What does the world's rejoicing reveal about their spiritual state in Revelation 11:10? Setting the Scene “ And those who dwell on the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and send gifts to one another because these two prophets had tormented them.” (Revelation 11:10) The Reaction of the Earth-Dwellers • Gloating—open delight at the prophets’ deaths • Celebrating—throwing a global party • Gift-giving—treating murder as a holiday Spiritual Diagnosis • Hatred for God’s truth – John 3:19-20: “people loved the darkness rather than the Light.” • Calloused conscience – 1 Timothy 4:2 speaks of consciences “seared with a hot iron.” • Reversal of moral values – Isaiah 5:20: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” • Unity in rebellion – Psalm 2:1-3: nations band together against the Lord. • Pleasure in unrighteousness – 2 Thessalonians 2:12: “all may be condemned who ... delighted in wickedness.” • Approval of sin – Romans 1:32: applauding those who practice evil. Corroborating Passages • Matthew 24:12—love grows cold as lawlessness increases. • Acts 7:54-58—crowd rejoices in Stephen’s death, mirroring the same spirit. • Revelation 13:4, 8—worldwide worship of the beast follows the same pattern of defiance. Takeaway Truths • The celebration exposes a hardened, God-resistant heart. • Joy over the silencing of witnesses reveals allegiance to darkness. • The episode previews humanity’s climactic showdown with the Lamb—yet Scripture assures that, after three and a half days, the prophets rise (Revelation 11:11), affirming God’s ultimate vindication of His truth. |
    |