Although we start a new chapter today, we’re still in the middle of the seven trumpet judgements. This is the second set of seven judgements found in Revelation (remember the seals in chapter 6), and it’s a more intense set: God is upping the ante in his bid to give his rebellious world a taste of what it will be like when he leaves for good. We pick it up at the fifth trumpet, which is the first of the three “woes” announced by the eagle. (See Rev 8:13 and yesterday’s post.)
New Testament
Revelation 8 – Part Two
We’re continuing in our series through Revelation 4-11. There’s a quick recap of the story so far at the start of last Friday’s post, which would be helpful if you’re just joining us, or haven’t been following each day. We’re now up to the second scene in chapter 8. Having just paused to hear the prayers (for justice) from God’s people, a fresh round of judgement is about to begin.
This time, instead of the opening of seals (Rev 6), it’s the sounding of trumpets that enacts judgement. (It’s possible to see the seventh seal as containing the seven trumpets. So maybe the silence after the seal wasn’t so much an anticlimax after all. See last Friday.)
Revelation 8 – Part One
Continuing our series in Revelation 4-11, we’ve come to chapter 8. The story so far: God is in control of his world (Rev 4) , and has already dealt with injustice once-and-for-all through the sacrifice of the slain-yet-risen Lamb (Rev 5). One day, God will judge those who continue to rebel against him and oppose his people. But until then, he’s pouring out a measure of his judgement on his rebellious world in hope that they will realise what eternity without him will be like, and repent (Rev 6). His people will get caught in the crossfire, yet they’ll be sealed with God’s protection, and have the hope of a glorious future to sustain them (Rev 7).
In chapters 8 and 9, the judgement scenes continue. But first, there’s a brief interlude:
Revelation 7 – Part Two
Yesterday, we read a message of comfort to those of us who belong to God, but are still caught up in the crossfire of a world under judgement. God has sealed us for protection, just like he protected Noah during the flood, the Israelites from the angel of death, and the faithful ones in Jerusalem during the Babylonian conquest.
But you’d better sign up now, as there are only 144,000 places…
Rev 7:4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
Revelation 7 – Part One
(Happy Back to the Future II day. Yes, October 21, 2015 is the date that Marty set the Delorian for back in 1985. Still waiting for my hoverboard.)
This week we’ve been looking at Revelation 6. And all this talk of judgement has been pretty scary! We started out asking about injustice in the world. If God was indeed in control, what’s he doing about it? And we got back the answer: he’s already in the process of judging the world. Of giving humanity a taste of what a Godless eternity would be like, in the desperate hope that they would choose another way.
But what about us, right now? For most of us reading this, we’ve already chosen to align ourselves with God. We’re not perfect… yet… but we’ve defected in our allegiance from a sinful world and have enlisted with God. The blood of the Lamb (Rev 5) has purchased us for God. We are now his people. His children. What about us? Has God heard of the concept of collateral damage? Of friendly fire? Are we going to get caught up in this judgement?
Revelation 6 – Part Two
Yesterday, we read Revelation 6 – a chapter full of seals being broken which usher in various horrific judgements. And we saw how it might be describing the calamities that befell Jerusalem in the leadup to her destruction by Rome in AD70. Today, we’re asking why. What’s the point of all this judgement?
Remember that in chapter 4, God was depicted as being seated on his throne, in control of his world. OK, but what’s he doing about all of the bad stuff – particularly those who continue to rebel against him, and mistreat his people? Chapter 5 reminded us that the slain-yet-risen lamb has already done something about it. But in the meantime, what’s God doing? Anything?
Revelation 6 – Part One
We began last week by talking about injustice. That it’s what makes people most frequently question God. Seeing or experiencing something unjust – it makes us ask ‘why’? In particular, why does God continue to allow injustice to be done against himself, and against his people? It makes us ask if God really is in control of his world. And if he is in control, what’s he doing about it?
We then looked at Revelation chapters 4 and 5, which gave at least part of an answer to these questions. Is God in control of this world? Chapter 4 gave a resounding ‘yes!’ It presented a picture of God on his throne, and every other source of power and authority a mere pale, shadowy copy of the heavenly emperor.
In The Throne Room – Part Five (Rev 4-5)
This week we’ve been working our way through the throne room scene in Revelation 4 and 5. Yesterday, we learnt two things from the image of the slain-yet-victorious lamb:
- He is victorious: bringing justice for God’s people.
- He was slain for a purpose: the redemption of God’s people.
Today, we look at a third:
In The Throne Room – Part Four (Rev 4-5)
The second half of the throne room scene begins in Revelation chapter 5. If chapter 4 reminded us that God was in control of his world, chapter 5 answers the next logical question: if he is in control, what’s he going to do about all the injustice in the world? And the answer is – he’s already doing something about it. Let’s take a look.
In The Throne Room – Part Three (Rev 4-5)
If you missed the last two days’ posts, make sure you’ve read Revelation chapter 4. Because we’re looking at this vision of God on his throne in the heavens. Yesterday, we saw the Jewish background to this vision – how it’s described using the words and images of many of the Old Testament appearances of God. It was designed to impress upon John’s hearers that his vision stands in continuity with Israel’s God, who reveals himself through human prophets, and who’s still very much in control of his world, judging evil and protecting his people.
Today, we look at this chapter from a different angle, where we see that some of the language and imagery John uses is drawn from the Roman imperial court.
timmacbride.com 