Joel M Bradshaw

16And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17saying: “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. 18The 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 people who revere your name, both great and small— and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”–Revelation 11

1. This praise happens in Heaven after the seventh trumpet of God’s wrath sounds.
2. The elders thanked God for using His power as King.
3. The elders proclaimed that God’s rule involved Him displaying wrath against evil.
4. End-times justice first is judgment against those who have rejected God.
5. That justice continues with rewarding those who followed God.
6. Verse 18 could have an environmental meaning, but you could also picture that destruction theologically, as the creation is bound to decay (Romans 8:21) because of the sin of man. Decay entered the world through the sin of man God is judging sin in this passage.
7. I would consider your own life and what group you belong to. Is your allegiance with Jesus or to your sinful idols? Will judgement bring punishment or reward for you?–JMB