The Seventh Seal

The Seventh Seal

Revelation, Part 9, Revelation 8:1-13

Ω Introduction

- Last week, we saw the role of 144,000, from the 12 tribes of Israel

-- There are 12,000 each of the 12 tribes of Jacob (Israel)

-- Represent a select group, descendants of Jacob

-- Are appointed to preach the Gospel to the world during the Tribulation

-- They are NOT appointed before the Tribulation begins …

- They fulfill the role planned for Israel, to be a light to the nations

- APP: Out of all the nations of the Earth, God has chosen the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to be a light to the nations, to be his witnesses

-- Isaiah 43:10-12 says "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God.”

- 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

Read Revelation 8:1-13

Pray

Ω Point 1 – A pause in heaven

Ω - The pause in time is Heaven actually holding its breath!

-- APP: The awe of God’s power is breath-taking to Heaven’s inhabitants

-- This also allows the earth to think about what it has done; consequences!

-- Even today, your (our) actions have consequences we must consider

- FACT: The first six seals bring about horrible judgment to all of the earth

-- Now humans are given one more option to think about their mortality

- Remember the first 6 seals brought about the death of ¼ of the humans

-- Certainly this would be WIDELY publicized on the news, internet, etc.

-- APP: This pause also allows the inhabitants of the Earth to think

-- IMP: Again, God’s grace is offered regarding their eternal choice

- Imagine Heaven actually holding its breath in awe of God’s power!

Ω - I want to examine the real world implication here:

-- If Heaven is silent at God’s power … maybe we should take note?

-- Perhaps we should consider our own response BEFORE a righteous God?

-- Maybe we should consider how we treat one another ... in light of this?

-- Nitty-gritty: gossip, backbiting, spiteful remarks, rumors, etc. – Stop it!

--- No action goes without God noticing; even Heaven pauses before Him

-- We cannot fool God (Galatians 6:7 …)

- APP: If Heaven is silent at the awesomeness of God … can we be?

Ω Point 2 – Angels at the Throne

- We now see that there are 7 angels standing at the throne of God

-- They are waiting God’s command to carry out the trumpet judgments

- The censor would hold the fire when combined with incense

-- This produced a fragrant smoke which would ascend upward

-- This was a picture of the priestly office

-- The smoke represented the prayers and worship going toward heaven

- The altar of incense before the holy of holies

-- It was a picture of the original one located in Heaven

-- In ancient times, the high priest would go before the altar of the Lord

-- He would offer up the prayers of the repentant and ask for forgiveness

-- APP: This same act is being demonstrated here in Heaven

- During this time, many of the new believers are being pursued and killed

-- Their prayers have come before God’s throne, and God has heard them

- God is about to respond to our rebellion with His judgment on the Earth

-- This pause (again) reflects this; it is a tremendous show of respect to Him

- We need to understand that God created it all (creation study)

-- Therefore, He can most certainly destroy it all (He is Alpha and Omega)

- Thought: If you are in Heaven during this time, I somehow feel according to this text … that we will see God’s judgment on the Earth, in order to fully understand his power and authority.

- Re-read Revelation 8:6-13

Ω Point 3 – The Sounding of the Trumpets

- Trumpets are loud – they are jarring – and they get your attention

-- God is using these trumpets to get the attention of the Earth

- A trumpet is also used to signal the rapture of the church