A Glimpse of the Coming Kingdom
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Revelation 11:15-19
As we come to the time of the blowing of the seventh trumpet, we must realize that nothing is immediately initiated on the earth, because once again God is giving John parenthetical and positive glimpses into the future.
After chapter 11 is completed, there will be another parenthetical section in chapters 12-14, where we will learn more details of the persecution of God's people by the Antichrist.
It is important to understand that chapters 6-11 and chapter 12-19:16 run side by side during the tribulation.
This is why the King returns in both chapter 11:15, and 19:16.
We will soon see the outpouring of the Seven Bowl judgment in chapter 15, but first we get an exciting glimpse into the future kingdom of our Lord on this earth.
Remember the old VHS or Cassette tape days?
Sometimes when watching a video or listening to a tape of music, we will fast forward to a “favorite part.”
Essentially, this chapter is a “fast forward” to the coming kingdom.
I. The Announcement
I. The Announcement
The Announcement of the Coming Kingdom
15 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.
A. It Is a Promised Kingdom
A. It Is a Promised Kingdom
The kingdoms of this world will become the Kingdom of our God.
We have seen the promise of His kingdom throughout all history.
at this time what was promised will soon become reality.
But it will be unlike any kingdom that has ever been on earth before.
Quote from John Phillips Commentary: “The Lord is coming to receive no mere constitutional monarchy, but absolute, untrammeled, unhindered power. Heaven's ideal form of government for earth is a totalitarian monarchy with complete power vested in the Person of the Lord Jesus. On June 2, 1952, Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of England in Westminster Abbey. The Archbishop of Canterbury presented her to the vast assemblage of people and asked, “Do you take Elizabeth to be your true and lawful liege lord?” From the assembled multitude rolled back a single world, “Aye!” She then took the coronation oath, received a Bible, celebrated Communion, and was seated on the coronation chair. She was anointed, clothed in a cloak of gold, given the orb, the ring, the scepter — the insignia of power — crowned with the glorious crown of St. Edward, and pledged the homage of her people. The guns of London fired a salute, and the new monarch left the abbey in a grand and colorful procession for a banquet of state. But from that day to the day she passed, Queen Elizabeth II never made a single decision affecting the government of the kingdom. The Prime Minister of England and the members of the English Parliament do that. All she does is sign their decision into law. That is a constitutional monarchy — a monarchy in which the king is such only in name and in which all the real power is in the hands of the people. That was the kind of kingdom the devil offered the Lord in the wilderness, and it is the same kind of sovereignty many professing believers offer Him in their lives today. That is not the kind of monarchy God intends Him to have. He is going to be Lord of all. “Thou have taken to thee thy great power and has reigned.”
B. It Is an Eternal Kingdom
B. It Is an Eternal Kingdom
Lasting “ages of ages.”
There will be no interruption of His rule.
Modern Kings and Queens will only reign for a time, but Jesus will rule forever!
15c ...and he shall reign for ever and ever.
13 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.
14 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.
II. The Answer
II. The Answer
The Answer of Praise for the Coming Kingdom
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 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.
A. The 24 Elders Worship God in Anticipation
A. The 24 Elders Worship God in Anticipation
I believe the twenty-four elders are probably the representatives of the redeemed throughout the ages.
They help in praise to God and in the administration of the affairs of the earth.
They are instant in their response.
As soon as the seventh trumpet sounds, they begin to worship God.
They are praising Him in anticipation of his kingdom on earth.
He is not coming to earth quite yet, but they are anticipating the time when He will, very soon.
Notice they are intelligent in their response.
They acknowledge His titles. vs. 17a
17a Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come;
They acknowledge His triumphs. vs. 17b
17b because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
B. The 24 Elders Worship from Hearts of Thanksgiving
B. The 24 Elders Worship from Hearts of Thanksgiving
Just as in chapter four, the 24 elders are seen here worshipping God.
Praise is being given in thanksgiving that God has finally began the judgment, and therefore the very soon reign of Christ on earth.
The time of waiting is soon over.
III. The Activities
III. The Activities
The Activities Surrounding the Establishment of the Kingdom
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.
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.
Notice with me four activities that will be happening surrounding the establishment of the Kingdom:
A. The Nations Will Be Angry
A. The Nations Will Be Angry
18a And the nations were angry
They have been defiant and arrogant against God many times before, but now it is culminated in a final anger.
Look at Psalm 2
1 Why do the heathen rage, And the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands asunder, And cast away their cords from us.
4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: The Lord shall have them in derision.
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, And vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; This day have I begotten thee.
8 Ask of me, And I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, And ye perish from the way, When his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
The nations may rage....
The world may get mad at God… but it really doesn’t matter!
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged...
They are going to be judged whether they are mad or not!
It is as sure as if it has already happened
The tense used here is often called the prophetic past tense.
It is spoken of as if it has already happened even though it is in the future...it is that sure.
B. The Saints Will Be Rewarded
B. The Saints Will Be Rewarded
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...
This rewarding will happen after the glorious appearing
After the Battle of Armageddon
After the Millennial reign of Christ
This timing seems to be true based upon the other event that are happening (the anger (battle), the judgment and the rewards).
This is speaking of the tribulation saints who had suffered and died.
Those who are saved during the church age are already raptured, and have been rewarded.
These tribulation saints will be raptured just before He returns.
Some people believe the Old Testament saints will be resurrected at this time.
However, I believe the Old Testament saints were resurrected from Abraham's bosom (Paradise) at the time of the resurrection of Christ.
50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
It is likely that the Old Testament saints and the Tribulation saints will receive their rewards at this time.
18b ...and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great...
C. The Antichrist Will Be Judged
C. The Antichrist Will Be Judged
18c and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
The Antichrist and the false prophet will be cast into the lake of fire.
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
D. The Temple of God Will Be Revealed
D. The Temple of God Will Be Revealed
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.
In the Old Testament days the Ark of the Covenant in the temple was the sign of the presence of God
The ark disappeared during the Exile, but it never lost it’s significance.
Here the heavenly ark is shown in the heavenly temple.
Simultaneously seen when Christ returns
At this moment, the Jews will see the temple and believe on Messiah.
The new covenant, relating to their hearts, will be understood at this time.
31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, That I will make a new covenant With the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
At the end of the trumpet judgments, powerful phenomena come: lightnings and voices, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
God’s power is on full display.
Conclusion
Conclusion
As we conclude chapter 11, we conclude the 7 Trumpet Judgments, and our glimpse toward the 2nd coming of Christ.
How are we responding to this news?
The twenty-four elders immediately gave thanks and praise.
Even amid trials, we are on the victorious side!