Wrath of the Lamb: Kingdoms Collide
There are three big ideas in ch 11- A New Temple, Two Witnesses, and A Glimpse into Heaven.
Three Big Ideas of Chapter 11
• A New Temple
• Two Witnesses
• A Glimpse into Heaven
Let’s look at...
1. A New Temple
Revelation 11:1-2
“Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.”
Now recall, we are in the tribulation period. In the first half of the tribulation, the Jews are given the ability to rebuild the temple and to reinstitute the sacrificial system. Most likely this is from the peace treaty that the Antichrist establishes with Israel.
JOHN WALVOORD SAYS: “The temple here will be constructed so that orthodox Jews can offer sacrifices according to the Mosaic Law in the period in the first half of the seven-year period known as Daniel’s 70th week. At the beginning of the 42-month Great Tribulation, however, the sacrifices will stop, and the temple will be desecrated and become a shrine for the world ruler of the Great Tribulation who will put an idol in it and proclaim himself to be God (cf. Dan. 9:27; 12:11; 2 Thes. 2:4; Rev. 13:14–15).”
Notice Daniel 9:27.
Daniel 9:27
“And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”
As Walvoord says, “...however, the sacrifices will stop, and the temple will be desecrated and become a shrine for the world ruler of the Great Tribulation (the Antichrist) who will put an idol in it and proclaim himself to be God.”
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 affirms this.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so- called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.”
So, the Antichrist will take his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
WIERSBE SAYS: “Antichrist had broken his agreement with Israel (Dan. 9:27) and now he was about to use the temple for his own diabolical purposes (2 Thes. 2:3–4). All of this will be elaborated in Revelation 13. “Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles,” said Jesus, “until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21:24). The “times of the Gentiles” began in 606 b.c. when Babylon began to devastate Judah and Jerusalem, and it will continue until Jesus Christ returns to deliver the Holy City and redeem Israel (Zech. 14).”
But notice what we began with in Revelation 11:1.
Revelation 11:1
“Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there,”
JOHN WALVOORD STATES: “John was given a reed, a lightweight rod, to be used as a measuring instrument. John was instructed to measure the temple and the altar but not the outer court, meaning he was to measure the holy place and the holy of holies.”
Now, why should John measure the temple?
Measurement is usually taken of one’s possessions, and the temple belonged to God.
When you put a house on the market and offer an open house, it would be strange for a potential buyer to come in with their architect and start taking measurements. You don’t begin to measure unless you are the owner, or you have made a commitment to buy. Once the house is under contract and there is earnest money involved, then the owner may send in their architect to make measurements and prepare to move walls, makes plans for a new kitchen, and prepare it for the new owner.
The fact that John is instructed to measure it is because God owns it all.
The Antichrist will take possession of it, exalt himself and seek worship, but what you and I need to know is that God has not given up ownership anything.
• As this happens, what will be happening to the holy city, Jerusalem? Notice Revelation 11:2 once more.
Revelation 11:2
“...but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.”
But this reference to Gentiles in verse 2 indicates that there is going to be a shift in the city. No longer will the Beast protect the Jews...and no longer will the Jews be in control of the city. They will be overrun by the Gentiles...or the nations and there is going to be great suffering as a result.
Now, notice once again a reference to 42 months. This is 3.5 years... the second half of the tribulation.
I CONCUR WITH JOHN WALVOORD WHEN HE SAYS: "The tendency of some is to spiritualize the 42-month length of the Great Tribulation, but this should be taken as a literal period, as confirmed by the 1,260 days of 11:3 which are 42 months of 30 days each. From this it is also clear that “the times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24) will not end until the second coming of Christ to the earth to set up His kingdom. Though Jews may possess Jerusalem temporarily, as they have in this century, they will lose possession in the Great Tribulation."
And it is in this environment that God will send two special prophets into the city of Jerusalem.
Let’s once again look at our 3 Big Ideas from this chapter...
Three Big Ideas of Chapter 11
• A New Temple
• Two Witnesses
• A Glimpse into Heaven
Let’s look at these Two Witnesses who appear on the scene. II. Two witnesses... (vs. 3-13)
Revelation 11:3-13
“And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.”
Let’s answer two questions here:
A.) Who are these witnesses?
If you do some digging on this, you will find a ton of theories and lists of names:
● Moses and Elijah/ Elijah and John the Baptist / Elisha and Enoch / Zerubabel and Joshua
● Paul and Peter/ Stephen and James / Calvin and Luther / Tyndale and Huss
● The list goes on, does anyone really know who these guys are?!
But John tells us that the two witnesses would be:
• empowered by God to serve as prophets for 1,260 days or 42 months.
• They would be clothed in sackcloth
• and would be called two olive trees and two lampstands.
WALVOORD SAYS: “Numerous and varied interpretations have been given concerning the two witnesses. Some have suggested that they are not literal individuals. However, in view of the fact that they die and are resurrected, the implication is that they are actual people.”
They are described as olive trees and lampstands. This has an Old Testament background (Zech. 4:2–14). The two witnesses in the Zechariah passage were Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor. They were used by God after the Babylonian Captivity to help rebuild the Temple.
DR. WALVOORD TELLS US: “Their connection to the lampstands was that they were empowered by the Holy Spirit, symbolized by the olive oil. In a similar way the two witnesses of Revelation 11 will be empowered by the Holy Spirit.”
Here is what is really cool about these guys. Like Moses and Elijah, they will be able to control the weather and bring plagues of judgment. They will breathe out fire on those who try to kill them.
Walvoord says, “In the midst of the unbelief, apostasy, and satanic power of the Great Tribulation these two witnesses will be a threat to the entire wicked world for a literal period of 1,260 days.”
So, what is their task?
B.) What is their task?
● just as importantly as who they are, is what they are called to do!
● 1. To Walk in power and authority.
■ They are sent by Christ in his authority. (Vs. 3)
■ They have the ability to do miracles. (Vs 5,6)
● 2. To witness.
■ Three words used to describe their job-
■ Witness- gk = martus, where we get our word martyr
■ Prophesy- gk= doesn’t necessarily mean foretelling, but forthtelling, in other word communicating God’s message. Think the law and the prophets, the word of God.
■ Testify- gk= the connotation here is to give evidence through reputation
■ This sounds a lot like the great commission!
■ This is our calling! Let’s keep our focus on the task at hand!
● They will do this for 3.5 years and they will be hated by those who dwell on the earth — those who love this life and are not on God’s side.
● Here’s what’s going to happen...
Revelation 11:7-11
“And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.”
Notice it says, “And when they have finished their testimony...”
This story...the Apocalypse that we are studying, is very much controlled by God. All things must run through his hands...and as we see from Revelation, Daniel, the other prophets, and 2 Thessalonians, all of this is a part of God’s plan. So, fret not...He is totally and completely in control.
For 3.5 days, it appears that these two witnesses are defeated. But then, there is a resurrection.
Now, a couple of things that I want to note here:
1. Note that God always has a plan to declare the truth of His love, his rule, and his reign on the earth. These guys are powerful prophets of God who speak for God and people pay attention — you either love them or you hate them.
2. Note that the entire world can view these events...people from all over the world. These aren’t just people living in an international city, but it appears that people all over can view these events. A hundred years ago, this wasn’t even fathomable. But John wrote the words of this prophecy nearly 2,000 years ago. Now, we just turn on the TV and we are transported to another part of the world.
3. Note also the celebration at the death of these two witnesses.
Revelation 11:10
and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth.
This is what one writer describes as a “SATANIC CHRISTMAS!” People will literally send one another gifts at the deaths of these prophets who torment them.
Now, this isn’t hard to fathom. We put so much stock into our Presidential election that people will either grieve or celebrate when their candidate wins. And the more polarizing it is, the more intense their love or hate.
Well, the hatred is like nothing we have ever seen in our day and time. This hatred is global. These men are hated, despised, and loathed.
And when they are finished, they are killed. There is a party...and then something happens!
Resurrection...
Fear...and more Judgment.
Revelation 11:12-14
“Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is soon to come.”
Things are intense and they are intensifying, aren’t they? Let’s see this third Big Idea of Revelation 11.
Three Big Ideas of Chapter 11
• A New Temple
• Two Witnesses
• A Glimpse into Heaven
III. A Glimpse into Heaven – v. 15-19
Revelation 11:15-19
“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, 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 shall 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 thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.” Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.”
Look at how the Kingdoms Collide!
vs 15 is a powerful verse! One of the most important in the whole book. It’s taken right out of Handel’s Messiah!
Handle’s Messiah’s Hallelujah Chorus resounds as the heavenly choir announces the collision of these kingdoms.
The Kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ!
And...He shall Reign forever and ever!
The good news is this: the news is getting good. At this halfway point of the tribulation, we get a glimpse into heaven and we hear 7th trumpet blow and it signals the finality of all that has been promised is on its way. The final judgments are coming and the result is two-fold: 1. Jesus will take possession of his inheritance.
2. He will reign forever and ever!
Psalm 2 speaks to this promise that Jesus will take possession of his inheritance.
Psalm 2:1-12
“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”
Psalm 2 captures so much of what is happening in the book of Revelation. Jesus is going to set up his rule and reign.
• Judgment will be poured out on all those who oppose him.
• And the peace treaty is offered now with the invitation to “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry with you and you perish in the way – take refuge in him.”
Have you taken the Son?
Isaiah 9:6-7 promises his ever increasing and everlasting rule over our lives.
Isaiah 9:6-7
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
This is what is happening. This is what is coming. And with the blowing of the 7th trumpet, this is what is on the way.
As we step into Chapter 12, we are going to see more of the cosmic battle. The Great Red Dragon will pursue the Woman, trying to destroy her offspring, the one who will rule the nations. You will see the Antichrist emerge...the second beast, a prophet of a one world religion pointing to the Antichrist. You will see the requirement of the Mark of the Beast, and it’s so easy to get caught up into fear when you read these things.
But let’s keep this in mind.
If you are a follower of Jesus, you are spared these judgments. And if you are a follower of Jesus now, I believe you will be raptured ahead of all of these things.
This blog is based on the message shared by Senior Pastor Dr. Roger Patterson on Sunday September 22, 2024. Check out the full message below!
Three Big Ideas of Chapter 11
• A New Temple
• Two Witnesses
• A Glimpse into Heaven
Let’s look at...
1. A New Temple
Revelation 11:1-2
“Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.”
Now recall, we are in the tribulation period. In the first half of the tribulation, the Jews are given the ability to rebuild the temple and to reinstitute the sacrificial system. Most likely this is from the peace treaty that the Antichrist establishes with Israel.
JOHN WALVOORD SAYS: “The temple here will be constructed so that orthodox Jews can offer sacrifices according to the Mosaic Law in the period in the first half of the seven-year period known as Daniel’s 70th week. At the beginning of the 42-month Great Tribulation, however, the sacrifices will stop, and the temple will be desecrated and become a shrine for the world ruler of the Great Tribulation who will put an idol in it and proclaim himself to be God (cf. Dan. 9:27; 12:11; 2 Thes. 2:4; Rev. 13:14–15).”
Notice Daniel 9:27.
Daniel 9:27
“And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”
As Walvoord says, “...however, the sacrifices will stop, and the temple will be desecrated and become a shrine for the world ruler of the Great Tribulation (the Antichrist) who will put an idol in it and proclaim himself to be God.”
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 affirms this.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so- called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.”
So, the Antichrist will take his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
WIERSBE SAYS: “Antichrist had broken his agreement with Israel (Dan. 9:27) and now he was about to use the temple for his own diabolical purposes (2 Thes. 2:3–4). All of this will be elaborated in Revelation 13. “Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles,” said Jesus, “until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21:24). The “times of the Gentiles” began in 606 b.c. when Babylon began to devastate Judah and Jerusalem, and it will continue until Jesus Christ returns to deliver the Holy City and redeem Israel (Zech. 14).”
But notice what we began with in Revelation 11:1.
Revelation 11:1
“Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there,”
JOHN WALVOORD STATES: “John was given a reed, a lightweight rod, to be used as a measuring instrument. John was instructed to measure the temple and the altar but not the outer court, meaning he was to measure the holy place and the holy of holies.”
Now, why should John measure the temple?
Measurement is usually taken of one’s possessions, and the temple belonged to God.
When you put a house on the market and offer an open house, it would be strange for a potential buyer to come in with their architect and start taking measurements. You don’t begin to measure unless you are the owner, or you have made a commitment to buy. Once the house is under contract and there is earnest money involved, then the owner may send in their architect to make measurements and prepare to move walls, makes plans for a new kitchen, and prepare it for the new owner.
The fact that John is instructed to measure it is because God owns it all.
The Antichrist will take possession of it, exalt himself and seek worship, but what you and I need to know is that God has not given up ownership anything.
• As this happens, what will be happening to the holy city, Jerusalem? Notice Revelation 11:2 once more.
Revelation 11:2
“...but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.”
But this reference to Gentiles in verse 2 indicates that there is going to be a shift in the city. No longer will the Beast protect the Jews...and no longer will the Jews be in control of the city. They will be overrun by the Gentiles...or the nations and there is going to be great suffering as a result.
Now, notice once again a reference to 42 months. This is 3.5 years... the second half of the tribulation.
I CONCUR WITH JOHN WALVOORD WHEN HE SAYS: "The tendency of some is to spiritualize the 42-month length of the Great Tribulation, but this should be taken as a literal period, as confirmed by the 1,260 days of 11:3 which are 42 months of 30 days each. From this it is also clear that “the times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24) will not end until the second coming of Christ to the earth to set up His kingdom. Though Jews may possess Jerusalem temporarily, as they have in this century, they will lose possession in the Great Tribulation."
And it is in this environment that God will send two special prophets into the city of Jerusalem.
Let’s once again look at our 3 Big Ideas from this chapter...
Three Big Ideas of Chapter 11
• A New Temple
• Two Witnesses
• A Glimpse into Heaven
Let’s look at these Two Witnesses who appear on the scene. II. Two witnesses... (vs. 3-13)
Revelation 11:3-13
“And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.”
Let’s answer two questions here:
A.) Who are these witnesses?
If you do some digging on this, you will find a ton of theories and lists of names:
● Moses and Elijah/ Elijah and John the Baptist / Elisha and Enoch / Zerubabel and Joshua
● Paul and Peter/ Stephen and James / Calvin and Luther / Tyndale and Huss
● The list goes on, does anyone really know who these guys are?!
But John tells us that the two witnesses would be:
• empowered by God to serve as prophets for 1,260 days or 42 months.
• They would be clothed in sackcloth
• and would be called two olive trees and two lampstands.
WALVOORD SAYS: “Numerous and varied interpretations have been given concerning the two witnesses. Some have suggested that they are not literal individuals. However, in view of the fact that they die and are resurrected, the implication is that they are actual people.”
They are described as olive trees and lampstands. This has an Old Testament background (Zech. 4:2–14). The two witnesses in the Zechariah passage were Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor. They were used by God after the Babylonian Captivity to help rebuild the Temple.
DR. WALVOORD TELLS US: “Their connection to the lampstands was that they were empowered by the Holy Spirit, symbolized by the olive oil. In a similar way the two witnesses of Revelation 11 will be empowered by the Holy Spirit.”
Here is what is really cool about these guys. Like Moses and Elijah, they will be able to control the weather and bring plagues of judgment. They will breathe out fire on those who try to kill them.
Walvoord says, “In the midst of the unbelief, apostasy, and satanic power of the Great Tribulation these two witnesses will be a threat to the entire wicked world for a literal period of 1,260 days.”
So, what is their task?
B.) What is their task?
● just as importantly as who they are, is what they are called to do!
● 1. To Walk in power and authority.
■ They are sent by Christ in his authority. (Vs. 3)
■ They have the ability to do miracles. (Vs 5,6)
● 2. To witness.
■ Three words used to describe their job-
■ Witness- gk = martus, where we get our word martyr
■ Prophesy- gk= doesn’t necessarily mean foretelling, but forthtelling, in other word communicating God’s message. Think the law and the prophets, the word of God.
■ Testify- gk= the connotation here is to give evidence through reputation
■ This sounds a lot like the great commission!
■ This is our calling! Let’s keep our focus on the task at hand!
● They will do this for 3.5 years and they will be hated by those who dwell on the earth — those who love this life and are not on God’s side.
● Here’s what’s going to happen...
Revelation 11:7-11
“And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days some from the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb, and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.”
Notice it says, “And when they have finished their testimony...”
This story...the Apocalypse that we are studying, is very much controlled by God. All things must run through his hands...and as we see from Revelation, Daniel, the other prophets, and 2 Thessalonians, all of this is a part of God’s plan. So, fret not...He is totally and completely in control.
For 3.5 days, it appears that these two witnesses are defeated. But then, there is a resurrection.
Now, a couple of things that I want to note here:
1. Note that God always has a plan to declare the truth of His love, his rule, and his reign on the earth. These guys are powerful prophets of God who speak for God and people pay attention — you either love them or you hate them.
2. Note that the entire world can view these events...people from all over the world. These aren’t just people living in an international city, but it appears that people all over can view these events. A hundred years ago, this wasn’t even fathomable. But John wrote the words of this prophecy nearly 2,000 years ago. Now, we just turn on the TV and we are transported to another part of the world.
3. Note also the celebration at the death of these two witnesses.
Revelation 11:10
and those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth.
This is what one writer describes as a “SATANIC CHRISTMAS!” People will literally send one another gifts at the deaths of these prophets who torment them.
Now, this isn’t hard to fathom. We put so much stock into our Presidential election that people will either grieve or celebrate when their candidate wins. And the more polarizing it is, the more intense their love or hate.
Well, the hatred is like nothing we have ever seen in our day and time. This hatred is global. These men are hated, despised, and loathed.
And when they are finished, they are killed. There is a party...and then something happens!
Resurrection...
Fear...and more Judgment.
Revelation 11:12-14
“Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here!” And they went up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies watched them. And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is soon to come.”
Things are intense and they are intensifying, aren’t they? Let’s see this third Big Idea of Revelation 11.
Three Big Ideas of Chapter 11
• A New Temple
• Two Witnesses
• A Glimpse into Heaven
III. A Glimpse into Heaven – v. 15-19
Revelation 11:15-19
“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, 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 shall 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 thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.” Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.”
Look at how the Kingdoms Collide!
vs 15 is a powerful verse! One of the most important in the whole book. It’s taken right out of Handel’s Messiah!
Handle’s Messiah’s Hallelujah Chorus resounds as the heavenly choir announces the collision of these kingdoms.
The Kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ!
And...He shall Reign forever and ever!
The good news is this: the news is getting good. At this halfway point of the tribulation, we get a glimpse into heaven and we hear 7th trumpet blow and it signals the finality of all that has been promised is on its way. The final judgments are coming and the result is two-fold: 1. Jesus will take possession of his inheritance.
2. He will reign forever and ever!
Psalm 2 speaks to this promise that Jesus will take possession of his inheritance.
Psalm 2:1-12
“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”
Psalm 2 captures so much of what is happening in the book of Revelation. Jesus is going to set up his rule and reign.
• Judgment will be poured out on all those who oppose him.
• And the peace treaty is offered now with the invitation to “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry with you and you perish in the way – take refuge in him.”
Have you taken the Son?
Isaiah 9:6-7 promises his ever increasing and everlasting rule over our lives.
Isaiah 9:6-7
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
This is what is happening. This is what is coming. And with the blowing of the 7th trumpet, this is what is on the way.
As we step into Chapter 12, we are going to see more of the cosmic battle. The Great Red Dragon will pursue the Woman, trying to destroy her offspring, the one who will rule the nations. You will see the Antichrist emerge...the second beast, a prophet of a one world religion pointing to the Antichrist. You will see the requirement of the Mark of the Beast, and it’s so easy to get caught up into fear when you read these things.
But let’s keep this in mind.
If you are a follower of Jesus, you are spared these judgments. And if you are a follower of Jesus now, I believe you will be raptured ahead of all of these things.
This blog is based on the message shared by Senior Pastor Dr. Roger Patterson on Sunday September 22, 2024. Check out the full message below!
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Posted in Dr. Roger Patterson, CityRise Church, houston, wrath of the lamb, Revelation
Posted in Dr. Roger Patterson, CityRise Church, houston, wrath of the lamb, Revelation
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