READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l Jesus had the authority to break the seals on the scroll that would unravel what will happen in the history of the world. The first four seals introduced the first four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (conquest, war, famine and death) who represented the opposition to Christ and the kingdom that was to come. The fifth seal was the cry of the martyrs to God, and the sixth seal was a great earthquake with cosmic disturbances. After opening the sixth seal, there was an interlude where a lot of people were affirmed and protected by God. The seventh seal was opened and there was silence in heaven. The seven seals, seven trumpets and seven bowls are not to be taken in sequence, but in parallel. There were only seven events where the seven seals reveal the persecution of the church and plea for justice; the seven trumpets revealed the world experiencing God’s judgement as warning and offering mercy, and the seven bowls revealed how judgement is poured out when there is a refusal to repent and persistent rebellion.
Seven Trumpets
1. Warning for the world (8-10)
Trumpets were used for announcements, gatherings or to warn of danger. The first four trumpets warned of one third of the earth destroyed by burning; one third of the sea and its creatures destroyed; one third of the rivers destroyed and water was poisoned, and one third of the sky destroyed and turned dark. Only one third destroyed is seen as a symbol of mercy because judgement was not total. God called on the rest to repent.
Three woes would come from the fifth, sixth and seventh trumpets, where the fifth trumpet was a torment by locusts like scorpions commanded by Satan. Men were seeking death but could not find it. The sixth trumpet was a destruction where one third of mankind were killed through plagues or fire, smoke and sulphur from deadly horses.
Despite these, the remaining men had hardened hearts and did not repent. The angels declared in v10:6 that there would not be any delay. God’s purposes will be accomplished as there is a limit to His patience.
C.S. Lewis wrote, “God whispers in our pleasures, speaks in consciences but shouts in our pain.”
God is saying, “Do not ignore. Turn around. Return.”
2. Witness of His people (11:1-12)
John was asked to measure God’s people so that they were safe in His care and protection as He dwells with them. Jesus appointed the people of God (“two witnesses”) to carry out the prophetic ministry of the Church. The 42 months were a symbol for the time when the people of God would bear witness when the world was being trampled upon (v11:3). What kind of witness are they?
- Repentant and contrite witness clothed in sackcloth.
- Supernaturally empowered witness who were anointed by the Lord to serve Him, who could call fire upon the enemies, and had the power to turn water into blood and struck the earth with plague.
- Suffer defeat yet raised to life after three and a half days, after being killed by the beast.
Jesus is on trial for claiming He can break the chains of sin and death, break the status quo and provide us with a lasting kingdom. As His witnesses, we are
- Empowered to overcome the resistance and validate the message.
- Persevering to receive that life to raise again.
- Humbled by being repentant and repenting. We are fellow sinners who have experienced the grace of God.
3. Weight of His purposes (11:13-19)
After the seventh trumpet was sounded, there were:
- Surprising Grace – only one tenth (7000) perished and this was a symbol of grace when two third had refused to repent.
- Sovereign Justice – God will judge the wicked and His justice will be done.
- Shocking Kingdom – the kingdom of God will be forever.
These will bring distress for those who built their life on an earthly kingdom. It will be a woe to those who do not pledge allegiance to God.
Let us heed the warning, do not tune out but return to Him. God wants us to go and witness as we can make an eternal impact for His kingdom. He wants us to grasp the weight of His prophecies; there will be a surprising grace that we will see at the end; sovereign justice and an amazing kingdom.
(Sermon notes by Honey Vreugdewater)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Study Scripture
a. Read Revelation 8-11. What stands out to you? - Recall Sermon
a. How are the first six trumpets warning the world of the need for repentance? How do they reveal God’s compassion and patience?
b. What do the two witnesses in chapter 11 represent? What are some characteristics of their witness? How does that encourage you?
c. Rev 11:13 speaks of an earthquake with one-tenth of the city perishing. How is that the grace of God?
d. What does the sounding of the 7th trumpet represent? How is that a woe? - Relate Personally
a. What about the message that really spoke to you?
b. What is one discipleship lesson you have gleaned from the message? - Commit to Action
a. In what ways is God calling you to act in response to the message?
b. What steps will you take this week to apply the lessons learned from the sermon?
