“The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”” (Revelation 11:15, NIV),
"Nearly all futurists and many idealists (see Introduction: Schools of Interpretation) see this trumpet as heralding the second coming of Christ. As with the seventh seal (8:1–6), the scene now shifts from woes on earth to worship in heaven." [1] This is the end. This is what the world has been waiting for since Genesis 3:15. Christ rules. In Revelation 4 and 5, worship was given to Christ for His redemption. Now worship is given for his ultimate reign and judgement.
“The nations were angry, and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small— and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”” (Revelation 11:18, NIV)
What was seen in Heaven following the final curtain being opened? It was Israel's most sacred artefact; lost for many years. “Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant . . ..” (Revelation 11:19a, NIV) "That ark of the covenant is the symbol of the superlatively real, intimate, and perfect fellowship between God and His people— a fellowship based on the atonement . . . But for the wicked that same ark, which is God’s throne, is a symbol of wrath.[2]
"Picture this as if a curtain at the back of the stage in a theatre opened to reveal what had before gone unnoticed. Nothing could be more awesome for a mortal than to be given such a glimpse, and this is the only place in Revelation that the ark appears. The curtain is closed quickly, and the full orchestra resounds from the pit in front of the stage. No wonder there came flashes of lighting, rumblings, peals of thunder, and earthquake and a great hailstorm." [3]
Judgement has begun. This first cycle is over.
As Hendricksen notes [4], this first view, from the beginning of Christ's asension to the final judgement has been revealed. In Chapter 12 we start all over again from a different vantage point: the birth of Christ. So what have we witnessed about the extent of the Endtimes?
The struggle on earth. The Church persecuted by the world. The Church is avenged, protected and victorious (Rev. 1– 11).
1. Christ in the midst of the seven golden lampstands (1– 3).
2. The book with seven seals (4– 7).
3. The seven trumpets of judgment (8– 11).
Father there is no doubt how the story will end. You have written it from beginning to end. Your Son is authorized to enact Your plan. What appears to be persecution and suffering for Your Church ends in glory. What appears to be victory for Your enemies ends in defeat. Oh for the day when the kingdoms of this world are indeed forever the Kingdom of our Lord and our Christ.
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1. Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2479). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
2. Hendriksen, William (1998-06-01). More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation (p. 133). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
3. Easley, K. H. (1998). Vol. 12: Revelation. Holman New Testament Commentary (199). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers
4. Hendriksen, William (1998-06-01). More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation (p. 23). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
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