Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Unveiling of the great book of destiny.

Literally like a movie scene.

What we have seen

The four horseman of the apocalypse

Antichrist gains control through war, famine, and economic control

The martyrs

Sealing of the 144,000

Jesus: “All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.”

(, ESV)

Now the seventh seal

Jesus: “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be.”

(, ESV)

The real deal begin

A Shattering Silence

“When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.”

(, ESV)

The heavenly host stricken numb with silence.

Anticipation

Expectation of terrible judgment

They peered in and saw the calamity to come and it stilled them.

This silence last about on half year.

“While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”

(, ESV)

The Instruments of Judgment

“Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.

And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.”

(, ESV)

“Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.

And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.”

(, ESV)

Seven angels

God hands them seven trumpets

Trumpets symbolize the commencement of God’s judgment upon the wicked world

William Barclay reasons for blowing a trumpet

Sound an alarm

Announces the king’s arrival

Summons to battle

Remember God’s judgment has a merciful purpose.

It is designed to drive men to their knees and repent.

God is answering the prayers of all those who were martyred

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

(, ESV)

The Blast of the First Four Trumpets

The first trumpet: a fierce storm

“Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.

The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth.

And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.” (, ESV)

Utter chaos in the weather

Devastation of one third of the vegatation

Food shortage

Warning: repent or else face worse

The second trumpet: unparalleled volcanic explosion

“The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood.

A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.”

(, ESV)

Close to the sea

Sea turns to blood (plagues on Egypt)

One third of sea life destroyed

One third of merchant ships destroyed

““I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord.

“I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, and the rubble with the wicked.

I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord.”

(, ESV)

The third trumpet: meteoric mass

“The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.

The name of the star is Wormwood.

A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter.”

(, ESV)

Now the rivers, fresh water, drinking water

Wormwood: bitter plant

Unprecedented water shortage

“And the Lord says: “Because they have forsaken my law that I set before them, and have not obeyed my voice or walked in accord with it, but have stubbornly followed their own hearts and have gone after the Baals, as their fathers taught them.

Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will feed this people with bitter food, and give them poisonous water to drink.”

(, ESV)

The fourth trumpet: astronomical eclipse

“The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night.”

(, ESV)

How many have experienced an eclipse?

Similar to the plague of darkness on Egypt

Long periods of darkness

Misery

It only gets worse!

Thoughts

God’s judgment is an answer to his people’s prayers.

The purpose of judgment is to bring people to their knees and repent.

God’s judgment is on the wicked world.