The Seven Trumpets Revelation 8:6 – 9 (p )

 What does this have to do with my life?  Revelation is written to the churches –  It lays out the cosmic battle of good and evil  It shows God and the Lamb as the ultimate controllers of history  It Promises victory to the people of God and individual reward based on:  Devotion to Christ  Faithfulness of our witness  It promises that God will act to bring evil to an end – establish justice  Joel 1 – 2 “The dreadful day of Yhwh”  Our picture of reality and who God is affects how we live.

1. Hail & Fire, mixed with blood (8:7) LAND  One third of earth, trees and all grass burned up 2. Burning mountain thrown into the sea (8:8) SEA  One third of sea turns to blood, one third of sea creatures & ships destroyed 3. Star “Wormwood” falls to earth, poisons water (8:10)FRESH WATER  One third of fresh water turns bitter – many people die. 4. Sun, moon stars struck (8:12) HEAVENS / SKY  One third turn dark, one third of day and night without light.

 The 10 Plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7:14 – 12:30) 1. Water turns to blood 2. Frogs 3. Gnats 4. Flies 5. Death of Livestock 6. Boils 7. Hail 8. Locusts 9. Darkness 10. Death of Firstborn Son (Passover)  First 4 SEALS – Human Agents (God lets sin run its course)  First 4 Trumpets – Natural world (God acts in judgment on evildoers)  The 4 trumpets’ impact limited to one third – limited judgment

 Introduced by the Eagle – “Woe! Woe! Woe!” (8:13)  The 5 th Trumpet – the horde from the Abyss  “Locusts” who harm humans, not grass or trees or plants  5 months – the usual season/period of a locust plague  “Looked like” –  Something like crowns of gold on their heads; Resembled human faces; Women’s hair; Lions teeth  ? Northern “barbarians – long, blonde (gold) hair, ate meat off the bone (lion’s teeth).  Their king was “the Destroyer” – Satan  They brought tremendous suffering and devastation – Judgment ! !

 The 6 th Trumpet – Demonic horde of uncountable number  Turned on the people that worshipped them  Brought even more suffering and devastation.

 “They did not repent”  Worshipping demons  Worshipping idols  Acts of murder, “magic”, sexual immorality, theft.  Even facing the consequences of –  Human sinful oppression and exploitation (4 seals)  Natural disasters (4 trumpets)  Suffering and destruction by humans and demons (5 th & 6 th Trumpets) – They did not repent ! ! !

 Replacing my vague and inaccurate perceptions with the true reality  Our God is active, in charge, working out His purpose  He invites us to join Him  Daily choices –  Invest in the Kingdom – devotion to Christ + generosity to others + availability +...  Every simple choice matters – “cup of water” Mark 9:41 (also Matt 25:31-46)  “Welcome home, good and faithful servant” – will ring for eternity ! ! !