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The
Opening Of The Seventh Seal
– Revelation Eight –
Six of the seals on the little book had been opened and their
messages had been heard. Now the seventh seal was opened so its contents could
be disclosed. The opening of the seventh seal was attended with a solemn
silence in heaven for the space of half an hour. In expectation of destruction
and overwhelming calamities there was only silence.
There was also the appearance of seven angels. Each angel had a
trumpet that was to be used to introduce a new series of events. The opening of
the first six seals had given an overview of what was to happen. When the
seventh seal was opened we see the details of the events. The period of silence
is the entire Christian age from that point until the end. This is the same
time frame pictured by the first six seals.
Trumpets were used to sound certain sounds. These seven trumpets
sounded forth the beginning of a new series of
events. Another angel is also introduced in vision. This angel is pictured in
the act of giving worship and honor to God. He had "a golden censer; and
there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers
of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne." Much
like when Korah led his rebellion God is here pictured as sending fire from
heaven. (Number 16) God's wrath is poured out
on those who oppose His cause. This is likewise very similar to Ezekiel 10:2,
where the man clothed in linen is commanded to go between the wheels under the
cherub, and fill his hands with coals of fire from between the cherubims, and
to scatter them over the city. This was a symbol of God's destruction against
wicked society.
The angel casts the censer to the earth. The effect was that
"there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an
earthquake." (Revelation 8:5) All nature is in the hand of the Almighty as
He brings His judgment against the persecuting forces.
When the first angel sounded a third part of the vegetation was
consumed. As the second angel sounded the burning mountain was cast into the
sea and a third part became blood. A third part of the boats and fish were
destroyed. The third angel sounded and a burning star named Wormwood fell upon
the waters and a third part of them were made bitter and many died because of
the waters. The third part of the light, both for day and night, was smitten
when the fourth angel sounded. At this point an angel flies "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!" All of these events lead us to the final triumph
of Christianity.
The opening of the seventh seal – Revelation 8:1-3:
At the opening of the seventh seal "there was silence in heaven about the
space of half an hour." This silence in heaven demonstrated a sober,
awestruck view of the judgment of God coming on the wicked. The prophet wrote,
"Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD
is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his
guests." (Zephaniah 1:7) There was a silence of reverence and expectancy.
"Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his
holy habitation." (Zechariah 2:13) The silence shows that man cannot yet
know all of God's plans.
In the book of Numbers chapter 10 we learn that the trumpets were
used to: (1) call the people together, (2) signal the time for Israel to
journey, (3) call the people to war, and (4) sound an alarm. Joel wrote,
"Blow ye the trumpet in
There was an angel, in addition to the seven, that appeared. The
Judgment of God was about to be executed. The genuine Christians pray much to
God for protection. Their prayers are pictured as much incense that is offered
to God. The conquering Christ brought judgment upon all that opposed Christianity.
The seven angels prepare to sound – Revelation 8:4-6:
The judgment God spoke of through John was occasioned by severe persecution
against the church by
God would send forth judgment against the persecutors. The
trumpets are warning and a call to repentance. The sounding of the trumpets
announced the coming of vengeance upon
The first two angels sound – Revelation 8:7-9:
This is not final judgment as only a third of everything is touched. These are
warnings to call the wicked to repentance. The sounding of the first trumpet
had to do with land disasters. Many of these plagues sound like what happened
to
The second trumpet was followed by volcanic eruptions which cause
the death of one third of the fish and the destruction of one third of the
ships. Great disorders, especially when kingdoms are moved by hostile invasions,
are represented by mountains being cast into the midst of the sea. (Psalm 46:2)
Now God's people know that He will punish
The next two angels sound – Revelation 8:11-13: The
third trumpet led to a star named Wormwood being thrown into water and one
third of the fresh water was make bitter and poisonious.
The fourth trumpet led to a third part of the sun, moon and stars
being destroyed. Calamity would come upon
Coming judgment should move us to quickly obey the gospel. To obey
the gospel one must hear the salvation message (Romans
- - -
- Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer
List: In Need Of Prayers: Bill Autrey, Malachi Beauchamp, Al Brannon,
Charlie Brown, Gene Buck, Jennifer Busby, Gene Davis, Carolyn Duncan, Ethel
Gafford, Roy Goodwin, Ramona Gravely, Ron Green, R.E. Hall, Evan Hartsell,
Darlene Herring, Frank Johnson, Mary Lawrence, Margaret Phillips, Margaret
Pierce, Mary Powell, Anna Salter, and Garrett Zorn. Crowne Health Care: Ila Ruth Callins, Laura Ellis, Kathy Johnson, Raymond
Lowery, Myrtle Perdue, Bertha Phelps, and Iva Lou Wright.
2. A
Blessing: It was a blessing to have Charlie Brown in the service last
Sunday. Please continue to pray for him in his fight against cancer.
3. Sympathy
Expressed: Our love and sympathy is expressed to the Kathy Bozeman and
her family in the death of her father, James Norrell.
4. Special
Prayer Request: Prayers are requested for Darlene Herring (sister of
Leroy Waller and Lorene Beverly). She is seriously ill in room #619 at
5. Remember To Pray:
Eric Bagents needs our prayers as he serves in
6. New
Baby: We congratulate Arlena and Matthew Gafford on the birth of their
son, Thomas Jackson – TJ. He was born November 20th. He weighed 8
pounds 2 ounces. Proud grandparents are Randy & Jone
Gafford, Helena & Scott Shirley and Darlene & Stench Barrett. Great-grandparents are Jean Gafford and Marie Banquer.
7. Birthdays:
Celebrating birthdays this week are: November 28th Rebekah
Stallings, November 31st Josh Till, and December 3rd Beth
Croley and Kendyll Rushing.
8. Young
Adult Progressive Dinner: All of our young adult families are invited
to a progressive dinner on Friday, December 2nd beginning at
9. Sunday
Morning Young Adult Bible Class: Our Sunday morning young adult Bible
class will resume on December 4th. The class will be taught by
Charles Box in the Multipurpose room.
10. Ladies
Bible Class: The Wednesday morning Ladies Bible Class will not meet
until
11. Christmas
Gifts: If you would like to help provide Christmas gifts for needy
children please see Debbie Jean Acree.
12. Stacey
Harrell: We all rejoice with Stacey Harrell and his family over the
good work they are doing in the kingdom. It was good to have him preach at
13. Dishes
In Multipurpose Room: There are a number of
dishes in the multipurpose room. Please check to see if they are yours. Thanks!
14. Van
Driver Needed: A driver is needed for the van on Sunday during the
month of December. Please sign up now! Thanks.
15. Weekly
Budget: Just a reminder that our weekly budget is $6,135.64. If each
family gives as God has prospered us we will far exceed this amount. Your
giving is a proof of your love for God. (II Corinthians 8:18)
16. Good Works Continue: The Walnut Street Church of Christ continues to support Bible teaching at Southern Christian University. Your contributions do a tremendous amount of good. God bless you for giving as you do!
Heaven Or
Earth?
Studying the book of James, has blessed my life. Its practical nature is so enlightening, with life-changing nuggets of knowledge at every turn. The book covers such a wide range of issues that it is difficult to cite an overall theme. However, over and over, with his inspired pen, James seems to be emphatically declaring the eternal worth of heaven and spiritual things, and the worthlessness of earthly things.
James contrasts the worldly minded prayer and
the prayer from a spiritual mind. In
chapter one, he warns against doubt in our prayers, saying, “For that person
[who doubts] must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord”
(1:7). And in (4:3) he explains that
some pray to God in vain because their requests are motivated by their own
lusts and pleasures. These are contrasted
with the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man.” The prayer of this spiritually minded person
“avails much” (
James also illustrates the vast inferiority of worldly wisdom to heavenly wisdom. Earthly wisdom involves jealousy, strife, and lies (3:14) while the wisdom from above is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (3:17). How foolish we are when we trust in the “wisdom” of the world!
One part of earthly wisdom that James further explains is the partiality that humans sometimes show. He describes two men entering an assembly: one poor, and one rich (2:2-4). We often see things as they appear in this world, but our task as Christians is to view them in a more heavenly way. You see, in God’s eyes, these earthly differences are completely void of any importance! The only reason that our physical lives are important is that in them, we decide whether to seek God or the world.
The contrast between the heavenly and the
earthly is so great that even the troubles in life can be full of spiritual
blessings. Troubles can bring us joy
(1:2), for, “Blessed is the man that endureth
temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life” (
- - - - Darrell Powell
Be bold in
what you stand for and careful what you fall for.
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
(334-382-3001)