This is God's World

Review

• Ch. 4–5: The Lamb is worthy to take the scroll and fulfill God’s plan for the Day of the Lord.

• Ch. 6: The Lamb breaks 6 seals, which begins God’s judgments against the world, culminating in panic on the earth because it is clear that the Day of the Lord has come.

• Ch. 7: An interlude that answers the question asking “Who can stand in the Day of the Lord?” The sealed of Israel and the redeemed of the nations are able to stand!

Trumpets Overview

• Trumpets are associated with the Day of the Lord in Zephaniah 1:14-16

• Obviously supernatural judgments that originate in heaven and strike different parts of creation with increased severity in comparison to the seal judgments.

• The references to striking “⅓” of intended object(s) indicate that these plagues are not the ultimate judgments. There is worse to come!

• Trumpets are divided into two sets (4, then 3, with the final trumpet in 11:15-19 announcing the imminence of the final judgments and the beginning of God’s kingdom on earth). First four trumpets strike natural objects and have indirect effect on mankind. Fifth and sixth strike mankind with direct affliction.

Theme: The six trumpets of Revelation 8–9 announce that this is God’s world.

1A. (8:1-5) The Seventh Seal: Seven trumpets and the saints’ prayers in heaven

(8:1) The 7th seal and silence in heaven

(8:2) Seven angels receive seven trumpets

(8:3-5) All the saints’ prayers in heaven and omens of judgment on earth

Application: God hears our prayers; He is not too busy to take notice of the plight of His people; He answers according to His sovereign timing.

2A. (8:6-12) Four Trumpets

(8:6-7) 1st Trumpet: Destruction on the earth

(8:8-9) 2nd Trumpet: Destruction on the sea

(8:10-11) 3rd Trumpet: Poisoning the waters

(8:12) 4th Trumpet: Partial darkening

Application: This is my Father’s world.