Scripture Reading: Revelation 11:15-19
In the middle of the horrendous judgments that John is describing in Revelation, he gives his readers a glorious preview of what will take place after God's justice has been fully meted out on the inhabitants of the earth. It is a foretaste of the coming kingdom of Christ, in His reign on this earth.
In John's wondrous declaration, there is a stark contrast between the present kingdom of collective humanity and the future kingdom of the King of kings. "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever" (Rev 11:15).
Ever since Babel, collective humanity has sought to establish a government without God … whether it is Egypt or Babylon or Rome. John says, "The nations raged," perhaps echoing the language of Psalm 2:1. "The kings of the earth set themselves . . . against the LORD" (Psa 2:2).
But one of these days, the rule of humanity on the earth will give way to the rule of the Creator of all things. This is reason for hope and joy and gratitude in our souls. "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign" (Rev 11:17).
