Daily Bread 2011 - Revelation 11
The Seventh Trumpet
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 Messiah,
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 people who revere your name,
both great and small—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”
What Does This Mean?
In this second interlude, John see two witnesses who are given the power to give testimony (same word for the word martyr), and to prophesy with the authority and power of God. The two olive trees and two lamps are imagery of the Holy Spirit. The olive trees bring oil, the same which is used for anointing, and the lamps light into the world. This is the same role as the Holy Spirit does when we prophesy in His name.
But in the middle of the testimony the great beast is unleashed from the bottom of the Abyss and attacks and kills them. Their bodies lay in the open square, presumably in the holy city of Jerusalem, though there is some debate over this. (as it says where the Lord was crucified). But after 3 ½ days (the number 3 ½ is used a lot in these chapters, both in years and in days. They are half of seven the complete number) this same Spirit revives the two witnesses and brings them to heaven.
Finally we see the seventh and last trumpet blown with voices from heaven that said, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord, his Messiah.” As the twenty four elders give worship to God they say, “You have taken your great power and begun to reign.” The time of judgment has come and God’s reign from heaven is being directly instituted straight from heaven.
What Does This Mean For Us?
We minister in between kingdoms, for Jesus has come but His kingdom has not yet been realized fully. We see glimpses of God’s kingdom, when a lost person is found, a sick person is healed, or broken relationships are restored. There will be a day that all of God’s kingdom values of reconciliation, restoration and wholeness will be completely restored here on earth. Where there are no more tears, sadness or sickness. For those who are in Christ this final restoration will be a time of great and promised glory. Our faith will become sight and we will be in God’s presence. There will be no distinction between heaven and earth.
But for now we live by faith, and we live in a world that is not run by God’s values. As the Church we can be God’s witnesses and if need be suffer for our testimony as it is likely the world will not accept our testimony, much like the two witnesses in the passage. And yet God has a bigger plan and one day the just will counted and given the kingdom of our Father and the Son in the power of the Spirit.
But today, one day at a time we can live with the expectation that God’s kingdom will continue to come on earth so that all will have the opportunity to know God through His Son. That is our mission until He returns!
Jesus, give us your power as we seek to be faithful to be your witnesses in the world. Give us courage and boldness like the two witnesses in the story to proclaim your message to the nations and every tribe and people group. In Your name, Amen.
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 Messiah,
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 people who revere your name,
both great and small—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”
What Does This Mean?
In this second interlude, John see two witnesses who are given the power to give testimony (same word for the word martyr), and to prophesy with the authority and power of God. The two olive trees and two lamps are imagery of the Holy Spirit. The olive trees bring oil, the same which is used for anointing, and the lamps light into the world. This is the same role as the Holy Spirit does when we prophesy in His name.
But in the middle of the testimony the great beast is unleashed from the bottom of the Abyss and attacks and kills them. Their bodies lay in the open square, presumably in the holy city of Jerusalem, though there is some debate over this. (as it says where the Lord was crucified). But after 3 ½ days (the number 3 ½ is used a lot in these chapters, both in years and in days. They are half of seven the complete number) this same Spirit revives the two witnesses and brings them to heaven.
Finally we see the seventh and last trumpet blown with voices from heaven that said, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord, his Messiah.” As the twenty four elders give worship to God they say, “You have taken your great power and begun to reign.” The time of judgment has come and God’s reign from heaven is being directly instituted straight from heaven.
What Does This Mean For Us?
We minister in between kingdoms, for Jesus has come but His kingdom has not yet been realized fully. We see glimpses of God’s kingdom, when a lost person is found, a sick person is healed, or broken relationships are restored. There will be a day that all of God’s kingdom values of reconciliation, restoration and wholeness will be completely restored here on earth. Where there are no more tears, sadness or sickness. For those who are in Christ this final restoration will be a time of great and promised glory. Our faith will become sight and we will be in God’s presence. There will be no distinction between heaven and earth.
But for now we live by faith, and we live in a world that is not run by God’s values. As the Church we can be God’s witnesses and if need be suffer for our testimony as it is likely the world will not accept our testimony, much like the two witnesses in the passage. And yet God has a bigger plan and one day the just will counted and given the kingdom of our Father and the Son in the power of the Spirit.
But today, one day at a time we can live with the expectation that God’s kingdom will continue to come on earth so that all will have the opportunity to know God through His Son. That is our mission until He returns!
Jesus, give us your power as we seek to be faithful to be your witnesses in the world. Give us courage and boldness like the two witnesses in the story to proclaim your message to the nations and every tribe and people group. In Your name, Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment