15 Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices called out 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.”

16 And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God,

17 saying: “We give thanks to You, O 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 enraged, and Your wrath has come. The time has come to judge the dead and to reward Your servants the prophets, as well as the saints and those who fear Your name, both small and great—and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

— Revelation 11:15-18

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

16 For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.

— Colossians 1:15-16

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, salvation and joy from Jesus Christ to you.

As Revelation 11 closes, the climactic 7th trumpet resounds. John’s vision shifts to heaven’s magnificent worship even though final judgments will soon follow. The 7th trumpet signals that the eternal reign of the Lord over all creation and the end of rebellion against Him draws closer. The reign of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, over the new heaven and new earth is certain. John proclaimed that this world’s kingdom becomes the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, who will reign forever and ever. Future events appear to be taking place at that moment. Conflicts between nations will cease when the world is no longer under the power of evil.

In this glorious eternal state, war and injustice will end. Creation will be renewed and respected, without being worshipped or destructively exploited. This is the future that awaits all who trust God. Hallelujah! At the great proclamation of Christ’s kingdom to come, the 24 elders around God’s throne fall face down in worship. They give thanks to the Lord Almighty—the One who is and who was. They no longer await the One who is to come because He has come. Christ’s return is near! So the 24 elders rejoice that the time has come for God to judge the dead, reward His people and destroy those whose rebellion had destroyed the earth. Judgment looms as Christ’s glorious eternal reign approaches.