Revelation Part 51

In Revelation 11:16-18, we read a hymn of praise and worship:  

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.

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.  

The praise of the twenty-four elders highlights three important attributes of God. First, He is Almighty. God is supremely powerful and sovereign, and He possesses the ability to bring everything He has promised to fruition. Nothing can prevent His plan.

Second, He is described as the One who is and who was and who is to come. God is eternal. His existence does not depend upon the rise and fall of human governments. His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, came to earth, accomplished His sacrifice, was resurrected, and will return to establish God's Kingdom.  

Third, the elders praise God because He has taken His great power and reigned. This is a proclamation of the rightful King, and He is coming to dethrone the usurper. Their words are an expression of thanksgiving. God has finally exercised His authority openly over the rebellious kingdoms of this world. Satan will be judged.  

There is no human solution that can ultimately solve the world's deepest problems. Human beings will continue to attempt to solve political, economic, social, religious, and military problems through human systems, but the seventh trumpet points toward the ultimate solution. This is the final stage before the final establishment of God's Kingdom.

Revelation 11:18 continues,

"The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come."

The nations are angry because their source of power and authority is being disrupted. Their hostility toward God is not superficial. It is deeply rooted in the fabric of their societies.

Throughout history, we have seen what human beings can do to one another when they obtain and abuse power. This occurs on multiple levels. On a physical level, people can live in luxury while others remain impoverished. On a spiritual level, people can suppress the truth to keep others in bondage to false ideas and false religion. On an economic level, systems can create dependencies that make people increasingly reliant upon those in authority.

The rebellion becomes so severe that the nations will assemble their armies to fight against God. They will choose rebellion rather than submission. Their hostility is driven by the one who has given them their power. The bowls of God's wrath will then be poured out upon them to subdue their rebellion and demonstrate God's power and judgment.

Notice that Revelation often speaks of future events as though they have already happened. One reason is that these events are certain. God can speak of them in the past tense because there is no possibility that His purpose will fail. Another is that many of these patterns have been evident throughout human history.

Revelation 11:18 continues,

"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."

Finally, there will be a final reconciliation and those who have obeyed God and been faithful will be rewarded, and there will be judgment reserved for those who did not respond.  

The word "judged" indicates a period of judgment. The bowls of God's wrath still must occur, and the full judgment of the rebellious world will unfold in the events that follow. God is a God of judgment, and there will be a resurrection in which works are considered. Jesus explained this principle in John 5:24-30, describing different outcomes for those who have responded to God and those who have rejected Him.

There is also a wonderful promise of reward. God's servants, the prophets, the saints, and those who fear His name, both small and great, will receive what God has promised them. The reward is ultimately inheritance in God's Kingdom as His children. 1 John 3:1-3 points to the transformative hope of becoming like Christ. Matthew 25:34 describes the faithful receiving an inheritance in the Kingdom.

Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that we must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 speaks of the crown of righteousness awaiting those who have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. James 1:12 speaks of the crown of life promised to those who endure temptation and remain faithful. 1 Peter 5:2-4 speaks of the crown of glory that will be given to faithful shepherds.

These rewards are for the faithful who are willing to persevere, remain servants of God, fear and honor His name, and keep His commandments. This is part of what identifies God's saints. They do not merely acknowledge God intellectually. They respond to Him with faithful obedience and endurance.

UYA Team | uya@ucg.org  

United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.