The Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 11:15-19)

Pastor Bob and Janet
Jan 28, 2018
3 min read

"Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." This familiar line of the Lord's Prayer is well known by many. Clearly, God's will is not being done on earth today. Evil seems to be winning the battle for mankind's souls. However, there will be a day when earth will be like it has been in heaven since eternity. God's kingdom will be on earth, and he will rule and reign. This time frame of 1,000 years is at the end of the Great Tribulation, and it is named The Millennial Kingdom. The latter part of Revelation 11 is a view of how this 1,000 year kingdom develops.

I. His Rule on the Earth

During this time, God will take absolute control of the earth from the one who has been prowling the earth since the time of creation. For at least 6,000 years, political, economical, and cultural forces have had their way. The deceitful and veiled scheme of Satan has been a one world, secular government. Europe has already fallen for his plan, and America has come dangerously close. Current American forces of politics, entertainment, humanism, and secularism are working against what our founding fathers meant for our nation to be. The goal of these forces is for there to be a one world government. Since the Tower of Babel, Satan's forces have been at work against what God intended for the world. The nations are enraged at the idea of losing control. The fundamental sin of people dwelling in a secular bubble is selfish narcissism. Just like the people at Babel, unbelievers today want to make a name for themselves. They want no part of a surrendered life - a must for belonging to Christ and escaping God's judgement.

II. The Rage of the Nations

Just before God's judgement, verse 18 reveals the state of the nations on earth, "the nations were enraged." Enraged! They've lived for themselves, obtained wealth, participated in self-satisfying activities, and slammed their heart's door closed to keep out the very God who gave them life. Why are they enraged? They are enraged because they are not satisfied. They are trying to satisfy a thirst that can only be quenched by the living water of the person of Jesus Christ. Not to mention that God has been slow to anger in response to their sinful ways. He has given people multiple chances to repent. However, Revelation 11 is a testimony to the fact that there will be a judgement day when the chance to repent is no more. When that time comes, God's wrath will be just as powerful as his abiding mercy. The Bible makes it clear, "every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." The choice belongs to every person. The timing of a person's confession that Jesus is Lord determines where one will spend eternity. God is slow to anger and great in mercy, but time is shorter than it has ever been. Confess him now and spend eternity in heaven.

III. The Reward of the Saints

God not only judges the unbelievers, but also, he rewards his servants, his prophets and saints, and those who fear his name, both great and small. Even in rewarding his children, he is no respecter of persons. He gives all his children their promised reward. After the judgement, the heavenly temple opened, revealing the ark of the covenant. The ark represents the presence of God. Then, nature responded in what I imagine as a kaleidoscope of sight and sound, with lightening, rumbles, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. This was nature's way of responding to the command and control of God. What the world system could not do by force, God did by grace. The world system wanted to conquer God, but God, in his grace and mercy, set things right. Believers should be encouraged by these events. Fear, worry, and doubt are instruments of Satan. He effectively uses them to reach his goal. His ultimate goal is for a believer to doubt God's perfect plan for his or her life. He whispers to our mind, "God's plan for you will not work." He did it to Adam and Eve, "Did God really say that?" He tried to do it to Jesus in the wilderness. However, Jesus used the effective weapon of scripture to gain victory over the devil. Satan wants us to fail, but God wants us to be victorious. We can start resisting the devil by reading and memorizing scripture. It is perfectly normal to experience fear, doubt, and worry. However, when those feelings begin to creep into your mind, stop them by quoting scripture and by praying. Those are your weapons to defeat Satan until God begins his reign on earth. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!