Revelation, Part 12
Revelation 8:1-13
Introduction
Last time, we concluded with the importance of the 144,000 sealed
We discussed these souls being sealed to deliver God’s word to all the nations
These come from the 12 tribes of Israel – 12,000 from each
When they are finished preaching, the final souls who have been martyred for their belief will be brought from under the altar and before the throne
These souls receive their reward, their glorified bodies, and God’s judgment on humanity is about to begin
Pray
Read Revelation 8:1-5
I. A pause in heaven
The pause in time can be thought of as Heaven actually holding its breath!
All of Heaven is in awe of what God is about to do, and this also allows the earth to think about what it has done.
The first six seals bring about horrible judgment to all of the earth, and now humans are given one more option to think about their mortality.
Remember that the first 6 seals brought about the death of ¼ of the population
This pause also allows the inhabitants of the Earth to think one more time about their eternal choice – again.
Imagine Heaven actually holding its breath in awe of God’s power!
II. Angels at the Throne
We see that there are 7 angels standing at the throne of God, and they are waiting God’s command to carry out the trumpet judgments
The censor would hold the fire when combined with incense; a fragrant smoke would ascend upward. This was a picture of the priestly office, and the smoke represented the prayers and worship going toward heaven.
The altar of incense before the holy of holies was a picture of the original located in
Heaven, but in ancient times the high priest would go before the altar of the Lord and offer up the prayers of the repentant and ask for God’s forgiveness. This same act of asking for forgiveness is being demonstrated here in Heaven.
During this time in the tribulation, many of the new believers are being pursued and killed. Their prayers have come before God’s throne, and God has heard them – this could be symbolic of those prayers being brought before the Lord.
God is about to answer the persecution of his saints with His judgment on the Earth.
We need to understand that God created it all, and He can most certainly destroy it all. If you are in Heaven during this time, I feel that we will see God’s judgment on the Earth, in order to fully understand his power and authority.
Read Revelation 8:6-13
III. The Sounding of the Trumpets
Trumpets are loud – they are jarring – and they get your attention when one is blown. God is using these trumpets to get the attention of the Earth. A trumpet is also used to signal the rapture of the church (1 Thess 4:16) – here God is going to use these trumpets to get the attention of those on the Earth
The First Trumpet
The first 4 trumpets are judgments on the physical earth (trees, swea, etc.)
In the first trumpet, we see hail, fire and blood!
I believe we are witnessing the very foundation of the Earth being destroyed – perhaps volcanoes erupting further from the opening of the 6th seal.
Heaven is raining hail, fire, and blood on the Earth – punishment for the wicked that continue to disobey God.
The Second Trumpet
The second trumpet I believe brings a giant meteor to the Earth!
This meteor (or mountain as John sees it) lands in an ocean (some body of water) and sends a tital wave that destroys another 1/3 of the sea and its inhabitants!
Scientists have said for decades that the dinosaurs were killed off by a giant meteor (crashed south of Mexico – 6 miles wide) – so here we are seeing a foreshadowing that it will happen again!
The Third Trumpet
A great star – an asteroid
Wormwood is translated to mean bitter or bitterness
This asteroid could be part of the first that broke off – but it will be toxic in nature – destroying the drinking water.
No one can live without water. Our body is 98% water, because water is something that we need to have in our body to survive.
Bitter water is certainly not going to be something you want to drink!
Without water, death will follow.
The Fourth Trumpet
Because of the first three trumpets, the Earth will be in a terrible state! Volcanic ash, debris, and smoke will fill the skies and 1/3 of the Heavenly bodies will be darkened out.
We used the example of Mt St Helens exploding and how that turned the area into night, and with 1/3 of the stars, sun, and moon being darkened – certainly this an event that is on a global level!
Notice the angel flying about through the sky though, proclaiming “Woe to the Earth”
This angel is specifically talking to those on the Earth. Those who trust in the Lord will become inhabitants of Heaven, and this angel is talking specifically to those still disobeying God and who live on the Earth.
This angel is warning the people (God giving another chance for folks to turn around) that the next judgments will be worse! The first 4 were on the Earth, and the last will be against those living on the Earth!
Certainly, you would think that this final warning would cause others to turn to the Lord, but it does not!
Conclusion
Invite singers
This destruction on the Earth is horrible – and many will see it because they have not given their life to the Lord!
Because of pride, sin, rebellion, etc. there will be still be those cursing God and turning their backs on Him.
Many in this world will believe what they are told – that these are natural disasters. CNN will have the greatest scientists on to explain these disasters, and it will be accepted. No one will believe the bible anymore, even though they have witnessed millions disappearing, it will be out of sight and out of mind.
Let me give you an example of out of site, out of mind. Do you know that we still have troops deployed in Iraq? Of course you do. How about Somalia? We are still there and since it is not on the news, no one thinks about it!
How about this: We have more than 320,000 troops stationed in 120 countries!!
This will be the same. People will be out of sight and out of mind, and they will be forgotten – sadly, but it is true.
Do you want to be one of those forgotten about? Or do you want to be in Heaven forgetting about the troubles of this Earth? The choice is yours – here you can see what the future holds for those still denying God … you choose what you want to be.
Pray
* Some information confirmed with TruthNet.org
