Revelation 11:15-18 Believers can begin ruling over the earth by exercising the power of the Holy Spirit

Revelation 11:15-18

Then the seventh angel sounded; 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 will 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 You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

BACKGROUND

The seven seals are purposed to gather the saints for rapture. The seven trumpets are purposed to preach the gospel and the judgement to come. The seven bowls are purposed to usher in God’s rule by destroying the wicked and casting Satan into the abyss. Before the first bowl is poured out, the angel sounds the seventh trumpet to herald the rule of God for a thousand years. Here, the dead are judged and saints are rewarded with divine power to rule with Christ. That said, believers can start ruling over the earth now by exercising the power of the Holy Spirit.

OBSERVATION

The sounding of the seventh trumpet heralds the rule of God over the multiverse. In response, the devil gathers the nations to resist God’s rule. Here, the seven bowls of judgement full of God’s wrath are poured out on the wicked to destroy them. After the wicked are destroyed, Satan will be cast into the abyss, the dead will be judged and the saints rewarded.

TRUTH

How are the dead judged? 

The dead represents humanity at large. Every man and woman will be judged by the secrets of their heart (see Romans 2:16) and the works that flowed from it (Romans 2:5-11). Those who are judged and considered evil are sent to a place of torment. Many churchgoers supposed by their confession and baptism will be exempted from judgement for they are (so to speak) “saved by faith”. But Paul said, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:10) and no one will be exempted from judgement. Regarding faith, James said,

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” – James 2:17-18

James also cited Abraham and Rahab, whom God considered as righteous as evidenced through their works. Indeed, works authenticate faith or faith is evidenced by works apart from one’s religion. The centurion, a worshiper of pagan gods was considered by Jesus a man of great faith. Whereas the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness (Matthew 8:5-13). Thus, faith is simply knowing the truth and obeying it. And truth is Jesus and His way of life (John 14:6). And whoever follows Jesus’s way of life (regardless of their religious background) will be considered a saint in Jesus Christ.

How are the saints rewarded? 

Those who are judged and considered righteous will be rewarded. As reward, the righteous will sit on thrones and given authority to rule over the multiverse. They are given resurrection bodies so that they can pass through space, time and dimensions to do their work. To rule is to serve and help the civilisations evolve towards perfection, not to flaunt their authority or Lord it over the civilisations in the multiverse. Put it simply, their reward is greater joy and effectiveness in service to God and creation; to see civilisations saved and perfected. And to spread divine love, peace, joy and righteousness throughout the multiverse gives them great joy and fulfilment.

That said, few see service towards God and creation as reward for they would rather be served than to serve. To many, what use is there for reward when one can’t flaunt it and use it for himself?!!

The deposit and guarantee for that reward is the Holy Spirit. Through the Spirit, we increase divine wisdom and power to rule the earth and eventually the multiverse. Paul said,

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession (the entire creation), to the praise of His glory. – Ephesians 1:13-14

How can we begin using the reward?

Therefore, we can start using the reward now by serving in the way Jesus served through the Spirit. By the Spirit signs and wonders will follow them (Mark 16:17-18). Indeed, the Spirit is given to us as a deposit for our full reward and inheritance. As we are faithful in a little authority, full reward will be given. Because the believer’s name is already written with Christ in the heavenly places (multiverse) (see Ephesians 2:5-7), we can begin to rule the earth today. Hence, we must never be distracted by earthly things that are temporal. Once we leave the earth nothing more can be done.

APPLICATION

To begin ruling over the earth, do the following:

• Learn to operate in the spiritual gifts by being discipled by gifted teachers and pastors
• Minister to non-believers without criticising their religious beliefs
• Heal the sick and help people find their way through life’s challenges 

PRAYER

Dear Lord, teach me how I can use the gifts of the Spirit to serve people and to save them. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.