The Seventh Trumpet: A Table of Contents for the Rest of Revelation

We live in a time when evil is rampant, corruption abounds, war and suffering dominate headlines, and truth is often drowned out by noise.

The early church felt that way too. The book of Revelation wasn’t written as a mystery novel—it was given to real believers who were facing persecution, confusion, and fear. And right here in Revelation 11:15–19, God peels back the curtain of heaven and reminds His people—and us—that He has never lost control.

The sounding of the seventh trumpet is not a moment of uncertainty—it’s a moment of declaration: “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

In a world filled with chaos, this passage anchors our hearts in the unshakable truth of God's eternal reign. And it gives us three strong reminders that we need to hold onto today...

A Reminder of God’s Eternal Reign (vv. 15-17)

Revelation 11:15–17 NKJV

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your great power and reigned.

God’s eternal reign has never been in doubt. As we have already learned He owns it all and He created it all. Even though His creation has been marred by sin, He has never wavered, His sovereignty has never ceased, and His glory has never been diminished.

The passage before us today reminds us of the CERTAINTY of God’s eternal reign. The loud voices recorded by John in verse 15 leave no doubt as to WHO reigns and HOW LONG He will reign!

These verses also demonstrates the INAGURATION of His reign.

A. T. Robertson said: This is the certain and glorious outcome of the age-long struggle against Satan, who wields the kingdom of the world which he offered to Christ on the mountain for one act of worship. But Jesus scorned partnership with Satan in the rule of the world, and chose war, war up to the hilt and to the end. Now the climax has come with Christ as Conqueror of the kingdom of this world for his Father.

The world has never been out of God’s control, but due to sin, and Adam and Eve’s rebellion, God allowed, as a consequence of sin, for Satan to become the “god” (little g) of this world. Not it’s time for God to strip Satan of what is rightfully His and place it back under His complete and unending dominion and reign.

Finally, we see the PERMANENCE of God’s reign. “And He shall reign forever and ever!”

Don’t you love that part of the Hallelujah chorus...”And He shall reign forever and ever.”

When we consider God’s eternal reign we:

Can Have Assurance that No Matter What Happens Everything Will be OK

We can rest in assurance. If Jesus is on the throne—and He is—then we don’t have to live in fear, panic, or despair. Our peace doesn’t come from the polls or the economy; it comes from the King who reigns forever. Regardless of circumstances or things that may seem out of our control, Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords!

Should be Motivated to Share God’s Truth to a Broken World

One day EVERYONE will answer to this King. For those of us who know Him, we are privileged to serve as His ambassadors to a world who desperately needs to know Him. We serve under His authority and He has already given us His marching orders. We have no reason to wait any longer...souls hang in the balance. Every person you meet will one day stand before this King—either to receive His eternal reward or to face His righteous judgment. We’ve been called to share the gospel, not just because it’s good news, but because it’s urgent news.

Should Live With Eternity in View

He will reign forever and ever! Our little kingdoms last 70-90 years, but His kingdom will last for eternity! Why would we want to be guilty of living for fools gold, when we can live for that which will last forever!

For those who reject Christ there will be...

A Rude Awakening (vv. 18a)

Notice again Revelation 11:18

Revelation 11:18 NKJV

The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”

When John mentions the fact that the nations are angry, it is a reference to the BELLIGERENT attitude they have toward God. The Greek word that John uses here references DEFIANT RAGE AND HOSTILITY.

After living on God’s earth, eating God’s food, drinking God’s water, experiencing God’s longsuffering and mercy, the way that much of humanity repays Him is with a belligerent attitude.

John mentions there is a judgment coming for the “dead” and they will experience God’s wrath. This references God’s righteous anger toward sin. It’s not an anger that is to come, but is is an anger that is seething right now. However, it will one day be unleashed on those who have rejected the REMEDY for their sin! There are SEVEN BOWL judgments that we will look at later in Revelation, but I believe the ultimate fulfillment is found in what we will explore in Revelation 20:12–15

“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

In contrast to the judgment that is to come, there is also a promise of...

An Eternal Reward for Believers (vv. 18b)

Notice again Revelation 11:18

Revelation 11:18 NKJV

The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, And that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, And those who fear Your name, small and great, And should destroy those who destroy the earth.”

We are told that God is going to reward His servants: the prophets and saints.

We have a pretty good idea about who the prophets are. We think of both Old and New Testament fore-tellers and forth-tellers of God’s truth.

But what about the saints? Who are the saints? A saint is someone who has been set apart by God as a result of their faith in Christ.

He also mentions those that “fear God’s name.” This is in direct contrast to the belligerent, angry unbelievers. Those that fear His name are those who have a deep respect, awe, and resulting obedience toward God. Someone said, “It characterizes those who are faithful to Him and live in accordance with His will.”

Notice he references that they will be both “small and great.” This references ALL classes of society. It matters not if they were rich or poor, Jew or Gentile, what matters is what they have done with Jesus!

That’s what will matter when YOU and I stand before the Lord one day! It’s not going to matter how much money we have in our 401K. It’s not going to matter if we lived in the trailer park or the gated community. It’s not going to matter if we drove a Honda or a Beamer. It’s not going to matter if we ate frozen dinners or lobster. It’s not going to matter whether we were Baptist, Methodist, or Presbyterian.

THE ONLY THING THAT IS GOING TO MATTER ON THAT DAY IS WHETHER OR NOT WE TRUSTED IN JESUS FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF OUR SIN!

As we close today verse 19 gives us...

Another Reminder of God’s Eternal Reign (v. 19)

Revelation 11:19 NKJV

Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

At the beginning of this chapter John was told to measure a temple in Jerusalem. Now John’s attention is drawn to another temple...this one in Heaven.

Not only that John is able to see something that very few people in earth’s history was ever able to see...The Ark of the Covenant.

Once the temple was constructed the Ark of the Covenant was placed within the Holy of Holies BEHIND THE VEIL. Do you remember what happened when Jesus died on the cross?

Matthew 27:50–51 NKJV

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,

The writer of Hebrews reveals the significance of this event:

Hebrews 10:19–20 NKJV

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,

Also notice the scene...there is lightning, thunder, earthquake, hail...what is John seeing. I submit to you that maybe John is seeing the same thing the OT Israelites saw on Mt. Sinai:

Exodus 19:16–18 NKJV

Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.

It is a reminder of the power and the glory of Almighty God. A reminder that He is still on the throne, a reminder that He is all powerful, a reminder of His holiness, a reminder that He is God alone!

Someone said this is:

a powerful, multi-sensory declaration of God’s active, imminent, and sovereign intervention in the worlds affairs. They serve both as a terrifying warning of impending wrath for the wicked and a reassuring confirmation of God’s faithfulness and ultimate victory for His people.

Conclusion

Salvation

And if you're here today and you’ve never trusted Christ… I want to be clear: There is still time—but there may not always be. His mercy is available now, but His judgment is coming. Your name must be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

One day every knee will bow. The question is: Will you bow now in surrender, or later in judgment?

Church, let’s leave today confident in the reign of our King, bold in our witness, and focused on what really matters: the eternal kingdom of God.

Baptism

Church Membership