Series: Jesus and the Tribulation
May 16, 2021 | Dr. Wes George
Passage: Revelation 8:1-13
John witnessed silence in heaven. 1-2
1 When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
Silence is unusual in heaven.
1 When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
Silence is appropriate in judgment.
Zephaniah 1:7 Be silent before the Lord God for the day of the Lord is near.
Seven angels with seven trumpets stand before God.
2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
John witnessed supplication in heaven. 3-4
3 Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne.4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.
Prayer is important in the life of the believer.
Prayer is important in the plan of God.
John witnessed storms from heaven. 5-6
5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
6 And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound them.
The storms contrast the silence. 5
5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake
The storms characterize the tribulation.
John witnessed the sounds of the trumpets from heaven. 7-12
The First Trumpet 7
7 The first sounded, and there came hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth; and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.
The Second Trumpet 8-9
8 The second angel sounded, and something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea; and a third of the sea became blood, 9 and a third of the creatures which were in the sea and had life, died; and a third of the ships were destroyed.
The Third Trumpet 10-11
10 The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waters. 11 The name of the star is called Wormwood; and a third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the waters, because they were made bitter.
The Fourth Trumpet 12
12 The fourth angel sounded, and a third of the sun and a third of the moon and a third of the stars were struck, so that a third of them would be darkened and the day would not shine for a third of it, and the night in the same way.
13 Then I looked, and I heard an eagle flying in midheaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!”
These woes are the 5th, 6th, and 7th trumpets. There is more to come and the worst is yet to come. An eagle is flying around heaven and between earth and heaven declaring to the ones dwelling on the earth woe, woe, woe.
Why is it going to happen?
God’s plan for dealing with a fallen world.
Not only have people fallen, but the Bible speaks of all creation falling. The animal kingdom and nature are all at enmity with each other as a result of the Fall.
God’s plan for dealing with the evil one and his kingdom.
The fifth trumpet speaks of his removal from heaven, ultimately dealt with in 20:10.
God’s plan for dealing with unrepentant sinners.
The justice of God demands that sin be judged. To reward sin in the same way to reward righteousness would be unjust. The 5th and 6th trumpets speak of people being smitten and killed which will ultimately be 20:11-15
How should we respond?
We should give our lives to Jesus Christ.
To avoid the judgment of God.
To enjoy the joy of the Lord.
We should live our lives for Christ.
To enjoy the blessings of godly living
Assurance of salvation
Forgiveness of sin
To invest in the blessing of evangelizing the nations
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