Things to Come (092326)
Pastor Joseph Campbell
Things to Come • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 34:17
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Go over the other upcoming events/announcements.
Be sure to emphasize handing out “Friend Day” cards.
Things to Come
Things to Come
Text: Revelation 8-9
How would you summarize Revelation chapter 1?
How would you summarize Revelation chapters 2-3?
How would you summarize Revelation chapter 4?
How would you summarize Revelation chapter 5?
How would you summarize Revelation chapter 6?
How would you summarize Revelation chapter 7?
In Revelation chapter 8, the seventh seal is opened and we see…
…the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
The 7 Trumpet Judgements
The 7 Trumpet Judgements
The First Trumpet (vs. 7)
The First Trumpet (vs. 7)
The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
The Second Trumpet (vs. 8-9)
The Second Trumpet (vs. 8-9)
And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;
And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
The Third Trumpet (vs. 10-11)
The Third Trumpet (vs. 10-11)
And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
The Fourth Trumpet (vs. 12)
The Fourth Trumpet (vs. 12)
And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
What would happen if the sun’s output was reduced by 1/3?
I asked ChatGPT that question. The answer?
Immediately — hours to days
Sunlight would become noticeably dimmer.
Solar panels would produce about. one-third less electricity
Plants would receive substantially less energy for photosynthesis.
Earth's temperature would initially change very little because the oceans, land, and atmosphere contain enormous amounts of stored heat. (But this doesn’t take into account the effects that the previous two trumpet judgements have had upon the water of the earth.)
Weeks to months
Earth's average temperature would begin falling.
Growing seasons would shorten dramatically.
Agriculture would be severely affected.
Snow and ice would persist much longer, increasing Earth's reflectivity and causing additional cooling.
Weather patterns and atmospheric circulation would change substantially.
This fourth trumpet judgment is one of the “signs” spoken of in Luke chapter 21. Notice the effect…
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
We are not told of any “time out” between these trumpet judgements. So, it would seem that these events will take place one right after another.
No wonder men’s hearts fail them because of fear!
And, again, if you think that is going to bad…
And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
Those three “Woe’s” match to the last 3 trumpets that have yet to sound! Literally, three more “horrors” will be unleashed upon the inhabitants of the earth!
The 5th Trumpet (9:1-12)
The 5th Trumpet (9:1-12)
Turn to and read Revelation 9:1-12.
Who or what is this “star?”
And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
Where is this bottomless pit? It is somewhere upon earth.
Satan is allowed to unleash a demonic hoard upon the earth. This demons are allowed to torment - but not kill - those individuals who have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
The world has seen this kind of demonic activity - in a limited way - before!
Turn to and read Luke 8:26-39. (This is also recorded in Matthew 8:28-34 and Mark 5:1-20.)
Notice, in these 12 verses, the authority of God and the limits placed upon Satan:
Vs. 2 - the key to the bottomless pit was given to Satan.
Vs. 4 - they were commanded to not hurt the grass or any green thing; only those who did not have God’s seal
Vs. 5 - they were allowed to torment, but not kill and only for 5 months.
Jesus Christ, the One Who is worthy, has all power; He is omnipotent!
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
You’ll remember that, in chapter 1 (1:18), Jesus Christ is described as having the keys of hell and of death.
Satan has always been limited as to what he can and cannot do!
And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.
And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
And, we see again that Jesus Christ has the keys of hell and death!
And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
In a society where suicide is rampant and "assisted suicide" is demanded, this shows that God is in control - even during the tribulation! Men will want to die but God will not allow it!
In verses 7-11, these demonic creatures are described for us.
Turn to and read Revelation 9:7-11.
I asked ChatGPT to create an image of these creatures…
Here in the United States, the world is getting ready to “celebrate” death and darkness when they “celebrate” Halloween.
In fact, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation, 74% of Americans plan to celebrate Halloween.
Witches, ghosts, vampires, demons, skeletons, haunted houses, fortune-telling, and other supernatural imagery are all highly commercialized parts of Halloween culture. For example, in 2026, the National Retail Federation estimates that 1.6 million children will dress as witches, and among adults, the witch costume is again one of the most popular choices.
Most Americans do not - in any way - understand or comprehend how serious of a matter death and darkness is. These are not things to make light of; this is serious business.
Instead, we should be celebrating life and light!
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.
The 6th Trumpet (9:13-21)
The 6th Trumpet (9:13-21)
Four demonic angels, who had been bound in the Euphrates, are released and they command another demonic army which destroy 1/3 of the earth’s population.
Again, I asked ChatGPT to create an image of the demonic army described in verses 17-19.
Cumulatively, up to this point, the judgments of God had led to the destruction of almost half of the world’s population left after the Rapture takes place.
What is amazing to me is how those remaining individuals of earth’s population respond:
And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
In spite of the judgment of God, the inhabitants of earth continue to shake their fist in God’s face!
Let’s be very careful how we respond to God!
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
