November 6, 2014
IT IS FINISHED!
Revelation 11:15–19
Will Washington
Central Truth
In the end, our hope will not come up empty as Jesus Christ will return and reign. So we can live with joy and peace today as we know in our hearts that "it is finished."
Key Verse | 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." (Revelation 11:15)
Revelation 11:15–19
The Seventh Trumpet
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.” 16 And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying,
“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
who is and who was,
for you have taken your great power
and begun to reign.
18
The nations raged,
but your wrath came,
and the time for the dead to be judged,
and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints,
and those who fear your name,
both small and great,
and for destroying the destroyers of the earth.”
19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant was seen within his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings, 1 11:19 Or voices, or sounds peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail.
Dive Deeper | Revelation 11:15–19
When I was in seventh grade, my dad and I went on a father/son camping trip in Colorado. The first day, carrying all of our gear, we had to complete a dangerous eight-mile hike that increased our elevation 4,000 feet. (I may have exaggerated the "dangerous" part a little bit, but nobody can prove that.) I remember never knowing how close we were to the finish line and being discouraged by the obstacles we had to overcome. But I also remember my dad constantly reassuring me that we would make it to our destination.
In today's verses, the seventh trumpet is sounded, preparing the way for the Bowl Judgments and the Second Coming of Christ. Here, the 24 elders worship in celebration because Christ will assume His rightful reign. Through these five verses, we can know with certainty that God will one day eradicate evil and goodness will rule.
In this broken world today, however, it can be difficult to live with joy and peace. We are surrounded by obstacles that threaten to rob us of hope: materialism, shattered relationships, identities based on fleeting accomplishments, poverty, terrorism, uncertain futures, moral relativism, and evil that seemingly prevails. But Hebrews 6:19 (NIV) tells us that our hope in Jesus is "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."
During the final moments of His life in John 19:30, Jesus exclaims, "It is finished!" This is really good news because you and I no longer have to live with a burdensome focus on performance or a hopeless perspective on sin. Instead, we can live our lives under a sign that boldly proclaims, "IT IS FINISHED!" The gospel announces that God has met our defiance with His deliverance, so we bring His tireless grace to a tired world as we wait hopefully for the day when Christ returns to assume His rightful reign.
Wherever we are on our hike through this world, may we be men and women whose souls are anchored in the hope of Christ declaring, "IT IS FINISHED."
Discussion Questions
1. What are some obstacles in life that rob you of joy, hope, and peace in Christ?
2. What are your "go-to" verses that encourage your heart and remind you of your hope in Christ?
3. Who are some people in your life who need to be refreshed by the good news of Jesus? How can you reach out to one of them today?