In the last 2000 years, the world remained as chaotic as before. Perhaps it’s true that with the advancement of medicine, technology, and civil society, living standards today are far better than the barbaric days of humanity. Yet, a quick look at world events would tell us it isn’t so. In the West, people have been shot dead by random shooters. In some other parts of the world, dictators continue to reign over its people. Hunger remains to be a problem all over the world and many more issues. With that, we Christians are left grasping for answers because many times we have been asked, “When would God rectify the wrongs in the world?”
God had done His part by sending His Son Jesus Christ to redeem people from the fall of humanity. Yes, I’m referring to Genesis 3, the fall of Adam and Eve. Jesus Christ came proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:17).” It is sad though that most of present-day Christianity fails to see the reality of Christ’s pronouncement. Consequently, they also fail to communicate the true reality of God’s Word. See Revelation 11:15.
“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.””
The Book of Revelation was prophetic, not historical. It was written before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Contrary to the popular view it was sometime in 90 A.D. Click and read my blog on “Dating of Revelation”. Notice that I present it in the past tense because the prophecy of Revelation 11 has been fulfilled. Revelation cannot be a historical narrative simply because it’s an “apokalupsis” (Greek for revelation). It’s a disclosure or unveiling of events to come in John’s time. See Revelation 1:9-10.
“I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet”
Next, see Revelation 1:19. “Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.”
Let me first make clear: “The Lord’s Day” isn’t Sunday, as suggested by some Christians. John was foreseeing events of “the Day of the Lord” or the Day of God’s judgment and salvation (see Acts 2:20-21; 1Corinthians 1:7-8; 1Corinthians 5:5; 2Corinthians 1:13-14; 1Thessalonians 5:2; 2Thessalonians 2:1-2; 2Peter 3:10).
Take note that in Revelation 1:19, John was told the things that he was to see would take place after Christ’s revelation. In other words, it’s happening soon – soon to John, not to us living millennia after the writing of Revelation.
See further Christ’s warning regarding the time and any attempt to alter His word. See Revelation 22:16-20.
““I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you (John) about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
Now, what is the context of Revelation 11:15? It speaks of the judgment against Old Covenant Jewish Temple, see Revelation 11:1-2.
“Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.”
So John foresaw the fulfillment of Jesus Christ’s words against Old Covenant Israel, see Luke 21:20-27.
““But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth (in the Greek, it could alternately be translated as “land”) and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
What was the sin of Old Covenant Israel? They rejected the Lord Jesus Christ and killed His prophets and apostles. But how do we know Revelation 11 was about Old Covenant Israel? First, the introduction of chapter eleven spoke clearly of the destruction, (i.e., trample) of the Jewish Temple. Then, in verses 7 and 8, the murderers of God’s witnesses were inhabitants of the “great city” where Jesus Christ was crucified – so that’s none other but Jerusalem.
The “times of the Gentiles” pertain to the four Gentile empires ruling over Israel as prophesied and made clear in the Book of Daniel. Daniel identified the first three empires as Babylon, Mede Persia, and Greece (Daniel 2 & 8). John, on the other hand, prophesied about the events happening in the fourth and last Gentile empire ruling over Jerusalem, and that’s Rome (Revelation 13 &17).
The kingdom of the world of Revelation 11:15 pertains to the Old Covenant Jewish world, while the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ though spiritual is real and everlasting. Years before the fall of Old Covenant Jerusalem, the apostle Paul declared, “From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:16-17)
God never neglects on His word and promises. Many like to suggest that Jesus Christ is yet to return fulfilling His word and promise. God forbid, but by their claim, they have made Jesus Christ to be a liar, not true to His word. For as long as our present world rejects Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, then it will always be chaotic because it is ruled by man, not God. Christians, on the other hand, should keep in mind that our citizenship is with heaven (Philippians 3:20). So indeed, we ought to walk by faith, not by sight (2Co. 5:7). We are troubled by the things around us, so we fail to see the reality that God is indeed with us.
Learn to see beyond the thorns then we will see the beauty of the Rose. That’s the reality of our Christian walk. The psalm below, written by David, is a Messianic Psalm. Memorized this psalm cause that’s the reality of living under Christ’s New Covenant.
“A Psalm of David. The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalms 23:1-6)
Blessings!
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Unlearning Tradition, Relearning Scripture 