He shall reign

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!" – Revelation 11v15

When we read Revelation sometimes the scene switches back and forth from earth to heaven and back again. On earth the wrath of God is being poured out. His perfect justice is being carried out on a world which has long rejected Him. There is a scene where His two witnesses are executed, then raised from the dead three and half days later. Without getting into an eschatological debate this is somehow a monumental turning point and he scene switches back to heaven.

‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord,’ we read. At his trial Jesus told Pilate, ‘My kingdom is not of this world.’ Though God had ordained governments, it is obvious even from a cursory study of history that sinful leaders do not always reflect His leadership. Sin has reigned. The prince of the power of the air had had His way. Wickedness has seemingly been in control.

Everything changes here. Suddenly Jesus’ kingdom does become of ‘this world.’ The world’s kingdoms are going to become His. In a way that I admit I don’t fully understand He has always been in control, but one day the kingdom of God and the kingdom of man are going to become one.

It is all a little confusing to me. However, there is one thing I can be assured of.. One day Jesus is going to reign literally, ultimately, and supremely. One day all of this is going to be over and we will sit at the feet of King Jesus, who will reign forever and ever.