Kingdom Come

Revelation 11:15-18 “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever 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 saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great — and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”
 
BEFORE the third woe there is a great announcement from Heaven. Although the final judgment is still to come, the angels of Heaven announce a sure thing. The sin-broken world where evil strives to destroy all things of God will be transformed to become the holy Kingdom of our Lord. This prophetic word is accompanied by great worship among the 24 elders who represent the entire church. They praise God and give thanks that at last he will defeat sin and reward the prophets, the church and all who hold the name of God sacred in their hearts. God’s final judgment and final reward will come.
   What happens in our world when God’s truth is spoken? The unbelievers rage against it, don’t they? Today we hear the Bible is called “hate speech” because people do not want to hear their fleshly desires are sin. Sin hates righteousness. Evil will strive angrily against holiness. And often it seems evil is winning the war.  
   But Jesus’ message to John so long ago and to us today is that the Holy Trinity will prevail. The next eight chapters will describe the nations’ anger against God. These are illustrations of how Satan’s forces have plotted and raged against God’s people since Eden. But the Lord will prevail because he is Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because (he has) taken (his) great power and has begun to reign.
    Yes, as we watch the nations rage against Jesus and his church today, we can lose hope. Impatience and small faith can mark our hearts if we forget the remarkable ways God has prevailed against evil throughout the centuries. The very fact his church exists and is growing daily is evidence that the kingdom of this world has become the Kingdom of our Lord. As nations rage against Jesus, there are countless testimonies around the world of the miraculous ways God has called people into his Kingdom. Out of strife has come victory. Souls are reborn into Jesus’ salvation, and the church multiplies. Sin cannot stop God’s purpose to create a new Heaven and earth.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father for the testimony of Scripture and of the church through the ages to help us know your Kingdom will fully come and your will is being done on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen.