The Kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord.
The Seventh Trumpet & The Third Woe – Summary of the Book of Revelation: Chapter 11 (part 2)
A LOOK BACK: The angels with the trumpets are still sounding. The seventh angel is about to pronounce the third woe upon the people of Earth.
Consider Jim McGuiggan’s review of the chapter thus far.
John is being told the Church is about to undergo hard times, but at the same time he is being assured everything is all right with them. In this chapter, he is told this in two different ways. A vision of a city trodden under the heel of the enemy while the inner sanctuary is… invulnerable. The second vision is one of two witnesses. They have a task to perform, namely, prophesy for 1260 days. They have opposition, but they have more than enough ability to take care of that opposition. They finish their task! But there’s that other side of the picture to portray – the gloom. That is hinted at in their wearing sackcloth, but it is spelled out in their death at the hands of the beast. Their defeat is seen to be only apparent since they are resurrected and glorified.
The same truth is taught in chapter 12:6,14 and in 13:5ff.1
Rejoice! The King Reigns!
The sixth trumpet sounds in 9:13 and then a message came to comfort the Christians. Now the seventh trumpet sounds, and again we will see a message of comfort for the brethren. Understand that with the last trumpet sounding (and the contents of its message), God’s judgment against Rome will be complete, the Christians vindicated, and God will be victorious.
The proclamation of “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” is the announcement of the public vindication of the Kingdom. The kingdom of our Lord encompasses all sovereignties of the world (see Matthew 28:18). He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The elders rejoice on their thrones (verse 17.) “We give You thanks… Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.” Jesus’ utilization of His authority to bring judgment upon the Church’s persecutors is rejoiced over. They rejoice in the wrath of the King upon the nations; the judgment of the dead; the reward of the prophets and saints and those who fear His name; and the destruction of those who destroy the earth.
Has It Already Happened?
This expression is taking place as if the “final woe” was already delivered, but it is still coming–we will read of seven bowls of wrath in the coming chapters. When God’s wrath begins it is as good as done. There will be nothing to stop it.
Then the Temple of God opens in Heaven, and the ark of His covenant is in the Holiest of Holies. John again observes “lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.” Judgment is a reason to rejoice.
Next week: The Dragon Loses to the Child of the Woman.
1McGuiggan, Jim. Revelation. Sunset Institute Press. Kindle Edition.