Rev. 11:14-19, The temple of heaven is opened

Rev. 11:14-19, The temple of heaven is opened

11:14-19,
14. The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.
15. 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 Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever."
16. And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God,
17. 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.
18. 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 saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great -- and for destroying those who destroy the earth."
19. 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.

  This is last week's message (11:1-13). God called his witnesses and gave them authority. But the two witnesses were killed by the beast(Anti-christ) while preaching the word, but God raised them up and took them to heaven. The remnant from the great earthquake gave glory to the Lord.
*Did you preach the word like the two witnesses last week?

Now let's know God's will and live through the message giving today.

Verse 14, the third woe (7th trumpet) will come soon.

Verses 15-17, God and Jesus will reign forever as Kings (Kingdom of the Lord and Christ).
 The last trumpet (seventh) is sounded (15). It proclaims the reign of Christ. The Lord himself reigns (16-17). "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever."
Why is heaven good? It's not a good place because there are a lot of fancy and good things. It is good because God is in control. It is good because the Lord reigns forever and ever. We must long for the kingdom of heaven and hope for eternity. You must long for the eternal reign of the Lord.
At that time we will also reign with Jesus in heaven. 5:10, “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." 22:5, ”There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they(The saints) will reign for ever and ever.“ When the seventh trumpet is sounded, when Jesus comes again, the believers will ultimately triumph and reign with Jesus forever. We all yearn for that day and bless you to live with joy.

Verses 18-19 speak of the Lord's judgment, the destruction of the world, and the rewards the saints will receive. The nations disobey God's will and are angry. But they will be judged and perish. Ps. 2:1,2 says, “Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One.” But they will be judged and perish.
  God is present. In this way, the saints receive the reward of joy. Therefore, let us humbly believe in and preach the Lord, and live to receive the Lord's reward. All those who fear the Lord receive a reward from the Lord. You and me! All will gladly share in the Lord's praise and joy (Matt. 25:21-23).
John sees that the temple in heaven opens, and sees the Most Holy and the Ark of the Covenant (God's presence)(v.19). The death of Jesus Christ tore the curtain between the Holy and the Most Holy. Now the Second Coming of Christ will tear the veil that divided the earth and the heaven, and bring the reign of heaven into the midst of the earth. 

*What do I need to pray and strive for so that the kingdom of God can be established on this earth?
*What kind of attitude of life is needed to receive grace rather than judgment from God?
 
  Let us all look to the Lord who judges the wicked and rewards the righteous (believers). The coming of Jesus is destruction for unbelievers and joy for believers. We are to lead those who are heading for destruction to the path of faith. I pray that you will live as a community that receives the Lord's reward by believing in the Lord well and sharing the gospel well. Amen.