Cecil A. Fayard
Elliott Baptist Church
July 11, 2004
The Sounding of the Seventh Trumpet
Revelation 11:15-19
INTRO: The passage before us is very short, yet very powerful and significant. In these few verses (15-19), we have a summary of all that will happen in chapters 12-22.
The sounding of the seventh trumpet (this is also the third woe) introduces the seven vial judgments. The sounding of this trumpet signals that final steps in God’s plan of redemption for the world.
I. VS 15, THE TRUMPET, THE VOICES, AND THE KINGDOM
A. Vs 15a, The trumpet
1. With this trumpet, we may have the most awesome event in history other than the birth, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
a) Rev 10:7 tells us that when this trumpet sounds the fulfillment of the mystery of God is finished. This does not happen immediately; it takes three and a half years. Note what Rev 10:7 says: “In the days of the voice of the seventh trumpet.
b) The sounding of the seventh trumpet releases the wrath of the seven vials (bowls). These continue to bring judgment until the new heaven and new earth are established.
2. The sounding of the last trumpet brings down the curtain of time and announces the beginning of eternity.
3. Roy B. Hilton says: “This last trumpet announces the beginning of the end when:
Time will cease,
Satan will be vanquished,
Judgment will be executed,
Sin will eradicated,
Righteousness will be established,
Rewards will be granted,
Kingdoms will be exchanged,
AND THE KING CROWNED!” (149)
B. Vs 15b, “Voices”
1. This is not the voice of an angel. It is a symphony of voices. These voices announce that Christ is King, that He is in control, that “He shall reign for ever and ever.”
2. Other voices are heard throughout the closing chapters of the Revelation (12:10;14:7,13; 19:1). These are just a few of those voices, voices of the redeemed and of the angelic host.
C. Vs 15c, The Kingdoms
1. There is a change of government as the kingdoms of this old wicked world become His Kingdom! Christ does not take over His kingdom until chapters 20-21, but it is announced as if it had already taken place. It is that sure, that certain.
2. The many earthly kingdoms are reduced to one with the Lord Jesus Christ as King.
a) His will be a righteous kingdom.
b) His shall be a theocratic kingdom.
c) His will be a kingdom that shall never be overthrown.
d) This king shall reign for ever and ever (Dan 12:44).
II. VSS 16-17, THE TWENTY-FOUR ELDERS WORSHIP GOD
A. Vs 16, This is the eighth time that we have heard from the twenty-four elders; and each time we have heard from them, they are worshiping God.
1. The Lord takes possession of His kingdom, and they worship Him.
2. These elders are representative of all the redeemed.
B. Vs 17, The elders give thanks to the eternal God (with no beginning and no end).
1. They give thanks because He has made known His power and has assumed power over the earth (Zech 14:9).
2. This is the fulfillment of Psalm 2:6-9 for here in Revelation 11:17 the Bible says: “...thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.”
3. He has authority for He is “almighty,” and He has the “power”– Greek dynamis, to rule.
a) Christ will sit upon the throne of David.
b) He will “take over the whole world from the satanically controlled people who now possess it”(MacArthur 311).
c) The triumph of God over Satan is the theme of the Revelation.
III. VS 18, THE NATIONS, THE JUDGMENT, AND THE REWARDS
A. Vs 18a, The Nations
1. The nations of the world become angry; angry because they lose their power and authority.
2. Psalm 2:1-4 illustrates the anger seen here.
a) Men do not want their sins disturbed for they want to be left alone in their wickedness.
b) Sinners resent heaven’s intervention.
B. Vs 18b, The Judgment
1. Judgment is certain and is spoken of here as if it has already taken place.
2. These people are angry at God, angry at heaven, angry at righteousness, angry at the saints of God and angry that they are going to be brought to judgment!
3. The dead and living lost will be brought before God at the Great White Throne judgment.
a) They will not like it, but they will be there (Acts 17:31).
b) Rev 20:1-3.
C. Vs 18c, The Rewards
1. This verse pronounces judgment against sinners and holds out promise of rewards to the saved.
2. God will reward the righteous (Rev22:12). You may be persecuted here, but one day you will be rewarded.
IV. VS 19, THE TEMPLE AND THE ARK
A. The temple and ark signify two things:
1. God is accessible.
2. God keeps His covenant.
a) Every covenant promise, prophecy, and hope are preserved in this ark.
b) Walvoord says: “Though the earthly temple may have been desecrated by the beast, its counterpart in heaven reflects the righteousness and majesty of God.
c) In the earthly ark were found:
(1) The Law- God’s righteousness.
(2) Aaron’s rod that budded– the resurrection.
(3) Golden pot that had manna–Christ and the shed blood of sacrifice.
d) The ark symbolizes God fellow shipping with man through the blood of atonement.
B. Vs 19c, The Storm
1. The storm clouds are gathered; judgment will fall.
2. When this storm is finally over and the dust settled, we will find: (chp21-22).
a) The destroyer destroyed
b) The wicked dead judged
c) The righteous rewarded
d) Satan cast out
e) The kingdom established
f) Christ crowned
CONCLUSION: Be assured that God is Sovereign and when the seventh trumpet sounds a chain of events will be started that will climax with a new heaven and a new earth.
For additional copies of the sermon CD's, please contact the church office:
Elliott Baptist Church
566 Nat G. Troutt Road
Elliott, Mississippi 38901
Phone: 662-226-4425
Pastors Email: cecilafayard@msn.com