The Seven TrumpetsRevelation 8:6 – 9 (p

1142-1143)

The Lamb is on the ThroneThe Book of REVELATION

Seven Trumpets

What does this have to do with my life?

Revelation is written to the churches – It lays out the cosmic battle of good and evil

It shows God and the Lamb as the ultimate controllers of history

It Promises victory to the people of God and individual reward based on: Devotion to Christ Faithfulness of our witness

It promises that God will act to bring evil to an end – establish justice Joel 1 – 2 “The dreadful day of Yhwh”

Our picture of reality and who God is affects how we live.

1. The first 4 Trumpets

1.Hail & Fire, mixed with blood (8:7) LAND One third of earth, trees and all grass burned up

2.Burning mountain thrown into the sea (8:8) SEA One third of sea turns to blood, one third of sea creatures &

ships destroyed

3.Star “Wormwood” falls to earth, poisons water (8:10)FRESH WATER One third of fresh water turns bitter – many people die.

4.Sun, moon stars struck (8:12)HEAVENS / SKY One third turn dark, one third of day and night without light.

1. The first 4 Trumpets…

The 10 Plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7:14 – 12:30) 1. Water turns to

blood2. Frogs3. Gnats4. Flies5. Death of Livestock

6. Boils7. Hail8. Locusts9. Darkness10. Death of Firstborn Son

(Passover) First 4 SEALS – Human Agents (God lets sin run its course)

First 4 Trumpets – Natural world (God acts in judgment on evildoers)

The 4 trumpets’ impact limited to one third – limited judgment

Introduced by the Eagle – “Woe! Woe! Woe!” (8:13)

The 5th Trumpet – the horde from the Abyss “Locusts” who harm humans, not grass or trees or plants 5 months – the usual season/period of a locust plague “Looked like” –

Something like crowns of gold on their heads; Resembled human faces; Women’s hair; Lions teeth

? Northern “barbarians – long, blonde (gold) hair, ate meat off the bone (lion’s teeth).

Their king was “the Destroyer” – Satan They brought tremendous suffering and devastation –

Judgment ! !

2. The 5th and 6th Trumpets

2. The 5th and 6th Trumpets…

The 6th Trumpet – Demonic horde of uncountable number Turned on the people that worshipped them

Brought even more suffering and devastation.

3. Repentance?

“They did not repent” Worshipping demons Worshipping idols Acts of murder, “magic”, sexual immorality, theft.

Even facing the consequences of – Human sinful oppression and exploitation (4 seals) Natural disasters (4 trumpets) Suffering and destruction by humans and demons (5th

& 6th Trumpets)

– – They did not repent ! ! !They did not repent ! ! !

Replacing my vague and inaccurate perceptions with the true reality Our God is active, in charge, working out His purpose

He invites us to join Him

Daily choices – Invest in the Kingdom – devotion to Christ + generosity to

others + availability + ...

Every simple choice matters – “cup of water” Mark 9:41 (also Matt 25:31-46)

“Welcome home, good and faithful servant” – will ring for eternity ! ! !

Choose Life