It is generally much less difficult for us to commit the keeping of our future to the Lord than it is to commit our present. We know that we are helpless regarding our future. But we feel that today is in our own hands, and must be carried on our own shoulders. It appears that most of us have an unconfessed idea that it is a great deal to ask the Lord to carry us, therefore we cannot think of asking Him to carry our burdens as well.

-- Hannah Whitall Smith in “The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life.” Christianity Today, Vol. 37, No. 1

A hymn writer penned these words: "Be not dismayed, whatever betides! God will take care of you!"

As we noted in the first half of Revelation 11 last week, thing have changed. God is taking charge of running the world! Last week, God’s two witnesses were telling people how God wanted to do things. When they were killed everyone rejoiced. But 3½ days later God restored them to life! Those who saw them brought back to life were terrified. Then God called the two witnesses to heaven and away they went! At that moment there was a great destruction through an earthquake!

Now we resume chapter 11 at verse 14. Under the seventh trumpet, all anti-christian powers are to be destroyed and Christ's kingdom will be established upon earth.

Revelation 11:14-19

The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.

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 Christ, and He will reign for ever and ever."

And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshipped God, saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. The nations were angry; and Your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding Your servants the prophets and Your saints and those who reverence Your name, both small and great -- and for destroying those who destroy the earth."

Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within His temple was seen the ark of His covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.

Before the sounding of the seventh and last trumpet, there is the usual command for attention. The saints and angels in heaven know that God has the right to rule over the entire world. But the unsaved will see God's wrath. In today’s scripture God begins to reward His people's faithful services and their sufferings. When their enemies fretted against God, they increased their guilt, and hastened their destruction.

Earthly rulers only have temporary power. Also, evil in this world is only temporary, although it lasts throughout our lifetime. God's sovereign authority and power are eternal, and thus His victory will be everlasting. This means that the persecution and suffering Christians have to endure are only temporary. God will judge evil, reward faithfulness, and rule the world forever. The final victory will see Jesus rule openly and eternally over all creation.

The last thing that will happen is that the kingdom will be established. The declaration of loud voices in heaven announces an establishing of God's kingdom through conquest of the kingdom of the world. The world will ultimately come under the universal government of Christ, who will reign eternally.

Is it just me, or does it seem to you that the rich and powerful people of the world are usually not born again, on fire Christians? The people who make the decisions regarding many of the laws of the land – the people who decide what is "good entertainment" in the movies and the television industries certainly do not see life the same way you and I do!

It makes us wonder where justice is! Jesus must have noticed this too, for He said, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven!"

When God created the world He gave Adam and Eve dominion over the world. By that we mean He placed them in charge. Unfortunately they sinned, and that act gave Satan dominion (control) of the world. 2 Corinthians 4:4 refers to Satan when it says, "the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."

When Jesus died for our sins He gave the dominion (control) of this world back to the Christians… but only of our portion of the world. There are several references in the Scriptures that teach us that we are not to worry about how well the wicked people do. God wants to bless and prosper us, but we can’t get confused when unchristian people have wealth. Wealth is not necessarily a sign of God’s power and blessing.

We now look to the Old Testament for teachings on how to handle evil people:

Psalm 37:1-18 (Ten Key Thoughts)

1. Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

2. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

3. Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.

4. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

5. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him;

6. Do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

7. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

8. A little while and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.

9. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.

10. The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for He knows their day is coming.

And their day is pretty well described in the events that are portrayed in Revelation. One needs to remember that the goal of God is always the salvation of everyone. All of the warnings of scripture are designed to get people to turn to God!

This is one of the reasons that Christians are taught not to judge others. God is working toward their redemption. If you and I are busy condemning others, we aren’t praying for them. We are taught to pray for our enemies… to pray for those who despitefully use us!

Forgiving is basically forgetting that you were ever hurt. It is also restoring the relationship that existed before the event occurred. Yes, if someone who hurt us has a weakness that causes him or her to hurt you over and over, you are to separate from them. But you still seek to see them saved!

Is it well with your soul today? Are you longing to see Jesus face to face, and to bring with you those you have been fruitful in bringing to Christ? Our civic clubs gives honor to their members who recruit others. So does God!