The 7th Trumpet: (11:15-19)
The introduction of the 7thtrumpet is dramatic. As the trumpet sounded, voices were heard in heaven: The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever. The fact that this will be fulfilled at the Second Coming makes it clear that the period of the 7thtrumpet chronologically reaches to Christ’s return. Therefore the 7thtrumpet introduces and includes the seven bowl judgments of the wrath of God revealed in (16:1-21), the final harvest of judgement on earth (11:18; 16:19), the defeat of the kings of the earth (17:12-18), culminating in the final triumph of Christ at Armageddon (19:11-21). The judgements of the 7th trumpet will start from (chap.15) onwards. Chapters 4-11 focussed on Christ’s taking back what is rightfully His by means of the seal and trumpet judgements. Chapters 12-14 focus on the ultimate human usurper, the final Antichrist, whose career spans the same time period as the seal and trumpet judgements.
The declaration of victory: (11:15)
These “great voices” probably the choirs of heaven has made a great announcement: “that the kingdom (John uses the singular because the beast now has the world under his control) of this world belongs to Jesus Christ.” Of course, Christ does not claim His royal rights until He returns; but the victory has already been won. Satan offered Him the world’s kingdoms, but He refused the offer (Matt. 4:8-9). Instead, He died on the cross, arose, and returned victoriously to heaven; and there the Father gave Him His inheritance (Ps.2:4-9).
However, we must not incorrectly assume that our Lord is not reigning today, because Jesus Christ is “King of righteousness” and “King of peace” (Heb 7:1-2). He is enthroned with the Father (Rev. 3:21), and He will reign until He defeats all His foes (1 Cor. 15:25). No matter how difficult the circumstances might be, or how defeated God’s people may think they are, Jesus Christ is still King of kings and Lord of lords, and He is in control. One day, we shall triumph!
The acclamation of praise (11:16-17):
The elders prostrated before God’s throne. They gave thanks for three special blessings: that Christ reigns supremely (Rev. 11:17), that He judges righteously (Rev. 11:18), and that He rewards graciously (Rev. 11:18).
The elders worshiped the Redeemer (Rev. 5:9-14). Here the emphasis is on the Conqueror and the King. We must keep in mind that in John’s day the church on earth looked as though it were defeated while Rome was ruling. John was reminding the saints that they were “a kingdom of priests” reigning with the Saviour (Rev. 1:5-6). Jesus Christ has both power and authority. All authority and power belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt 28:18). Christ not only reigns supremely, but He judges righteously (Rev. 11:18). The Lamb is also the Lion!
“The nations were angry”(11:18a). Why do the nations have to be angry about? Certainly the Lord has been good and gracious to them. He has provided their needs (Acts 14:15-17; 17:24-31), assigned their territories, and graciously postponed His judgment to give men opportunity to be saved. Even more, He sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world. Today, God offers forgiveness to the nations! What more could He do for them?
The nations are angry because they want to have their own way. They want to worship and serve the creatures instead of the Creator (Rom.1:25). They rejoice at the death of the two witnesses. But now they are angry because their arrogance and joy did not last very long. This belligerent attitude finally will cause the nations to unite to fight against God at the great battle of Armageddon.
Man’s wrath can never equal the wrath of the Lamb (Rev. 6:16-17). Even Satan’s wrath, as cruel as it is, is no match for God’s wrath (Rev. 12:17). There was intense suffering in the first half of the Tribulation, but only the second-half will reveal the wrath of God (Rev. 11:18; 14:10; 16:19; 19:15).
God’s anger is not an outburst of temper; it is holy indignation against sin.
God’s anger is not dispassionate, for He hates sin and loves righteousness and justice.
The plan for judgement and reward: (11:18)
The sounding of the 7th trumpet marks the fulfilment of the great judgement event that the prophets foresaw and saints of all ages have longed for (Ps. 3:7; 44:26). It will be the time when God pours out His wrath on His enemies. Not only will the 7th trumpet signal the outpouring of God’s wrath on earth, it will also indicate that “the time has come for the dead to be judged” at the “great white throne judgement”(20:11-15) for all unbelievers.
The time of judgement time will also be the time for God to reward His bond-servants, the prophets and saints and those who fear His name, the small and great. Jesus said: “Behold I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to render to everyman according to what he has done.” (22:12). The believers get the reward of: inheritance of the Kingdom of God (matt. 25:34-40), eternal life (21:7), crown of righteousness ( (2 Tim. 4:8) and the crown of life (2:10; Jam. 1:12) and crown of glory (1 Pet. 5:4).
A promise of fellowship: (11:19):
God promises the believers of unbroken fellowship with God forever. It is symbolized by the imagery of the opening of “the temple of God which is in heaven.” The ark symbolizes that the covenant God has promised for men is now available in its fullness. In the midst of fury of His judgement on unbelievers, God throws open the Holy of Holies and draws believers into His presence. That was unthinkable in the Old Testament temple, when only the High priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year (Heb. 9:7).
Inside the ark was “a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded and the tables of the covenant”(Heb.9:4). All that symbolized was that God provided them the law, entered into an eternal saving covenant with His people.
Along with the ark in the heavenly temple, there were “flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake and a great hailstorm.”This vision of the ark would greatly encourage God’s suffering people to whom John sent this book. “God will fulfil His promises!” John was saying to them. “He will reveal His glory! We need to trust Him”‘
In a sense Heaven is the source of vengeance on unbelievers, as well as covenant blessings for the redeemed.
The message of the 7th trumpet is that Jesus Christ is the sovereign King. He will one day take the rule of the earth away from Satan and human rulers. When He returns, He will bring covenant blessings to the redeemed, but eternal judgement to those who reject Him.