15. 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 Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever."
16. And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,
17. saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.
18. 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 saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great--and for destroying those who destroy the earth."
19. Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.
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Reflection |
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Worshiping God (11:15–18)
The scene changes from the “woes” on earth to worship in heaven. Many consider this trumpet as heralding the second coming of Christ as loud voices proclaim, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever” (v. 15). When all anti-Christian powers are destroyed, there will be a glorious state of Christ’s rule over earth, a time when God will reward His people’s faithfulness and when the nations will experience His wrath. When the elders hear the announcement of the kingdom, John says they “fell on their faces and worshiped God” (v. 16). Worship is one of the main things we will do when Christ returns. While we wait for that day, God calls us to worship “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
The Most Holy Place (11:19)
The opening up of God’s temple in heaven brings the ark of His covenant into view as John looks into the Most Holy Place. During the reign of the antichrist, God’s Law was laid aside and replaced by other laws. The Scriptures were also taken away from people, but now they are brought back for all to see. The presence of God returns to His people, and the people can now enter the Most Holy Place and commune with God without any barriers as “God’s temple in heaven was opened” by the work of Jesus.
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Application |
- Can you imagine what it will be like to see Christ reigning on the earth? As you await His return, ask God to draw your heart closer to Him and prepare you for His coming kingdom.
- What a privilege it is that we can enter the Most Holy Place because of what Jesus has done on the cross! Praise God today for giving you the privilege to commune with Him.
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A Letter to
God |
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Father, thank you from the very bottom of my heart for granting me the undeserved privilege of communion with You. May I walk closer to You each and every day. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
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