The book of Revelation, up to this point, has unveiled a cosmic war between good and evil that serves as the backstory of human history.

t's here... the seventh trumpet. "The whole world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever." Other than happily humming the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah, how does this make you feel? Relief?

Cue the dramatic pause... It's the interlude between the sounding of the sixth and seventh trumpets. This short but intense chapter shifts focus back to earth... it's a last chance. "There will be no more delay," God says, referring to His long foretold plan for judgement upon the earth.

One of the shortest chapters in the bible, Psalm 131 consists of just three verses. These verses, though, carry a profound message about contentment and quiet trust in God.

The fifth and sixth trumpets sound and introduce severe demonic plagues upon the earth. The intensity of God's final judgement increases sharply from damage to the physical environment to direct, agonizing torment and mass casualties inflicted upon rebellious humanity.

Where is God in the cosmic chaos? Prayers seem to go unheard, and worse, unanswered. Justice rains down on the earth (hence the chaos) because he absolutely hears the prayers of His people and acts on their behalf. 

Revelation 7 is a 'time out' before the seventh seal and answers the question of 'who can stand' following the judgement of the whole world. 

The first command in Psalm 37 is "do not worry...". What follows are forty verses that encourage believers not to fret over the temporary success of the wicked, but to trust in God's justice.

Someone recently commented that Revelation 6 is a "pretty dreary chapter". And while it does depict the unfolding chaos of the end times—war, famine, death—it also affirms Christ's sovereignty over history and promises justice for martyrs.