-Part 5- The Trumpet Judgments: The Earth and Heavens Judged

1. -Part 5-The Trumpet Judgments:The Earth and Heavens Judged Revelation 8

2. Growing up in Iowa it was a normal occurrence to hear tornado sirens and to spot tornadoes from time to time. One of the unique features of a tornado is the silence and calm that comes right before a tornado strikes. One summer our family was in our backyard when a large storm came through and we used the strong winds to fly some homemade kites(yes, I know that was not intelligent!) and just before the heavy winds hit the sky changed colors and there was a silence and calm. At the time I thought this was pretty awesome, but if I were to be in this situation again I would find it ominous and possibly unnerving.  

3. This is the picture we find at the beginning of the trumpets as there is silence in heaven for a half hour and there seems to be a general, ominous peace and silence just before God unleashes divine wrath and judgment upon the earth. Unlike the seal judgments, the trumpet judgments will all bear the mark of supernatural origins.

4. The Calm Before the Storm When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. 6 So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. Revelation 8:1-5

5. The Beginning of the Storm 7 The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. 8 Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9 And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. 10 Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter. 12 Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night. Revelation 8:6-12

6. The Questions Surrounding the Storm • How can a loving God bring such judgments on earth? • What is God’s purpose for destroying His creation • How can a just God save anyone? Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. • Isaiah 53:4-6