Revelation Study 13. Revelation 8:1 - 9:19 (pgs 85-93)

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12. What happens when the Lamb opens the seventh seal (8:1-5)?  How would you feel In John's place, seeing this? 
The silence stops the praises of the angels and the redeemed. This highlights the drama and suspense for what is to come - God's judgment (Zep 1:7-10, Zec 2:13). It is not an awkward pause of something gone wrong. John would be full of expectancy and awe (even fear). Once we know the capacity of God to act, His silence becomes even more signiicant.
Silence in worship (Heb 2:20) is legitimate. We are content to hear him and to stop speaking ourselves. We are struck dumb before him, contented in His presence (Ps 131:2)

The heavenly alter unites the roles of sacrifice (6:3) and offering (8:3) (cf. Ex 27:1-8, 30:1-10). 
 
13. When the seventh seal is opened, there is first silence, then prayer. How do you interpret the heavenly response to the saints' prayers (8:5)?
John has a vision of the heavenly altar and judgment in response to the prayers of the saints (Ps 141:2, LK 1:9-11). God's ordained purposes are fulfilled through His suffering church. 
Their prayers are effectual. In the heavenly realms they accomplish great things. Their prayers are sanctified by God. 

14. What can we learn about the following from 6:1-8:5?
  • The Father Is holy and true, controls the timing of His answers to prayer according to His plans (6:10-11). Is wrathful (6:16). In control (cf. "was permitted/given"). Knows and cares for His people (7:1-8). is deserving of all praise (7:9-17). originates and alone has power to decree salvation (7:10). Blesses, protects, provides for, comforts and guides His people. He receives prayer from His people and responds to them(8:4)
  • Christ  Is the Lamb. He is worthy. He is wrathful (6:16). originates salvation and is worthy of worship (7:10), has made men holy by His blood (7:14) and is their Shepherd. He accomplishes God's purposes for judgment and redemption (8:1)
  • The Kingdom of God involves 1) the sealed, 2] redeemed people from every nation, worshipping God. Under God’s sovereignty and active rule. 
  • Suffering and endurance  is expected  (6:10, 7:5, 14) yet, brings eternal security (7:1-17). There are many aspects of suffering. Death can occur. 
 
Do a word study on the significance of trumpets in the Bible from
  • Ezekiel 33:1-6, Joel 2:1 warning/alarm
  • Leviticus 23:24, Numbers 10:1=10, Joel 2:12-17 a call to holy gathering
  • Zechariah 9:14 an announcement of war
  • Matthew 24:31, 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16  the sign of the last judgment: the elect are ingathered, the dead are raised, the Lord returns
  • 1 Kings 1:39; Psalm 47:5, 98:6 the king is crowned
  • Exodus 19:11-13  to prepare people to meet God
There is a sense of announcement, giving notice. 
 
1. Briefly describe what happens in each stage of 8:6-9:19. 
  • 8:6-7  The first trumpet: hail and fire with blood affecting the earth
  • 8:8-9  The second trumpet: a great mountain affecting the sea
  • 8:10-11 The third trumpet: a great star affects the rivers and springs of water
  • 8:12 The fourth trumpet: the sun, moon and stars are darkened
  • 8:13 A threefold woe announced by an eagle
  • 9:1-12 The fifth trumpet:A fallen angel given the key to the bottomless pit, the pit opened, with sufferings on oeioke
  • 9:13-19 The sixth trumpet: the release of the four angels with armies
  The sufferings of the trumpets are more severe than the seals, less severe than those of the bowls. There will be progressively worse suffering on the earth. The restraint is meant to lead to repentance.

 
 
 
[The Rapture] is the event in which believers on earth "will be caught up together with them [members of the Church who have died] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Nearly all evangelicals believe that a literal rapture will occur before Christ's Second Coming. However, they disagree about how long before. Pre-tribulation premillennialists believe Christians will be raptured just
before the beginning of the Great Tribulation. Their departure will cause many nonChristians (including 144,000 Jews) to put faith in Christ and become the martyrs of the tribulation. Mid tribulation premillennialists believe Christians will be raptured in the middle of the seven-year tribulation.
Post-tribulation premillennialists think Christians will be raptured at the end of the tribulation, just as Christ is returning to begin His thousand- year reign on earth. Amillennialists believe Christians will be raptured just as Christ is returning to inaugurate His reign in the new heavens and new earth.

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