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- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Rev. 8-9
I’m not sure what to think about all of this, so I will simply note a few observations about the first six trumpet blasts.
- So many thirds! Every destruction happens to one third of its target. I have no idea what the significance of that is, but those thirds happen far too frequently to mean nothing.
- The first four trumpets target creation rather than human life. Any human death was indirect, as a result of the damage to the creation. The woes declared for the last three trumpets indicate the change in target.
- Sure enough, the first of the two woes brought harm to humans. The first came through the Destroyer and his hordes who, interestingly, tormented but did not kill. Nor did they harm any who belonged to God. The second came through four angels and their mounted troops. These God had prepared for a very specific time, though it is not the final judgment.
- None of these frighteningly awesome destructions turned any of the living to God. That is positively astounding to me. The only thing I can say is that they certainly had their chance. They clearly made their choice and fully deserve whatever they have coming.
Rev. 10-11
The seventh trumpet – that one sounds final. The message given by the angel before that trumpet was, “But in the days when the seventh angel will blow his trumpet, then the mystery of God will be completed” (Rev. 10:7a). And the proclamation when the trumpet blew was, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.” (Rev. 11:15b).
I take that to mean that all of the remaining prophecies concerning Christ, our Lord, will find fulfillment when that seventh trumpet blows. There will be no more wondering, no more waiting, and no more chances. “The time has come for the dead to be judged and to give the reward to…those who fear your name” (from Rev. 11:18). I note that God’s judgment is for “the dead”. That’s because there is no life in our physical life unless we have given it to God. God doesn’t kill those who reject Him; they are already dead. He simply seals their decision. And for those of us who choose God, our reward is undeserved life and an end to the tribulation and destruction caused by sin. That is a mystery indeed!