Trumpets of Judgment: A Call to Repentance

 

Summary

Today, I began by welcoming everyone to our service, emphasizing the significance of gathering together as a community to worship and delve into the Word of God. We continued our series "Kingdom Come," focusing on the book of Revelation, particularly chapter 8, where we explored the profound symbolism of the seven trumpets and their implications for both historical and future judgments.

In the sermon, I highlighted the importance of understanding the imagery used in Revelation, such as the trumpets which symbolize God's judgment but also worship and warfare. This dual symbolism reminds us of the seriousness of God's messages and the urgency to respond to His call. We discussed how these trumpets relate to the plagues of Egypt, demonstrating God's consistent method of dealing with humanity's rebellion and sin.

I also emphasized the role of prayer in the unfolding of God's will, as seen in Revelation 8, where the prayers of the saints ascend to God and precipitate the judgments poured out on the earth. This illustrates the powerful connection between our prayers and God's sovereign actions, encouraging us to engage more deeply in prayer, understanding its role in God's plan.

As we unpacked the text, I explained the sequential unrolling of the seals and the announcement of the trumpets, which lead to catastrophic events on earth, symbolizing divine judgment but also a call to repentance. Each trumpet brings about a specific disaster, affecting various aspects of creation and human life, underscoring the severity of ignoring God's commands and the reality of His judgment.

Towards the end of the service, I made a heartfelt call to those who have not yet secured their future in Christ. I stressed the eternal significance of being "saved, sealed, and delivered" by God, contrasting it with the dire consequences of being unprepared for judgment. This was a moment of decision, inviting everyone to reflect deeply on their spiritual state and to commit to a life in Christ, ensuring their names are written in the Book of Life.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Symbolism of the Trumpets - The trumpets in Revelation are not just instruments of doom but also of deep spiritual significance, calling us to worship and prepare for spiritual warfare. As we face various trials and tribulations in life, these trumpets remind us that God is both a judge and a protector who calls us to stand firm in our faith. [50:52]

2. The Power of Prayer in God’s Sovereignty - Our prayers are not trivial; they are a crucial part of how God chooses to enact His will on earth. This should motivate us to pray with earnestness and faith, knowing that our prayers ascend to God like incense and have real power to influence the heavenly realms. [01:03:44]

3. Judgment as a Call to Repentance - The harsh realities depicted through the trumpet judgments serve as a stark reminder that God’s judgments are real and intended to lead us to repentance. Each trumpet blast, while bringing judgment, also offers a chance for humanity to return to God, highlighting His mercy even in judgment. [01:10:59]

4. The Urgency of the Gospel - The depiction of final judgments and the eternal consequences laid out in Revelation should instill in us an urgency to share the Gospel. Knowing the reality of heaven and hell should compel us to live and preach with fervor, ensuring others know the path to eternal life. [01:22:22]

5. Eternal Destinies - The ultimate takeaway from Revelation’s dramatic imagery is the reminder of the two possible eternal outcomes: eternal separation from God or eternal life with Him. This truth should govern our choices, our relationships, and our priorities, steering us towards a life that honors God and values His eternal kingdom. [01:26:21]

Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [31:02] - Communion and Reflection
- [37:33] - Worship Through Song
- [42:35] - Prayer Over Tithes and Offerings
- [50:52] - Unveiling the Seventh Seal
- [01:03:00] - The Power of Prayer
- [01:10:59] - The Trumpet Judgments Begin
- [01:18:25] - Hope Amidst Judgment
- [01:22:22] - Call to Salvation
- [01:26:21] - Closing and Invitation

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Revelation 8:1-6 - "When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them."

2. Zechariah 2:13 - "Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling."

3. Romans 3:19 - "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God."

#### Observation Questions
1. What is the significance of the silence in heaven when the seventh seal is opened? (Revelation 8:1)
2. How are the prayers of the saints depicted in Revelation 8:3-4, and what is their effect?
3. What are the three roles of trumpets as described in the sermon? ([57:57])
4. How does Zechariah 2:13 relate to the scene in Revelation 8?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think there is a period of silence in heaven before the judgments begin? What might this signify about the nature of God's judgment? ([53:29])
2. How does the imagery of the trumpets in Revelation 8 connect to the plagues of Egypt, and what does this tell us about God's methods of dealing with humanity's rebellion? ([01:06:54])
3. In what ways do the prayers of the saints influence God's actions according to Revelation 8? How does this shape our understanding of the power of prayer? ([01:00:24])
4. What is the significance of the dual symbolism of trumpets as instruments of both worship and warfare? ([57:57])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the role of prayer in your life. How can you deepen your prayer life knowing that your prayers ascend to God like incense and have the power to influence heavenly realms? ([01:02:04])
2. The sermon emphasized the urgency of the Gospel in light of the final judgments depicted in Revelation. How can you share the Gospel more fervently in your daily life? ([01:22:22])
3. Considering the severe judgments described in Revelation 8, how does this impact your view of God's justice and mercy? How can this understanding affect your daily decisions and actions? ([01:10:59])
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of being "saved, sealed, and delivered." How can you ensure that your life reflects this eternal security? ([01:21:12])
5. How can the imagery of the trumpets as a call to worship and spiritual warfare inspire you to stand firm in your faith during trials and tribulations? ([57:57])
6. The sermon highlighted the connection between historical judgments and future ones. How can studying past biblical events help you prepare for future challenges in your spiritual journey? ([01:06:54])
7. Reflect on the two possible eternal outcomes mentioned in the sermon. How does this reality influence your priorities and relationships? ([01:22:22])

Devotional

Day 1: The Dual Nature of Divine Trumpets
The trumpets in the book of Revelation serve as a profound reminder of God's multifaceted role in our lives. These trumpets are not merely harbingers of doom; they also call us to worship and prepare for spiritual warfare. As believers, it is crucial to recognize that the trials and tribulations we face are both tests and opportunities for deepening our faith. The trumpets remind us that God judges but also protects and guides those who are faithful. This dual role encourages us to stand firm in our faith, especially during challenging times, and to engage actively in worship and spiritual readiness. [50:52]

Revelation 8:6-7
"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."

Reflection: How can you enhance your spiritual readiness this week in light of the challenges you currently face?

Day 2: Engaging Powerfully Through Prayer
Prayer is not a passive activity but a dynamic engagement with God's will. In Revelation, the prayers of the saints ascend like incense before God, actively influencing the unfolding of divine plans on earth. This powerful imagery should motivate us to approach prayer with earnestness and faith, recognizing our role in God's sovereign actions. By understanding that our prayers can have real-world effects, we are called to commit more deeply to our prayer lives, trusting that God hears and responds to our earnest petitions. [01:03:44]

Revelation 8:3-4
"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."

Reflection: What specific situation in your life or in the world today will you commit to praying about more fervently?

Day 3: Judgment as an Invitation to Transformation
The trumpet judgments in Revelation are stark and severe, yet they are not without purpose. Each trumpet blast, while bringing about a specific disaster, also serves as a divine invitation for humanity to return to God. These moments of judgment are mingled with mercy, highlighting God's desire for repentance over punishment. As believers, understanding this aspect of God's character can transform how we view both divine judgment and human disobedience. It calls us to embrace God's mercy and to extend it to others who are also in need of transformation. [01:10:59]

Revelation 9:20-21
"The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts."

Reflection: How can you demonstrate repentance in a practical way in an area of your life where you have resisted change?

Day 4: Proclaiming the Urgency of the Gospel
The vivid depictions of judgment in Revelation underscore the urgency of sharing the Gospel. Knowing the reality of eternal consequences should compel us to live and preach with fervor. This urgency is not born out of fear but out of a deep understanding of the stakes involved—eternal life or eternal separation from God. As believers, we are called to be messengers of hope, ensuring that others know the path to salvation through Jesus Christ. This commitment should permeate every aspect of our lives, influencing how we interact with those around us. [01:22:22]

2 Peter 3:9
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the Gospel from you, and what steps can you take this week to share it?

Day 5: Choosing Our Eternal Destiny
The dramatic imagery of Revelation serves as a stark reminder of the two possible eternal outcomes: eternal separation from God or eternal life with Him. This truth should govern our choices, relationships, and priorities, steering us towards a life that honors God and values His eternal kingdom. As we reflect on our spiritual state, it is crucial to ensure that our names are written in the Book of Life, securing our eternal destiny with God. This decision is the most important one we can make, affecting every aspect of our lives and our afterlife. [01:26:21]

Daniel 12:1-2
"At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt."

Reflection: What are some ways you can live today that reflect your commitment to an eternal life with God?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "And because God hears the cries of his people, he responds to their cry. And he moves on their behalf and brings judgment to Egypt. We've read in the book of Revelation, specifically in chapter six, the cries of the martyrs, the cries of the prayer of the saints as they cried out in chapter six for vindication. How long, O Lord? And maybe those prayers in chapter six of how long, O Lord, will you vindicate us? And now these prayers that we're about to read in chapter eight, maybe they both combine. And God finally responds. He hears the cry of his saints and he lifts himself from his throne. Judgment is coming." [57:57]( | | )

2. "And I would not be doing my job if I let someone who walked into this place walk out of this place with their name not found in the book of life. I want to ensure that everybody that walks into these doors finds hope in Jesus Christ." [01:23:31]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "A third of the waters turned to blood. A third of the sea, gone. Water's not even drinkable. It's turned bitter and poisonous. the eagle cries out, woe, woe, woe for the trumpets that are about to be sounded and blasted by the other three angels. But hope, sirs, there's good news for us. We said throughout the book of Revelation, the main thing to remember is that ultimately, God wins over evil." [01:18:25]( | | )

2. "And trumpets in scripture, they were instruments of worship. We can read through the book of Psalms and we see symbols and the lyre and trumpets used as an instrument of worship. And as we read in the Old Testament, trumpets were also a symbol of battle. Before God. Before the nation of Israel were going to go into battle, they would sound the trumpet blast. And so this image of these seven trumpets represent worship and warfare. And trumpets also symbolize judgment. That judgment is coming." [57:57]( | | )

3. "God is sovereign. But in his sovereign plan, he has chosen to make the prayers of his people part of the exercise of his will. And I just love that. That man, God is in control. God is sovereign. God does not our prayers. He doesn't need our prayers for him to move. But somehow along God's amazing grace, part of his plan is to use the prayers of his people to bring forth his will." [01:03:00]( | | )

4. "God has willed that the prayers of his people should be a part of the process by which the kingdom comes. That it's the prayers of the saints in chapter 6. How long, oh God? The prayer is happening here in chapter 8. That ultimately they're going to bring forth the ushering of the second kingdom of God on this earth." [01:03:44]( | | )

5. "And what's so significant is that these prayers is what God is responding to in Revelations chapter 8. And in a minute, we're going to hear four of the seven trumpet blasts. And with each blast of the trumpet, something's going to happen on the earth. God is about to bring some more plagues upon the inhabitants of the earth." [01:04:49]( | | )

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Transcript
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