Day 137: Celebration in heaven – Revelation 11 vs 15 – 19

15 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 worshipped 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, peals of thunder, an earthquake, and heavy hail. (English Standard Version)

In the vision that Jesus Christ gave to John, the apostle heard the seventh angel blow his trumpet and he saw that there was celebration in heaven because God had set His King upon the throne. There was a hint of this day even in Psalm 2 when God set up David's Kingdom despite the rage of the surrounding nations and their kings. We read there that: The one who rules in heaven laughs - the Lord scoffs at the nations. Then in anger He rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury. For the Lord declares: “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.” The king proclaims the Lord’s decree: “The Lord said to me, 'You are my son. Today I have become your Father. Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession. You will break them with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.'” (Psalm 2:4-9)

The history of our world has been of nations under the influence of Satan. In their deceived condition people have worshipped idols and filled the earth with violence. How did the twenty-four elders in John's vision describe what people have done? (vs 18)

They referred to them as 'destroyers of the earth'. That's the result of Satan's deceptions and people's sins. But John was seeing the dawning of the day when the attitudes and actions of everyone will be judged by God. That is an awesome day none of us should lose sight of. But while that will be a day of terror for some, what else does vs 18 say will happen then?

It will be a day for 'rewarding' all of God's servants. They will receive what they have longed and sought after despite all the opposition and hard times they experienced on the journey. Did you perhaps see a word in verse 18 that gave you particular encouragement?

I found the word 'small' to be very comforting! Verse 18 said God’s reward will be for “the prophets and saints - and those who fear His name, both small and great!” It's not only Moses and Elijah, or the apostles Peter and Paul, who will be rewarded - but all who have had true reverence for the Lord – even the small ones! That means that though you and I may be insignificant, may feel very weak in faith and not have achieved much as we sort to serve the Lord Jesus; yet if we have come to trust Him as saviour and serve Him as Lord, and our love for God has grown deeper, God says we will have our reward!

In the story Jesus told of a man who entrusted his servants with some money to look after his affairs while he was away, we read that one of them who had less to use, but used it faithfully, was also praised by the master when he returned. He said to that servant: “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:22-23)

We don't know of course just what God's rewards will involve – but being in His presence and seeing our Saviour will more than make up for trials we've been through and tears we have shed in this world. I recall an old song that was titled 'heaven's gonna be a blast!” The book of Revelation certainly describes it as a place of celebration and being like a wedding feast. And even the ‘small saints’ will be there!