The revelation of Jesus Christ to His servants through John (Part 3): Revelation 8–11

In all the violence and terror in Revelation, there is some explanation.

The first suggests the violence has been delayed, initially by the earlier half hour of silence in heaven, but it could be for any amount of time (from minutes to thousands of years):

^{Revelation 10:6-7} There will be no more delay. When the seventh angel blows his trumpet, God’s mysterious plan will be fulfilled. It will happen just as he announced it to his servants the prophets.

When the trumpet sounds, the mysterious plan is shown as Jesus taking His place:

^{Revelation 11:15}The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.

The violence surrounding all this is explained in a song of praise by the elders:

^{Revelation 11:17-18} We give thanks to you, Lord God, the Almighty,
the one who is and who always was,
for now you have assumed your great power
and have begun to reign.
The nations were filled with wrath,
but now the time of your wrath has come.
It is time to judge the dead
and reward your servants the prophets,
as well as your holy people,
and all who fear your name,
from the least to the greatest.
It is time to destroy
all who have caused destruction on the earth.

Some call this karma: the consequences of one’s actions. Humanity’s wrath (or violence) towards people and the earth over our entire history will now be finished by God.