1 00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:15,840 As many of you will know, I am a trumpet player. 2 00:00:16,880 --> 00:00:20,040 And if you didn't know that, then it proves that I still have 3 00:00:20,040 --> 00:00:22,720 some secrets left after seven years of being here. 4 00:00:23,680 --> 00:00:26,240 Well, I first learned how to play a brass instrument when I was 5 00:00:26,240 --> 00:00:28,880 a member of Tassa's Silver Band in County Armagh. 6 00:00:29,390 --> 00:00:33,310 I learned how to play the horn, the cornet, and the baritone. 7 00:00:34,030 --> 00:00:36,430 Of course, I learned to play the triangle because everybody starts 8 00:00:36,430 --> 00:00:38,950 off in the triangle, but that's not a brass instrument as 9 00:00:38,950 --> 00:00:39,230 such. 10 00:00:39,630 --> 00:00:42,030 But the trumpet has always been my favorite. 11 00:00:42,270 --> 00:00:45,950 And when my parents bought me a trumpet one Christmas, it was a 12 00:00:45,950 --> 00:00:47,310 complete shock to me. 13 00:00:47,390 --> 00:00:50,990 And it was an even greater shock to them because the volume 14 00:00:50,990 --> 00:00:54,430 difference between any of the other instruments that I played compared 15 00:00:54,430 --> 00:00:59,190 to the trumpet was one that ensured many doors were closed as 16 00:00:59,190 --> 00:01:00,190 I started to play. 17 00:01:00,940 --> 00:01:03,980 There was one advantage for them, though, because having a January 18 00:01:04,220 --> 00:01:08,220 birthday meant that my next gift that they could bless me with 19 00:01:09,260 --> 00:01:10,700 was a silent mute. 20 00:01:12,140 --> 00:01:15,620 Now, a silent mute is an electronic mute that fits into the 21 00:01:15,620 --> 00:01:19,540 bell of the trumpet, and it takes the sound by a cable from the 22 00:01:19,540 --> 00:01:22,780 little capsule in the mute down to an amplifier, and out of 23 00:01:22,780 --> 00:01:24,460 that amplifier, then headphones. 24 00:01:25,820 --> 00:01:28,460 My mother described it as blissful peace. 25 00:01:30,140 --> 00:01:32,860 And apparently it was the best present that they ever bought for 26 00:01:32,860 --> 00:01:33,180 me. 27 00:01:35,820 --> 00:01:36,940 So I'm a trumpet player. 28 00:01:37,980 --> 00:01:42,260 I know the volume of a trumpet, my family know the volume 29 00:01:42,260 --> 00:01:43,180 of a trumpet. 30 00:01:43,900 --> 00:01:47,660 And I think we all know just how loud a trumpet can be. 31 00:01:48,140 --> 00:01:53,140 Whether we hear it in a band, in an orchestra, or a group of trumpeters 32 00:01:53,140 --> 00:01:56,330 at a state event, they're loud. 33 00:01:56,890 --> 00:01:59,610 And trumpets don't go unnoticed. 34 00:02:01,530 --> 00:02:06,010 And that's the point that's been made in Revelation chapter 8, 35 00:02:06,570 --> 00:02:11,290 as the seven trumpets are blown by the angels, having received 36 00:02:11,290 --> 00:02:12,730 them in verse two. 37 00:02:13,770 --> 00:02:17,530 And if you'll recall, after they received the seven trumpets, 38 00:02:17,770 --> 00:02:21,830 which follows the approximate half hour of silence in heaven, there 39 00:02:21,830 --> 00:02:26,190 is worship of God that's presented to him as the prayers of 40 00:02:26,190 --> 00:02:28,310 his people, the prayers of the saints. 41 00:02:29,030 --> 00:02:31,990 And these prayers are for gospel growth in the church. 42 00:02:32,150 --> 00:02:37,229 And they echo the prayers of the martyrs as the fifth seal in 43 00:02:37,229 --> 00:02:41,030 chapter 6 is opened in verses 9 to 11. 44 00:02:41,750 --> 00:02:44,550 And there we read of their prayer in verse 10 that they cried 45 00:02:44,550 --> 00:02:48,950 out with a loud voice, o sovereign Lord, holy and true, how 46 00:02:49,750 --> 00:02:55,430 long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell 47 00:02:55,910 --> 00:02:56,710 on the earth? 48 00:02:57,830 --> 00:03:00,630 Now think of the movement that's happening here. 49 00:03:01,190 --> 00:03:03,190 Seven seals are opened. 50 00:03:04,070 --> 00:03:06,790 Think of a seal like a satchel. 51 00:03:07,430 --> 00:03:09,910 Do you remember the little school satchels that you used to 52 00:03:10,310 --> 00:03:10,630 have? 53 00:03:10,630 --> 00:03:12,230 And some of them came with the little Buckles. 54 00:03:12,230 --> 00:03:14,710 But some of them had the little press buckle that as you pressed 55 00:03:14,710 --> 00:03:17,260 in, you could then it out over the little bar. 56 00:03:17,900 --> 00:03:20,300 It made nothing more than a little click. 57 00:03:21,260 --> 00:03:22,860 That's not very loud. 58 00:03:23,420 --> 00:03:27,900 And so we've had the seven seals opened, revealing to us these 59 00:03:27,980 --> 00:03:28,780 end times. 60 00:03:30,300 --> 00:03:33,020 Now, think of the noise of a trumpet compared to a click. 61 00:03:34,220 --> 00:03:37,660 If you were asleep and not paying attention, well, a trumpet 62 00:03:37,900 --> 00:03:40,540 is certainly going to make you pay attention. 63 00:03:42,710 --> 00:03:47,470 And so the question that was asked by the martyrs in verse 10 64 00:03:47,470 --> 00:03:52,030 of chapter 6 is now answered as we hear the sound of the first 65 00:03:52,030 --> 00:03:56,230 four trumpets in the remainder of chapter eight and the other three 66 00:03:56,230 --> 00:03:57,510 coming in the next chapter. 67 00:03:58,070 --> 00:04:01,070 The seven angels begin to blow the seven trumpets. 68 00:04:01,070 --> 00:04:03,750 And the record there is given to us by John. 69 00:04:04,070 --> 00:04:08,390 It's nicely structured in a sequence of what these trumpets will 70 00:04:08,390 --> 00:04:08,710 do. 71 00:04:09,290 --> 00:04:11,130 Here we have trumpets one to seven, as I said. 72 00:04:11,130 --> 00:04:13,210 Tonight we're looking at trumpets one to four. 73 00:04:13,370 --> 00:04:16,530 We see that these first four trumpets deal with the earth, the 74 00:04:16,530 --> 00:04:18,650 seas, the rivers and the springs, and the sky. 75 00:04:18,810 --> 00:04:20,250 What does trumpet one do? 76 00:04:20,250 --> 00:04:23,130 Well, it brings down hail, fire and blood on the land. 77 00:04:23,450 --> 00:04:27,170 Trumpet 2, towards the Seas, brings down a burning mountain, thrown 78 00:04:27,170 --> 00:04:28,090 into the sea. 79 00:04:28,410 --> 00:04:30,730 Trumpet 3 looks at the rivers and springs. 80 00:04:30,810 --> 00:04:33,690 A burning star falls on rivers into the sea. 81 00:04:34,660 --> 00:04:37,820 And then trumpet four is the sky where the sun, the moon and the 82 00:04:37,820 --> 00:04:39,620 stars are partially darkened. 83 00:04:40,340 --> 00:04:44,660 What we'll see then, as we go into the next chapter, are the three 84 00:04:44,740 --> 00:04:48,260 woes in trumpets 5, 6 and 7. 85 00:04:48,900 --> 00:04:51,300 The first woe will be demons from the abyss. 86 00:04:51,940 --> 00:04:54,180 Second woe will be demons from the east. 87 00:04:54,740 --> 00:04:57,700 And the third woe will be the kingdom come. 88 00:04:58,820 --> 00:05:01,300 So here we have an outline of where we're heading over the next 89 00:05:01,300 --> 00:05:01,700 chapters. 90 00:05:01,700 --> 00:05:03,860 But it's actually going to take us quite a number of chapters 91 00:05:04,100 --> 00:05:07,160 because there's an interlude between the first four trumpets and 92 00:05:07,160 --> 00:05:08,080 the last three. 93 00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:13,120 And the last three trumpets are introduced to us with that threefold 94 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:15,760 woe that we read in our passage. 95 00:05:15,840 --> 00:05:17,520 Woe, woe, woe. 96 00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:21,040 Now, as I say that three times, it sounds like we want things 97 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:21,760 to slow down. 98 00:05:21,760 --> 00:05:24,200 But trust me, if you're hearing these woes, you will want 99 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:25,120 them to slow down. 100 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:29,920 Because what has been set up for us in these first four trumpets 101 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:33,440 is a stark warning that indeed there is worse to come. 102 00:05:36,260 --> 00:05:41,700 And remember what happens in Scripture, anytime something is repeated 103 00:05:41,940 --> 00:05:44,940 three times, it gets greater significance. 104 00:05:44,940 --> 00:05:47,540 Why do we sing Holy, Holy, Holy? 105 00:05:48,020 --> 00:05:50,980 Because that's what was sung in Scripture. 106 00:05:51,860 --> 00:05:56,420 Why do we sing the threefold Amen in Christos, Victor, Amen? 107 00:05:57,220 --> 00:06:00,500 Because of its depth and greater meaning and significance 108 00:06:00,580 --> 00:06:04,540 as the Song of Heaven and the three woes. 109 00:06:05,740 --> 00:06:08,860 Well, this is the starkest warning you're ever going to get 110 00:06:09,580 --> 00:06:12,380 that the times ahead are not going to be easy. 111 00:06:12,700 --> 00:06:19,220 And woe, woe, woe to those who do not look to the risen Lord Jesus 112 00:06:19,220 --> 00:06:23,380 Christ and trust in him as their Savior. 113 00:06:23,380 --> 00:06:26,660 In fact, the last three trumpets that will be sounded will 114 00:06:26,660 --> 00:06:30,820 be a complete horror upon humanity. 115 00:06:32,660 --> 00:06:37,700 So the trumpets are given to us here in these chapters, and they're 116 00:06:37,700 --> 00:06:41,220 placed in the period between Christ's resurrection and his return. 117 00:06:42,020 --> 00:06:47,100 And the trumpets and the seals overlap, so there is overlap here 118 00:06:47,100 --> 00:06:50,380 in what was said in the seals and what will be revealed to us through 119 00:06:50,380 --> 00:06:51,220 the trumpets. 120 00:06:51,860 --> 00:06:57,040 And so the trumpets of judgment represent that retelling, 121 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:01,520 but only from a different perspective of the time period of 122 00:07:01,520 --> 00:07:02,080 the seals. 123 00:07:02,720 --> 00:07:05,480 And in chapter eight, the first four trumpets communicate God's 124 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:08,000 judgment on land, sea, rivers and the skies. 125 00:07:08,400 --> 00:07:13,600 Every realm of life is touched by human sin, and therefore the judgment 126 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:16,400 that sin deserves will be placed upon them. 127 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:20,560 So the descriptions here should not be interpreted literally. 128 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:24,800 Instead, we have vivid and exaggerated pictures of devastating 129 00:07:24,800 --> 00:07:27,520 judgments that will encompass the entire world. 130 00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:27,990 Why? 131 00:07:28,060 --> 00:07:29,740 Why do I say that they're not literal? 132 00:07:30,060 --> 00:07:32,420 Because whenever you read of it, they're just a third, a third 133 00:07:32,420 --> 00:07:33,180 and a third. 134 00:07:33,740 --> 00:07:34,660 It's not complete. 135 00:07:34,660 --> 00:07:37,180 And we'll understand why as we work through. 136 00:07:37,820 --> 00:07:41,420 The judgments that will strike the earth during this present evil 137 00:07:41,420 --> 00:07:44,060 age are designed to bring people to repentance. 138 00:07:45,420 --> 00:07:46,860 They're not about annihilation. 139 00:07:48,220 --> 00:07:51,820 They're to be that stark warning before the three woes come, 140 00:07:52,620 --> 00:07:54,460 that there's an opportunity to repent. 141 00:07:54,540 --> 00:07:58,910 And the failure to repent demonstrates that the judgments are 142 00:07:58,910 --> 00:07:59,230 just. 143 00:08:00,350 --> 00:08:05,110 That if people fail to come unto Jesus for salvation, then what 144 00:08:05,110 --> 00:08:10,030 they deserve are the full judgments that horror filled judgments 145 00:08:10,590 --> 00:08:11,310 of God. 146 00:08:12,030 --> 00:08:14,670 And so we read of the first trumpet being blown in verse seven. 147 00:08:14,990 --> 00:08:17,950 And there we read, the first angel blew his trumpet, and there 148 00:08:17,950 --> 00:08:20,310 followed hail and fire mixed with blood. 149 00:08:20,310 --> 00:08:22,320 And these were thrown upon the earth. 150 00:08:22,950 --> 00:08:25,990 And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees 151 00:08:25,990 --> 00:08:26,750 were burned up. 152 00:08:26,750 --> 00:08:31,390 And all green grass was burned up as a result of the prayers of 153 00:08:31,390 --> 00:08:31,950 the saints. 154 00:08:31,950 --> 00:08:33,270 Remember, that's where we've come from. 155 00:08:33,510 --> 00:08:36,830 The seven angels begin to blow their trumpets, signaling that God 156 00:08:36,830 --> 00:08:38,709 is about to judge his enemies. 157 00:08:39,270 --> 00:08:42,510 Some of the trumpet judgments echo the plagues poured out in Egypt. 158 00:08:42,510 --> 00:08:45,430 And it's helpful that we've been looking at that in our morning 159 00:08:45,590 --> 00:08:45,990 services. 160 00:08:46,470 --> 00:08:49,590 And so the first trumpet reminds us of the plague of hail 161 00:08:49,670 --> 00:08:52,950 in Exodus chapter 9 and verses 23 to 24. 162 00:08:53,820 --> 00:08:57,380 The fire that is accompanying the hail is probably referring to 163 00:08:57,380 --> 00:09:01,180 lightning strikes, so that the picture is of a massive storm with 164 00:09:01,180 --> 00:09:02,300 hail and lightning. 165 00:09:02,860 --> 00:09:05,860 And we only have to go back into Scripture to see that this has 166 00:09:05,860 --> 00:09:07,740 already been demonstrated to us. 167 00:09:07,980 --> 00:09:11,900 So once again, revelation is not giving us anything new, because 168 00:09:11,900 --> 00:09:16,900 in Psalm 18:13 and Ezekiel 38, verse 22, we have the exact same 169 00:09:16,900 --> 00:09:22,870 descriptions of what God will do by way of judgment on his enemies 170 00:09:24,550 --> 00:09:26,870 and what John is doing here. 171 00:09:27,350 --> 00:09:31,710 He signals that the language is symbolic and apocalyptic, for 172 00:09:31,710 --> 00:09:34,070 the lightning is mixed with blood. 173 00:09:35,350 --> 00:09:40,230 Now, the prophet Joel gives us the same image, this idea of lightning 174 00:09:40,230 --> 00:09:43,510 mixed with blood in Joel chapter 2 and verse 30, as he talks 175 00:09:43,510 --> 00:09:44,790 about the day of salvation. 176 00:09:45,450 --> 00:09:48,610 And he says, and I will show wonders in the heavens and on the 177 00:09:48,610 --> 00:09:52,810 earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. 178 00:09:54,890 --> 00:09:58,090 So here we have Joel saying the exact same thing, foretelling 179 00:09:58,090 --> 00:10:01,370 of what the judgment of God will be on the day of salvation. 180 00:10:02,970 --> 00:10:05,530 So this is no ordinary lightning storm. 181 00:10:06,250 --> 00:10:09,770 In its wake, one third of the earth and its trees are burned up, 182 00:10:09,770 --> 00:10:11,600 and the green grass of the vanishes. 183 00:10:11,680 --> 00:10:14,720 Now, if the language here is literal, what is described must be 184 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:18,560 future, for such a devastating judgment has not yet taken place. 185 00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:21,560 But it's more plausible to understand that John is describing 186 00:10:21,560 --> 00:10:26,080 the apocalyptic language that's devastatingly marking life 187 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:28,720 on earth during this present evil age. 188 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:33,280 The desolations impacting the earth represent God's judgment. 189 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:36,640 The apocalyptic and exaggerated nature of the imagery 190 00:10:36,800 --> 00:10:40,110 is confirmed by verse 4 of chapter 9. 191 00:10:40,190 --> 00:10:44,670 For the locusts are told not to harm the grass on earth, and so 192 00:10:44,670 --> 00:10:47,430 this makes little sense then, if all the grass had already been 193 00:10:47,430 --> 00:10:48,190 burned up. 194 00:10:48,990 --> 00:10:54,070 So the message communicated to us is that living in this world has 195 00:10:54,070 --> 00:10:55,190 its many benefits. 196 00:10:55,190 --> 00:10:58,750 Remember, two thirds of the world is unaffected by the judgments, 197 00:10:59,390 --> 00:11:03,710 but God's judgments strike the world on account of sin. 198 00:11:04,670 --> 00:11:08,630 So as much as we know the blessing of living, we must also 199 00:11:08,630 --> 00:11:12,110 be very aware of God's judgments on this earth. 200 00:11:13,710 --> 00:11:17,870 And as we move into verses 8 and 9, we come to the second trumpet 201 00:11:17,870 --> 00:11:21,350 blast, and a great mountain, burning like fire, is thrown into 202 00:11:21,350 --> 00:11:21,750 the sea. 203 00:11:21,750 --> 00:11:25,070 And this is perhaps pictures for us a volcanic eruption. 204 00:11:25,550 --> 00:11:29,630 But the psalmist has already told us of something similar in Psalm 205 00:11:29,630 --> 00:11:34,060 46, when he writes, God is our refuge and strength, a very present 206 00:11:34,060 --> 00:11:34,860 help in trouble. 207 00:11:35,180 --> 00:11:38,740 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way, though 208 00:11:38,740 --> 00:11:43,020 the mountains be moved where into the heart of the sea, though 209 00:11:43,020 --> 00:11:47,500 its waters roar in foam, though the mountains tremble at its 210 00:11:47,500 --> 00:11:48,140 swelling. 211 00:11:48,940 --> 00:11:52,340 And we read this psalm because it teaches us that for God's people, 212 00:11:52,340 --> 00:11:55,180 on the day of the unthinkable the day of judgment. 213 00:11:55,180 --> 00:11:57,980 It is God who remains our refuge and strength, and he is the 214 00:11:57,980 --> 00:11:59,420 one who is ever present with us. 215 00:12:00,610 --> 00:12:03,570 But it's not so for those who reject God. 216 00:12:04,530 --> 00:12:08,570 In verse 8, back here in Revelation, we are given an image 217 00:12:08,570 --> 00:12:12,010 that reminds us of what the prophet Jeremiah foretold of how 218 00:12:12,010 --> 00:12:16,930 Babylon will be reduced by God and it will be reduced to a burnt 219 00:12:17,250 --> 00:12:17,730 mountain. 220 00:12:18,130 --> 00:12:21,410 And it's recorded for us in Jeremiah 51 and verse 25. 221 00:12:21,410 --> 00:12:25,330 Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain, declares the 222 00:12:25,330 --> 00:12:27,010 Lord, which destroys the whole earth. 223 00:12:27,010 --> 00:12:31,430 I will stretch I out my hand against you and roll you down from 224 00:12:31,430 --> 00:12:35,190 the crags and make you a burnt mountain. 225 00:12:35,990 --> 00:12:39,110 So once again, what we're seeing in Revelation, we've already 226 00:12:39,110 --> 00:12:41,110 been told about by the prophets. 227 00:12:42,310 --> 00:12:45,790 This judgment, then again, is given to us in imagery both by the 228 00:12:45,790 --> 00:12:48,590 prophets and now what John sees in this vision. 229 00:12:48,590 --> 00:12:51,310 Because the first trumpet described the effect of God's judgment 230 00:12:51,310 --> 00:12:55,030 on the earth, and here we see its effect on the sea and the oceans. 231 00:12:55,900 --> 00:12:57,900 One third of the sea turns to blood. 232 00:12:58,540 --> 00:12:59,820 Water turning to blood. 233 00:12:59,820 --> 00:13:03,420 Where do we automatically think, well, we must return to Egypt. 234 00:13:03,580 --> 00:13:05,100 And the blood in the Nile. 235 00:13:05,660 --> 00:13:09,140 And so what we're seeing here is an image just as the Nile turned 236 00:13:09,140 --> 00:13:11,420 to blood during the days of Moses in Exodus 7. 237 00:13:11,660 --> 00:13:15,420 And why was that brought onto the people of Egypt? 238 00:13:15,740 --> 00:13:17,340 Because they worshiped the Nile. 239 00:13:17,420 --> 00:13:20,780 It was a false God, and it was punishment upon them. 240 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:24,200 And is it any less what God's going to do with one third of the 241 00:13:24,200 --> 00:13:25,120 seas and oceans? 242 00:13:25,680 --> 00:13:28,000 You see, the Nile turned to blood, literally. 243 00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:32,120 But John takes this image and uses it really in an apocalyptic 244 00:13:32,120 --> 00:13:34,960 way to describe the effects on the seas and oceans. 245 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:39,520 He says one third of the creatures in the sea died, and one 246 00:13:39,520 --> 00:13:41,200 third of the boats were destroyed. 247 00:13:42,080 --> 00:13:43,680 This is punishment upon the earth. 248 00:13:43,680 --> 00:13:46,680 Because the point here is that God's judgment is poured out on a 249 00:13:46,680 --> 00:13:48,320 world that is resisting Him. 250 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:53,000 And this extends to the seas and to the trade that the waters 251 00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:55,840 produce, either through fishing or through the transport 252 00:13:55,840 --> 00:13:56,560 of goods. 253 00:13:58,000 --> 00:14:03,240 And where does humanity hurt the most most often? 254 00:14:03,240 --> 00:14:04,240 In our pockets. 255 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:11,440 And so here is God demonstrating through this punishment 256 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:16,200 on the seas and the oceans that no part of human life is excluded 257 00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:18,240 from, from the reach of his judgment. 258 00:14:19,040 --> 00:14:21,680 And so now the third trumpet is blown in verse 10. 259 00:14:21,680 --> 00:14:25,600 And we're told the third angel blew his trumpet and a great star 260 00:14:25,840 --> 00:14:28,240 fell from heaven, blazing like a torch. 261 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:33,080 And it fell once again on a third of the rivers and on the springs 262 00:14:33,080 --> 00:14:33,520 of water. 263 00:14:34,400 --> 00:14:38,240 So with the third trumpet sounded by the third angel, a star 264 00:14:38,400 --> 00:14:41,120 falls from heaven, burning with fire. 265 00:14:41,520 --> 00:14:44,820 And the Burning star falls on the rivers and springs and. 266 00:14:45,210 --> 00:14:50,410 And it embitters them hence why it's called wormwood. 267 00:14:50,730 --> 00:14:54,970 Now, wormwood is the name of a plant that produces bitter tasting 268 00:14:54,970 --> 00:14:55,610 liquid. 269 00:14:56,250 --> 00:15:00,010 And one third of the water is polluted by this wormwood. 270 00:15:00,170 --> 00:15:02,250 And many die when they drink it. 271 00:15:02,490 --> 00:15:07,170 And so here we see a similar judgment as is seen in Jeremiah, 272 00:15:07,170 --> 00:15:11,710 because in chapter 9 and verse 15 of Jeremiah we read, therefore, 273 00:15:11,710 --> 00:15:14,950 thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, behold, I will 274 00:15:14,950 --> 00:15:15,830 feed this people. 275 00:15:16,150 --> 00:15:21,150 What will he feed them with bitter food and give them poisonous 276 00:15:21,150 --> 00:15:22,150 water to drink? 277 00:15:22,630 --> 00:15:24,310 What's the wormwood going to do? 278 00:15:24,310 --> 00:15:28,350 As this trumpet is sounded, the wormwood is going to make the 279 00:15:28,350 --> 00:15:31,030 water bitter, undrinkable, and unusable. 280 00:15:31,830 --> 00:15:35,710 Jeremiah gives us this as a sign of grieving for the sin of the 281 00:15:35,710 --> 00:15:35,990 people. 282 00:15:36,530 --> 00:15:40,530 And it's a representation of what their sin tastes like. 283 00:15:41,250 --> 00:15:46,290 Jeremiah was a prophet whom God used to give very strong images 284 00:15:46,290 --> 00:15:47,090 to the people. 285 00:15:47,970 --> 00:15:52,730 He had to do some crazy things, but God used them to make 286 00:15:52,730 --> 00:15:54,370 a point, and this was one of them. 287 00:15:54,370 --> 00:15:59,250 That as bitter as the water and the food taste, that's how bitter 288 00:15:59,250 --> 00:16:01,090 your sin is to me. 289 00:16:01,900 --> 00:16:05,540 And in Revelation 8 and the third trumpet, the poisoning of the 290 00:16:05,540 --> 00:16:09,180 waters signals the devastation poured out on the earth. 291 00:16:09,420 --> 00:16:11,860 The waters of the earth, why were they given to us? 292 00:16:11,860 --> 00:16:14,620 They should be refreshing, they should be invigorating. 293 00:16:15,740 --> 00:16:19,660 But life on earth is polluted because of human sin. 294 00:16:20,380 --> 00:16:24,620 And so God's judgments affect life on land, oceans and seas. 295 00:16:24,620 --> 00:16:28,800 And they also strike the water that human beings need to live once 296 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:34,040 again, taking us back to the Nile, where the water was unusable 297 00:16:34,040 --> 00:16:37,280 for humans and animals in any kind and form. 298 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:41,760 And so for tonight we come to the fourth and the last of the trumpets 299 00:16:41,760 --> 00:16:42,480 that we look at. 300 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:44,480 And it sounds in verse 12. 301 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:49,600 And this time the focus is the sun, the moon and the stars. 302 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:53,360 When the fourth angel blows his trumpet, the sun is darkened 303 00:16:53,360 --> 00:16:56,960 for one third of the day and the moon and stars for one third 304 00:16:56,960 --> 00:16:57,600 of the night. 305 00:16:58,120 --> 00:17:01,360 Now, it's hard to imagine what these words could mean if they were 306 00:17:01,360 --> 00:17:02,480 interpreted literally. 307 00:17:02,480 --> 00:17:07,000 For life on earth wouldn't be able to continue if the sun didn't 308 00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:09,320 shine for one third of every day. 309 00:17:10,360 --> 00:17:12,120 And what are we reminded of here? 310 00:17:12,840 --> 00:17:16,440 Well, we're reminded of the plague of darkness that engulfed 311 00:17:16,440 --> 00:17:20,440 Egypt in Exodus 10 and verses 21 to 23. 312 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:25,080 Similarly, Isaiah describes the day of the Lord as a time when 313 00:17:25,080 --> 00:17:30,260 the stars do not shine and the sun and the moon yield no light. 314 00:17:31,380 --> 00:17:34,180 This is what he says in chapter 13 in verse 10. 315 00:17:34,500 --> 00:17:37,260 For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not 316 00:17:37,260 --> 00:17:38,020 give their light. 317 00:17:38,340 --> 00:17:42,740 The sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed 318 00:17:43,220 --> 00:17:43,940 its light. 319 00:17:45,460 --> 00:17:51,220 John is seeing what the prophets have already foretold and 320 00:17:51,220 --> 00:17:56,780 what God has demonstrated by way of punishment in Egypt. 321 00:17:58,300 --> 00:18:02,980 And so the celestial phenomena predicted at the coming of the day 322 00:18:02,980 --> 00:18:06,780 of the Lord in the prophets did not take place literally. 323 00:18:07,580 --> 00:18:12,380 The language used to depict God's judgment is given to us here 324 00:18:12,540 --> 00:18:16,460 in this picture form that it's a judgment on the nations in history. 325 00:18:16,940 --> 00:18:19,740 It's a picture of the failure of the world's wisdom. 326 00:18:20,140 --> 00:18:25,110 It's a picture of the failure of the world's spirituality to truly 327 00:18:25,110 --> 00:18:25,990 enlightenment. 328 00:18:26,470 --> 00:18:30,030 It's a picture of people going about their lives in darkness without 329 00:18:30,030 --> 00:18:34,230 the ability to see what is true, what is good and what is right, 330 00:18:34,550 --> 00:18:39,030 as well as who is true and who is right and who is good. 331 00:18:39,750 --> 00:18:43,630 Jesus also says that the same kinds of things will accompany his 332 00:18:43,630 --> 00:18:48,310 future coming in the three gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. 333 00:18:49,270 --> 00:18:54,750 And so the fourth trumpet signals to us a warning, a warning 334 00:18:54,750 --> 00:19:00,990 of the judgment of God, that as we walk in darkness, we have the 335 00:19:00,990 --> 00:19:04,390 opportunity to see the light that has shone through the coming 336 00:19:04,390 --> 00:19:05,110 of Jesus. 337 00:19:05,910 --> 00:19:11,910 But to remain in darkness, we will face the judgment that will 338 00:19:11,910 --> 00:19:12,230 come. 339 00:19:13,910 --> 00:19:16,470 And that's what these four trumpets speak about. 340 00:19:17,190 --> 00:19:21,750 They speak about God's judgment on the land, on the seas, 341 00:19:22,470 --> 00:19:24,950 on the rivers and the skies. 342 00:19:25,510 --> 00:19:30,710 All of life in this present age will be affected and is affected 343 00:19:30,710 --> 00:19:31,750 by human sin. 344 00:19:32,630 --> 00:19:38,510 And the temporal judgments of God in history point to and anticipate 345 00:19:38,510 --> 00:19:39,990 the final judgment to come. 346 00:19:41,270 --> 00:19:44,110 And verse 13 concludes this chapter with an interlude. 347 00:19:44,110 --> 00:19:45,590 There's a break, there's a pause, and again. 348 00:19:45,590 --> 00:19:46,550 We've seen this before. 349 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:50,680 Between the sixth and the seventh seal being opened, we saw 350 00:19:50,680 --> 00:19:55,240 that great worship of God by all nations in heaven, a multitude 351 00:19:55,240 --> 00:19:56,400 that no one could count. 352 00:19:57,200 --> 00:20:00,000 And so now we have another interlude. 353 00:20:00,800 --> 00:20:02,640 Then I looked, says John. 354 00:20:02,719 --> 00:20:07,680 He looks again and he sees and he hears, but it's something new. 355 00:20:08,960 --> 00:20:13,710 I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it fell, flew directly 356 00:20:13,710 --> 00:20:14,350 overhead. 357 00:20:14,510 --> 00:20:16,270 And what does this eagle say? 358 00:20:16,670 --> 00:20:20,910 Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth. 359 00:20:21,550 --> 00:20:25,830 At the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are 360 00:20:25,830 --> 00:20:26,830 about to blow. 361 00:20:28,750 --> 00:20:33,030 A stark warning for what is about to come in the next chapter 362 00:20:33,030 --> 00:20:33,870 of Revelation. 363 00:20:34,590 --> 00:20:37,190 And this verse is given to us to highlight that the judgments of 364 00:20:37,190 --> 00:20:40,980 the last three trumpets will be far worse than the first four. 365 00:20:41,940 --> 00:20:45,500 And a flying eagle anticipates and heralds the three trumpets to 366 00:20:45,500 --> 00:20:49,260 come with a threefold woe similar to those given by the prophets 367 00:20:49,260 --> 00:20:54,580 Jeremiah and Hosea, warning of impending desolation and devastation. 368 00:20:54,980 --> 00:20:58,460 And the desolation and devastation is limited, however, 369 00:20:58,460 --> 00:21:02,300 to those who dwell on earth, as we saw in Revelation 3 and verse 370 00:21:02,300 --> 00:21:02,540 10. 371 00:21:02,540 --> 00:21:06,260 Earth dwellers in Revelation always represent unbelievers. 372 00:21:06,580 --> 00:21:09,860 Those who believe in Jesus Christ have no reason to fear the 373 00:21:09,860 --> 00:21:11,460 last three trumpet judgments. 374 00:21:12,100 --> 00:21:16,500 But unbelievers should be filled with dread and with fear. 375 00:21:17,540 --> 00:21:20,660 And so, as we conclude our time this evening, we need to be 376 00:21:20,660 --> 00:21:23,860 mindful that these verses teach us that God rules over the 377 00:21:23,860 --> 00:21:27,660 world, despite resistance to his reign and to his rule. 378 00:21:27,660 --> 00:21:29,780 And we see that resistance all around us. 379 00:21:30,260 --> 00:21:32,620 We see it in the laws that countries make. 380 00:21:33,250 --> 00:21:36,610 We see that resistance in how people treat each other, that they're 381 00:21:36,610 --> 00:21:39,090 not willing to live by the standard of God. 382 00:21:39,890 --> 00:21:44,130 And so his rule manifests itself, that is, God's rule in judgment 383 00:21:44,530 --> 00:21:45,650 and salvation. 384 00:21:46,290 --> 00:21:49,970 And here we see his judgments over a world in rebellion against 385 00:21:50,050 --> 00:21:50,450 Him. 386 00:21:51,250 --> 00:21:55,890 And God's judgments touch every sphere of the world, as we've 387 00:21:55,890 --> 00:21:58,450 already said, the land, the sea, the rivers, the skies. 388 00:21:59,270 --> 00:22:03,190 The world is disfigured, the world is distorted. 389 00:22:03,350 --> 00:22:05,270 It's not how he made it. 390 00:22:05,750 --> 00:22:09,590 And so it shows that it is neither what it should be nor what 391 00:22:09,590 --> 00:22:10,630 it will be. 392 00:22:12,390 --> 00:22:14,710 God's judgment isn't irrational. 393 00:22:15,350 --> 00:22:19,350 We've seen already that it falls in answer to the prayers of 394 00:22:19,350 --> 00:22:22,790 the saints, in response to the rebellion of human beings against 395 00:22:22,870 --> 00:22:23,350 God. 396 00:22:23,510 --> 00:22:25,190 How long, O Lord? 397 00:22:26,250 --> 00:22:29,610 Well, God's demonstrating that the time is now for the punishments 398 00:22:29,610 --> 00:22:30,970 and the judgments to come. 399 00:22:31,450 --> 00:22:35,850 And so God's judgments are one way that he restores order and justice 400 00:22:35,850 --> 00:22:38,970 and harmony in a world gone wrong. 401 00:22:39,210 --> 00:22:43,010 It is one stage along the pathway by which his peace will be 402 00:22:43,010 --> 00:22:44,490 reestablished in the world. 403 00:22:44,650 --> 00:22:46,610 And you might read this tonight and say, well, there's not 404 00:22:46,610 --> 00:22:50,170 much peace here with these seven trumpet blasts, even in that 405 00:22:50,170 --> 00:22:51,850 image of a trumpet loud. 406 00:22:52,010 --> 00:22:54,960 And you can't ignore it, saying, well, how can this be peace 407 00:22:54,960 --> 00:22:55,360 filled? 408 00:22:56,880 --> 00:23:00,640 Because ultimately God is pointing us to his salvation. 409 00:23:01,600 --> 00:23:03,040 Notice what he tells us. 410 00:23:04,240 --> 00:23:05,280 It's only a third. 411 00:23:06,560 --> 00:23:08,640 Therefore, there is still hope. 412 00:23:08,880 --> 00:23:12,800 Not in this world in which we live, but in the God, as we learned 413 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:15,440 last week, who is merciful. 414 00:23:15,760 --> 00:23:21,020 He's slow to anger, and he's abounding instead, steadfast love. 415 00:23:21,020 --> 00:23:23,900 There is yet still time. 416 00:23:25,100 --> 00:23:28,820 You see, without Christ, we face the judgments that are spoken 417 00:23:28,820 --> 00:23:30,620 of here in Revelation 8. 418 00:23:31,020 --> 00:23:35,340 And as we'll see in Revelation 9 through to Revelation 11, the only 419 00:23:35,340 --> 00:23:38,460 way to avoid such judgment is to know Christ fully. 420 00:23:38,460 --> 00:23:42,540 And that's what Paul wants to tell us in Romans 5 and verse 9. 421 00:23:42,940 --> 00:23:46,970 Since therefore we have been justified by his blood, and much 422 00:23:46,970 --> 00:23:53,770 more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God, there is yet 423 00:23:53,930 --> 00:23:59,010 still time to avoid the judgments of God, because this is 424 00:23:59,010 --> 00:24:01,210 the only hope that we can have to be saved. 425 00:24:01,770 --> 00:24:05,170 The result of our salvation will be shown to us in a later vision 426 00:24:05,170 --> 00:24:09,530 in Revelation 12, which will tell us that in Christ we will have 427 00:24:09,530 --> 00:24:15,140 conquered, but for now we rest secure in Christ. 428 00:24:16,260 --> 00:24:22,100 There is no fear, for he drives out fear, and in him is perfect 429 00:24:22,260 --> 00:24:22,740 peace. 430 00:24:24,260 --> 00:24:29,140 These trumpets are blown as a warning, just as you will see the 431 00:24:29,140 --> 00:24:31,620 coronation of any of our sovereigns. 432 00:24:31,860 --> 00:24:35,860 The trumpets sound in Westminster Abbey to declare people 433 00:24:35,860 --> 00:24:39,220 to get ready to receive their king. 434 00:24:40,320 --> 00:24:42,160 And so these trumpets sound to warn us. 435 00:24:42,160 --> 00:24:49,680 There is still time, so take heart and be filled with hope. 436 00:24:51,520 --> 00:24:55,680 We have now been justified by his blood. 437 00:24:56,720 --> 00:25:01,840 Much more now shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 438 00:25:03,040 --> 00:25:05,680 This is the assurance that Jesus offers His people. 439 00:25:08,220 --> 00:25:09,740 This is what he tells us tonight. 440 00:25:10,220 --> 00:25:13,740 Do not fear the judgment in Christ. 441 00:25:14,460 --> 00:25:18,460 We will be secure and we will be safe. 442 00:25:20,620 --> 00:25:24,780 Outside of Christ is a different matter. 443 00:25:26,220 --> 00:25:32,580 Wake up and listen to the trumpet blast that warns that while 444 00:25:32,580 --> 00:25:40,270 there is still time, come to Christ and know his forgiveness of 445 00:25:40,270 --> 00:25:47,790 our sins, so that that safety and security and hope in him will 446 00:25:47,790 --> 00:25:48,470 be ours. 447 00:25:50,630 --> 00:25:53,830 Our closing praise this evening is the hymn of the Savior 448 00:25:54,710 --> 00:25:59,470 because it echoes these words From Revelation chapter 8 of what 449 00:25:59,470 --> 00:26:04,080 it means, of what it means to wait for the Lord, to know that he 450 00:26:04,080 --> 00:26:06,320 is ours and to be assured by Him. 451 00:26:07,440 --> 00:26:09,280 This is the Jesus we're to look to. 452 00:26:09,360 --> 00:26:11,120 This is the Jesus we're to trust in. 453 00:26:12,240 --> 00:26:13,680 And so the warnings are given. 454 00:26:14,400 --> 00:26:18,960 I can give you nothing more, but I will point you to the Savior 455 00:26:18,960 --> 00:26:21,760 to rest in him secure. 456 00:26:22,160 --> 00:26:27,520 For Indeed, as Psalm 46 tells us, he is our refuge, our strength. 457 00:26:28,320 --> 00:26:32,080 And as we leave tonight trusting in Christ, what do we have? 458 00:26:32,880 --> 00:26:35,200 Well, we have these two wonderful words. 459 00:26:35,840 --> 00:26:41,960 Glorious hope, a hope that will never fail, a hope that will 460 00:26:41,960 --> 00:26:42,880 never leave us. 461 00:26:43,280 --> 00:26:48,320 It is glorious because it is given to us by the King of Kings 462 00:26:48,320 --> 00:26:52,440 and Lord of Lords, the only one capable of being filled with 463 00:26:52,440 --> 00:26:52,800 glory. 464 00:26:54,020 --> 00:26:57,140 He gives that to his people so that we will know Him. 465 00:26:58,180 --> 00:27:03,060 So trust in Christ and know his glorious hope this night and 466 00:27:03,060 --> 00:27:04,020 forevermore. 467 00:27:04,580 --> 00:27:05,460 Let us pray. 468 00:27:06,820 --> 00:27:11,140 Our Father God, we thank you that we have these images in Revelation. 469 00:27:11,860 --> 00:27:15,460 And as we've often said, we may indeed disagree of the interpretation 470 00:27:15,540 --> 00:27:21,380 of when and how, but we always round off in the same conclusion. 471 00:27:22,820 --> 00:27:28,660 The same outworking is to be ready for Christ to pay attention 472 00:27:28,740 --> 00:27:32,660 to the noise of those trumpets that judgment is coming. 473 00:27:32,900 --> 00:27:37,460 And only those who are in Christ will escape its horror. 474 00:27:39,140 --> 00:27:41,780 So Father, may our hearts be filled with Christ. 475 00:27:42,580 --> 00:27:47,740 May we sing well of our Savior as we trust in him and know fully 476 00:27:47,740 --> 00:27:52,720 that we are his not out of fear, but but out of his gracious 477 00:27:52,720 --> 00:27:53,640 love towards us. 478 00:27:53,640 --> 00:27:57,840 That we may love him in return for his love. 479 00:27:57,840 --> 00:28:01,000 His perfect love casts out all fear. 480 00:28:02,360 --> 00:28:06,840 So help us, Father, to respond well, this night we pray in Jesus 481 00:28:06,840 --> 00:28:07,240 name. 482 00:28:08,200 --> 00:28:08,840 Amen. 483 00:28:18,910 --> 00:28:23,840 Sam.