Revelation Chapter 8‏‏‏

Hello Friends!

Welcome back! During this week’s fellowship time, we’ll continue our study of Revelation.

Revelation Chapter 8
 
This week we will investigate chapter 8 in our journey of the end times.

As we come to our next chapter in the book of Revelation, we move into the second set of seven judgments, the seven Trumpet Judgments. As we have discussed, the last of the seven Seal Judgments is found also in Chapter 8:

When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour – Revelation 8:1

The seven Trumpet Judgments come out of the last Seal Judgment as is the case with the seven Bowl Judgments coming out of the seventh Trumpet Judgment.

Notice, that the seventh Seal Judgment is "silence in heaven about the space of half an hour". The reason for the "silence", I believe, is because the "cloud of witnesses" spoken of in the book of Hebrews is "awestruck" by the six previous Seal Judgments and the seven Trumpet Judgments to follow:

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us – Hebrews 12:1

It is important for us to notice what has been termed "ecological judgment" of our day – the judgments which will be released on the earth in these first four Trumpet Judgments. The fact is, we hear a lot about "global warming" and "climate change" in the media these days. I believe "global warming" is impossible because Jesus Christ created the heavens, the earth and all that is in them and He holds it all together:

 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist – Colossians 1:16-17

God is in charge and is sovereign over all things. Therefore, nothing can happen to this earth unless He allows it! No act of man can overrule God's perfect sovereign plan and will. However, as our Scriptures tells us, there will be severe "ecological judgments" upon the earth during the time of the seven year Tribulation Period to take place in the future.

The first Trumpet Judgment is a "third" part of the "trees" and all the "grass" on earth "burned up":

 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 – Revelation 8:7

The second Trumpet Judgment is a "third" of the "sea became blood," a "third" of the "living creatures in the sea" dying and a "third" of the "ships" upon the seas being destroyed:

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. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed – Revelation 8:8

The third Trumpet Judgment is a "third" of the rivers, ponds, lakes and fountains of water becoming bitter, so much so that many on the earth will die from drinking this water:

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. 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 – Revelation 8:10-11

The fourth Trumpet Judgment now shift to the heavens – the sun, moon and stars lose one-third of their light and there is more darkness than usual upon the earth:

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 8:12

The last verse of chapter 8 then reveals that continuing into the Tribulation Period will get much worse for its inhabitants:

And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound! – Revelation 8:13

The last three Trumpet Judgments that are to follow will be investigated next time – Lord willing – in chapter 9 of our Revelation studies.

In studying the Word of God, one might wonder – "Why study all of these terrible judgments, if at the Rapture, we as Christians leave this earth and will not take part in them?" There are several answers to that inquisitive question. The most important one being that we may warn our non-Christian friends – and loved ones – about this coming judgment and how they can escape the terrible time to come!

NOTE: In June of 2013 – the citizens of Israel celebrated the 46th anniversary of the "reunification" of Jerusalem. This reunification of Jerusalem was the result of the Israeli Defense Force capturing the Old City of Jerusalem including the Temple Mount after nearly 2,000 years! This miraculous victory took place at the end of a "six-day war" which was conducted from June 5th until June 10th 1967 with Israel under attack on three sides – Syria from the north, Jordan from the east and Egypt from the south. These wicked enemies of Israel were all defeated in six days – which also included the victory in Jerusalem!

Here are a few excellent sources that outline the supernatural events, miracles and protective hand of God during this incredible prophetic time in history:

http://www.knesset.gov.il/lexicon/eng/six_days_eng.htm

http://www.zionism-israel.com/his/six_day_war_timeline.htm

http://unitedwithisrael.org/6-day-war-day-by-day

This incredible historical victory for Israel – against all natural odds – will again one day be demonstrated by the Lord’s power, supernatural protection and final destruction of His enemies – just as the Scriptures promise!

Another key Biblical event recorded in 2 Samuel chapter 5 which took place 3,000 years ago is very significant as it relates to Jerusalem – both politically and prophetically. The men of the tribe of Judah had come to David to appoint the grown-up shepherd boy of Bethlehem as king of their tribe, one of the tribes of the twelve in Israel:

Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, “The men of Jabesh Gilead were the ones who buried Saul” – 2 Samuel 2:4

King David would serve as King of Judah for 7 ½ years before all the tribal leaders of Israel would come to him where he served in Hebron, to make him the King of all twelve tribes. King David made a league with them before the Lord and they anointed David King over all of Israel. Now David must find a neutral location to headquarter his kingdom – some location other than Hebron. David's search took him to a Jebusite stronghold between the tribal locations of Benjamin and Judah – known as Jerusalem.

After capturing the city, King David makes Jerusalem – and in particular the Temple Mount – the political capital of the Jewish people. Remember, that was done some 3,000 years ago – before the Islamic faith even came into existence!

The Jews were occupying the Temple Mount over 1,000 years before the Muslims were ever in existence – especially before the “prophet” of the Islamic faith ever thought of riding a horse from the stone under the Dome of the Rock into heaven to meet with Allah! The truth be known, the Islamic book “The Generous Quran” (actual title) never even mentions Jerusalem. In fact, most Islamic scholars debate whether Mohammad was ever in Jerusalem!

God also made King David a prophetic promise known as the Davidic Covenant in where there would be a Jewish temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and one of his descendants would be there to serve as co-regent or “administrator” of the Temple Mount. King David has a historical, Biblical and prophetic connection to the Temple Mount – Mohammad does not!

The Lord used King David – this shepherd boy, giant killer and natural-born leader – to lead the Jewish people in ancient times. The Lord will also raise King David to serve alongside the Messiah Jesus Christ during His literal 1,000-year Kingdom that is one day coming to Jerusalem – a kingdom that will reign forever! However, before that promised time arrives, there will be a "terrible time of judgment" known as the "Seven Year Tribulation" – in which we are in the midst of investigating during our current Revelation study.

The future will reveal God's prophetic provision and protection for the Jewish people, because He has a plan for His people – yet to be fulfilled. Bible prophecy will be fulfilled for Israel and her people – the Jews. It has been said that Bible Prophecy is indeed an excellent evangelism tool – I totally agree!

PERSONAL CHALLENGE: We as Christians must make it a point to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost at every opportunity the Lord provides. After all, the Rapture could happen at any time… even today – Halleluiah!

With this information as a foundation for your studies, please read through Chapter 8 of Revelation.

Thank you for reading! Don’t miss next week’s edition as we investigate chapter 9 of Revelation…

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!
 

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

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