Revelation 11:14 - Meaning and Application

Here we have the sounding of the seventh and last trumpet, and it is introduced with the usual warning that calls for attention: “The second woe is past, and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.” Then the seventh angel sounded. This had been held back for a time, until the apostle was shown some important events that came between. Now what he had been expecting finally happened, the seventh angel sounded.

We should notice the effects and results of this trumpet blast. First, there were loud and joyful praises from the saints and angels in heaven. They rose from their seats, fell on their faces, and worshiped God with reverence and humility. In their worship, they thankfully acknowledged that our God and Savior has the right to rule the whole world: “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ” (Revelation 11:15). Those kingdoms were always his in right, by creation and by purchase, meaning by making the world and by redeeming it.

They also gave thanks that he had now taken his great power and actually begun to rule openly. He asserted his rights, used his power, and turned his rightful claim into real rule. And they rejoiced that his reign would never end. He will reign forever and ever, until all enemies are put under his feet. No one will ever take the scepter out of his hand.

Another result was anger in the world at these righteous works of God’s power (Revelation 11:18). The nations were angry, and they still were angry. Their hearts rose up against God, and they answered his wrath with their own rage. This was the time when God was taking just revenge on the enemies of his people, repaying trouble to those who had troubled them. It was also a time when he was beginning to reward his people for their faithful service and suffering. Their enemies could not stand it, so they grew bitter against God, added to their guilt, and hurried toward their own ruin.

A further result was the opening of the temple of God in heaven. This may mean that there was now freer communication between heaven and earth, with prayer and praise rising more freely and blessings coming down more richly. But it seems more likely to point to God’s church on earth, which is like a heavenly temple. This is an allusion to the condition of the first temple. Under idolatrous and wicked kings, it was shut up and neglected. Under godly and reforming kings, it was opened and used again. In the same way, during the power of antichrist, the temple of God seemed shut up, and in large part it was. Now it was opened again.

When it was opened, two things were noticed there. First, the ark of God’s covenant was seen. The ark had been in the most holy place, and inside it were the tablets of the law. Just as God’s law had once been lost before Josiah’s time and then found again, so in the reign of antichrist God’s law was pushed aside and made powerless by human traditions and decrees. The Scriptures were locked away from the people, and they were not allowed to look into these divine words. Now they were opened and set before everyone. This was an unspeakable and priceless blessing. Like the ark of the covenant, it was a sign that God’s presence had returned to his people, and that he favored them in Jesus Christ, the one who makes peace for us with God, the propitiation.

Second, there were lightnings, voices, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail. The great blessing of the Reformation was accompanied by very solemn acts of providence. By terrible things done in righteousness, God answered the prayers offered in his holy temple, now opened. All the great changes in the world are planned in heaven, and they are the answers to the prayers of the saints.