Wednesday, March 6, 2023

The first four Trumpets

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

We are getting deep into the book of Revelation now.  As we read more each day, I am recognizing that it is getting harder to find an encouraging message in the things we are about to read.  Yesterday, we saw the seven angels at the throne of God given seven trumpets.  Today, these angels are released to sound these horns.  For the rest of chapter eight, the first four angels blow their trumpet to release devastation in the world.  First the vegetation is struck with hail, fire and blood.  As the second angel sounds his horn, a third of the sea became blood and one third of the creatures living in the sea died.  After the third angel’s horn sounds, a great star falls from heaven burning like a torch and pollutes a third of the rivers and springs of water, contaminating them so that the water is unusable.  When the fourth angel sounds, one third of the sun, moon and stars are darkened.  Then comes a pause from the trumpet blasts so that another angel can give a warning of the remaining three angels to sound their trumpets

These powerful images of heavenly action with the angels sounding their trumpets, show us imagery that seem very intimidating on the surface, but we can find encouragement and hope in the passages we are about to read of the events to come. I will remind us all here that this is God’s book and His plan to use these events to reach the masses of people still on the earth. Below are four reminders of where we can keep our focus as we read through what looks and sounds like total devastation in the world.

1. Remember that God’s plan and actions, even those depicted in the book of Revelation, are always purposeful and just. As the ruler of the universe, He works all things according to His will and for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Therefore, even in the face of apparent chaos, we can trust that God is at work, bringing about His divine plan for redemption and restoration.
2. Let’s use the book of Revelation as a reminder of the urgency of our faith and the need for being ready spiritually. Just as the trumpet blast signals the beginning of divine intervention, it calls us to examine our hearts and draw closer to God. Purpose to use the time we have now to deepen our relationship with Him, by seeking His guidance and surrendering to His plan and purpose for our lives each day.
3. We can also find comfort in the promise of God’s presence with us in every circumstance. In times of uncertainty and upheaval, we can take refuge in the assurance that God is our ever-present help and strength (Psalm 46:1). He is our shelter in the storm, providing peace and protection right in the middle of life’s challenges.
4. We can view Revelation 8 as a call to action. As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are called to be agents of His love and light in a world that desperately needs it. We can extend compassion and kindness to those around us, sharing the hope and truth of the gospel with boldness and His empowering grace.

So today, I want to encourage you that even through these scenes of unsettling images, find encouragement and hope in the middle of it all. Trust in God’s love and plan for your life and draw near to Him in faith and prayer. Take refuge in His presence, and be a bold witness of His love and provision of salvation to the world while we still have time. If you have never received His gift of salvation, do that today by praying the prayer below from your heart. Jesus will come into your life and lead you in His perfect path of righteousness.

Pray: _{God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new today.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in the blood of Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to accomplish the things You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen}

Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 8:7-13

7 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.

8 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. 

9 And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

10 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. 

11 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.

12 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.

13 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!”