"Revelation 8-12"
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Through our imagination, the sounds, sights, and smells of a story can transport us to another place. It may be frightening or exciting. It might stir memories of a past time. It can even lead us to consider a time and place beyond this world. Last week, John's vision led us through the "door standing open in heaven" (Rev. 4:1). And as you read this week, take in all the colorful sights, and dramatic sounds as the spectacular scenes play out in your mind.
Hear the Trumpets
Monday's reading (Rev. 8) begins with the sound of "silence in heaven for about half an hour" (Rev. 8:1). But with the opening of the seventh seal, seven angels receive seven trumpets, and the silence is broken (Rev. 8:2, 7). Each of these trumpets brings partial destruction, affecting a third of the earth (Rev. 8:7-12). They're not meant to bring an end, but repentance — yet people still won't turn from evil (Rev. 9:20-21). The first four trumpets brought hail and fire mixed with blood, a flaming mountain, a falling star, and a darkened sky (Rev. 8:7-13).
- What do you learn about prayer from the opening paragraph of this chapter (Rev. 8:3-5)?
Smell the Smoke
The week began with incense smoke, bringing its sweet scent before God with the saints' prayers (Rev. 8:3-4). But Tuesday's reading (Rev. 9) is filled with the stench of a different kind of smoke released by two more trumpets. At the sound of the fifth trumpet, smoke rose from a bottomless pit where locusts arose to torment those who hadn't been sealed (Rev. 9:1-6). The sixth trumpet brought sulfurous smoke coming from horse's mouths (Rev. 9:13-19).
- How do God's purposes for the plagues on Egypt (Exod. 7-11) help us understand these symbols?
Tastes the Scroll
On Wednesday (Rev. 10), we turn to watch a mighty angel come down from heaven — standing on the sea and the land — carrying a tiny scroll that John is told to eat (Rev. 10:1-3). The seven thunders sounded when the angel called out, but John wasn't allowed to record what they said (Rev. 10:3-4).
- What do you think is signified by John eating the scroll (Rev. 10:9; cf. Jer. 15:16; Ezek. 2:9-3:4)?
- Why might it bring him both sweetness and bitterness?
Feel the Earthquake
On Thursday (Rev. 11), John is handed a stick to measure God's temple, the altar, and those who worship there (Rev. 11:1). We learn of two witnesses who would eventually be killed by the great beast from the bottomless pit (Rev. 11:3-10). And as the world rejoices over their death, they would return, bringing a massive earthquake (Rev. 11:9-13)! Then, when the seventh trumpet sounded, those in heaven shouted, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever" (Rev. 11:14).
- What's the purpose of the temple throughout Scripture, and where is his temple today (cf. 1 Cor. 3:16)?
- Why is it comforting to recognize that God knows the measure of his temple (cf. Zech. 2:1-5)?
Watch the Battle
On Friday (Rev. 12), two great signs appear in heaven – a pregnant woman and a red dragon (Rev. 12:1-3). But before the dragon could eat the woman's son "who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron" (cf. Psalm 2:7-9) — he's swept away to God's throne, and the woman escapes into the wilderness (Rev. 12:4-6). Then Michael and his angels fight the dragon — "that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world" — defeating him and casting him down to the earth (Rev. 12:7-9). He chases the woman in the wilderness, but as every attempt to destroy her fails, he turns his attention to the rest of her children (Rev. 12:13-17).
- What does the wilderness represent throughout Scripture, and what do you notice about it here?
