Worship is central to preparing for the Bowl Judgements.
Verse 8 sounds similar to Isaiah’s encounter with the Lord.
Everything revolves around God. He deserves worship at all times.
Those who had stayed faithful to God have an imperfect role and are honored here.
Worship often.
God’s wrath is just and has been accumulating for these final judgements.
Almighty God, your justice is always perfect.
This chapter shows a snapshot of a number of Christ-following faithful worshiping before God’s throne, proclamations of judgement on earth, and two different reapings of people from earth.
This language of reaping (gathering a ripe harvest) was very familiar.
God’s wrath is fierce.
All of humanity’s days are numbered. When the harvest is ripe the reaper comes.
Be thankful to no longer be an object of God’s wrath.
The reaping of v. 14-20 seems to point to the big picture of both saved and lost being removed from earth.
Lord Jesus, thank you for absorbing the wrath of God on my account. I am eternally grateful!!!
The unholy trinity enters the story.
Anyone familiar with the holy Trinity of scripture could recognize this unholy trinity is impersonating God.
The old saying “imitation is flattery” comes to mind…but God is not honored that his advisory is imitating him.
Miracles are not equal. These same people rejected God and his miraculous works are embracing the anti-Christ and his miraculous works.
This future vision is worth remembering because our time is limited. I shudder to think of those who will be deceived in the last days.
Our world abhors a power vacuum- especially in times of great turmoil. It is not a stretch to understand how the world will be so easily deceived.
Lord Jesus, you may be imitated, but NEVER duplicated. You alone are God.
This chapter relies heavily on metaphors to highlight God’s big picture plan throughout history- past and present. The next chapter (13) continues that chain of thought in to the future.
For those not familiar with Old Testament content and imagery some of these metaphors may not be easily caught.
God has one redemptive plan and will follow it though to completion.
The hearts and souls of mankind are really the battleground of this cosmic war.
Rest in God’s sovereignty.
I do not understand every detail of this chapter. But what I do understand is God has a plan, has always had a plan, and he is sticking to it for his glory (and wrapped up in that, our [Christ-followers] good).
Thank you for Jesus and his great salvation!
The seventh trumpet sounds, worship ensues in God’s throne room, and an announcement is made about coming judgement and reward for all of mankind.
All of this worship, talk of judgement, and then the Ark of the Covenant appears. For anyone familiar with Jewish history this is huge.
One day everyone will recognize God is worthy.
The enemies of God will receive justice.
Recognize God’s worth now.
Verse 17 describes God as “who was” and “who is” but not the typical “who is to come”. Is this because at this point the “day of the Lord” has come?
Father, I don’t have all of the details figured out, but I totally trust that you do. And since you are totally capable of running the universe without my expertise, how about you take care of it and let me marvel in amazement as you do what only you can do. My mind is somewhat melted at the thought of even watching this unfold, let alone that the Almighty calls me “son”. God, you are so good.
God gives supernatural authority to two witness to prophecy for and 3 1/2 years before they are martyred, their corpses gloated over, and the resurrected before being ascended to heaven.
These two witnesses have a strong Old Testament prophet feel about them.
God is all powerful.
Men are so evil as to gloat over God’s martyred servants- somewhat making an evil holiday celebration of their deaths.
Remember, nothing thwarts God’s plan. Nothing.
People of this day so hated hearting the truth proclaimed that they celebrated the gruesome deaths of God’s servants.
Father, thank you for all of your faithful witnesses- well known & obscure alike.
John receives a mysterious message, consumes it, and is commanded to prophecy about many people, nations, languages, and kings,
Those from a Jewish background would have noticed the familiar metaphor or “eating the scroll” from Ezekiel.
God has a very detailed and perfect timeline.
It is amazing how God includes man as a means of accomplishing his plan.
When God gives a message and instructions, obey.
Verses 9-10 give hints of a “I have good news and bad news” vibe.
Father God, thank you for revealing yourself to me. Help me to be a faithful with the voice you have given me.
The trumpet judgements continue and intensify suffering & death greatly.
The “day of the Lord” is just getting darker and more unsettling with every new detail.
God’s wrath is just and incalculable.
The wickedness and hard-heartedness of mankind is ridiculously stubborn.
Remember God’s great kindness. Equally, remember God’s great wrath to come.
God’s wrath is equally as holy and righteous as his mercy.
Father, thank you for loving me first, when I was incapable of loving you. Your mercy and grace is sweet and always satisfies.
The trumpet judgements begin.
The “day of the Lord” is even more terrible than imagined.
God’s wrath is just and incalculable.
Man’s self sufficiency will be exposed and crushed.
Draw close to God and recognize that his patience and kindness is precious.
It is difficult to comprehend this level of destruction. But it also bring into focus God’s over-the-top goodness in reaching out to mankind as the great rescuer. Sin is costly, more costly than we know- and God’s patience, goodness, and mercy is more valuable than we know.
Father, thank you for your merciful rescue. If you gave what I deserved I would be an object of your holy and righteous wrath.
After the seventh seal is opened and revealed there is stunned silence in Heaven. Once the prayers of the saints are presented to God the next more severe Trumpet Judgements begin.
It was probably an amazing and terrifying thought that Heaven could be speechless about what was about to happen.
God hears every prayer.
The accumulation of the sins of mankind warrants a just response.
Never mistake God’s patience as inaction. God’s timing is holy perfect.
What can be so shocking that all of heaven is stunned silent? We’re about to find out.
Almighty God, you are not slack in keeping your promises.
