The Postlude to the Seven Trumpet Judgments

Please turn to Revelation 11:15-19 as we consider The Postlude to the Seven Trumpet Judgments.

Over the course of the last several weeks we have looked at the trumpet judgments of God. We should remember that when Jesus opened the seventh seal, there was a half hour of silence observed in heaven. Then the seven trumpets appeared.

After the sounding of the first trumpet, a third of the earth was burned up in a hail and fire storm which was sent from heaven to the earth.

After the sounding of the second trumpet, a comet or other celestial body was thrown into the seas of the earth. This destroyed a third of the sea creature and a third of the ships in the oceans.

After the sounding of the third trumpet, a celestial body, referred to as Wormwood, was sent to the fresh water supplies of the earth, ruining a third of the fresh water supply of the earth.

After the sounding of the fourth trumpet, a third of the sun was darkened sending freezing temperatures to the earth. Following this judgment was the announcement of the three woes associated with the finale three trumpet blasts.

After the sounding of the fifth trumpet, which was the first woe, a fallen angel was sent to the bottomless pit with a key to open the cell which was holding back scorpion-like locusts who were released to torment the wicked dwellers living on the earth. They had the power to torment for five months, but not to kill.

After the sounding of the sixth trumpet, which was the second woe, the four demonic angels who were bound at the great river Euphrates were released. These raised armies of horsemen which in total numbered two hundred million demonic soldiers.

Between the sixth trumpet judgment and the seventh there was a divine parenthesis (much like between the sixth seal and the seventh seal). In this parenthesis, we encountered a strong angel with one foot on the land and one foot on the sea. He held in his hand a little book or scroll. John was instructed to eat this book, and then prophesy concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.

Last week we saw that John was instructed to measure the temple which was in Jerusalem during the Tribulation. Then we encountered the two witnesses.

This brings us to our text for today which begins with the sounding of the seventh trumpet. Instead of the judgment which we expect, we are transported to a heavenly scene of worship. MacArthur contends that, “Chapters 12–14 are a digression, taking readers back through the Tribulation to the point of the seventh trumpet by a different path. They describe the Tribulation not from God’s perspective, but from Satan’s. Chapters 4–11 focused on Christ’s taking back what is rightfully His by means of the seal and trumpet judgments. Chapters 12–14 focus on the ultimate human usurper, the final Antichrist, whose career spans the same time period as the seal and trumpet judgments.” (John F. MacArthur Jr., Revelation 1–11, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 309.)

Chapter 15 will bring us to another heavenly worship scene. And then chapter 16 is the actual judgment of the seventh trumpet, which contains the seven bowl judgments.

Today, as we go through our text, we will look at the songs of the trumpet, loud voices, and elders, as well as the opening of the heavenly temple.

First, let’s read our passage.

Revelation 11:15–19 NASB 95

Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.” And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm.

Let’s begin by looking at

The Song of the Seventh Trumpet

Look at verse 15.

Revelation 11:15 NASB 95

Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.”

It has been noted that when Christ broke the seventh seal there was silence in heaven for a half an hour. But when the seventh trumpet sounded, rather than silence in heaven, there were loud voices to be heard. Before we look at the lyrics to this song, we need to consider what the seventh trumpet is and isn’t. Let’s look first at

What it Is

Note that,

The Seventh Trumpet is the Introduction to the Seven Bowl Judgments

If you will recall, I have taught previously that the series’ of seven seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments are telescopic in nature. From the seventh seal came the seven trumpets. And from the seventh trumpet comes the seven bowls. While the transition is clear to see in regards to the seven trumpets coming from the seventh seal, it is not nearly so clear in regard to the seven bowls coming from the seventh trumpet.

Look at

Revelation 10:7 NASB 95

but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets.

Look next at

Revelation 15:1 NASB 95

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished.

Now look at

Revelation 16:1 NASB 95

Then I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.”

MacArthur noted that “Since both the seventh trumpet and the seven bowls are said to finish God’s wrath, the bowls must be part of the seventh trumpet judgment.” (See Rev. 10:7; 16:1) (John F. MacArthur Jr., Revelation 1–11, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 308.)

So, the seventh trumpet, in a sense, is the beginning of the end of Satan’s world domination.

Let’s turn our attention now to

What it Isn’t

Note that,

The Seventh Trumpet is not the Last Trumpet of God

Look at

1 Corinthians 15:51–52 NKJV

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

This reference is referring to that trumpet which calls the church to heaven in the rapture. The rapture of the church takes place before the Tribulation, or Seventieth Week of Daniel begins. The sounding of the seventh trumpet will take place nearly seven years later.

We’ve been looking at the song of the seventh trumpet. Let’s turn now to

The Song of the Loud Voices

Some people might be thinking that this song is made especially for me since I have a loud voice! And perhaps I will be a part of those who sing this song in heaven. However, our text does not identify who the singers are. It just merely states that they have a loud voice.

Look at verse 15 again.

Revelation 11:15 NASB 95

Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.”

I sure hope that the second part of this verse sounds familiar to you. As a matter of fact, this past Sunday afternoon I sang with the Tecumseh Pops Choir in their annual Christmas Concert. And the Hallelujah Chorus, which is derived from this verse, was our closing number — as it always is for our Christmas Concerts.

The Hallelujah Chorus is the highpoint of Handel’s oratorio titled The Messiah. It is a masterful work of music. Though Handel was German by birth, he moved to England in 1712, at the age of about 32. He composed this piece in 1741, and it’s premier performance took place in Dublin, Ireland in 1742. It’s first performance in London was in 1743. It is said that King George II was in attendance. And during the performance of this piece he stood to his feet forcing the rest of the audience to stand as well. Since that time it has been the tradition for people to stand as soon as the orchestra begins to play this work.

Perhaps that is why the Tecumseh Pops always includes this work to be performed at the end of the Christmas Concert — it ensures us of a standing ovation for our program!

Now that we have discussed Handel’s masterful work, let’s focus on the content of the song which the choir of loud voices sang.

Look again at the first five words of this song.

Revelation 11:15 (NASB 95)

“The kingdom of the world

Note that,

Despite its Many Political and Cultural Divisions, the Bible Views the World Spiritually as One Kingdom, with One Ruler — Satan

MacArthur noted, “The use of the singular term kingdom of the world instead of the plural “kingdoms” introduces an important truth. All of the world’s diverse national, political, social, cultural, linguistic, and religious groups are in reality one kingdom under one king.” (John F. MacArthur Jr., Revelation 1–11, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 310.)

Satan is not the rightful ruler of this world. He is the usurper. To the Godhead alone belongs the right to rule this world. But God, in His providence, has allowed Satan to take control of this world until the appointed time. Satan’s control is not complete. He can only do those things which God allows him to do. If you haven’t done so lately, read the first two chapters of the Book of Job to gain some understanding into this truth.

Look at the next few words of this song.

Revelation 11:15 (NASB 95)

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ;

“The tense of the verb translated has become is what Greek scholars refer to as a proleptic aorist. It describes a future event that is so certain that it can be spoken of as if it has already taken place.” (John F. MacArthur Jr., Revelation 1–11, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 311.)

Satan’s kingdom has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. Usually the term “Lord” in the NT refers to Jesus. But in this instance, and frequently in Revelation, it refers to God the Father. There will be a co-regency between God the Father and Jesus Christ.

Psalm 2 references the giving of the kingdom to Christ.

Psalm 2:6–8 NASB 95

“But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.” “I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.

Look at the last phrase of verse 15.

Revelation 11:15 (NASB 95)

and He will reign forever and ever.”

Christ’s rule will be eternal. But you might ask, “I thought He was only going to reign for a thousand years.” It is true that Christ will rule on this present earth for a thousand years. Then God will create a new heavens and a new earth and Christ will continue to rule!

So far, we’ve looked at the song of the trumpet and the song of the loud voices. Let’s turn now to

The Song of the Elders

As we look at this song we will look at their position of worship, the object of their worship, and the reason for their worship. Let’s look first at

The Elders Worship Position

Look at verse 16.

Revelation 11:16 NASB 95

And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,

We first encountered the 24 elders in chapter 4, which was the first of many scenes in heaven in this prophecy. I believe back then that I mentioned that there was a discrepancy between commentators as to who these elders are. My favorite commentators consider them to be humans representing either the church or redeemed humanity in general. But Robert L. Thomas convincingly argues that they are not humans but a special order of angels. I am inclined to agree with Thomas.

Regardless of their identity these elders change their position from sitting to falling prostrate before God in worship.

Note that,

The Only Biblical Positions of Worship are On Our Feet or On Our Face

This does not mean that we cannot worship in other positions. But these are the only positions described in the biblical scenes of worship.

Let’s move from their position of worship to

The Elders Object of Worship

Note that,

Their Object of Worship is Yahweh

Look at the first part of verse 17. In John’s vision, the prostrate elders are

Revelation 11:17 (NASB 95)

saying, “We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were,

Yahweh is the name of the covenant God of Israel. It is His name which is not to be used in vain. In truth we do not know the correct spelling or pronunciation in English, because in the Hebrew name there are no vowels.

All members of the Holy Trinity are associated with this name. And this God, and only this God is worthy of our worship.

There is more to be learned about this name. Not only is He described as the Lord God, but He is also referred to as the Almighty.

Regarding this description, the Almighty, Robert L. Thomas wrote, “It contributes the thought that none can resist His power. It appropriately speaks of God’s all-embracing sovereignty (Morris), a sovereignty that at the point of the song’s perspective becomes a visible reality in asserting its direct rule over the world.” (Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22: An Exegetical Commentary (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1995), 108.)

Not only is He identified as Lord God, and described as the Almighty; He is also described as being eternal. That is what the phrase, who are and who were refers to. There has never been a time when God did not exist. He is the only thing that is completely eternal. We speak of humans as being eternal beings in the sense that after our bodies die our spirits live on for the rest of eternity. But we each had a beginning. Of the Holy Triune God there is no beginning nor is there an ending.

Let’s move on to consider

The Elders Reason for Worship

Look again at verse 17, and notice why it is the elders were worshiping God.

Revelation 11:17 NASB 95

saying, “We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.

Note that,

The Elders Worshiped God Because of His Sovereignty

MacArthur noted that, “The elders also praised God for His sovereignty, because He had taken His great power and … begun to reign. The perfect tense of the verb translated You have taken signifies the permanence of God’s sovereign rule. The words of Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it,” are realized as Christ reigns in absolute power and authority over the earth.” (John F. MacArthur Jr., Revelation 1–11, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 315.)

Verse 18 provides us with more reasons for the elders worship of God.

Revelation 11:18 NASB 95

And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

Once again there is a connection to Psalm 2.

The psalmist asked,

Psalm 2:1–2 NASB 95

Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,

This prophecy will be fulfilled in the Tribulation. The nations will be enraged against God. The Antichrist, who is empowered by Satan, will turn the hearts of the wicked earth dwellers against God. Not only will they be opposed to God the Father, but they will be opposed to God the Son as well, who is described in this passage as His Anointed or His Messiah.

The word for enraged refers to a deep seated, ongoing hostility. We see the seeds of such rage in our world today. Unrepentant sinners do not like an absolute God who rules with absolute principles and standards. They do not want to be accountable to God for His rules and regulations. They want complete liberty to do as they please when they please. This will be amplified after the restraining force of the church is removed from this world.

Paul wrote about such things in his last letter to Timothy.

2 Timothy 3:1–5 NASB 95

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

Not only will the nations be enraged against God, God will finally pour out His collective wrath on them. Look at verse 18 again.

Revelation 11:18 (NASB 95)

And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came,

Note that,

God’s Wrath is not an Outburst of Temper; it is Holy Indignation Against Sin

Warren Wiersbe wrote, “There are two Greek words for anger: thumos, which means “rage, passionate anger,” and orge, used here, which means “indignation, a settled attitude of wrath.” God’s anger is not an outburst of temper; it is holy indignation against sin. Both of these Greek words are used in Revelation to describe God’s anger: orge is used only four times; thumos, seven (Rev. 14:10, 19; 15:1, 7; 16:1, 19; 19:15). God’s anger is not dispassionate, for He hates sin and loves righteousness and justice; but neither is it temperamental and unpredictable.” (Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 600–601.)

Not only will there be the outpouring of God’s wrath, there will also be judgment. Our text says, in the middle of verse 18, that the time came for the dead to be judged. There are many judgments referred to in the Bible. This passage may be referring to judgment in general and not to a specific judgment.

Not only did the time come for judgment, it also came for rewards. Look again at verse 18.

Revelation 11:18 (NASB 95)

and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great,

Our text mentions two categories of people who will receive rewards. The first group mentioned are referred to as God’s bond-servants the prophets. The term bond-servants is better translated as slaves. What did the elders mean when they referred to the prophets? MacArthur notes that “The phrase ... encompasses all who have proclaimed God’s truth throughout redemptive history, from Moses to the two witnesses (11:3–13).” (John F. MacArthur Jr., Revelation 1–11, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 319–320.)

The second group to receive rewards is referred to as the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great. Some commentators see two group here, with the first being Jewish believers, referred to here as saints. The second group are Gentile believers, who are often referred to as God-fearers in the NT. This view, then, would have three distinct groups receiving reward, the prophets, the Jewish believers, and the Gentile believers.

While this could be correct, I see it as one group called saints, which applies to both Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus Christ throughout the NT epistles. And then the statement regarding those who fear Your name, the small and the great, being descriptive of the saints. People from the upper echelons of society will be saved during the tribulation. People from the lowest echelons of society will be save in the Tribulation. And people from the in between classes will be saved during the tribulation as well.

So, this song or prayer informs us that the time has come for judgment and reward.But there is more. Look at the last phrase of verse 18.

Revelation 11:18 (NASB 95)

and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

Who are those who destroy the earth? Paige Patterson wrote, “The destroying of those who destroy the earth appears to be a reference to the beast, the false prophet of chap. 13, the scarlet woman of chap. 17, and ultimately Babylon the Great. The connection of this destruction relates to the earlier statement that the time of God’s wrath has come.” (Paige Patterson, Revelation, ed. E. Ray Clendenen, vol. 39, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B&H, 2012), 256.)

So far, we have looked at the songs of the seventh trumpet, the loud voices, and the elders. Let’s finally move on to look at

The Opening of the Heavenly Temple

The Opening of the Heavenly Temple

Note that,

The Open Temple in Heaven Speaks of God’s Saving New Covenant and Redeeming Purpose in the Midst of Judgment

Look at verse 19.

Revelation 11:19 NASB 95

And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm.

In the Jewish tabernacle, and later in the temple, the innermost part, known as the Holy of Holies, was where the Ark of the Covenant dwelt. Both at the dedication of the tabernacle in the wilderness, and at the dedication of Solomon’s temple, the Shekinah glory of God came to rest over the Ark of the Covenant. Thus, in Israel, the Ark became known as the dwelling place of God.

But only one man once a year could enter into the Holy of Holies. The High Priest did so in order to make atonement for the nation of Israel on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Under the Old Covenant, man did not have direct access to God. They had to go through a mediator, the priest. When Jesus died on the cross the veil which divided the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place was torn in two, from top to bottom. This signifies that believers in Jesus Christ now have access to God through the mediation of Jesus Christ, rather than through the Levitical priests. What is more, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and we have obtained access to God through Christ.

Thomas remarks that, “For a Jewish Christian prophet this appearance of the heavenly ark indicated that the Messianic crisis was now at hand, God’s covenant people and His dealings on their behalf being central subjects of the visions to follow.” (Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22: An Exegetical Commentary (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1995), 114.)

Along with the opening of the temple there were flashes of lightning and sound and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm. Thomas wrote, “These manifest the divine presence (cf. Ex. 19:16–19; Rev. 4:5; 16:18) (Swete, Ladd) and wrathful judgment of God.” (Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22: An Exegetical Commentary (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 1995), 114.)

This morning, we have looked at the last of the trumpet judgments, or at leas the sounding of the trumpet. This provoked a worship service in heaven in lieu of the tremendous, final tribulation judgments which will flow from this trumpet. Your homework assignment for this week is to read the first six verses of chapter twelve, and see if you can discern why this text makes for a good Christmas text.

Friends, those who are believers in Jesus Christ should find motivation to continue persevering through the trials of this life because of the rewards which await us. We may never find relief from those trial while here on earth. But we have something far better which awaits us in glory.

Those who are not believers should be motivated to repent of their sins and trust in Christ for your salvation due to the knowledge of the coming judgments on those who are outside of Christ. Paul wrote,

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 NASB 95

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Cling to this gospel message so that you can flee from the wrath to come.

Let’s pray.

Dear Father,

Thank You for the promise that awaits us who are believers in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for the rewards we will receive when that day should arrive. Thank You most of all for sending Your Son to pay the price for our sins. What extravagant love! How deep Your love is for us!

Lord, I pray for any here who are not believers, I pray that You would send conviction of sin righteousness and judgment. I pray that You would send enlightenment as to who You are, as to who Jesus is, and as to what their standing is before You. I pray that You would call and draw them to Christ. I pray that You would destroy any mental strongholds, and remove any barriers which keep them from embracing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I pray that they would be wondrously saved and transformed through Your Spirit working with Your Word.

I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

Closing Song: How Deep the Father’s Love For Us

How deep the Father's love for us, How vast beyond all measure! That He should give His only Son, To make a wretch His treasure. How great the pain of searing loss! The Father turns His face away; As wounds which marred the Chosen One Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the man upon a cross: My sin upon His shoulders; Ashamed I hear my mocking voice Call out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held Him there Until it was accomplished; His dying breath has brought me life: I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything: No gifts, no power, no wisdom; But I will boast in Jesus Christ: His death and resurrection. Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer; But this I know with all my heart: His wounds have paid my ransom.