The book of Revelation contains glorious imagery of the joy associated with Christ’s ultimate victory. In the midst of great turmoil and destruction on earth, angels, who can see what was coming, shout with anticipation:
The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Revelation 11:15
In a world filled with so much turmoil, violence, and pain, it would be nice to be able to look across the horizon and see a coming peace. We can act with more wisdom if we can maintain confidence that God will ultimately prevail.
The summer of 1839 was a difficult time for Joseph Smith and his associates. Evicted from their homes in Missouri, they had sought refuge in Illinois. They had acquired land in a swampland known as Commerce. As thousands of church members relocated to that place, many of them became ill with diseases including malaria. During this time of suffering and uncertainty, the Quorum of Twelve Apostles sent a letter to church members which ended with the following words of encouragement:
Amid the clamor of men, the din of war, the rage of pestilence, the commotion of nations, the overthrow of kingdoms, and the dissolution of Empires, truth shall walk forth with mighty power, guided by the arm of Omnipotence, and lay hold of the honest in heart among all nations: Zion shall blossom as a rose, and the nations flock to her standard, and the kingdoms of this world shall soon become the kingdoms of our God and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever, Amen.
Joseph Smith, History, 1838–1856, vol. C-1, created 24 Feb. 1845–3 July 1845
Mormon assured us that we can trust in God’s supremacy:
Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll?
Mormon 5:23; see also Isaiah 34:4, Revelation 6:14
He also described the joy we will feel when we live under God’s leadership:
He hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end.
Mormon 7:7
The “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s Messiah opens with a thunderous shout from Revelation 19:6: “Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.” Then, the music briefly settles, bidding us to listen to the central message of the piece: “The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.” For the rest of the piece, the words “forever and ever” mingle with the word “hallelujah” as a continuous refrain, together with, “King of kings, and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16).
I hope you enjoy this performance of the Hallelujah chorus by the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square:
Today, I will keep the turmoil of the world in perspective. I will remember that God reigns in the heavens and that the nations of this world are subservient to Him. I will look forward to the time when He will reign more visibly as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.