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REVELATION - Behold, I am Coming Soon
Studies in the Book of Revelation
BOOK 3 - THE CHURCH OF CHRIST AND THE TRUMPET JUDGMENTS (REVELATION 7:1 – 9:21)
PART 3.3 - THE LAMB OF GOD OPENS THE SEVENTH SEAL THE SEVEN TRUMPET JUDGMENTS AND THE THREE WOES (REVELATION 8:1 - 9:21)

2. The Seven Trumpet Judgments (Revelation 8:7 - 9:21)


REVELATION 8:13
13 I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe for those who dwell on the earth, because of the other voices of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!”

The Eagle's Cry of Woes: The prophet on Patmos now heard the strong voice of an eagle flying high in the heaven, where the sun reaches the highest point in it's journey over the blue Mediterranean Sea.

We read of an eagle three times in Revelation (4:7; 8:13; 12:14). His reputation as the king of the skies originates from his amazing flight capabilities. He can fly so high that he is only recognizable as a small speck in the sky. He oversees the broad earth below, and can dive faster than a stone falls when attacking his sighted prey.

In spite of the great distance of the high flying messenger of God, his voice was loud and clear to hear. John could understand every one of his words exactly.

The Threefold Cry of Woes: When people no longer want to hear the commands and promises of God, the Almighty has other means of getting their attention. Every godless sinner should hear and understand that God lives and rules, and know that he has to answer back to Him.

As it appears at first, the eagle high in the sky had no comforting gospel to proclaim. He conveyed the threefold woe of the holy and living God. “Woe” means: A grievous pain will occur if you do not stop with your willful sin.

The threefold cry of woe from heaven sounded as sign, thereof, that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit stood completely behind the threatened punishment. The cry of the eagle speaks to all the residents of earth, not just Jews, Christians and Muslims! All should immediately and entirely turn back to their Creator, Savior and Comforter. Otherwise, the powers of hell will torment the rebels, just as the anger of God announced.

But the threefold cry of woe contained, besides the serious warning, also a strong gospel. The Almighty Lord and Judge does not immediately kill the rebellious, as is commanded in the Koran (Sure al-Ma’ida 5:33). There, every person who opposes God and his messenger is threatened with annihilation and crucifixion, or at least the reciprocal chopping off of hands and feet. Such barbaric punishments are foreign to the New Testament. But God abandons everyone to the powers of evil who themselves choose to abandon Him, that they might know what destructive spirits they have opened themselves to. The person who forsakes his Savior and runs into the arms of him who is the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning punishes himself.

From the fifth trumpet on, the environment of man, condemned under the judgment of God, no longer takes precedence, but man himself. The God of Mercy, however, is warning the rebellious with one last threefold cry of woe. His hope is that some will yet turn around and repent.

PRAYER: Merciful Father, we thank You because You do not destroy the sinners all at once, but You warn them severely. Forgive us our little love, weak faith and arrogance, and help us to guide others to the way of salvation that they may receive the power of the Holy Spirit and become sanctified in their conduct.

QUESTION:

  1. What is the comfort amidst the fearful woes?

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