April 9, 2022
For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11
The distinctive interlude between the sixth and seventh trumpets helps prepare us for the magnitude of the seventh—and last!—trumpet. John’s visions in chapters 10 and 11 vividly illustrate the inherent privilege of the Lord’s invitation to feed on His word, witness to others, and overcome discouraging opposition. It is true that bitterness often accompanies the proclamation of the gospel due to rejection. But many rejectors of the Good News have later come to repentance. Beloved, hold on to hope! During His earthly ministry, Jesus plainly stated truth, illustrating contrasts with unbiblical pharisaical doctrines that were taught as if they were the words of God. Hear Jesus now:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:43-45
The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly. Revelation 11:14
Sets of three often appear in Scripture, by the Master Teacher’s design. You will recall that the first and second woes correspond to the fifth and sixth trumpets, respectively. The increasing intensity of the activities of Satan are allowed under the sovereignty of God as vivid reminders of the infinite value of placing yourself under the loving protection of the Savior. The third woe is the last. This final woe which accompanies the seventh trumpet is experienced by those who insist on taking sides against the Lord, rejecting the offer of salvation.
The seventh trumpet signals the consummation of all things. It is the completion of the mystery of God (10:7). The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever. (11:15)
The vision of the seventh trumpet is accentuated by a direct sighting of the innermost part of heaven’s sanctuary: the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary containing the ark of Yahweh’s covenant. Inside the ark are the Ten Commandments representing His eternal law and His covenant promise to be with His people.
Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail. Revelation 11:19
Just before His ascension, Jesus reminded us of this covenant promise: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20