Forever and Ever!

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 she shall reign forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, 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. 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.” 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. (Revelation 11:15-19 ESV).

 

Before we leave this vision of John in Revelation we see one of the most important announcements that make up the good-news message of our salvation. It tells us not only that Jesus, the Savior of the world, “will reign forever and ever” but also that he is already reigning as the King of kings now! This important message empowers us to be God’s faithful witnesses wherever we are. With this news we can assure others that, in Christ, their lives can be made new and that eternal life isn’t just something in the future—it begins now (cf. John 3:36; 5:24; 10:28).

 

If you are familiar with the music of Handel’s Messiah, you might recognize that some of these words in Revelation are part of a rousing section known as the “Hallelujah Chorus.” When he composed the “Hallelujah Chorus”—based on the seventh trumpet announcement: “The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever”, George Handel said he wept in wonder and awe. “It was as though I saw heaven open and I stood before the very throne of God,” he said.

 

This passage invites us to that powerful place of being in the presence of God and knowing that he makes our new life possible right now. The Lord God Almighty has come in his “great power” to begin his reign of hope and healing! I know it’s not Christmas (though some retailers would argue); however, is it ever the wrong time to sing the Hallelujah of the reign of Christ!