​Week 50, Days 3-4

​Week 50, Days 3-4
December 14-15, 2022
Scripture: Revelation 10-11
“The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying: “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. The nations were angry, and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small— and for destroying those who destroy the earth.” Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.” (Revelation 11:15–19)
I can’t and won’t try to figure out the “times,” and tell you when the world will come to an end and the Lord will return to judge those who have destroyed the world. I’m certain that Jesus will return when no one is predicting him too. I don’t claim to know something that Jesus himself provides no real clarity on.
 
So that’s not what I try to do when I open and read Revelation, I don’t try to decipher the times and figure out his return. Instead, I’m asking an important question about worship and devotion to Jesus Christ. I’m looking at the result, what is all the current turmoil pointing towards? What is God up to? Instead of fear and dread of what the trumpets and seals reveal, I am asking questions about who is worshiping God and what are they saying? If at the end of all of “it” God is thoroughly and benevolently worshiped, and his goodness and grace is celebrated, shouldn’t that spur comfort in me now? After all that is seen and heard, they fall down glorifying God. That’s ultimately how this passage ends, doesn’t it, with worship? The new beginnings of restored creation is marked with trust in and celebration of the Almighty God.
“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
Here’s what we know.
Jesus reigns.
God will destroy those who destroy the earth.
“And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,” (Revelation 11:16)
We fall and worship our God!
The culmination of the story is the certain reign of Jesus Christ. His kingdom is one without end. So my worship and life becomes a matter of the kingdom priority. Will I place my trust in King Jesus? Will I live under the reign of Jesu and turn my heart towards him in Worship in all things, and all ways?
Be assured of this my dear friends and fellow believers, Jesus reigns and his kingdom is without end. Trust in Him, worship him.
It’s the Christmas season, so it’s hard not to hear in my heart today, “And peace will reign forever and ever.”