Quick Answer
The seventh trumpet in Revelation 11 announces the third woe and the final round of judgments before Christ’s reign begins. Heaven’s hosts worship in advance, celebrating Satan’s coming defeat because Jesus was slain before the foundation of the world, guaranteeing the outcome before it fully unfolds on earth.
Key Takeaways
- The seventh trumpet in Revelation 11:14 announces the third woe and introduces seven more bowl judgments to come.
- The 24 elders, representing perfect government, fall on their faces to worship God when the kingdom of the world becomes the kingdom of the Lord.
- Heaven celebrates Satan’s final defeat before it actually happens because Jesus was the lamb slain before the foundation of the world, so the outcome was already settled.
- The reappearance of the ark of the covenant in God’s temple points to the mercy seat, showing that even amid judgment God’s mercy remains present.
- Because we know this future is certain, we are blessed to prepare our own hearts and to help those we love prepare in advance.
- God delays his coming because he doesn’t want anyone to perish, and we are called to be his conduits sharing the good news of Jesus now.
What happens when the seventh angel blows the Seventh Trumpet?
For the last two weeks we’ve been inside of an interruption between the sixth and seventh trumpet, and this morning we finally enter into that seventh trumpet. It starts with verse 14 in chapter 11, and this is also the third woe. The second woe has passed, and behold, the third woe is soon to come. Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet.
This is like the seventh seal, which announced that there were going to be seven more judgments, which is so sobering. This seventh trumpet is announcing that there’s about to be seven more judgments. Remember, in the beginning we had the seven seals and seven trumpets, and these are the seven bowl judgments.
Behold, the third woe is soon to come. Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet.
Revelation 11:14
What do the loud voices in heaven announce at the seventh trumpet?
There were loud voices in heaven, presumably the entire host assembly of those already in heaven raising up their voices, saying that the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever. They are announcing that the rulership of this world has changed. The enemy thought he was the ruler, but the real ruler is stepping up.
The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.
Revelation 11:15
Who are the 24 elders in Revelation?
The 24 elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God. We’ve heard of them before, and Barnhouse, who wrote on the book of Revelation, holds the view that the 24 elders are representative of the 12 apostles and the 12 tribes of Israel. There’s another line of thought that they represent the church as a whole.
What we do have is the number 24, which represents perfect government. And we know that when Jesus steps in as ruler and lord, perfect government is coming into play inside of this world.
And the 24 elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God.
Revelation 11:16
What does the heavenly host thank God for in Revelation 11?
They are saying, ‘We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who was and who is, for you have taken your great power and you have begun to reign. The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.’ Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple, with flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.
They are celebrating the fact that it’s almost over, that the millennial reign of Christ is about to take place, that the judgments are about to be finished, but God is going to have his final judgment and his final say over the sinful hearts of men, and that there will be a reward for his children. He’s going to reward the prophets and the saints and the martyrs. And he’s going to reward you and me for how we have lived on this earth, how we have honored his name, how we have proclaimed his name, and how we’ve used the gifts and talents he gave us for the purposes of Christ. That’s one of the reasons that you and I can’t fix our eyes on this world, because there’s another world coming and we’re not of this world. We are spiritual beings living in a natural world, not the other way around.
We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who was and who is, for you have taken your great power and you have begun to reign. The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.
Revelation 11:17-18
Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.
Revelation 11:19
Why does heaven celebrate Satan’s defeat before it happens?
This is the moment where they are pronouncing that the final judgment of Satan is coming. Satan will finally be destroyed, and when they hear this, they worship. Are they celebrating what is happening at this very moment of the seventh trumpet judgment? No, they’re celebrating what they know is going to happen, that Satan, after these seven bowl judgments, will finally be thrown into the pit and his rule and reign will be over.
How do they know this in this moment when they’re yet to see it? Because scripture tells us Jesus was the lamb slain before the foundation of the world. So from the very beginning, what is going to happen has been made known, and Revelation lets us know that Satan will be defeated. So they’re already celebrating this in advance of its final occurrence.
Ron Rhodes, in his book on the days in the book of Revelation, says that as John witnesses glory in heaven, he witnesses destruction on earth. So John is witnessing this celebration in heaven, but he’s about to witness the final seven bowl judgments. This vision given to John in these verses of chapter 11 is almost as if it covers the whole day of the Lord, as if the saints are seeing all of it encompassed together.
As John witnesses glory in heaven, he witnesses destruction on earth.
Ron Rhodes
What does Barnhouse say about God’s final judgment on the world?
Barnhouse writes that having given the world 6,000 years in which to choose and settle upon its proper allegiance, and finding after all only an intenser and more malignant apostasy, God causes the final trump to sound. He, being God, breaks in with his almightiness and enforces his rightful dominion. A kingdom comes which breaks in pieces and consumes all other kingdoms and stands forever, laws are given to be changed no more, and the true anointed reigns on earth in an empire of sinless, deathless life and peace to the ages of the ages.
Having given the world 6,000 years in which to choose and settle upon its proper allegiance, and finding after all only an intenser and more malignant apostasy, he causes the final trump to sound. He being God, breaks in with his almightiness and enforces his rightful dominion. A kingdom comes which breaks in pieces and consumes all other kingdoms and stands forever. Laws are given to be changed no more, and the true anointed reigns on earth in an empire of sinless, deathless life and peace to the ages of the ages.
Barnhouse
What is the significance of the ark of the covenant appearing here?
It’s interesting to me that in this final culmination of the seven bowl judgments, what appears is the ark of the covenant. And the ark of the covenant was the place where the mercy seat ruled and reigned. Do you remember when we first started this study, we read the words that blessed is the man who reads this book.
I was thinking the other day when I was studying this again that one of the reasons we’re blessed to read this book is so that you and I can have a foreknowledge, an awareness beforehand, that this moment in our history is coming, and that we’re blessed to be able to tell people that Jesus is coming, but that he’s also here now to be a part of their life and lead them in the abundant life he created for them. We’re blessed to know that this is coming so that we can prepare our hearts and our minds and those we love in advance.
What does this mean for us right now?
In light of all of this that we read, we still see the beautiful mercy seat of Christ. I am grateful for the mercy that he gives us in this moment. He delays his coming because he doesn’t want anyone to perish.
You and I are his conduits in this life to share the good news that is Jesus. My prayer is that we would not miss any opportunity this Monday to be the mouthpiece for the beauty that is a life lived in relationship with the mercy seat himself, Jesus Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the seventh trumpet in the book of Revelation?
The seventh trumpet, found in Revelation 11:14, is announced right after the second woe passes and introduces the third woe. It signals that seven more judgments, this time in the form of bowls, are about to take place, much like the seventh seal announced the seven trumpets earlier in Revelation.
What do the loud voices in heaven say at the seventh trumpet?
The loud voices declare that the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of the Lord and of his Christ, and that he shall reign forever and ever, announcing that the rulership of the world has changed hands from the enemy to the true ruler.
Who are the 24 elders in Revelation?
One view, from Barnhouse, is that the 24 elders represent the 12 apostles and the 12 tribes of Israel; another line of thought holds they represent the church as a whole. The number 24 represents perfect government, pointing to the perfect rule Jesus brings when he steps in as ruler and lord.
Why does heaven celebrate Satan’s defeat before it actually happens?
Heaven celebrates in advance because scripture tells us Jesus was the lamb slain before the foundation of the world, meaning what would happen was already known from the very beginning. So the saints in heaven are celebrating what they know is certain to come, not what is happening in that exact moment.
What is the significance of the ark of the covenant appearing in Revelation 11?
The ark of the covenant was the place where the mercy seat ruled and reigned, so its appearance at the culmination of the seven bowl judgments shows that even in final judgment, the mercy seat of Christ is still present and visible.
Why does it matter for us today that this future judgment is already certain?
We are blessed to read this book because it gives us foreknowledge and awareness beforehand that this moment in history is coming, so we can prepare our own hearts and minds and help those we love prepare in advance, all while sharing the good news of Jesus now.
Watch the full teaching to see how heaven’s celebration of the seventh trumpet points us to hope and preparation today.
About Epic Life Creative
Speaker: Denise Jones
https://www.epiclifecreative.com/
Read the full transcript
The Seventh Trumpet and Third Woe
Good Monday morning. You remember for the last two weeks we’ve kind of been inside of an interruption between the sixth and seventh trumpet. Well, this morning we’re going to enter into that seventh trumpet. Uh it starts with verse 14 in chapter 11. And this is also the third woe. Okay, so it says the second woe is passed. Behold, the third woe is soon to come. Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet.
So this is like the seventh seal where the seventh seal announced that there were going to now be seven more judgments, which is so sobering. This seventh trumpet is announcing there’s about to be seven more judgments. So remember in the beginning we had the seven seal, seven trumpet. These are the seven bold judgments and there were loud voices in heaven.
The Heavenly Celebration of Christ’s Kingdom 1 min mark
This is presumably the entire host assembly that of those that are already in heaven are raising up their loud voices and this is what they’re saying saying the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign forever and ever. They are announcing that the rulership of this world has changed. The enemy thought he was the ruler, but the real ruler is stepping up.
And it says, “And the 24 elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worships God.” Now, we’ve heard of them before. And remember before I told you Barnhaus’s view. Barnhouse wrote the book of Revelation. His view is that the 24 elders are representative of the 12 apostles and the 12 tribe of Israel. There’s another line of thought that they represent the church as a whole. But what we do have is the number 24 which represents perfect government. And we know that when Jesus steps on as ruler and lord that perfect government is coming into play inside of this world.
And they are saying we give thanks to you Lord God Almighty who was and who is and who was for you have taken your great power and you have begun to reign. The nations raged, but your wrath came. And the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.
Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, pills of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hell.
The Meaning of the Final Judgments 3 min mark
So they are um celebrating the fact that it’s almost over, that this world, that the millennial reign of Christ is about to take place, that the judgments are about to be finished, but God is going to have his final judgment and his final say over the sinful hearts of men, and that there will be a reward for his children. He’s going to reward the prophets and the saints and the martyrs. And he’s going to reward you and he’s going to reward me for how we have lived on this earth, how we have honored his name, how we have proclaimed his name, how we’ve used the gifts and talents that he gave us to use for the purposes of Christ.
That’s one of the reasons that you and I can’t fix our eyes on this world. Because there’s another world coming and we’re not of this world. We are spiritual beings living in a natural world. It is not the other way around.
Satan’s Defeat and the Final Judgment 4 min mark
And so this is the moment where they are pronouncing that the final judgment of Satan is coming. Satan will finally be destroyed. And when they hear this, they worship. Now, are they celebrating what is happening at this very moment of the seventh trumpet judgment? No. They’re celebrating what they know is going to happen. That that Satan after these seven seal judgments or seven bold judgments will finally be thrown into the pit and his rule and his reign is over.
How do they know this in this moment when they’re yet to see it? Because scripture tells us Jesus was the lamb slain before the foundation of the world. So from the very beginning, what is going to happen has been made known and Revelation lets us know that that Satan will be defeated. So they’re already celebrating this in advance of the final occurrence of it.
Heaven’s Glory and Earth’s Destruction 5 min mark
So Ron Rhodess in his book uh I think it’s 40 days in the book of Revelation, he says this, as John witnesses glory in heaven, he witnesses destruction on earth. So he’s witnessing this celebration in heaven, but he’s about to witness the final seven bowl judgments.
And this vision that John’s given in these in these verses of chapter 11, Barn House in his book of Revelation says it’s almost as if they cover the whole day of the Lord. It’s almost as if the saints are seeing all of it encompassed together. And then he writes this. And having given the world 6,000 years in which to choose and settle upon its proper allegiance, and finding after all only an intenser and more malignant apostasy, he causes the final trump to sound. He being God. Breaks in with his almightiness and enforces his rightful dominion. A kingdom comes from which breaks in pieces and consumes all other kingdoms and stands forever. Laws are given to be changed no more. And the true anointed reigns on earth in an empire of sinless, deathless life and peace to the ages of the ages.
The Mercy Seat and Our Purpose 6 min mark
It’s interesting to me that in this final culmination of the final seven bowls of judgments, what appears is the ark of the covenant. And the ark of the covenant was the place where the mercy seat ruled and reigned. Do you remember when we first started this, we read the words, “Blessed is the man who reads this book.” I was thinking the other day when I was studying this again that one of the reasons we’re blessed to read this book is so that you and I can have a fornowledge an awareness beforehand that this moment in our history is coming and that we’re blessed to be able to tell people that Jesus is coming but that he’s also here now to be a part of their life and lead them in the abundant life he created for them.
We’re blessed to know that this is coming so that we can prepare our hearts and our minds and those we love in advance. And in light of all of this that we read, we still see the beautiful mercy seat of Christ. I am grateful for the mercy that he gives us in this moment. He delays his coming because he doesn’t want anyone to perish.
Well, you and I are his conduits in this life to share the good news that is Jesus. And my prayer is that we would not miss any opportunity in this Monday to be the mouthpiece for the beauty that is a life lived in relationship with the mercy seat himself, Jesus Christ.
Quick Answer
The seventh trumpet in Revelation 11 announces the third woe and the coming seven bowl judgments, while heaven’s host worships in advance because Satan’s final defeat and Christ’s reign were already known from the foundation of the world.
Key Takeaways
- The seventh trumpet in Revelation 11 introduces the third woe and announces that seven more judgments (the bowl judgments) are about to come.
- Loud voices in heaven declare that the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of the Lord and His Christ, announcing a change in rulership.
- The 24 elders, representing perfect government, fall down and worship, thanking God for taking His power and beginning to reign.
- Heaven celebrates Satan’s final defeat before it actually happens because Jesus was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, so the outcome was already known.
- The ark of the covenant appearing in this vision points to the mercy seat of Christ, reminding us that even amid judgment, God’s mercy remains.
- We are blessed to read this book because it gives us foreknowledge to prepare our hearts and share the good news of Jesus with others before this moment in history comes.
What is the seventh trumpet and third woe in Revelation 11?
For the last two weeks we’ve kind of been inside of an interruption between the sixth and seventh trumpet, and this morning we’re entering into that seventh trumpet, which starts with verse 14 in chapter 11. This is also the third woe. It says the second woe is passed, and behold, the third woe is soon to come, and then the seventh angel blew his trumpet.
This is like the seventh seal, where the seventh seal announced that there were going to now be seven more judgments, which is so sobering. This seventh trumpet is announcing there’s about to be seven more judgments. Remember, in the beginning we had the seven seals and the seven trumpets, and these are the seven bowl judgments.
Behold, the third woe is soon to come.
Revelation 11:14
What do the loud voices in heaven announce?
There were loud voices in heaven, presumably the entire host assembly of those already in heaven raising up their loud voices, saying the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever. They are announcing that the rulership of this world has changed. The enemy thought he was the ruler, but the real ruler is stepping up.
The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.
Revelation 11:15
Who are the 24 elders and what do they represent?
The 24 elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God. We’ve heard of them before, and Barnhouse, who wrote a book on Revelation, has the view that the 24 elders are representative of the 12 apostles and the 12 tribes of Israel. There’s another line of thought that they represent the church as a whole.
What we do have is the number 24, which represents perfect government. We know that when Jesus steps on as ruler and Lord, that perfect government is coming into play inside of this world.
What does the elders’ worship declare about God’s reign and final judgment?
They say, ‘We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who was and who is, for you have taken your great power and you have begun to reign. The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.’
They are celebrating the fact that it’s almost over, that this world, that the millennial reign of Christ is about to take place, that the judgments are about to be finished, but God is going to have his final judgment and his final say over the sinful hearts of men, and that there will be a reward for his children. He’s going to reward the prophets and the saints and the martyrs, and he’s going to reward you and me for how we have lived on this earth, how we have honored his name, how we have proclaimed his name, how we’ve used the gifts and talents that he gave us to use for the purposes of Christ.
That’s one of the reasons that you and I can’t fix our eyes on this world, because there’s another world coming and we’re not of this world. We are spiritual beings living in a natural world. It is not the other way around.
We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who was and who is, for you have taken your great power and you have begun to reign. The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.
Revelation 11:17-18
Why does heaven celebrate Satan’s defeat before it actually happens?
This is the moment where they are pronouncing that the final judgment of Satan is coming. Satan will finally be destroyed, and when they hear this, they worship. Are they celebrating what is happening at this very moment of the seventh trumpet judgment? No, they’re celebrating what they know is going to happen, that Satan, after these seven bowl judgments, will finally be thrown into the pit and his rule and his reign is over.
How do they know this in this moment when they’re yet to see it? Because scripture tells us Jesus was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. So from the very beginning, what is going to happen has been made known, and Revelation lets us know that Satan will be defeated. So they’re already celebrating this in advance of the final occurrence of it.
Ron Rhodes, in his book on the book of Revelation, says as John witnesses glory in heaven, he witnesses destruction on earth. He’s witnessing this celebration in heaven, but he’s about to witness the final seven bowl judgments. Barnhouse, in his book on Revelation, says it’s almost as if these verses cover the whole day of the Lord, as if the saints are seeing all of it encompassed together.
Having given the world 6,000 years in which to choose and settle upon its proper allegiance, and finding after all only an intenser and more malignant apostasy, he causes the final trump to sound. He being God, breaks in with his almightiness and enforces his rightful dominion. A kingdom comes which breaks in pieces and consumes all other kingdoms and stands forever. Laws are given to be changed no more, and the true anointed reigns on earth in an empire of sinless, deathless life and peace to the ages of the ages.
Barnhouse
What does the ark of the covenant appearing in this vision mean?
Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. It’s interesting to me that in this final culmination of the seven bowl judgments, what appears is the ark of the covenant, and the ark of the covenant was the place where the mercy seat ruled and reigned.
Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.
Revelation 11:19
Why does this vision matter for us today?
Do you remember when we first started this, we read the words, ‘Blessed is the man who reads this book’? I was thinking the other day when I was studying this again that one of the reasons we’re blessed to read this book is so that you and I can have a foreknowledge, an awareness beforehand, that this moment in our history is coming, and that we’re blessed to be able to tell people that Jesus is coming, but that he’s also here now to be a part of their life and lead them in the abundant life he created for them.
We’re blessed to know that this is coming so that we can prepare our hearts and our minds and those we love in advance. And in light of all of this that we read, we still see the beautiful mercy seat of Christ. I am grateful for the mercy that he gives us in this moment. He delays his coming because he doesn’t want anyone to perish.
You and I are his conduits in this life to share the good news that is Jesus. My prayer is that we would not miss any opportunity on this Monday to be the mouthpiece for the beauty that is a life lived in relationship with the mercy seat himself, Jesus Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when the seventh trumpet is blown in Revelation?
The seventh angel blows his trumpet, announcing the third woe and signaling that seven more judgments, the bowl judgments, are about to occur, similar to how the seventh seal announced the seven trumpet judgments.
Who are the 24 elders in Revelation?
One view, from Barnhouse who wrote a book on Revelation, is that the 24 elders represent the 12 apostles and the 12 tribes of Israel; another line of thought is that they represent the church as a whole. The number 24 represents perfect government, showing that Christ’s perfect rulership is coming.
Why does heaven celebrate Satan’s defeat before it actually happens?
Heaven celebrates in advance because scripture tells us Jesus was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, meaning what would happen was known from the very beginning, and Revelation confirms that Satan will ultimately be defeated.
What does the ark of the covenant appearing in Revelation 11 signify?
The ark of the covenant was the place where the mercy seat ruled and reigned, so its appearance in this vision points us to the ongoing mercy seat of Christ even in the midst of final judgment.
Why are we blessed to read the book of Revelation?
We’re blessed to read it because it gives us foreknowledge and awareness beforehand that this moment in history is coming, so we can prepare our hearts and minds, prepare those we love, and tell others that Jesus is coming and is also present now to lead them in the abundant life He created for them.
What does the worship in heaven say about God’s judgment and rewards?
The elders give thanks that God has taken His great power and begun to reign, that the time has come for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding His servants, the prophets, saints, and those who fear His name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.
Watch the full teaching to walk through Revelation 11’s seventh trumpet and discover why heaven celebrates Satan’s defeat in advance.
Read the full transcript
The Seventh Trumpet and Third Woe
Good Monday morning. You remember for the last two weeks we’ve kind of been inside of an interruption between the sixth and seventh trumpet. Well, this morning we’re going to enter into that seventh trumpet. Uh it starts with verse 14 in chapter 11. And this is also the third woe. Okay, so it says the second woe is passed. Behold, the third woe is soon to come.
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet. So this is like the seventh seal where the seventh seal announced that there were going to now be seven more judgments, which is so sobering. This seventh trumpet is announcing there’s about to be seven more judgments. So remember in the beginning we had the seven seal, seven trumpet. These are the seven bold judgments and there were loud voices in heaven.
The Kingdom Proclaimed in Heaven 1 min mark
This is presumably the entire host assembly that of those that are already in heaven are raising up their loud voices and this is what they’re saying saying the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign forever and ever. They are announcing that the rulership of this world has changed. The enemy thought he was the ruler, but the real ruler is stepping up.
And it says, “And the 24 elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worships God.” Now, we’ve heard of them before. And remember before I told you Barnhaus’s view. Barnhouse wrote the book of Revelation. His view is that the 24 elders are representative of the 12 apostles and the 12 tribe of Israel. There’s another line of thought that they represent the church as a whole. But what we do have is the number 24 which represents perfect government. And we know that when Jesus steps on as ruler and lord that perfect government is coming into play inside of this world.
And they are saying we give thanks to you Lord God Almighty who was and who is and who was for you have taken your great power and you have begun to reign. The nations raged, but your wrath came. And the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.
The Temple Opened and Final Judgment 3 min mark
Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, pills of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hell. So they are um celebrating the fact that it’s almost over, that this world, that the millennial reign of Christ is about to take place, that the judgments are about to be finished, but God is going to have his final judgment and his final say over the sinful hearts of men, and that there will be a reward for his children.
He’s going to reward the prophets and the saints and the martyrs. And he’s going to reward you and he’s going to reward me for how we have lived on this earth, how we have honored his name, how we have proclaimed his name, how we’ve used the gifts and talents that he gave us to use for the purposes of Christ. That’s one of the reasons that you and I can’t fix our eyes on this world. Because there’s another world coming and we’re not of this world. We are spiritual beings living in a natural world. It is not the other way around.
Satan’s Destruction Already Assured 4 min mark
And so this is the moment where they are pronouncing that the final judgment of Satan is coming. Satan will finally be destroyed. And when they hear this, they worship. Now, are they celebrating what is happening at this very moment of the seventh trumpet judgment? No. They’re celebrating what they know is going to happen. That that Satan after these seven seal judgments or seven bold judgments will finally be thrown into the pit and his rule and his reign is over.
How do they know this in this moment when they’re yet to see it? Because scripture tells us Jesus was the lamb slain before the foundation of the world. So from the very beginning, what is going to happen has been made known and Revelation lets us know that that Satan will be defeated. So they’re already celebrating this in advance of the final occurrence of it.
Glory in Heaven, Destruction on Earth 5 min mark
So Ron Rhodess in his book uh I think it’s 40 days in the book of Revelation, he says this, as John witnesses glory in heaven, he witnesses destruction on earth. So he’s witnessing this celebration in heaven, but he’s about to witness the final seven bowl judgments. And this vision that John’s given in these in these verses of chapter 11, Barn House in his book of Revelation says it’s almost as if they cover the whole day of the Lord. It’s almost as if the saints are seeing all of it encompassed together.
And then he writes this. And having given the world 6,000 years in which to choose and settle upon its proper allegiance, and finding after all only an intenser and more malignant apostasy, he causes the final trump to sound. He being God. Breaks in with his almightiness and enforces his rightful dominion. A kingdom comes from which breaks in pieces and consumes all other kingdoms and stands forever. Laws are given to be changed no more. And the true anointed reigns on earth in an empire of sinless, deathless life and peace to the ages of the ages.
The Mercy Seat in the Final Vision 6 min mark
It’s interesting to me that in this final culmination of the final seven bowls of judgments, what appears is the ark of the covenant. And the ark of the covenant was the place where the mercy seat ruled and reigned. Do you remember when we first started this, we read the words, “Blessed is the man who reads this book.” I was thinking the other day when I was studying this again that one of the reasons we’re blessed to read this book is so that you and I can have a fornowledge an awareness beforehand that this moment in our history is coming and that we’re blessed to be able to tell people that Jesus is coming but that he’s also here now to be a part of their life and lead them in the abundant life he created for them.
We’re blessed to know that this is coming so that we can prepare our hearts and our minds and those we love in advance. And in light of all of this that we read, we still see the beautiful mercy seat of Christ. I am grateful for the mercy that he gives us in this moment. He delays his coming because he doesn’t want anyone to perish. Well, you and I are his conduits in this life to share the good news that is Jesus. And my prayer is that we would not miss any opportunity in this Monday to be the mouthpiece for the beauty that is a life lived in relationship with the mercy seat himself, Jesus Christ.