Sunday, October 8th, 2017 - AM - Kingdom Come (Rev. 11:14-19)

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Rejoicing Through Revelation  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  52:36
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The Seventh Trumpet signals the sovereignty of our Lord, enraptures us in the elders' worship of the Almighty, and encourages us with the presence of our prayer-answering God!

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Introduction:

Revelation 11:14–19 KJV 1900
The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. 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. 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. 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. 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.
a
The blowing of the seventh trumpet is of utmost significance, and it is of special relevance in the understanding of the remainder of this book. In the program of God, it brings us chronologically to the breathtaking entrance of eternity where the mystery of God is finally unraveled. It brings us in God’s program as far as chapter 21 where eternity begins. The broad outline of events which are significant to God is given to us here by the Holy Spirit. This section is a summary, a syllabus, or a capsule synopsis of events up to the door of eternity.
[J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary, electronic ed., vol. 5 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997), 984.]
Main Thought: The Seventh Trumpet signals the sovereignty of our Lord, enraptures us in the elders' worship of the Almighty, and encourages us with the presence of our prayer-answering God!
Crown Him with Many Crowns! Rejoice, the Lord is King! O Worship the King! Now Thank We All Our God! "...And He shall reign for ever and ever!"
Sub-intro:
a
The apocalyptic revelation continued to keep the reader in suspense as to the ultimate finale. With the conclusion of the Seven Seal Judgments there was silence in heaven for about half an hour followed by the Seven Trumpet Judgments (.). Now, with the seventh and last Trumpet Judgment, the Revelator unveiled general statements of victory and judgment, several more interlude passages (Chapters 12, 13, 14, 17, and 18), and finally the Seven Vial Judgments (Chapters 15, 16, and 19). The culmination of divine wrath on wickedness is hinted at but not realized immediately. John must unfold more details to give a complete vista of the perfect judgment of the Lord Jesus Christ on His sinful creation.
[Thomas M. Strouse, To the Seven Churches: A Commentary on the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ, Selected Works of Dr. Thomas M. Strouse (Bible Baptist Theological Press, 40 Country Squire Rd., Cromwell, CT 06461, 2013), 452.]
[Thomas M. Strouse, To the Seven Churches: A Commentary on the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ, Selected Works of Dr. Thomas M. Strouse (Bible Baptist Theological Press, 40 Country Squire Rd., Cromwell, CT 06461, 2013), 452.]
Body:

I. The Beginning of the End ().

A. The Seventh Angel Announcing (v. 15a).

Revelation 11:15 KJV 1900
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.
When we read these passages, “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever,” and again, “Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to the Father, and God shall be all and in all,” we are transported in thought to the utmost verge of future history. The end stands in contrast to the beginning. Sin began in man putting God off the throne of his heart and will; redemption ends in “God being all and in all.”
[W. Robertson Nicoll, ed., The Sermon Outline Bible: 1 Peter–Revelation, vol. 12 (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1958), 319.]
Some have endeavored to link this seventh trumpet with the last trump noted in . They therefore arrive at the conclusion of a mid-trib Rapture. Several comments bear making. There is absolutely no contextual connection between that which Paul wrote there and here. Trumpets were a common form of signaling of the first century. The last trump of , in all likelihood, is simply the final signal of the church age. It is the signal of the termination of the age. There is no connection contextually or otherwise with the seven trumpets judgments of Revelation.
Moreover, as will be apparent, the sounding of the seventh trumpet is near the end of the Tribulation. Though seven vial judgments await, their execution will be rapid. It is apparent there is but a short time until Armageddon. Thus, the purported Rapture at this time is at some otherwise nondescript point in the latter stages of the Tribulation. It really makes no sense.
[David H. Sorenson, Understanding the Bible, An Independent Baptist Commentary - Hebrews through Revelation, vol. 11, Understanding the Bible, An Independent Baptist Commentary (Northstar Ministries, 2007), 451–452.]

B. The Mighty Voices Affirming (v. 15:b.)

In contrast with previous trumpets where a single voice was heard, here a mighty chorus from heaven joined in the proclamation.
[John F. Walvoord, “Revelation,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 957.]

1. The Realm of the Sovereign God.

Although the CT changed the article and noun from feminine plural to feminine singular..., this change runs counter to Daniel’s full statement: “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (). [Strouse, 453.]
Although the CT changed the article and noun from feminine plural to feminine singular (h` basilei,a tou/ ko,smou), this change runs counter to Daniel’s full statement: “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (). [Strouse, 453.]
Thomas M. Strouse, 453.]

2. The Rule of the Sovereign God.

See also:
Isaiah 24:23 KJV 1900
Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, When the Lord of hosts shall reign In mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, And before his ancients gloriously.
Is.
Daniel 4:2–3 KJV 1900
I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.
Daniel 7:13–14 KJV 1900
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Zechariah 14:9 KJV 1900
And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: In that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.
Zech. 14:9

C. The Twenty Four Elders Adoring ().

1. Their Humbled Position ().

Revelation 11:16 KJV 1900
And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,

2. Their Honoring Praise ().

a. The Thanks in Their Praises (v. 17).

Revelation 11:17 KJV 1900
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.
The Song of the Messiah (). This is the fourth great song in the Book. 1st, was the Song of Creation (). 2nd, was the Song of Redemption (). 3rd, was the Song of Victory (). 4th, was the Song of Messiah ().
[Dr. James Smith and Robert Lee, Handfuls on Purpose: For Christian Workers and Bible Students, n.d., .]
1) For Who God Is: (v. 17a).
a) Lord
b) God
c) Almighty
Also used in ; ; ; , ; , ;
d) Eternal
e) Expected
Note the sad scribal error that has impacted the CT.
2) For What God Has Done (v. 17b).
a) Taken His Power
b) Seized His Throne
They gave thanks for three special blessings: that Christ reigns supremely (), that He judges righteously (), and that He rewards graciously (). In , the elders praised the Creator; and in , they worshiped the Redeemer. Here the emphasis is on the Conqueror and the King....Christ not only reigns supremely, but He judges righteously (). The Lamb is also the Lion!
In , the elders praised the Creator; and in , 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 Saviour (). 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 (, where the word power means “authority”). “Thou … hast begun to reign” is a good translation.
Christ not only reigns supremely, but He judges righteously (). The Lamb is also the Lion!
[Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 600.]

b. The Theology in Their Praises (v. 18).

Revelation 11:18 KJV 1900
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.
In , 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. [Wiersbe, 600.]
In , 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. [Wiersbe, 600.]
Warren W. Wiersbe, 600.]
1) The Wrath of the World - Spent
2) The Wrath of God - Presently Arriving
Here we approach the grand climax of the affairs of the ungodly on earth. “The ungodly are not so but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish” ().
“For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
“The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous” ().
The judgments that follow after the sounding of the seventh trumpet are the most intense, the most ghastly, the most remarkable and the most numerous - both in Heaven and on earth - anywhere outlined in the Word of God.
Truly, these remaining chapters of Revelation record the time of Jacob’s Trouble, the time of Great Tribulation.
[Oliver B. Greene, Revelation, A Verse by Verse Study, Commentaries and Writings of Oliver B. Greene (The Gospel Hour, Inc., 1963), 234.]
3) The Judgment of God:
The rest of verse 18 is a chiasm:
A The time has come for judging the dead
B And for rewarding your slaves the prophets
B′ And your saints and those who fear your name, small and great,
A′ And for destroying those who destroy the earth
This is a stylistic device used throughout Scripture to emphasize two or more points by reversing the order in the second pair. So here the destinies of unbeliever and believer are contrasted.
[Grant R. Osborne, Revelation: Verse by Verse, Osborne New Testament Commentaries (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016), 198.]
a) Upon the Dead
The time (in Greek kairos, literally “critical moment”) has come now for God’s measurement. The song closes with an important clue to what will become the theme of the second symphonic movement, and that theme is presented in the final line of the chorale (vv. 17, 18): “The kairos is now for the measurement of all and reward for God’s servants and the destruction of the destroyers of the earth.”
[Earl F. Palmer and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, 1, 2 & 3 John / Revelation, vol. 35, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1982), 187.]
The reference to “the time of the dead” may refer in general to the several resurrections which will take place at that time and as noted in . This, in all likelihood, is when Israel will be resurrected to be judged, “some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Moreover, the rewards for righteous Jews now resurrected will be given as noted “and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great.” Though the church has already received its rewards in heaven at the Bema whilst the Tribulation raged below, now after Armageddon, Israel will be resurrected for their judgment. Those saved Old Testament saints, including the prophets of old (and others small and great who feared His name) will at this time receive their rewards. This may take place in the interval of time mentioned by Daniel after the completion of the final 1,260 days. See . [Sorenson, 453–454.]
The reference to “the time of the dead” may refer in general to the several resurrections which will take place at that time and as noted in . This, in all likelihood, is when Israel will be resurrected to be judged, “some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Moreover, the rewards for righteous Jews now resurrected will be given as noted “and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great.” Though the church has already received its rewards in heaven at the Bema whilst the Tribulation raged below, now after Armageddon, Israel will be resurrected for their judgment. Those saved Old Testament saints, including the prophets of old (and others small and great who feared His name) will at this time receive their rewards. This may take place in the interval of time mentioned by Daniel after the completion of the final 1,260 days. See . [Sorenson, 453–454.]
David H. Sorenson, 453–454.]
b) Toward His Faithful Servants
i. Prophets
ii. Saints
iii. Reverent
iv. Equitably Rewarded
The elders distinguished two groups of believers: the Old Testament and New Testament prophets, who communicated divine revelation, and the saints, namely, other believers.381 They further described these saints as even (ascensive use of “and,” Gr. kai) those who fear God’s name both small and great (e.g., both slaves and nobles; cf. 13:16; 19:5, 18; 20:12). The elders also anticipated the destruction of the wicked who have been responsible for the divine judgments that have destroyed the earth. John would soon learn of the destruction of some of these destroyers, namely, Babylon, the beast, the false prophet, and Satan.
[381. See Stanton, Kept from . . ., pp. 65–69, for evidence that these are Tribulation saints in contrast to church-age Christians. The term may also include Old Testament saints.]
[Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), .]
c) Upon the Earth Destroyers
a
The marginal note in the 1611 KJV reads “corrupt” for “destroy,” and suggests moral destruction.1760 In other words, the Lord will reciprocate fitting judgment on the Tribulation wicked. Just as Adam’s spiritual sin brought physical death (cf. ), so the Tribulation sinners, who will be engaged in murder, drugs, immorality, thievery, etc. (cf. ), will bring destructive behavior toward God’s creation and reap destruction. Only the Lord had the privilege to “destroy the earth” (cf. ), which He did once with the Flood, and will do again with the eschatological conflagration (cf. ).
1760 There is a biblical correlation between a spiritually corrupt person and his stewardship. Did not Solomon say, “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster” ()? [Strouse, 461.]
Thomas M. Strouse, 461.]
a
Hymn 65 - Meter: L. M.
Meter: L. M.
The kingdoms of the world become the kingdoms of our Lord; or, The day of judgment. (.)
Let the seventh angel sound on high,
Let shouts be heard through all the sky;
Kings of the earth, with glad accord,
Give up your kingdoms to the Lord.
Almighty God, thy power assume,
Who wast, and art, and art to come:
Jesus, the Lamb who once was slain,
For ever live, for ever reign!
The angry nations fret and roar,
That they can slay the saints no more
On wings of vengeance flies our God,
To pay the long arrears of blood.
Now must the rising dead appear;
Now the decisive sentence hear;
Now the dear martyrs of the Lord
Receive an infinite reward.
[Isaac Watts, The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1998).]

II. The End Begins ().

Revelation 11:19 KJV 1900
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.
[F. B. Meyer, Through the Bible Day by Day: A Devotional Commentary, vol. 7 (Philadelphia: American Sunday-School Union, 1914–1918), 193.]

A. The Temple in Heaven Opened.

This chapter opened with a temple on earth, but now we see the temple in Heaven. Revelation is a book of unveiling or openings. When you surf through the book, you find a number of opened things.
• A Door—4:1
• Seals—6:1-8:1
• Bottomless Pit—9:2
• The Temple of God—11:19
• The Tabernacle of Testimony—15:5
• Heaven—19:11
• Books of Judgment—20:12
[Rod Mattoon, Treasures from Revelation, Treasures from the Scriptures (WORDsearch, 2014), .]
The kingdom is even now Christ’s, but it is hidden, even as he is. One day it will be manifested. For a long time David was the anointed king of Israel, but Saul sat on the throne until the predestined hour came when the tribes of Israel made David their chosen monarch. This surely is a type of that which will one day become apparent to the whole creation. The kingdom of the world will wholly and permanently become Christ’s. Suffering and sorrow will then flee away, as birds of ill omen at dawn. War will cease to the end of the world. The glad populations of mankind will walk in the light of life, and the long night and travail of nature will be ended....What comfort is derived from this vision of the Ark of God’s Covenant, which abides in the inner sanctuary! He is true to us. His word cannot alter, neither will he recede from his pledge to overthrow our enemies, to undo the devastation they have caused, and to realize his original purpose in man’s creation.
[F. B. Meyer, Through the Bible Day by Day: A Devotional Commentary, vol. 7 (Philadelphia: American Sunday-School Union, 1914–1918), 193.]

B. The Holiest of Holies Revealed.

Sometimes I am asked if the “ark of his testament,” or the ark of the covenant, will be found. I don’t think so because says in the last days the ark will not be mentioned—probably because no one remembers it. But as the temple is merely a shadow of the reality in heaven, the true ark will be seen in heaven.
[Jon Courson, Jon Courson’s Application Commentary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2003), 1729.]
Symbolism of the ark’s unveiling. The unveiling of the heavenly ark means that the hidden things (10:4) will all come to light in the end. But the fact that it is recorded in Revelation indicates that, concerning the “hidden” things that really matter in this age, we Christians already have an “inside scoop.” We know enough about heaven’s perspective that we should choose to live accordingly.
[Craig S. Keener, Revelation, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1999), 310.]

C. The Terribleness Begins.

Following the song there is an overwhelming shower of fireworks and sound....In my mind, the melody Handel puts with these words in his Messiah irresistibly accompanies them: “The kingdom of this world shall become… .” John is caught up by the vision of the ark, the very presence of Almighty God, and then the sights and sounds that are beyond imagination: [Palmer and Ogilvie, 187–188.]
Not one word of God’s promises is obsolete, dead, or forgotten. God cannot lie, He cannot prove untrue, He cannot break His promise. He will keep every item of His covenant and promise to faithful Abraham.
And now, at the ending of time, when all promises are to be fulfilled, that treasure box, that sacred casket, appears. Where? In the temple of God that was opened In Heaven when the seventh trumpet sounded.
The study of the ark in the Old Testament is very interesting. God’s blessings went along with the ark.
- The Jordan River rolled back beneath the shadow of the ark
- The walls of Jericho fell down before it;
- The enemies of God were scattered when the ark appeared.
Where it rested the thousands of Israel dwelt in safety. Its appearance here is a token of the recurrence of all these wonders, but on a more complete, more magnificent and sublime scale than in the Old Testament era.
The appearance of the ark announces the speedy fulfillment of all that God has spoken, [missing text].
As we close this tremendous chapter I ask you, dear reader - are you born again? Are you a child of God?
Are you washed in the Blood? That is one thing we can know for sure. If you do not know for sure that your sins are washed away, bow your head and accept the Lord Jesus Christ right now; then if you die, your spirit will return to God who gave it, your body will return to dust. When the Rapture takes place, your body will be raised incorruptible, your spirit will enter the glorified body like unto Jesus’ body (). [Greene, 237–238.]
[Oliver B. Greene, 237–238.]

Conclusion:

Crown Him with Many Crowns! Rejoice, the Lord is King! O Worship the King! Now Thank We All Our God! "...And He shall reign for ever and ever!"
Conclusion:
When the temple in Heaven is open, John sees “the ark of God’s covenant.” 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. His engagements, His appointments with His people, are there. In that “SACRED CASKET” they have been stored safely and preserved under the protecting hand of the Lord God in Heaven.
The music and sounds of celebration are the major ingredients in the Old Testament Psalms, and indeed many of the Psalms contain instructions to the instrumentalists. The Book of Revelation is the musical book of the New Testament, and very large parts of chapters 4 through 22 are pure celebration. But, as with the Psalms, the celebration in the Revelation is the result of the people’s discovery of God’s grace and justice. Celebration in this biblical sense is not a superficial or contrived production; it is the acceleration of joy. It seems to me that the imitation of this wondrous celebrative experience is a very dangerous thing. It is then something like the pasted-on smile of a celebrity who is suddenly aware of a news photographer. But when the gospel is present and when the people have discovered the reality of belovedness, it is very hard to keep quiet.
In my mind, the melody Handel puts with these words in his Messiah irresistibly accompanies them: “The kingdom of this world shall become… .” John is caught up by the vision of the ark, the very presence of Almighty God, and then the sights and sounds that are beyond imagination: [Palmer and Ogilvie, 187–188.]
Earl F. Palmer and Ogilvie, 187–188.]
Not one word of God’s promises is obsolete, dead, or forgotten. God cannot lie, He cannot prove untrue, He cannot break His promise. He will keep every item of His covenant and promise to faithful Abraham.
What comfort is derived from this vision of the Ark of God’s Covenant, which abides in the inner sanctuary! He is true to us. His word cannot alter, neither will he recede from his pledge to overthrow our enemies, to undo the devastation they have caused, and to realize his original purpose in man’s creation.
F. B. Meyer, Through the Bible Day by Day: A Devotional Commentary, vol. 7 (Philadelphia: American Sunday-School Union, 1914–1918), 193.
[F. B. Meyer, Through the Bible Day by Day: A Devotional Commentary, vol. 7 (Philadelphia: American Sunday-School Union, 1914–1918), 193.]
And now, at the ending of time, when all promises are to be fulfilled, that treasure box, that sacred casket, appears. Where? In the temple of God that was opened In Heaven when the seventh trumpet sounded.
The study of the ark in the Old Testament is very interesting. God’s blessings went along with the ark.
- The Jordan River rolled back beneath the shadow of the ark
- The walls of Jericho fell down before it;
- The enemies of God were scattered when the ark appeared.
Where it rested the thousands of Israel dwelt in safety. Its appearance here is a token of the recurrence of all these wonders, but on a more complete, more magnificent and sublime scale than in the Old Testament era.
The appearance of the ark announces the speedy fulfillment of all that God has spoken, [missing text].
As we close this tremendous chapter I ask you, dear reader - are you born again? Are you a child of God?
Are you washed in the Blood? That is one thing we can know for sure. If you do not know for sure that your sins are washed away, bow your head and accept the Lord Jesus Christ right now; then if you die, your spirit will return to God who gave it, your body will return to dust. When the Rapture takes place, your body will be raised incorruptible, your spirit will enter the glorified body like unto Jesus’ body (). [Greene, 237–238.]
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