We looked through Revelation 10-11 last Sunday to consider the church’s call to be faithful witnesses for Christ during these final days as we wait for His return. Having heard the proclamation of God’s judgement through the previous six trumpets, John provides another interlude before the seventh trumpet sounds. Here the focus shifts from the happenings of the world to John’s commissioning and the role of God’s people as they wait for Jesus’ return. While John hears the sound of seven thunders, he is instructed to seal up these prophecies concerning the end. This shows that we need not know every detail about the end times. Instead, we can rest assured that God is sovereign; He knows the end and will surely bring it to pass. Ultimately, God reveals the message of His little scroll to John, who then proclaims it to us through the Scriptures. This is the focus for both John’s commissioning and church’s calling: to proclaim the universal, bittersweet message to all peoples, nations, and languages - that Jesus Christ is the Lord of all, the only One who can save. God’s church will face persecution, suffering, and even be killed for bearing witness, but will be raised to glory on the final day. As the seventh trumpet sounds, we see the fulfillment of God’s triumph and rule - His eternal, universal, and victorious reign. For God’s people, silence is not an option. Let us persevere in faithful witness and expect opposition, knowing that a battle for souls is raging in this world.
