October 28, 2022
Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” Revelation 11:15
The seventh—and last—trumpet heralds the coming of Jesus. During this time, Jesus reminds us (see Matthew 24:38, 44) of the myriads of activity—for evil and for good—in every corner of the earth. While the coming of Jesus is the glorious fulfillment of every longing for the faithful follower of Christ—the best day yet!—it is the greatest woe and the worst day yet to everyone alive who has failed to accept the atonement accomplished by Jesus as an absolute gift.
No one will be able to say that they had not heard the message. As the seventh angel is about to sound (10:7), the greatest proclamation of the everlasting gospel (14:6) will be circling the globe and brought into every house, hut, tent, and shack. When the last trumpet actually sounds, that proclamation will have been completed. Only the Lord knows when the last ear has heard. It is impossible to overstate the urgency to trust and obey readily upon recognition of every truth (see Psalm 18:44 for a powerful foreshadowing). Once the proclamation is complete, this decree will go forth:
“He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.” Revelation 22:11
The seven final plagues of chapter 16 will fall in very rapid succession over a relatively short time period, though we know not how long. During this time, there will be no “switching sides.” And as we are shown in Psalm 91, God’s faithful people will be divinely aided, even as His wrath is poured out upon the earth.
Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. Psalm 91:9-11