Listen to the Sermon: 06302013HeShallReignForeverAndEverRev11.15DonRuhl

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He Shall Reign Forever and Ever 

As you read the Book of Revelation just remember that God is in control

Revelation 11.15

Don Ruhl • Savage Street, Grants Pass, Oregon • June 30, In the year of our Lord, 2013

Prelude: 

  1. Knowing that someone is in control comforts your soul. 
    1. An airplane through a storm
    2. The military defending us
  2. God controls all creation. 

Persuasion: 

  1. The Reign of God through the Ages 
    1. Eternity

      2 Before the mountains were brought forth,
      Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,
      Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
      (Psa 90.2)

    2. Creation

      45 “…that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt 5.45).

      1. Sun stood still for Joshua and moved back for Hezekiah.
      2. A flood for Noah and a bear for Elisha.
    3. Man – in creating him.
    4. Kingdoms of men

      17 “…the Most High rules in the kingdom of men,
      Gives it to whomever He will,
      And sets over it the lowest of men.”
      (Dan 4.17)

    5. Israel
    6. Kingdom of Christ
  2. Revelation 11.15 – A Key Text of Revelation

    15 Then the seventh angel sounded. And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Rev 11.15).

    1. Seven angels – Rev 8.2
    2. Imagine being John
    3. “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of…”
      1. Hasn’t it always been?
      2. Is this verse predicting a future earthly kingdom of Christ?
        1. Christ’s kingdom established during Roman empire – Dan 2.44.
        2. Rev 1:
          1. v. 5 – Jesus, the ruler over the kings of the Earth
          2. v. 6 – We are kings in a kingdom, while priests
          3. v. 9 – John our companion in the kingdom
        3. Jesus exercises all the authority of a king
          1. Matt 28.18ff
          2. 1Pe 3.22
        4. Note Revelation 12.10,

          10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down” (Rev 12.10).

      3. The interpretation:

        20 [Jesus is seated at the Father’s] right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all (Eph 1.20–23).

        1. Reigns over more than the church
        2. Church is chief kingdom
        3. Revelation 11.15 demonstrates God’s reign,
          1. especially when he destroys human kingdoms, and
          2. His kingdom swallows up these kingdoms (cf. Dan 2.44).
    4. “And he shall reign.” (God is in control, like a pilot in a storm)
      1. The assurance of his reign
        1. Two opposing themes in Revelation:
          1. 13.4
          2. 6.17
        2. The Lamb shall prevail
      2. “He shall reign forever and ever.”
        1. Isa 9.7; Dan 2.44 (cf. Heb 12.27, 28); Luke 1.33
        2. (Exo 15.18; Psa 10.16; 29.10; Dan 7.14).
        3. Rev 20.4–6 – Not a 1000-year reign of Christ, but of the saints.

Exhortation: 

  1. Our God Reigns!
    1. Paraphrase of Hebrews 12.12, 13, 28, 29 consumes.
    2. Confidence, peace and joy.
  2. Are You In The Kingdom?