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Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, measured heaven with a span and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or as His counselor has taught Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, and showed Him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales; look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing. (Isa. [[40:12-15|bible.23.40.12-23.40.15]])
Reigns is ἐβασίλευσεν [ebasileusen] : "rule over, control completely."1 "The aorist ἐβασίλευσεν [ebasileusen] is proleptic and ingressive. Looking back from the future point when the climactic battle of Rev. [[19:19-21|bible.87.19.19-87.19.21]]+ is complete, the verb tense sees God's assumption of power in reigning over the earth."2 In one sense, God has and always will reign supreme. His rule over all creation has never been, nor ever will be in question: "Your throne is established from of old" (Ps. [[93:2a|bible.19.93.2]]), "The LORD reigns: let the peoples tremble! . . . He is high above all the peoples" (Ps. [[99:1a-2|bible.19.99.1-19.99.2]]). In another sense, the physical reign of God on earth has been corrupted by fallen men and usurped by Satan. It is in this sense--the mediatorial rule of God on earth through men--that events are now rapidly moving to bring God's kingdom to earth.Our Father in heaven. Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven. (Mtt. [[6:9b-10|bible.61.6.9-61.6.10]]). [emphasis added]
The worship of the multitude restates the announcement which attended the sounding of the seventh trumpet: "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" (Rev. [[11:15|bible.87.11.15]]+). In the destruction of Babylon, the world is but a hair-breadth away from the institution of God's literal earthly kingdom. All that remains is the destruction of the Beast and the kings of the earth at the Campaign of Armageddon (Rev. [[19:17-21|bible.87.19.17-87.19.21]]+).Notes
1 Timothy Friberg, Barbara Friberg, and Neva F. Miller, Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 89.
2 Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1995), Rev. 19:6.
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