Thursday, October 14
Read Revelation 8
Think About It:
The seal judgment is now over, the trumpet judgments are about to begin. These will be followed by bowl (vial) judgments, culminating in the destruction of Babylon in Christ’s return to earth. Know that from the seals to the trumpets to the bowls, the judgments increase in their intensity. Note also that the trumpet and the bowl judgments touch on the same areas, as the following summary illustrates:
The Trumpets The Judgment The Bowls
- 8:1-7 The earth 16:1-2
- 8:8-9 The sea 16:3
- 8:10-11 The Rivers 16:4-7
- 8:12-13 The heavens 16:8-9
- 9:1-2 Mankind-torment 16:10-11
- 9:13-21 An army 16:12-16
- 11:15-19 Angry nations 16:17-21
The trumpet judgments are released during the first half of the tribulation, in the bowl judgments during the last half, which is also called “the wrath of God” (Revelation 14:10; 15:7). The trumpet judgments parallel the plagues that God sent on the land of Egypt. And why not? After all, the whole world will be saying, as did Pharaoh, “Who is the Lord that I should serve Him?”
Preparation 8:1-6
John does not tell us why there was silence in the heavenlies, just that all worship stopped.
During the silence, the seven angels were given Trumpets, which was significant to John. Numbers 10 says trumpets had three important uses: they called people together, they announced war, and the announced special times.
The awesome silence was followed by the actions of a special angel at the golden altar in heaven. The prayers of the saints were combined with the burning incense and the prayers ascended to God. For centuries God’s people have been praying, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done!” Likewise, the tribulation martyrs pray for God to vindicate them, which is a common plea of David and the Psalms.
Like it or not, the prayers of God’s people are involved in the judgments that He sends. The throne and the altar are related. The purpose of prayer, it is often been said, is not to get man’s will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth. Even if that will involves judgment.
Desolation (8:7-13)
The earth – verse 7
In the sea – verses 8-9
In the fresh water – verses 10-11
In the heavens – verses 12-13
This fourth judgment affects the entire world. Why? Because it gets to the very source of the earth’s life and energy, the sun. With one third less sunlight on the earth, there will be far less energy available to support the Life Systems of man and nature. At this point, a remarkable messenger will appear in the sky, proclaiming woe to the earth’s inhabitants. Most manuscripts have “eagle” here instead of “angel”, either one would certainly get people’s attention!
Family Time:
- After the seventh seal is broken, what happens in heaven and for how long?
- As you prepare to read all the woes that happen, remind yourself that God is slow to anger; watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeQ1nq_YJD0
- Imagine sitting in total silence, how would a thunder crack sound? What did the incense represent? What did the prayers of the saints and fire from the alter thrown to earth cause?
- Do not DISMAY – Hang in there!
