Which Old Testament prophecies align with the themes in Revelation 11:18? Snapshot of Revelation 11:18 “The nations were enraged, and Your wrath has come. The time has come to judge the dead and to reward Your servants the prophets, as well as the saints and those who fear Your name, both small and great—and to destroy those who destroy the earth.” Four Key Themes Echoed in the Old Testament 1. Nations rage and God’s wrath arrives 2. Judgment of the dead 3. Reward for God’s servants 4. Destruction of the destroyers 1. Nations Rage, Wrath Arrives • Psalm 2:1-5 — “Why do the nations rage…? …He rebukes them in His anger, and terrifies them in His fury.” • Psalm 110:5-6 — “The Lord is at Your right hand; He will crush kings in the day of His wrath. He will judge the nations…” • Isaiah 13:9-11 — “Behold, the Day of the LORD is coming… to make the land a desolation and destroy the sinners within it.” • Jeremiah 25:31-33 — “The LORD brings a charge against the nations… He will put the wicked to the sword.” • Joel 3:2, 12-16 — “I will gather all the nations… There I will enter into judgment with them.” • Zechariah 14:2-3, 12-13 — Nations gathered against Jerusalem, then struck by plague and panic from the LORD. These passages mirror Revelation’s picture of angry nations suddenly confronted by divine fury. 2. Judgment of the Dead • Daniel 7:9-10 — “The court was convened, and the books were opened.” • Daniel 12:2 — “Many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.” • Isaiah 26:19-21 — “Your dead will live; their bodies will rise… the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity.” The Old Testament establishes both a resurrection and a courtroom setting, matching Revelation’s phrase, “the time has come to judge the dead.” 3. Reward for Servants, Prophets, Saints • Daniel 12:3 — “Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the expanse… like the stars forever and ever.” • Isaiah 40:10 — “His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him.” • Isaiah 62:11 — “See, your salvation comes… His reward is with Him.” • Malachi 3:16-18 — A scroll of remembrance is written; the LORD promises, “They will be Mine… I will spare them as a man spares his own son.” Revelation simply finishes what these passages began: the public honoring of everyone who “fears His name, both small and great.” 4. Destruction of the Destroyers • Isaiah 24:4-6 — “The earth mourns and withers… Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants are held guilty.” • Isaiah 34:1-4 — “Come near, O nations, and listen… The LORD’s wrath is against all the nations… their slain will be thrown out.” • Malachi 4:1 — “The day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff.” Revelation’s phrase “to destroy those who destroy the earth” is already anticipated: God will remove those who corrupt His creation. Pulling the Threads Together The Old Testament consistently previews the very elements Revelation 11:18 brings to a climax: the nations’ rebellion, the outpouring of divine wrath, the resurrection and courtroom judgment, the reward of the faithful, and the elimination of evil. Revelation is not introducing new ideas; it is gathering centuries-old prophecies into one final, awe-inspiring announcement of God’s unchanging plan. |
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