THE SEVENTH ANGEL SOUNDED
#009 THE SEVENTH ANGEL SOUNDED
Scripture Revelation 11:15 Orig. Date 12/9/73
Passage: 15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
“The kingdom of the world has become
the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah,
and he will reign for ever and ever.”
Introduction
When Jesus went into Jerusalem shortly before His death, there came out to greet Him hundreds of interested and curious citizens. They prepared for His coming simply by placing palm branches along the way. They stood there shouting their “hosannahs” as He passed by. All of the outward signs were signs of acceptance and belief, but only a few days had passed before Jesus faced death at the hands of an angry mob.
Within the lifetime of many of us, we have had a similar event. About thirty years ago American and other Allied soldiers moved back onto the continent of Europe. Citizens of European countries, which had been under “der Fuhrer’s heel,” were free again. As these allied troops began the trek across Europe, time and again they were greeted by masses of people. They waited on the outskirts of their towns and villages for their liberators. It would not be long, however, before the scars of war would have healed and the brave deeds of courageous men would be forgotten.
But we are quick to point out that the Nazarene has not been forgotten. In fact, for the next few weeks, we are going to be very busy remembering. The next two Sunday nights, many of us will be here in the sanctuary rejoicing at the sounds of Christmas music. The preacher will stand to preach, and his messages will center themselves around the birth of Christ. And that’s not all. Some of us have already put up our trees. They are standing there with or without lights, gaily decorated, saying to all who enter, “We celebrate the birth of Jesus here.” Underneath the tree, either there are or there will be the gaudily packaged gifts of friendship and love. Is this not proof enough that we hold with the One who taught us that it is better to give than to receive?
Yes, we remember these brave soldiers of thirty years ago, and we remember the Galilean of two thousand years ago. Let it be noted, however, that we await only the sounding of the seventh angel’s trumpet, and all that will be remembered will be the Christ and His Kingdom, and His efforts to bring us into it.
I. The Seventh Angel Signals the End of This World’s Kingdoms. Be reminded of the kingdom of self. When the seventh angel sounds, the kingdom of self will be no more.
Little description is needed. We know it well. There are many who serve in this kingdom. It doesn’t make brothers of us. The Christian has no fetish to keep him from paying homage to this dissolute regent. This is the one place in the human spectrum where Satan is satisfied with second place.
It was this regard for self that drove Adam out of Paradise, Lucifer from the throne room of God, Saul from the seat of majesty as one of the great kings of Israel, Haman from the court of King Ahasuerus, and Judas from the brotherhood of Jesus.
Be as well reminded of the kingdom of sin. When the seventh angel sounds, the kingdom of sin will be no more.
Again, little description is needed. We all know the image of the picture which sin provides.
“All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
“Your righteousness is as filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6
We all know how capable we are in detecting sin in the lives of others. But we also know the scathing denunciation of Jesus upon those who would set themselves up as judges. “Thou hypocrite, if you really want to acknowledge the speck of dust in your friend’s eye, then first get the boulder out of your own eye.” Matthew 7:5.
I am inclined to think that we may miss the point of the matter. Whether the analogy of the sin in our lives is speck or boulder, splinter or log, the point is, we can’t do anything about either. When we knowingly enter the kingdom of sin, we can never be sure where it will end.
There is a third kingdom of which we must be forewarned—the kingdom of service. When the seventh angel sounds, the kingdom of service will be no more.
While many of us know all about the kingdoms of self and sin, most of us know little about the kingdom of service. Be reminded that it is difficult to isolate the true ideals of service. The vice president resigns. The president-elect of C. of C. is indicted. Even paragons of virtue have feet of clay.
II. The Seventh Angel Signals the Consummation of the Kingdom of Christ. His kingdom is the kingdom of love. Love is the language of communication there. “God is love, and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him.” I John 4:16.
It is the kingdom of Christian experience. “Though I speak with the tongues of men, of angels even, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a clanging symbol.” I Corinthians 13:1. Noise alone asserts neither style, nor skill, nor depth of feeling.
It is the kingdom of change by growth. I have not been able to establish unquestioned authenticity, but I have read that there is a disease called “marasmus,” that is said to be “the disease of being not loved.” It is a gradual wasting away of the body, especially in infants and elderly people.
It is the kingdom of peace. Longfellow wrote one of the most beautiful of all Christmas poems. Having been set to music we enjoy it during this season as one of the most popular songs of Christmas.
I heard the bells on Christmas Day, their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat, of “peace on earth, good will to men.”
I thought how as the day had come, the belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair I bowed my head, “There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men.”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep, “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep.”
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men.
Till ringing, singing on its way, the world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, of peace on earth, good will to men.
So be here reminded that this kingdom is the kingdom of eternal values.
III. In Addition to the Kingdom, There is Also to be Considered the Capabilities of the King. In His providence He transforms. He didn’t start over (though there were times when He had cause to): In the garden with Adam; In the wilderness with the Hebrew nation; In the divided kingdom with Jeroboam and Rehoboam; In Rome with the Holy Catholic Church; In America with the evangelical church. He MADE over.
In His love, He redeemed. The Hebrew nation in Jesus’ day looked for a redemption from God. It was based on hope and faith. It was a false hope however, for it anticipated an earthly king. In what king of redemption have we put our trust? A babe in Bethlehem. In Him whose name shall be called “wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father the Prince of Peace.”
In His power He sustains and keeps the believer.
Closing
You may have recognized the words of our text as being a part of the most famous of all Christmas oratorios, Handel’s Messiah. The message so stirred a king, George II, that he stood to salute the majesty of the work.
This composition which took Handel only twenty-five days to prepare, has stood for 230 years as the human mark of the excellence of that coming kingdom. The music has outlasted the crown and the scepter of the one who acclaimed its genius. But justice cannot be done to the kingdom itself in the words and music of men. When the seventh angel sounds the trumpet, the “kingdoms of this world will become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.”