The Seventh Trumpet

Trumpets were used in the Old Testament to call people into battle and announce God’s work. But they were also used to call God’s people to assemble for worship. After six trumpets of judgement, we see the final trumpet call associated with worshiping God. That is the goal of Revelation’s picture of God’s wrath – to call us back to worship God and to turn away from idolatry. In Lutheran churches we talk about this as “the law and the Gospel” – God uses the law (with its rules and consequences) to drive us back to relying on God and His mercy. As you read today, ask God to stir up a worshiping spirit within you. Allow God’s Word to do its work – to turn you away from idolatry and back to the Lord.

STUDY THE SCRIPTURE

Click here to access the reading from Revelation 11:15-19

For more help use these Bible Study methods.

REFLECTION

Good News and Bad News

By Judy Webb

It is curious that this text for today is about worshiping God. My devotion time had been instructing me to begin always with praise and worship, and I was stuck for a moment considering what that might look like. I understand praising in song, and even in prayer. But is this the same as worship?

In my search to answer this question I am understanding this; praise is declaring His greatness thanking Him for who He is. Worship is when I sense His Presence. When in the moment of Worship, God changes my heart in the quiet stillness of that moment and my heart is filled with awe and wonder because of His Word.

“As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!” Revelation 8:13

The first woe was a horde of locusts (9:12). The second, a major earthquake (11:13). One would expect the third woe to be another example of terror and destruction, but not so. Instead, “The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:

“The kingdom of the world has become
    the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah,
    and he will reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)

This is one of those ‘good news, and bad news’ situations. For those who are believers and who follow Jesus and acknowledge God’s sovereignty, this is the best news ever. But, for the evil doers who refuse to believe and follow Jesus, and who wreaked havoc on the earth, it doesn’t bode well.

“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
    the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
    and have begun to reign.” (Revelation 11:17)

As Christians, we read from the book of Revelation with eyes that see. We don’t necessarily understand right away, but with persistence and prayer, Jesus will make clear what He wants us to grasp at the time. His love letter to us is an invitation to continue moving forward toward that great day when He returns. Keep reading, praising, and worshiping. There is more to come, and it only gets better.

UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER

WEDNESDAY WISDOM – Pray for wisdom in these times as we all work toward protecting lives and consider the livelihoods of millions hurt by the economic impact.