TRIUMPH OF GOD’S KINGDOM

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1. The Lamb and His Redeemed (Revelation 5:6-14; 7:9-17)

2. Triumph of God’s Kingdom Foretold (Revelation 11:15-19; 12:7-11)

3. Triumph and Glory of God’s Kingdom (Revelation 19:11-21; 20:1-2, 7-10; 21:1-5, 22-27)

Central Truth: Jesus Christ will return in glory and power to establish His kingdom.

Focus: Describe the triumph of God’s kingdom and praise Jesus Christ, the King of kings.

Evangelism Emphasis: Sinners can now know Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Golden Text: “ The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).

INTRODUCTION

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray in Matthew 6:10, “Thy kingdom come,” He had two features of God’s kingdom in mind. First, believers are to pray that the kingdom of grace will come to fallen humankind; that is, that Christ will build His church on the earth. This Kingdom “comes” when the Gospel triumphs over sin in the lives of those who receive Christ as Savior. God, through His love and grace, has established this spiritual kingdom to rule in the hearts of believers.

Second, praying for God’s kingdom to come is praying for its literal and visible fulfillment . It is to pray for the full establishment of His rule. Personally accepting Jesus Christ as Savior becomes an expectation of the final result of salvation.

These two kingdoms are the same, only in different stages. The kingdom of grace is the kingdom of glory in the bud, or in its infancy; the kingdom of glory is the kingdom of grace in full-blown flower, or in its complete maturity. Presently, the Kingdom of which we as Christians are now citizens is still militant. It is necessarily combative, because we are continuously in conflict with the kingdom of darkness. We wrestle “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world” (Eph. 6:12).

Our world is struggling in the clutches of war, oppression, and evil on an unprecedented scale. Conditions grow increasingly worse with the persistent threat of becoming worse still. As we pray for an even greater measure of grace, we must also pray for the establishment of Christ’s kingdom of glory that will once and for all replace unrighteousness with righteousness, war with peace, and sorrow with joy.

The desire that burns in the hearts of true believers is to see the militant kingdom of grace become the triumphant kingdom of glory—the kingdom represented in Daniel as the stone cast at the feet of the image in Nebuchadnezzar’s vision, which then grew into a great mountain filling the entire earth (Dan. 2:34-35). This is the unshakable kingdom of our God, destined to rule uncontested over all creation.

1. THE LAMB AND HIS REDEEMED

A. Appearance of the Redeemer (Revelation 5:6-7)

6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. In Revelation 1:14-16, John described his vision of the sevenfold glory of the resurrected Christ—His white head and hair, fiery eyes, burnished feet, thunderous voice, protective right hand, persuasive mouth, and His shining countenance. As the vision continued into chapter 5, the apostle saw a seven-sealed book—the title deed to our inheritance—in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne, and heard an angel loudly proclaiming, “Who is worthy to open the book?” (v. 2).

Initially, John saw no one to fulfill the thunderous request for a redeemer. As he wept, one of the elders declared “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” had prevailed to accomplish the extraordinary task (v. 5). When John looked to see a Lion, he instead saw a Lamb that had been slain (v. 6). There is no contradiction in the two manifestations, for both are the same. The conquering King, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, had to first become the Suffering Servant. It is in His capacity as the Lamb of God that He paid the price of redemption.

The Redeemer makes His appearance in verse 6 to accomplish the final act of redemption—receive the title deed from the One who has safely held it throughout the age of grace. Although the sacrifice of Jesus was the full price for redemption, its full application happens here. Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:13-14, “Having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession” (NKJV). The Holy Spirit is “the guarantee”—the security deposit, or the pledge—that Jesus will complete the transaction of redemption in due time.

Just as the nearest kinsman of an Israelite whose property had slipped away had the first option to redeem it (story of Ruth), so Jesus became a man, our Kinsman-Redeemer . He will complete the redemption process by taking “the book out of the right hand” of the One who sits on the throne (Rev. 5:7). Although no one in heaven or earth could previously be found worthy to break the seals that held this Book closed, Jesus now proves His worthiness, takes the book, and prepares to open it. This promised act of the Redeemer will be the fulfilment of the hopes and dreams of believers throughout time.

Besides the seven-sealed book, what else can be opened only by Jesus Christ?

B. Response of the Redeemed (Revelation 5:8-14)

12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour , and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour , and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Upon the appearance of the Redeemer and His act of taking the book from the right hand of His Father, a most glorious response will ensue. It is only fitting that such a grand celebration follows this magnificent revelation of Him who has paid the high price for our redemption. The twenty-four elders, likely representing all Old Testament and New Testament saints, along with the four holy beings, will fall down before Him with harps and golden vials containing the prayers of saints, which will release their sweet-smelling and indescribable fragrances throughout the realm of glory (v. 8).

Three doxologies are offered in verses 9-13. The first one springs from the blood-washed multitude as they sing a new song, the song of redemption, declaring, “Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (v. 9).

The second doxology is an offering of perfect praise coming not only from the redeemed multitude but also from the angelic world. John’s description of the voices of “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands” crying aloud, “Worthy is the Lamb,” is an expression that the company of saints and angels is innumerable to him (vv. 11-12). The Lamb of God is worthy “to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour , and glory, and blessing.”

In verse 13, we find the third doxology. God had originally placed all creatures under Adam’s dominion, but because of man’s sin “the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now” (Rom. 8:22 NKJV). Since redemption covers all creation contaminated by sin—except, of course, the unbelievers, whom God will judge—it is fitting that all creatures praise Him. The psalmist declared, “Praise the Lord from the earth . . . beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl” (Ps. 148:7-10). In this third doxology, “every created thing” will give worship “to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (Rev. 5:13 NASB). This is a picture of the entire universe praising the Lamb. And when this happens, the twenty-four elders will again fall down and worship Him who lives forever (v. 14).

What do these scriptures teach us about worshiping God?

C. White-Robed Saints (Revelation 7:9-17)

10 And cried out with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

The apostle John sees a multitude comprised of believers from every nation, tribe, people, and language so large that “no man could number” it (v. 9). The voices blended as one with great intensity exclaiming, “Salvation to our God” (v. 10), which is essentially the cry, “Hosanna!”—the shout offered as Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem (John 12:13).

As the angels, the elders, and the four creatures worshiped, one of the elders asked John two questions: “Who are these, clothed in white robes?” and, “From where have they come?” (Rev. 7:13 ESV). John answered, “Sir, thou knowest ,” and the elder explained they came “out of great tribulation,” having their robes washed “white in the blood of the Lamb” (v. 14).

Although there are three major schools of thought concerning the Book of Revelation— Preterist , Historicist, and Futurist —Evangelicals tend to embrace the latter one. The Preterist concept is that the symbolism of Revelation relates only to the events of the day in which it was written, while the Historicists interpret Revelation as symbolically outlining the entire course of church history from Pentecost to the return of Christ. Futurists generally see Revelation as prophecies yet to be fulfilled, with a good portion of it dealing with a literal period known as the seven years of tribulation.

The Futurist view, then, of the white-robed multitude is that it refers to those who have received Christ as Savior following the rapture of the Church and have been martyred for their faith (v. 13). Those who receive salvation during this time of tribulation will receive it on the same basis as every other believer—through the blood of Jesus Christ and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. And their worshipful cry will be the same as all others redeemed by Jesus’ blood, “Salvation to our God . . . and unto the Lamb” (v. 10).

Heaven Is a Home

The first few verses of John 14 are among the most popular in the Bible. They speak about heaven, but the reason for their popularity is not that they reveal details about heaven or even about life beyond the grave. They do not. The answer is probably because of the warm image that is found there: heaven is a home. We need a home. We long for a home. Jesus calmly told His troubled disciples that we have one.—James Montgomery Boice , Foundations of the Christian Faith

2. TRIUMPH OF GOD’S KINGDOM FORETOLD

A. Christ’s Dominion (Revelation 11:15-19)

15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Here we have the sounding of the last of the seven trumpets. The first six had ushered in extraordinary happenings during the first half of the Tribulation. This last trumpet includes all that occurs from Revelation 11:15—20:3, or the second half of the Tribulation.

The elders, who had fallen down and worshiped the Lamb in 4:10 and 5:8, had remained seated during the judgments of the first half of the Tribulation. Once again, they leave their stations to fall on their faces to worship God, acknowledging His eternal nature and supreme power (11:16-17).

Through His patience, God has allowed rebellious nations to continue, desiring people to come to repentance instead of judgment. But the time is coming when Christ will put down all rule and authority. His spiritual kingdom will become a visible kingdom over which He will reign eternally.

In verse 18, we see the nations have sealed their doom by willfully rejecting Christ’s sovereignty. Therefore, God’s wrath will come upon these nations even as He rewards His saints. God will “destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth” (NLT).

In verse 19, John’s attention is drawn to the temple in heaven. Both Testaments confirm the presence of such a temple, for Isaiah saw it in a vision (Isa. 6:1), and the writer in Hebrews 8:2, 5 noted that the earthly tabernacle was made according to the heavenly pattern, a true tabernacle pitched by the Lord and not man. And here in the heavenly temple rests the ark of the covenant, possibly representing the eternal access we have to God.

Compare verse 15 with Hebrews 13:8. Why should these two verses encourage believers?

B. War in Heaven (Revelation 12:7-9)

9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Although Satan had long since fallen from his exalted position at God’s throne, God still allowed him and his angels a certain freedom of movement about the heavens. Not only has Satan had access to all the kings and kingdoms of the world, he has had access to God himself, appearing before Him as the accuser of His people on earth. The scene in Job 1:6-12 and 2:1-7 is a good example of this fact. But the time has now come for Satan and his angels, who have been able to continue as “the rulers of the darkness of this world” (Eph. 6:12), to be expelled from their lofty positions of evil power and influence. But they do not go quietly, resisting the archangel Michael and his heavenly host (Rev. 12:7). Yet, they do not prevail and are cast down to the earth, no longer having a place in heaven (vv. 8-9).

What does this passage reveal about fallen angels?

C. Final Salvation Promised (Revelation 12:10-11)

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

When Michael and his host finally rid heaven of Satan and all his demonic powers, a loud shout will go up from the multitudes gathered before God’s throne—the throne that Satan had so much coveted. Although the outcome has never been in doubt, now the throne is no longer under the persistent attack of the Enemy. No more will Satan have personal access to God, a privilege he has continually abused by his repeated accusations against the redeemed.

Numerous times had the redeemed multitude and the angelic host offered shouts of praise and thanksgiving to their Creator. Once again, God is the object of praise, this time perhaps more exciting than ever, seeing that Satan and his forces have been cast out of heaven. The multitude acknowledges that salvation, God’s kingdom, and the power of Christ is now come in its fullness, because the accuser no longer stands before God day and night indicting His children.

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (v. 11). Again, a ll who overcome—whether from the time of Christ until the rapture of the Church or during the Tribulation period—will do so by the blood of the Lamb of God, and by the testimony of such a sacrifice.

Jesus Wants Witnesses

Jesus Christ didn’t commit the Gospel to an advertising agency; He commissioned disciples. And He didn’t command them to put up signs and pass out tracts; He said they would be His witnesses.—Joseph Bayly , The Gospel Blimp

3. TRIUMPH AND GLORY OF GOD’S KINGDOM

A. King of Kings (Revelation 19:11-16)

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

John had seen heaven opened repeatedly, but such a scene as this had never passed before his eyes. A majestic white horse bearing a splendid Rider appears in heaven, likely emerging from the heavenly temple. With eyes blazing and with a garment dipped in blood, He appears bearing the crowns of the kings who had usurped authority on the earth. Displayed perhaps on His forehead was a name that John could not interpret, and behind Him followed the armies of the saints arrayed in white raiment (vv. 11-14). No longer will wicked rulers spoil God’s creation. The final battle of the ages, Armageddon, now ensues. The Redeemer will finally wrest control from the rebellious kings of the earth and will ride forth in triumph.

The first white-horse rider referred to in Revelation 6:2 was Antichrist, with no name given to identify him. In the above passage, the white-horse rider is He whom John saw standing in the midst of the seven candlesticks in chapter 1. His name is given; it is “The Word of God” (19:13). He is the Word from “the beginning” (John 1:1-3), the Word who created the heavens (Ps. 33:6), and the Word who preserves “the heavens and the earth . . . until the day of judgment” (2 Peter 3:7 NKJV).

Interestingly, God’s Word is represented by both a “sharp sword” (Rev. 19:15) and the “sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:17). However, its application is different. The sword of the Spirit is wielded by the Holy Spirit to bring conviction and salvation to sinners, while the sword in Revelation 19:15 will be wielded by Jesus Christ to execute judgment. It is the same Word that both saves and strikes down the nations. It will be in His role as Judge that He will “trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God” (v. 15 HCSB).

Although many titles have been assigned to the Lord of Glory, none can exhaust the infinite meaning of His unspeakable name. Although we know Him in certain of His communicable attributes, we can never know Him in His incomprehensible fullness. And even though in verse 12 He has a name that John could not decipher, in verse 16 He reveals Himself as “King of kings, and Lord of lords.” His name is above every name—the name that will cause every knee to bow and every tongue to confess (Phil. 2:10-11).

Testify about one way you have found the Lord to be “Faithful and True.”

B. Satan’s Final Defeat (Revelation 19:17—20:10)

20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever .

An invitation had gone out earlier for believers to come to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (19:9). Once again, an invitation goes forth, but this time for the birds of prey throughout the world to come to “the supper of the great God” (v. 17). The Marriage Supper will be a celebration for Christ and His Bride (the redeemed saints of all the ages), while the second supper will be a gathering of the fowls of the air to feast on the slain multitudes at Armageddon (v. 18).

The greatest conflict of the ages is almost over. Armageddon will end the Great Tribulation. All the kings of the earth with their multitudes will follow Antichrist, believing his kingdom will ultimately rule the world (v. 19). The charismatic leadership of the Beast and the amazing miracles wrought by the False Prophet will deceive them, and they will seal their doom by receiving the imprint of their allegiance. Soon they will discover their leaders (the Beast and the False Prophet) have been “cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone” (v. 20). The sword of the Lord will quickly fall on the remnant, upon whose flesh the fowls with fill themselves (v. 21), fulfilling David’s prophecy in Psalm 110:5-6.

Revelation 20 finds Satan bound in “the bottomless pit” for one thousand years (vv. 1-2). During that time, the saints will live and reign with Christ and will be given the power to judge (v. 4). This correlates with Paul’s question in 1 Corinthians 6:2, “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?” Daniel recorded similar words: “Judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom” (7:22).

Following his one thousand years of incarceration, Satan will briefly find freedom, and for a time will seek again to deceive the nations (Rev. 20:8). But his power and influence will not last. He will be cast into the same lake of fire containing the Beast and the False Prophet, and will there be tormented for eternity (v. 10).

Contrast the “first resurrection” with the “second death” (vv. 5-6).

C. New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-5)

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

“The most glorious chapters of the Bible are these last two chapters, opening up the wonders of the endless ages of eternity, and the fruition of all the great plans of a loving God” (Henry M. Morris, The Revelation Record ). The “old things”—the world’s evil system and the sin-cursed earth—have now “passed away” (v. 1). A fire of catastrophic proportions had melted the earth’s elements with “fervent heat” (2 Peter 3:10), but God promised “new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (v. 13). This is what John saw in Revelation 21:1.

In verse 2, John sees the majestic city of God descending out of heaven, possibly to hover over the re-created earth. In verse 3, he hears a great proclamation from heaven, one that echoed a promise made to the children of Israel in Leviticus 26:11: “And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.”

The Greek word for “dwell” (v. 3) is found only in Revelation and in John 1:14: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” The meaning is “to tent, or to reside,” as God resided in the Old Testament Tabernacle. In the days of His flesh, Jesus briefly tabernacled among humankind and then returned to heaven. In the age to come, He will “tabernacle” among His people forever: “God Himself will be with them and be their God” (Rev. 21:3 NKJV). This city will be New Jerusalem, a place built by God, free of sorrow and death; a place of perfect and unequaled physical beauty, and a place of complete holiness (vv. 3, 8).

How w ill God show His deep love for His Bride?

D. The Heavenly Temple and Its Light (21:22-23)

22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

Considering that the earthly temple had served its purpose, there was no longer need for it. The Temple in Jerusalem ceased its function at the death of Christ, when God rent, from top to bottom, the veil separating the Most Holy Place from the Holy Place. The many gathering places of worship for believers since Christ’s resurrection will also have served their purpose. “The ‘no temple’ in heaven really means ‘all temple’—worship everywhere, under all circumstances, and for ever ” (“The Revelation of Saint John the Divine,” The Pulpit Commentary ). The Lord God Almighty himself is the Temple.

“God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Christ is called the “Light of the World.” In His essential nature, Christ dwells “in the light which no man can approach unto” (1 Tim. 6:16). On earth our greater light is derived from the sun; the lesser light from the moon. In the New Jerusalem there will be no need for either to shine, because the “Shekinah of God” that filled the earthly Tabernacle and Temple will shine in its fullest measure yet. The heavenly light will radiate from the Triune God eternally dispelling even the hint of darkness. This is the perfect kingdom, for which we seek.

“We must hunger after Christ until the dawning of that great day when our Lord will fully manifest the glory of His kingdom.”—John Calvin

NEVER-ENDING KINGDOM

Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome all had their moment on the world stage, but the power and influence of each kingdom proved only transitory. For example, the Roman Empire survived only 507 years. Adolph Hitler’s much-touted 1,000-Year Reich lasted only twelve years. Eventually, these kingdoms crumbled because they ascended to dominance on the shaky foundation of human ingenuity, political intrigue, selfish interest, and human economy.

Conversely, the kingdom of Christ is not earthly, but heavenly, and therefore, is not subject to human wisdom, political machinations, and self-centered concerns. No attack by Satan’s kingdom, however forceful and well-orchestrated, will ever succeed against the kingdom of our Lord. The time is soon coming when all powers and principalities will collapse under the weight of God’s judgment. No more will Satan and his minions have the ability to corrupt kings and kingdoms, for they will have been sentenced to everlasting damnation. The kingdom of Christ will finally triumph over every evil regime and every wicked influence, and will forever rule in uncontested power and glory.