This is Our Time
Revelation 8-9;
11:15-19
The book of revelation reveals Jesus as the victorious king.
It presents Him as the ruler of all and the only shield, strong tower and
hiding place when storms and turmoil visit earth. The sixth seal left people of all social and
economic status seeking a place to hide but they could not find any. It was as
if every direction away from Christ had, ‘Sorry, no hiding place.’ In the midst
of all the terrible judgments, there was constant reminder of God’s love confirmed
by the multitudes worshiping in heaven. Their praise reminded of Gods loving nature
demonstrated by provision of a way to escape the judgment and his patient restrain
and warnings for a long time. The book makes us appreciate the many privileges
we take for granted. We ought to be grateful when the sun rises and sets as
expected; we can find fresh water, smell fresh air, can get our supplies from
the supermarket and can be warm when it is cold and dry when it rains.
Now is our opportunity to put trust in Christ. The six seals
exposed the false security in worldly things and systems. Human reason and
strength will fail. Peace making will fail. Economies will fail. Self-preservation
will fail. Connections with key people will fail. Opposition to Christ will
fail. If holding to anything of this world it will shake and give way. Jesus will remain and his throne will last
forever.
Love not the world, neither
the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love
of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of
the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the
Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof:
but he that doeth the will of God abides forever. - 1 John 2:15-17
You cannot blame God for the judgment that has or will come
on people of the earth. Satan is the ruler of the world (John 10:10, Gen 3). God
does not cause poverty, starvation, suffering, corruption, horrible crime,
tragedies, abuses, wars, sickness, polluted rivers, etc. God has not called us
to wrath. From him come good things if
we live in obedience to his word. He will not judge the righteous with the
unrighteous. Before the world was destroyed by water, He secured Noah and his
family. Before Sodom and Gomorrah
were destroyed, He rescued Lot . When the
first-born children were destroyed by the angel of death, He protected his
people by the blood applied to their doorposts (Exodus 9:18-26). When the angel
of death saw the blood, it passed over them. The judgments that come on earth
will pass over those who have believed in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. God
knows how to deliver the righteous. Devastation was held back until God’s
servants were sealed (Revelation 7:1-3).
The setting for opening of the sixth seal, which contained
the seven trumpets, begins with something untypical of what we have known of
heaven thus far. There was silence in heaven for thirty minutes signifying the
seriousness of the business to follow Revelation 8:1-5. Seven angels had
trumpets and one other had a golden censer with the prayers of the saints such
as ‘thy kingdom come’. The prayers together with some incense were burnt in
offering to God.
The blowing of the first four trumpets destroyed natural
resources, food and water supply making it hard to sustain life.
First Trumpet (8v6-7).
The earth was burnt up and 1/3 of vegetation destroyed. The implication would
have been destruction of food for human and animals destroyed. A warning to those whose bellies is their god.
Second Trumpet (8v8-9).
A burning mountain (possibly a giant meteorite) fell into the sea turning the sea
to blood. One third of sea ships and life died.
Third Trumpet (8v10-11).
A great star crashes to earth
contaminating sources of fresh water.
Fourth Trumpet. (8v12-13).
A darkening of the sun. Affected supply of light to affected areas.
The last three trumpets are also called the three woes.
Fifth Trumpet resulted
in strange locust like creatures from the bottomless pit that did not kill but
tormented earth dwellers without God’s seal for five months. People wished they
were dead.
Sixth Trumpets causes air pollution
(Rev. 9:13-19). A third of men were killed,
by the fire, by the smoke, and by the brimstone.
Despite all the horrible events and absolute terror the
people on earth still had a chance to turn to God in humility and ask for
mercy. Instead, no one turned (8v20-21) thus justifying further judgment. Now
is your time to turn to God.
When things do not go
your way will your heart be sealed in God or seared against Him? Our time
to respond to the grace of God and serve Him is now. Ask for a heart of flesh.
How much more do you want to see before you believe God is on the throne? God has done the best for you in
preparation for the worst that can ever happen. Carry the cross of life with
you through life. Do not reject now what you will desperately need down
the road.
Seventh Trumpet. Final judgment on the triumphant return
of Christ (Revelation 11:15-19). Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Message by
Dr. Kurai Chitima.
Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center
Ground and First Floors
Sunset Bay
Building
204B Bram Fischer
drive,
Randburg, Johannesburg , South Africa
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