Bible Reading
Revelation 8:1-13 “When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them. The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter. The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night. Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, 'Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!”
[27:53]Romans 12:19-21 “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
[49:11]Hebrews 7:25 “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”
[43:19]Observation questions
- What happens in heaven when the Lamb opens the seventh seal, and what happens before the trumpet judgments begin? [33:22]
- In Revelation 8:3–5, what rises before God, and what is later thrown down to the earth from the same incense burner? [45:49]
- What repeated fraction appears in the first four trumpet judgments, and what parts of creation are affected by those judgments? [51:34]
- According to Romans 12:19–21, what are believers told not to do when wronged, and what good actions are they told to take toward an enemy? [49:11]
Interpretation questions
- Why might the silence in heaven before the judgments be a comfort to believers who have prayed for justice for a long time? [35:31]
- Revelation connects incense with the prayers of the saints, while Hebrews says that Jesus always lives to intercede. How does Christ’s intercession give confidence to someone whose prayers feel weak, confused, or incomplete? [43:19]
- How does the fact that God—not the suffering saints—sends the fire of judgment shape the way believers should respond to real evil done against them? [48:33]
- The trumpet judgments are severe, yet only a third is struck. Why should these limits be understood as both a warning of judgment and an expression of patience? [55:49]
Application questions
- Is there a prayer you have grown tired of praying—for a wandering child, a broken relationship, protection from harm, or justice in a painful situation? What would it look like to bring that request to God again this week rather than measuring his attention by the speed of his answer? [01:00:49]
- When you pray, do you ever hold back because your words seem too messy, emotional, or uncertain? How does knowing that Jesus carries the prayers of his people to the Father encourage you to pray honestly? [44:35]
- Whose name comes to mind when you hear the command to leave vengeance to God? Without minimizing the wrong, what could it look like to refuse revenge and seek a concrete good for that person when it is wise and appropriate? [50:20]
- Where are you tempted to confuse God’s patience with approval—either in your own sin or in the sin of someone you love? What would repentance or a needed conversation look like while there is still time? [01:02:04]
- In what ways can a person become “at home” in this fallen world—finding identity, security, or loyalty in things that compete with Christ? What helps you remember that your lasting refuge is the Lamb? [59:30]
- What is one specific prayer need you can share with the group today so that others can help you keep praying through the delay? [01:07:13]
