Overview
In this chapter we read of two angels shouting poetically over the "fallen" earthly kingdom of Rome. The first angel speaks in verses 1-20 and the second in verses 21-24. They express the lament of sailors, sea-captains, merchants, workmen, and all "the world's great men." They also express the joy of "saints and apostles and prophets". The truth of 11:15 is symbolized in the fall of Rome — "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ" (KJV). The Lamb has conquered! And great is the fall of any and all kingdoms outside of His rule.
Recent events (I write this in the summer of 1991) have made the suddenness of the fall of earth's kingdoms appear less shocking. Over the course of the past 36 months we have seen the fall of the Berlin Wall, the destruction of the Iron Curtain, the end of the Warsaw pact, and, most recently, the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Most surprising of all was the demise of the Soviet Communist Party in less than one hour! President Gorbachev simply signed its death warrant with one stroke of a pen.
We have entered an era of instant wars and instant victories. Things have speeded up to an almost breakneck pace. No longer does it seem impossible, nor improbable, that kingdoms and "kings" rise and fall in "an hour" (v.17).
We who believe in the return of the Lord had better "lift up our heads — for our redemption draweth nigh".
|
Prayer
O Great God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we recognize that 'You are truly in charge here. You have given us free will and somehow, without violating that free will, Your will is done. We surrender voluntarily to Your complete purpose in our lives, our circumstances, and the entire planet. We need Your grace to do this daily. |