Chapter 8

Tuesday Night Revelation Bible Study

CHAPTER 8

Housecleaning:  Thanks again for all of the assistance with the Haiti Baby Kits. Kelly has picked up both the Baby and Medical Kits, and she wanted to extend a heartfelt thanks!!

After this blog entry we should be caught up...

Chapters 4 through 18 summarize the events that take place preceding the return of Jesus Christ. Not all of the events happen chronologically. As we discussed, it is important to note the words ‘like’ and ‘as’ as you read through these chapters. These two words help the reader understand John’s method of communicating ideas / events / concepts that he might not have the words to describe. Remember that John is giving a first hand exposition in terms of what he witnesses. These chapters can be scary, convicting and at times confusing, but the message is that Christ is returning in victory.

Recap of Chapter 8 (Chapter Notes and Background)

On September 11, 2001, I was working out at a 24hour fitness. As I was riding the stationary bike, there was breaking news on the television about a plane that had accidentally hit the World Trade Center in New York City. I was almost finished with my workout so I went to the locker room to change. In the locker room as I looked up at the television, another plane crashed into the second World Trade Center. I remember being speechless. My brain was having a hard time processing what I had just seen…and I noticed that everyone else watching the television, had the same silent reaction.

Christ breaks the seventh seal at the beginning of chapter 8. A profound silence ensues. Whenever I think about Heaven, I usually picture people talking, laughing, music playing, constant activity. The opening verse does not mention an isolated silence; that only in the north part of Heaven was it silent, but that ALL of Heaven was silent. The silence lasted thirty minutes. Everyone, not just God, is aware that the remaining trumpet and bowl judgements are going to usher in chaos and destruction that earth has never before experienced. Silence is the most powerful scream. 

“Trumpets play a major role in God's dealings with His people (cf. Exod.

19:16; 20:18; Isa. 27:13; Jer. 4:5; Joel 2:1; Zeph. 1:16; Matt. 24:31; 1 Cor.

15:51-52; 1 Thess. 4:16). They were part of Israel's ceremonial

processions (e.g., Josh. 6:4, 13-16; 1 Kings 1:34, 39; 1 Chron. 15:24), and

they assembled the Israelites for war, journeys, and special feasts (e.g.,

Num. 10:9-10). They also warned of the coming day of the Lord (e.g., Joel

2:1), and they announced the new year in Israel (e.g., Num. 29:1). Here

they announce divine judgment in the day of the Lord (cf. Zech. 1:14-16).”

- Dr. Thomas L. Constable

As the trumpets are given to the seven angels, who will use them at God’s command, we see the effect of prayer. Verse 3 of chapter 8 mentions “the prayer of all the saints”.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your Kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom,
the power and the glory are yours.
Now and for ever.

Amen.

The Lord’s prayer above is modeled on the words of Christ in the Gospels. Many Christians since the first century have said aloud, “your will be done on earth as is in Heaven”. I believe that all of the prayers asking God to intervene, to make His rule absolute on earth, as it is in Heaven, finally are about to become a reality. The judgment that falls on earth before the trumpets begin to sound, are literally the prayers returning to pave the way for Christ’s return.

 

All seven of the trumpet judgments seem to proceed out of the seventh seal judgment. When Christ broke the seventh seal, it began a whole new series of judgments. It does appear that the trumpet judgments, to be followed by the bowl judgments, will happen chronologically. These trumpet and bowl judgments are the judgments that the angel in chapter 7 held back until the 144,000 Jewish converts were sealed. Though both the trumpet and bowl judgments are indictments on sinful humanity and a fallen earth, the objective of these judgments is to bring hostile unbelievers to repentance. Unfortunately, and unbelievably most are so hostile to God that even despite these more severe calamities, they still do not repent. 

 

In the book of Exodus we do have a picture of how unbelievers react to plagues similar to the seven trumpet judgments. Before the nation of Israel was allowed to leave Egypt, God sent plagues to finally cause the Pharaoh, despite his unwillingness, to release Israel. The plagues in Exodus closely mirror the trumpet plagues (see above and cross reference with those in Exodus), but obviously on a smaller scale. Despite the plagues that God sent upon Egypt, many held onto their unbelief. Though it is surprising that many do not turn to repentance and ultimate salvation in Christ during these seven trumpet judgments, we only have to look back to the Old Testament to see that unfortunately human nature has not changed too much since then.