Revelation - Week 16

Day 1

Hail and Fire

READ

Revelation 8:6-7

6 Then the seven angels with the seven trumpets prepared to blow their mighty blasts. 7 The first angel blew his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were thrown down on the earth. One-third of the earth was set on fire, one-third of the trees were burned, and all the green grass was burned.

There is no reason to assume this language is symbolic and means something it does not say. The plagues in Egypt were real before the Passover in Exodus 12 and these judgments on rebellious mankind will also be real.  In Exodus only Egypt was affected (with the exception of the Israelites at times); here the entire earth is affected. Those who think all prophecy was fulfilled in the past must make these judgments symbolic to mean something they do not say.

REFLECT

In your Bible study do not be quick to make things mean something they do not say. Some language is symbolic but do not force Scripture to mean something entirely different than what is expressed.

RESPOND

Talk with a friend about how horrible it will be to be living at the time described in Revelation 8. God’s wrath is being poured out on an unbelieving world.

Day 2

Mountain of Fire

READ

Revelation 8:8-9

8 Then the second angel blew his trumpet, and a great mountain of fire was thrown into the sea. One-third of the water in the sea became blood, 9 one-third of all things living in the sea died, and one-third of all the ships on the sea were destroyed.

Massive judgments and catastrophes continue. Notice the repetition of thirds in these judgments. The devastation will be massive. Lives and livelihoods will be destroyed. It’s impossible to comprehend the devastation these judgments will cause. It is not necessary to understand all of it but to believe it.

REFLECT

It would be a terrible thing to be living at the time of the Great Tribulation on earth. Pray for friends to trust Jesus as Savior now so they will not need to go through that time.

RESPOND

Remind a friend that the need is not to understand everything in the Bible, but to believe what is written. When thinking of these incredible events on earth, thank the Lord that those who believe in Him now will not need to experience them.

Day 3

A Great Star

READ

Revelation 8:10-11

10 Then the third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch. It fell on one-third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star was Bitterness. It made one-third of the water bitter, and many people died from drinking the bitter water.

How could a great star cause all of this damage? God used a star for blessing when He guided the wise men to Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’ birth. Then He used the same star to guide them to the house where little Jesus was living (see Matthew 2). Here in Revelation, God is using a star to bring judgment, not announcing blessing.

REFLECT

Remember that God is in control of the universe. He is able to use it as He wishes.

RESPOND

Read Hebrews 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:15-17 to see that the Son of God holds all things together. He is in ultimate control and can use the universe for blessing or judgment.

Day 4

Darkness

READ

Revelation 8:12

12 Then the fourth angel blew his trumpet, and one-third of the sun was struck, and one-third of the moon, and one-third of the stars, and they became dark. And one-third of the day was dark, and also one-third of the night.

God created lights in the sky to light the earth (see Genesis 1:14-18). He had brought darkness in Egypt when Pharaoh refused to let His people go (see Exodus 10:21-23). In Revelation, God brings judgment that reduces the light on earth. The judgments seem to be getting more and more severe, but more is yet to come.

REFLECT

Are you more impressed now that God has created the universe and is able to use it in ways that He desires?

RESPOND

Join with someone in thanking God that in the great universe He looked down on mankind and sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.

Day 5

Terror, Terror, Terror

READ

Revelation 8:13

13 Then I looked, and I heard a single eagle crying loudly as it flew through the air, “Terror, terror, terror to all who belong to this world because of what will happen when the last three angels blow their trumpets.”

As terrible as the judgments have been as revealed by the four angels with trumpets, now an eagle announces the last three will be worse. The words “Terror, terror, terror” are translated by some as “Woe, woe, woe.” The coming judgments will be worse than the first four as God brings judgment on the world.

REFLECT

Think some more about the fact that God is not only a God of love, as demonstrated by sending His Son to die for us, but He is also a God of holiness and justice. Some want only to hear about His love, but that is only one aspect of our glorious God.

RESPOND

Do you know of a Bible passage that tells you that people primarily want to hear only the good things about God? Read 2 Timothy 4:1-4 that tells how important it is to proclaim the gospel now while people may still listen.