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I’m going to invite you this morning to to Revelation chapter eight is where we’re at today. Revelation chapter eight is we’re going to really through the rest of the book of Revelation. We’re going to cover about a chapter a week as we go through the rest of this book. Um, Revelation chapter eight is a, I think, a very pointed chapter for where we are and this time of year coming to the end of the year and looking forward to what God has for us this year. There’s some very good reflective verses in this in anticipation of what God might have for you in 2025, but just just by way of reminder, when you go through the book of Revelation, um, I’ve told us some important things as it relates to how to interpret this book. But one one important thing to keep in mind is Revelation chapter one, verse 19, that when John is writing this letter to the church, remember the church is facing persecution. John is writing this letter for the purpose of encouraging them in their walk with the Lord, and especially towards worshiping God, knowing that in Jesus they are victorious. So just because they’re going through adversity, that’s that’s not a reason to hang their head low, but rather knowing they’re more than conquerors in Christ. John is encouraging us in that. And in verse 19in chapter one, he says he’s going to write to us what is and what is to come.
And the first three chapters of Revelation, John deals more with the idea of what is. And when you get to chapter four, he starts to talk about what is to come. And in chapter four and five, as he gets ready to tell us what is to come in chapter four and five, he really pulls back the curtain of heaven. And he describes for us the posture of God in eternity. And from that we learn how we should respond as God’s people. And what you see as a victorious lamb who was slain, but now rules and reigns from his throne, which helps us then discover how we should move forward in anticipation of our King who has been victorious. And so then in chapter six, we really start to move forward with what is called the judgments and the Revelation. There’s a series of of, of three judgments that happen. There’s the sealed judgments that come in seven seals. Then there’s the trumpet judgments, which come in seven trumpets, and then there’s the bowl judgments, which we’ll read about in chapters ahead. But there’s three sets of judgments that are about to take place. And in chapter eight, we find we’re finding ourselves in that transition between the seal judgments. We’ve read about six seal judgments, and now we’re moving into the seven trumpet judgments. We’re in between those. In chapter six, God delivers the the six seal judgments with one judgment to come or one one seal to come.
And and in the chapter six, God’s people ask an important question in the midst of the the struggle they’re finding in a in a fallen Babylon world, they’re asking God, God, when will you bring your justice? When will you bring your vengeance for those that have been slain for your people? In Revelation chapter six, verse ten, that you see that question there, how long, God, before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth? Verse 11. God’s response he says to us, rest a little longer, rest a little longer. He says, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete. And so God has in mind his his people that he will redeem. And so he tells us to rest until then. And when you read chapter seven, we then start to read about the 144,000, which is a picture of all of God’s people being redeemed in him. We talked about that last week, if you’re interested in in learning about it. But but you you see the story in chapter seven of all of God’s people being redeemed. And now in in light of that chapter eight, God gives a response to this question in chapter six. God now brings about his his last seal judgment as as he also gets ready to deliver these these trumpet judgments in response to this question, God, how long? And as he he deals with these seal judgments, we we learn from this chapter really three responses that God’s people should be encouraged Uh, to to react and or respond in, in light of this holy God who is ruling and reigning.
Three responses in the life of the believer that we should find ourselves responding in, in light of the holiness of God. And so we’re going to we’re going to read how God acts in chapter eight, but we’re also going to discover in this chapter how we as God’s people should respond in light of that. Right? And so three responses before a holy God. Let me let me just give you a point. Number one in your notes. And then we’ll move forward. Point number one is this silence. Silence. Yeah. I hope with each one of these points we talk about this morning, you can think about as a follower of Jesus, how you might incorporate this in your life in 2025 if you’re not doing it already. But silence is an important part of the life of the Christian. Now, let me just say this isn’t true in every case, all the time, right? There’s certainly wisdom in how we learn to practice silence. There’s a place in the life of the believer that it becomes critical for us to learn when to be silent, and also when to open our mouths and say something. And I think those things we learn with with wisdom over time.
And there’s no better teacher for us in learning when it’s when it’s wise to open our mouths and when it’s and when it’s good to be silent. Then, then God’s Word, God’s word is the greatest counselor for our lives. But where do we begin in Revelation chapter eight is is highlighting for us the importance of silence, especially in light of the life of a believer. But in chapter eight, it’s talking about silence in general. It says this when the lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Now I want you to know, as a pastor this week, I had someone read ahead knowing we were going to talk about this chapter, and they called me and they were trying to work through. How is this possible? Right? How is it possible that all of heaven is in silence for 30 minutes? You think about that. That’s a that’s a pretty that’s a pretty interesting comment. In fact, I find that that this verse causes me to lean in a little bit with silence, somewhat intrigued about how this this could even happen. And why would this happen, right? 30 minutes of silence. When you read in Revelation it talks about myriads upon myriads of people in heaven. That’s the way the description is given to you in Revelation seven, Revelation 14, and myriads and myriads, the way it describes the literal number is, is, is literally 200 million people.
That’s a lot of silence, right? And I don’t think that’s necessarily a literal number. But what it’s saying is there’s a there’s a junk ton. A lot of people in heaven that’s all of them are being silent. And I remember just talking to the person on the phone from her church asking, how is this possible? He gave a speculative thought. He said, is it possible that the guys arrive 30 minutes early? That’s what he said. He said, that’s what I told him. No. Just so you know, lady, that is not nice. No, that is not what’s happening here. But but to be honest, if you read Revelation, we talk about the 144,000. It does say in chapter 14 of Revelation that that it’s virgin males. That’s who the the. So so there is a biblical basis for saying that. But but but it’s not accurate. Right. But but but it is saying something important here. Right. When when we’re silent we’re typically in our life. The reason we’re silent is there’s something greater that’s captured our attention, that requires that moment to appreciate whatever’s in front of us. And silence is one of those things that encourages further silence. You ever walk in a room and everyone’s just looking at you? Um, on a stage inside? No. Just kidding. You ever walk in a room and people are just silent? It just. It’s kind of sobering. It grabs your attention to what in the world is going on around me, and you look towards whatever is creating that, that silence.
And and, you know, sometimes if you’re ever in a situation where you want to appreciate something a little more, maybe you’re taking a walk in the woods and you see an animal that you don’t normally come across, but you want to appreciate the moment. Silence helps you. You capture that moment, not scare the animal, but to appreciate that the time that you have there in silence in these moments, very, very significant in in what’s taking place. This is God unfolding his history, God responding to the cry of his people. And I think from from God’s people, from their standpoint, they want to see how God’s going to respond and for the for the judgment that’s about to happen. Those that might find themselves under the judgment of God, they’re just wanting to be quiet so they don’t find themselves in the midst of this judgment. Right? Different reasons for silence. But silence is an important part of the the life of the believer. When you think about, okay, so so how do I learn? We don’t want to treat this legalistically, but how do I learn when it’s important to be silent and when it’s not? Because the Bible talks about multiple times the need within us to respond. I mean, God gave you a voice for a reason. It says in passages like Psalm 32 verse three, when I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all, all day long.
So the psalmist is saying, look, there’s this need within us to say something at points in our lives. We we need, we’re made to express ourselves right, to say things. Luke 19, verse 40. At Jesus’s triumphal entry, he encourages people if you don’t say something, even the rocks will cry out. So there’s certainly a time and a place to to say things, but at the same time, there’s also an important part of the life of the believer to to be silent. And if you just study the idea of silence in Scripture, you see different reasons that that silence is encouraged in the life of the believer. John chapter six, verse 24, teach me, and I will be silent. So in order to receive instruction, it is important to be silent. Um, in Habakkuk chapter two, verse 20, it says, but the Lord is in his holy temple. Let all the earth keep keeps silent before him. Zephaniah. Be silent before the Lord, for the day of the Lord is is near. So in just those three verses, you’re seeing God wanting to teach and instruct. And so it’s important in those moments to to receive and learn. So, so to be silent. And when it comes to God’s judgment and Zephaniah and specifically even the day of the Lord, that God’s judgment is brought forth, and it’s noted that that people are silent before that judgment.
There’s nothing, no accusation, nothing we could say before a holy God as he judges, judges righteously. One of the most famous verses, I think, in terms of silent comes in in Psalm chapter 46, verse ten. People quote this quite regularly, I find, and it says this be still, and know that he that he is God. And people like, that’s a little that’s a, that’s a kind of a settling verse for the soul. Be still and know that he is God. Right. But what’s interesting about this Psalm, if you ever read this, this psalm in its entirety, you discover that everything before this psalm was dealing with nothing but judgment. And now the concluding verses. Be still and recognize the idea of silence, whether it’s for instruction, whether it’s for, for, for discipline or judgment. The idea of silence is recognizing whose authority is over you. And this becomes critical for for the life of the believer. And whether or not we, we, we in our lives learn when to be silent and when to to speak is all determined on what what’s needed in our lives. Right? And what I mean by that is the question we really need to answer is, do I right now need to be filled up by God? Or is God got me in a position where my life should be poured out for him, right? And you cannot impart what you do not possess.
And so for the believer to go into this world and honor God, it requires for us to to take moments of our lives and hopefully every day where we just sit before God in silence in order to receive. Lord help me. Lord fill me. This is not silence just for the sake of silence. This is biblical meditation. I don’t know if you’ve ever studied the idea of biblical meditation, but biblical meditation is is is different than than, I’ll say, eastern meditation. And there’s a type of meditation where we’re told to just empty ourselves. Right. You, you kind of go into this tranquil place of nothingness. That’s not a picture of biblical meditation of all at all. Biblical meditation is really about filling your life up. It’s the richness of God in you. And when you read Revelation chapter eight, certainly in this particular moment, as it’s transpiring, it’s acknowledging the authority of God. That’s what he’s saying in Revelation eight. The authority of God is coming in, and mankind cannot lift its voice before the Lord. And there’s there’s nothing we can accuse against him. There’s there’s nothing to say in this moment. Now he’s acting. But at the same time, I think for the application of our life, it’s to help us recognize that our soul needs tuned into him, turned over to him in order to live for him, to let God fill me up so that I can be poured out.
So let me just ask the question. When you think in terms of 2024, how has moments of silence gone for you before the Lord? I mean, is that has that been a habit of your life to come before God and let God fill you up? And if not, when you think about 2025, how can regardless of how 2024 went, how can 2025 be filled with those moments? Perhaps. Maybe every morning, a time, or at night? How can you let your life be saturated with the goodness of God? Let me let me just give another plug for reading the Bible in a year. I mean, it’s it’s important for God’s people to understand the richness of who the Lord is. And to honor that. To Revere that. That’s what this, this word of silence is about is a word of reverence before God. And here in terms of judgment. But but important, even even the life of the believer for instruction. And so when we think about a healthy response before a holy God. Number one is, is silence. Number two, then, is prayer. Number two is prayer. Probably the most encouraging passage in all of the Bible in terms of prayer for me has been Revelation chapter eight, starting in verse two. There have been times in my life where I have prayed before the Lord and felt like it’s gotten no higher than the ceiling, and that’s been it. And you kind of left with the question, God, are you hearing me here? God? Do you not care about me like.
Um, but Revelation chapter eight has been one of those those passages for me that has really encouraged me to continue to, to deepen my prayer life before the Lord. And you see why in these verses as as John starts to describe it here, it says, then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and the 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 what in the world, right is that? How does this relate to prayer? Well, this is a very, very powerful passage when you understand what’s happening with believers praying before God. The very end of this passage is dealing with the appearance of God, which is very similar in scripture, like when God appears to Moses in Exodus 19, this, this, this response of thunders and rumblings and flashes of lightning, very common, that for the nearness of God, it’s it’s presenting to us the the holiness and power of of who he is.
But in this description, it’s also painting this picture of, of this heavenly picture of a, of a temple. Right. And the reason it’s painting this picture of a temple is because it’s dealing with with God’s presence. Right? That that it’s helping us understand that in in eternity, as we we’re with the Lord, that we’re always in his presence. And so it’s describing this, this picture of heaven like a temple. And it’s relating that picture to, to how God described for Moses, how they should build the earthly temple. If you’ve ever studied the what was first the tabernacle God describes for Israel how to build the tabernacle, and then later became the temple. Uh, Israel only ever had one temple, right? And the temple was the place where heaven and earth came together. It’s where God’s people could experience the presence of God. But there was some uniqueness to the temple. I mean, even the reason why that uniqueness is Uniquenesses related to why we as Christians don’t build temples today. I’ll get to that. But when you think about the temple and what it represented, it was this this place where God’s people interacted with God, that combination of heaven and earth. But but in that temple, only the priests could go in. Right. And there were two rooms in the temple. There was the holy room and the Holy of Holies.
And these two rooms were divided by a curtain. And in the Holy room there were a couple pieces of furniture that the priest went before and and ministered. There was the candle which represented the Spirit of God. There was the bread which represents the life of God, the Word of God. And then there was the altar of incense, and the altar of incense was right next to the curtain. And the priest would go in twice a day, and they would light these, these altars, this altar of incense, and the incense would burn and raise up, and and they would offer the prayers of Israel before God. And this incense was reflective of of the prayers that were rising before the nostrils of God to be heard. But but also that incense worked as a covering before the holiness of God. That when when the priest would go into the holy room, that it was known that the priest could not go in the holiest of rooms, the Holy of Holies, but only one priest, one time of year could go into that room. And that was where the Ark of the covenant was. That was considered the throne room of God. But before that priest would go in, he would take that incense, and he would fill the room with that smoke, as if to cover the presence of God, to say that no one can truly ever look at the presence of God, because no man can look at God and live.
And so that incense would cover that altar. And here’s what’s being described to us in heaven. But the uniqueness for you and I, and the reason we don’t build a temple today is, is now, rather than just giving the responsibility to the priest in the New Testament, we’re all called priests, men and women before the Lord. And in first Peter chapter two, you are royal priesthood, it says, and when Jesus hung on the cross, the Bible tells us that when he was sacrificed, The veil that separated the Holy Room from the Holy of Holies was torn in two. And it was symbolic to say that no longer did the presence of God dwell in the temple, but the place where heaven and earth met was in you and me. That God’s people now become the temple of God, that the presence of God is with us wherever we go. You are that temple. And if you want some verses, first Corinthians 316 and 619, you are the temple of God now, and you offer your prayers before the Lord. In Revelation chapter eight, what it’s saying to us is that our prayers are coming before the Lord, and God is hearing our prayers, and and God is collecting our prayers before his presence. You know, sometimes we struggle in life and we ask the question, Lord, do you care? Do you hear this? What are you what are you going to do about this? Because we want God to respond right now, and we want God to respond our way.
But no one knows better what what’s needed than God himself. And so there’s this need in our life to to trust that that he does know better. He genuinely cares. And and his care is seen through the cross. Right? Like God’s pursued us, God gave everything for us so that we could find freedom in him. And so we know God cares. But but figuring out how that care is going to be made known. That’s the challenge of the life of the believer. God, here I am praying God. And I just want I want to be assured that you hear me in Revelation chapter eight is that that chapter that reminds you that God does indeed hear you. In fact, he’s going to do something about it. He’s gathering the prayers of his saints before his presence, and he’s going to use this to execute his justice on this world as he pours those prayers out in response of all the challenges God’s people have brought before them. But you know, when you look at this in the Bible, you find throughout Scripture that that question of how long God has been asked over and over again. I just took it from the book of Psalms. How many times in the Psalms did did God’s people respond and ask God and prayerfully God.
How long? How long? And so, in the lives of his people, you see this this challenge of the struggle, the world that we’re in with a God that we know cares. But trying to figure out how it all works together. Lord, how long that will the Lord look on before he delivers in Psalm 35. Psalm 62 how long will the righteous be attacked? Psalm 74 how long will the enemies of God scoff and revile his name? On and on it goes. This, this, this question of wondering and asking the Lord we pray, wanting God to do something about it. And in Revelation chapter eight is is helping us learn that that God collects all of those prayers, that none of them are wasted, that God cares. The brokenness in life that you’ve experienced, the pain in your heart, the struggle in this world. God wants to hear those things. Those are sacred before him, rising before him. God is collecting all of those prayers. And when when God brings about this, this final judgment, God’s going to pour out all of the pain of his people on this earth as he executes his judgment. But, you know, when you think about the importance of prayer as you in terms of this coming year, just to encourage you in that. What’s what’s what’s critical for God’s people is that we become wise in the reason we pray, that we become understanding in how God desires his people to pray and exercise the gift of prayer.
It is. It is important to take time in your life to be silent before God. Let God fill me up. And it’s also important to take time to pour my heart out before God to to share with him. And not maybe just do it one time a day. Thessalonians chapter five says, pray without ceasing to be aware of his presence wherever I go to know that he cares. And there are passages of the Bible that teach us how to do that. Now look at this year. And I don’t want to take for granted the gift that is to know God silently before him, and to be able to talk to God directly because the presence of God is with me. First, John chapter five and James chapter four deal with how how we as as people often struggle with abusing prayer rather than using prayer with the way he intended. And and the way that we can often abuse prayer is to simply treat prayer as if it’s my tool to rub the genie on the lamp, to tell God what he can do to live for my glory, rather than to understand my life, is for his glory and tuning my heart to him, and using prayer that way. First John five. It says it like this. And this is the confidence that we have towards him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
So it’s encouraging us. When we pray. We need to pray with the heart of God in mind. Not not my will be done, but his will be done. And so, God, what is your heart? And the best way to know the heart of God is to learn the Word of God, right? God, teach me who you are, that I can see this world with your eyes. That’s not to say God doesn’t care about the struggles you go through in life. God certainly cares about some of the hardships that you face and some of the struggles that you have. God cares about you, right? But, but God’s ultimate desire is to fulfill his will in this world and for you to join him in that. And so, God, teach me your will. And the best way to learn the will of God is to learn about God himself. Who are you? God. And James, chapter four. It says it like this. You ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly to spend it on your passions. Meaning, you make the whole point of life about yourself and what it is you want, rather than to be passionate about what it is God desires. And so we pray it should be seeking the will of God in our lives. In fact, Jesus taught us how in Matthew chapter six. That’s the the Lord’s Prayer. Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also forgive. Forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil, for yours is the kingdom, power and glory forever. Amen. And when you look at this prayer, this is Jesus teaching his disciples how to pray. And the first thing he says is really recognize the sacredness of who God is, that your there is a God and you’re not him. And so it is an honor to be able to even communicate before the Lord, right? But but then he goes on, not only is God sacred, but your kingdom God, your will, not mine, but your will be done. God. Tune my heart into your desire for this world. And then he says, give us this day our daily bread, which is, you know, I like to say, really asking God to provide for you whatever you need for that day. Some people can get really particular about this, like they need to treat every day. Wake up and ask God, God, you know what? What kind of pants do I need to put on today? And let me just tell you, God doesn’t care. Just put your pants on. Right. You got to get up and go do something, but rather what this what this passage is teaching us is saying, look, this is this is learning that God’s going to be with me, and God’s going to provide for me as I go throughout my day.
And I’m trusting God to do that, that whatever I’m about to go through. And as I walk according to his will, that God’s going to be there to supply. And then and then it carries the idea of of forgiveness. And the reason is, is it’s a mark of God’s people, that we are gospel people in this world, and we forgive much because we’ve been forgiven much. It’s been it’s forgiveness that brings you new life. And it’s only because of forgiveness that you’re able to have new life and because God has given you forgiveness. One of the best ways that you can display the gospel in this world is to be forgiving for others. One of the worst ways you can become a hypocrite to the gospel is to be an unforgiving person. Forgiveness is what transforms your life as a believer. It’s what continues to transform your life. And so it’s encouraging us like forgiveness is. It’s a difficult thing to do because there is sacrifice to those that forgive. But but at the same time, there’s nothing more beautiful that displays the goodness of God in this world. So God give me the ability to to be forgiving as I’ve been forgiven and keep me away from temptation. God, don’t let me stray from this.
So this is a way God has taught us to think through prayer in our own life. This reverence for him, living for his glory, walking from a broken kingdom, right? The fallen, this fallen world, but rather living for his kingdom. So, so for the life of the believer when it comes to the holiness of God, recognizing the importance of silence and appreciating the power of prayer. And then finally, the third response is is Exodus and Exodus. Like the the second book of the Old Testament, Genesis, Exodus. In terms of Exodus, the reason I bring this up is one we want to practice this, but also the description of what’s about to take place with God’s judgment is very reflective of the Exodus from Egypt. Have you ever read about the children of Israel coming out of the ten plagues that were brought on Egypt? They found themselves in freedom because of those plagues. And here again, we’re reading about God’s judgment. Now, when you look at these judgments, you see parts of these judgments that are very much like the ten plagues of Egypt, but not exactly like that, somewhat like that. These plagues that are about to read are these judgments that we’re about to read are very similar to the judgments throughout the Old Testament, and there’s some importance to it. We’ll talk about, but let me read this verse six. Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.
The first angel blew his, his his trumpet. And there followed hail and fire mixed with blood. And they were thrown upon the earth, and a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees was burned up, and all the green grass was burned up. And 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 great stars fell from heaven, blazing like a torch. And it fell on a third of the rivers and the springs of the water. And 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. And 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. Amen. What do you do with that? Right. Well, let me, let me. I’m going to get a little nerdy for just a second, and then we’ll talk about the application to this and what this passage means.
Um, just just a quick way of interpretation or reminder for all of us. Some people come to Revelation and they try to take everything literally, and some people come to Revelation and they and they recognize that this is this is imagery painting a picture. Right? This is not. I’ll give you an example. Seven trumpets. Seven angels. Do you literally think this will be done by seven trumpets blowing? Or seven angels blowing? Seven trumpets? I mean, you think if you back away for a minute from this passage and ask the question, okay, what do what do trumpets represent to God’s people? What do trumpets represent to the Jewish people? What is the number seven represent? The idea of seven is a number of completeness. And trumpets were used in Israel’s day for for a few things one calling the people together for times of celebration and also for times of warning. Right? And when it comes to God’s judgment, it’s it’s both of those things. If if you’re in heaven praying and asking God the question, God, when, when will you bring your justice? When will you bring vengeance for those that have been slain, your faithful people? When God finally responds, this is this is a moment of liberation. You know, one of that, that that moment of finally it’s arrived. But at the same time, if you’re on the other side of God’s judgment, this becomes a warning, right? And so. So I don’t know that this necessarily means seven angels have to show up and blow seven trumpets, but rather, I think the picture that’s being painted is that God’s judgment is going to be happening and God’s judgment is going to be all encompassing.
So in these first four judgments, what we’re seeing described here is every part of the earth, the sea, the land and the rivers, all of God’s judgment taking place here. The next three judgments we’re going to look at, will will deal with the next three trumpets, will deals more with the spiritual side of things. Now, when it comes to interpretation of Revelation and this is this is getting a little bit heady for a minute. Some people look at Revelation and they think, okay, there’s three judgments. There’s the the seal judgments, which we’re reading the end of to get to the trumpet judgments, which we’re in right now. And finally, the bowl judgments. And some people look at these judgments and see very similar things happening. And so they say this is actually a Recapitulation. There’s the seal judgments, and then you get to the trumpet judgments. He’s actually describing really the seal judgments again. And you get to the bowl judgments and it’s description of the previous two judgments, again, just laid out recapitulated for you. But others look at it and say, no, no, no, this is actually three different judgments that are just unfolding. And and there’s some reasons for that.
And I’m we’re going to we’re going to deal with that. The answer to that more as we get to the last set of judgments that are going to happen, the bowl judgments. But but when when people look at this and ask the question, are these recapitulations are we reading the trumpet judgments again with the that we just read in the seal judgments? Some people say no, and the reason they say no is as you read these judgments, you realize they’re getting more severe. The the seal judgments, the trumpet judgments, the bowl judgments, they get more severe. In addition to that, in the in the seal judgments, you would have read the stars and from heaven are falling to the earth. But here in these judgments, the trumpet judgments, you see that they’re just darkened. They’re not necessarily falling to the earth at the end of the seal judgments. God’s people are asking the question, God, when are you going to bring your vengeance and justice? But at the beginning of the trumpet judgments, you’re seeing God bringing his vengeance and justice. And so some think it’s a recapitulation. Some think it’s God’s judgment now. But in either case, from all of it, here’s here’s the big picture I want us to take from it. And we’ll get further into the weeds as we get further into Revelation. The big picture I want you to take in all of this is how you choose to respond in light of it.
You’re going to read in chapter eight that God is saying he’s bringing his his judgments in order to lead people to repentance. Judgments. God’s judgments in Egypt when when the plagues first happened, it was an opportunity for the Egyptians to turn to the Lord. But you read over and over again that Pharaoh’s heart continued to be hardened. Pharaoh never responded right. And again, when you look at these judgments, this is this is a a cry to those that read it today to just ask the question, where? Where is your heart before God? The Jews actually have some teachings when it comes to the judgment of God that when God is executing his full judgment, it’s at least two thirds judgment. Craig Keenum, a famous teacher in the Book of Revelation, says this about this passage that the fact that God is only pouring out in his judgment, one third judgment against, against the earth is saying he’s withholding his full wrath. And the only reason God does this is an act of his grace. So when it comes to to to God’s judgment in this world, what’s important to remember is God is a holy God and takes his judgment seriously. So there’s a the sobering idea of that, that God will take his judgment seriously. But in addition to that, God doesn’t owe us anything. The only thing that that this earth is worthy of is the full judgment of him.
And so the fact that he’s withholding that full judgment. Still provides opportunity opportunity to, to, to to sober up to the to the gift. It is to actually know the Lord. And God has told us over and over again what the the future of this fallen world will receive. And it’s it’s shocking sometimes that the response of people is to get angry at God, that God would do what God already told us he’s going to do. God will judge. He cannot be good and refuse to judge. It’s required of God in order to be good that he would bring justice against injustice. It kind of works like this, that if we ever if we all decided today to go take a walk to the top of Mount Timpanogos, and we got to the top and we were like, man, that was sure a long hike. Well, how else can we get down? And we decide, you know what? The best way down is just to step off this ledge. That’s the quickest way to the bottom. And then when we step off, we recognize, oh, gravity’s still here. And then we get mad at gravity for being gravity. Right? It’s like, oh, we should expect gravity would ever stop being gravity. But gravity does what gravity does. And gravity is always going to do that. That’s that’s the whole point of gravity. Right. And it’s the same thing with the justice of God.
I mean, he tells us over and over again what rebellion produces his judgment. And it shouldn’t be a surprise to us that God will judge. But but the gift in this judgment is to realize the opportunity that God has called me to more. That’s what the idea of Exodus is about. Exodus is about what you’re leaving behind in order to move forward to a greater promise, a greater future. That’s what Israel was called to. That was the whole point of the plagues. Each plague, rather than God, pour out all the plagues. At one time. He, one plague at a time, gave opportunity to turn to him. It was a provoking of the heart to recognize who was who was really in charge and how much we we need him in our life. I mean, the fact that we only we had the opportunity to talk about it today is, is a gift of his grace to to recognize God has called us to so much more in him that we get to leave a fallen and broken world behind in order to live for something greater, a greater kingdom, a greater purpose, a greater king, and for for all of us. It takes something different in our lives to to recognize the gift of what that is. And sometimes it’s the sobering reality of judgment. But can I tell you? The Bible says to all of us, it’s God’s kindness that leads us to repentance.
It’s God’s kindness that draws us to Him and God. The Bible tells us very clearly that God’s going to judge. But but at the same time, the the Cross of Christ is that place where the justice of God and the grace of God was poured out completely at one time. The justice of God came upon Jesus, who died on your behalf. And also the grace of God is offered to you through Jesus, who died on your behalf. That Exodus is about leaving that world of judgment to step in the world of grace. God, thank you for giving everything for me. If you don’t know Jesus, it’s an important journey to begin. I can think of a better way to start 2025. And if you do know Jesus, it’s an important journey to stay on every day of your life. To recognize each day is a gift of his grace. To be filled up by God, to set before him in silence, to let the richness of who Christ is be made known in your life, and to then pour your heart out back to him in prayer as you journey on this this Exodus story for all of us as God’s people. I feel like the Christian life is is a reawakening over and over again each day of our lives, each morning of our lives, different seasons of our lives. It’s a reawakening to the richness of God. And Revelation chapter eight is certainly one of those passages.
But let me just close with this. There’s a there’s a story about a man, a man named D.L. Moody, and that’s who’s pictured on the left. I’m going to read the quote by Henry Henry Varley in a minute. But D.L. Moody, as a as an older teenager, came to know Christ. And at 19 years old, living in Boston, Massachusetts, he decided to live for the Lord. He wanted to move to Chicago and reach the children in Chicago with the gospel. So that’s what he did. Moved to Chicago, and he ended up renting a facility and started to teach children Sunday mornings, taught in a Sunday school class, just ministering to them in the Lord. And and he saw a lot of success and many people coming to know the Lord and one of his friends as someone else around the same age as him, named Henry Varley a ministered there with him. Henry Varley went on to England, and Dale Moody one day went to visit him to listen to him speak, and he was in his mid 30s by this point. But he went to listen to Henry Varley. After 15 years plus of ministry in Chicago, and Henry Varley gave this statement. He said the world has yet to see what someone sold out to the Lord can do. When? When D.L. Moody heard that in his mid 30s, God just struck another chord with him, he realized, you know, he had been faithful in serving God, but but his life could still do so much more for him.
And he wanted to, whatever the rest of his life could be, to really give it all to for the Lord. And he went back to Chicago. And that phrase, turning in his soul became the catalyst for things like Moody Bible Institute, which is Moody ended up starting Moody Bible Institute in his later 40s, I think 49 years old. He started Moody Bible Institute, which became a catalyst for training pastors and missionaries through throughout the world for for over a century. But but D.L. Moody, being challenged in what God desired to do in his life motivated him. And I think as believers, we can all get to this, this lull in our Christian journey. We sort of get into a routine, but we forget the value that it is to truly know God, and the opportunity is to serve him where we are. 2025. My prayer for us as a church would be, this would be a year where we take opportunity to sit silently before the Lord. Let him fill us up, that we see the value of praying before God to share with him, and that we journey on in this, this Exodus, this world we’re leaving behind for a greater world that is to come.