Paul Gibson Hardinsburg Baptist Church Revelation 9 & 10 Paul Gibson Hardinsburg Baptist Church

Today's Goals Review the first four trumpets and recognize the transition to the fifth trumpet Feel the harshness of fifth and sixth trumpets Identify the loving patience of God present in Revelation 6 Understand the power of prophecy

The First Four Trumpets "Hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth." Revelation 8:7 "Something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the seas." Revelation 8:8 "A great star, blazing like a torch, feel from the sky on a third of the rivers on the springs of water--" Revelation 8:10 "A third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark." Revelation 8:12

It's About to Get Really Bad... "As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: 'Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!" Revelation 8:13

Fifth Trumpet "The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth..." Star Keys to the Abyss Like a giant furnace Locusts (Think Egypt)

Fifth Trumpet "Only harm those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads"--only allowed to torture non-believers Only allowed to torture and not kill Five months--normal life cycle of a locust

Fifth Trumpet "And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes. During those days people will seek death but will not find it, they will one to die, but death will elude them." 9:5b-6

“The point is the nightmare: all your worst dreams realized in an instant. The fifth angel has unleashed something truly monstrous, truly hellish.” –N.T. Wright (Loc. 1559)

What exactly is the abyss?

The Sixth Trumpet "The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar that is before God. It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet 'Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.'" 9:13-14 "Kill a third of mankind" Mounted troops--it looked as if the angels had/will have help 200 million troops

"The rest of mankind who were not killed by those plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands..." 9:20a It appears as if God will give people a chance to repent during the Great Tribulation

What was the purpose of the four angels?

To encourage repentance

Why the River Euphrates? So when John sees in his vision four angels tied up by the great river Euphrates, ready to be released and to lead their massive armies into battle, everyone from Jerusalem to Rome and beyond knew what this meant. Their worst political and military nightmares. (N.T. Wright, Loc. 1628)

General Thoughts The Revelation-Exodus Connection Plague of Locusts--Preceding the deliverance of God's people The vivid description of the locusts and troops; what could they be? Preterist, Idealist, Progressive/Classic

The Power of Prophecy--Chapter 10 "Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars." 10:1 Where have we seen a rainbow prior in the book of Revelation? What do you think God is trying to tell the reader with this image?

The Power of Prophecy "And he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke..." 10:3 Describe a lion's roar. Describe house-shaking thunder. Why would God possibly use these metaphors?

“...the idea of speaking words which create a new reality is an ancient one, finding classic expression in the great prophets.” –N.T. Wright (Loc. 1688)

"The music is picking up! So, PAY ATTENTION!" The words which are about to be declared are very, very, VERY powerful! A new reality is about to created! "The music is picking up! So, PAY ATTENTION!"

The Power of Prophecy 6 And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, "There will be no more delay! 7 But in the days when the seventh angel is about to sound his trumpet, the mystery of God will be accomplished, just as he announced to his servants the prophets." - Revelation 10:6- 7

Eat the Scroll? Really? (V. 9) "‘Eating the scroll’ is a vivid metaphor for the way in which the prophet, then or indeed today, can only speak God’s word insofar as it has become part of the prophet’s own life." N.T. Wright (Loc. 170))

John's Responsibility "Then I was told, 'You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.'" 10:11 "Then I was told, 'You must declare a new reality, which God will create, about many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.'" (P.G.V.)

General Thoughts Why did the scroll taste both sweet and sour? "Peoples, nations, languages, and kings..." Maybe Revelation is not idealistic after all???

Did we accomplish today's goals? Review the first four trumpets and recognize the transition to the fifth trumpet Feel the harshness of fifth and sixth trumpets Identify the loving patience of God present in Revelation 6 Understand the power of prophecy

Questions?

What are you taking away from today's class?