Revelation 11:18

Nations were angry. Compare Ps. 2:1. Such will be the condition of the nations prior to the coming of Christ. They will band together to oppose the work and people of Christ (see on Rev. 13:12; 14:8).

Wrath. The wrath of God is summed up in the seven last plagues (ch. 15:1). The work of opposition against Christ is brought to a halt by these plagues.

Time. Gr. kairos, a particular time with a definite purpose (see on ch. 1:3). This is a time of judgment, both of reward and of destruction.

That they should be judged. The mention of both reward and destruction indicates that John is speaking of the final judgment, which takes place after the millennium (ch. 20:12–15).

Reward unto thy servants. See Matt. 5:12; 6:1; 1 Cor. 3:8; Rev. 22:12. Since the events enumerated are sequential, the reward here spoken of is the inheritance of the new earth at the close of the millennium.

Prophets. God’s special servants, who speak forth for Him. This class has borne heavy responsibilities and has often suffered most severely for their Lord.

Saints. Or, “holy ones.” The members of the body of Christ characterized by the purity of their lives.

Them that fear. Gr. hoi phoboumenoi, a term used in the Acts for those who, though not fully proselytes to Israel, nevertheless worshiped the true God (see on Acts 10:2). If the same general meaning is intended here, this third class to receive a reward in the judgment may be understood as those who have not completely known Christ and His way, but who have lived in the fullness of the light that has come to them. Because they have feared the name of God, as He has been revealed to them, they too receive a reward. On the other hand, the phrase hoi phoboumenoi may simply be in apposition with the word translated “saints.” The passage would then read, “the saints, even those fearing thy name.”

Small and great. Worldly status is meaningless in the final judgment.

Destroy them which destroy. The fate of the wicked, who have destroyed the earth— physically, and also spiritually—is strikingly fitting. They themselves are destroyed.