”:
· The same twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, have appeared previously in the book of Revelation (4:4, 10; 5:5–6, 8, 11, 14; 7:11, 13; 11:16) and will yet appear in 14:3 and 19:4. Here, they were seen by John falling on their faces to worship God:
o They give thanks to God as the eternal One, “which is and was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign,” because He has shown His power and assumed authority over the earth.
o The event for which they give thanks is, of course, the fulfillment of Psalm 2:9, where Christ, the Anointed of God, reigns supreme over the earth.
o Their song of praise indicates that the time has come for God to judge the nations, to judge the dead, and to reward His servants.
· God is described as the “Almighty,” eternal (“who is and who was”), and possessing “great power.”
· In general, their hymn of praise anticipates the second coming of Christ and the establishment of His rule on earth.
Events Marking the Reign of Christ
18 “And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to give their reward to Your bond-servants, the prophets, and to the saints and to those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth”:
· This comprehensive statement of the main features of the transition from the kingdom of earth to the kingdom of God begins with the fact that the nations are angry at the time when the wrath of God comes:
o They are no longer terrified as we saw in 6:15–17. They will be filled with defiant rage.
o Their hostility will shortly show itself in a foolish attempt to fight against Christ—a doomed, futile effort that is the height of human rebellion against God (16:14; 19:17–21).
· There is a play on words in the Greek which is not indicated in the English:
o The same Greek word is being used for “angry” and for “wrath” referring to the righteous judgment of God.
o The wrath of man is impotent; the wrath of God is Omnipotent.
o The wrath of man is wicked; the wrath of God is holy.
o That which was anticipated in Revelation 6:16-17, as well as in Psalm 2:4 (“He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them”) is about to take place.
· It is not clear from the text weather verse 18 is a continuation of the thanksgiving of the 24 elders or an observation made by John and given by direct revelation to him:
o In either case, other important events related to the judgment of God are mentioned.
· The dead are judged at this time. The judgment has two parts:
o (1) God rewards Old Testament saints (Dan. 12:1–3; 22:12; 1 Cor. 3:8; 4:5), the raptured Church (1 Cor. 15:51–52; 1 Thess. 4:13–18), and the Tribulation saints (20:4); and (2) God condemns unbelievers to the lake of fire forever (20:15).
o The context seems to indicate that the resurrection of the righteous dead is in view here rather than that of the wicked dead, who are not raised until the end of the Millennium.
o The comment, which follows immediately, speaks of the reward given to the prophets who are servants of God, to saints in general, and to those who fear the name of God, whether small or great.
· The time has also come when God destroys those who destroyed the earth, referring to those living on the earth at that time that they rebel against God.
· So, this verse teaches us that, in general, it is a time of Divine wrath, a time of resurrection of the dead and their reward, and a time of special dealing with those living on the earth.
·
All of these aspects of the second coming of
Christ are borne out in later prophecies in the book of Revelation.
The Opening of the Temple of God In Heaven
19 “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 chapter closes with another dramatic incident. John wrote, “the temple of God’s in heaven was opened”:
o The opening of the temple of God in heaven seems to be related to the revelation given in chapter 12 rather than to the seventh trumpet specifically.
· There may be a contrast between the temple of God in heaven (v.19) and the temple of God in Jerusalem (vv.1-2):
o Though the earthly temple may have been desecrated by the beast, its counterpart in heaven reflects the righteousness and majesty of God.
o The heavenly Ark of the Covenant, which in its earthly equivalent originally contained the Law, speaks of God’s righteousness.
o Aaron’s rod that budded typifies resurrection; the golden pot that had manna represents Christ as the basis of the shed blood of the sacrifice. He is he bread of life
· The opening of the temple in heaven is accompanied by lightning, voices, and thundering, in the earthly scene, as well as an earthquake and a great hail:
o John was able to look into the temple where he saw the ark of His covenant. This refers to the heavenly temple rather than to a temple on earth.
o The corresponding results in the earth, however, included “flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder, and an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.”
o The clear implication is that now God is going to judge the earth and those on it who choose to rebel against Him and His Christ.
· J.N. Darby believes what precedes v.19, “Brings the general history of the ways of God to a termination.” He outlines the material which follows under three headings:
o “First, the causes of evil and what proceeds from those causes.”
o “Secondly, the development of Satan’s power and of the moving springs of evil in the instruments he used, and which manifests itself under a very decide form.”
o “Thirdly, what God does in order to destroy the evil.”
· Before the details of the judgment to follow are unfolded in the seven vials of chapter 16, the Divine revelation turns to other important aspects which relate to this and which chronologically precede the consummation of man’s rule over the earth.
· Apart from the outpourings of the vials, which occur in rapid succession, there is little chronological movement from this point until chapter 19 and the second coming of Christ:
o Events and situations are now introduced which are concurrent with the seals and the trumpets.
o These serve to emphasize the dramatic climax of this period preceding the second coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Next time we’ll be looking at the conflict that arises in heaven and on the earth.
Until then, may the Lord bless you as you continue to grow in His grace and truth.
By His Grace,
Gary T. Dromi, Ph.D., D.Min.
