The 4 Trumpets
There are more than 4 trumpets. there are actually 7, but this chapter only covers 4, so we will cover the others in the following chapters. More from this vision explains how there are 7 angels who stood before God and each of them had a trumpet. Each angel blew their trumpet which holds a special meaning for each one (Revelation 8:6-13). First, hail and fire mixed with blood hit the earth burning up all the grass and a 1/3 of the trees and 1/3 of the earth. The second trumpet being blown had a great mountain burning with fire (possibly a volcano) and it was thrown into the sea destroying 1/3 of the ships, 1/3 of the living creatures and 1/3 of the sea became blood. The third trumpet was blown and a star fell from Heaven and it fell on 1/3 of the rivers and on springs of water. The fourth trumpet created dark days as a third of the sun, moon and stars are blacked out and days were not as bright nor the nights. The end of times looks bleak with destruction of the earth's natural resources and dark for people, subsequently.
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Seven Seals
Each seal from the scroll was revealed and in Revelation 6, it details what is seen as each seal is removed/broken. The first seal was broken and a rider on a white horse had a bow and a crown and was conquering. This image is not intended to be of Jesus but of someone satanic imitating Jesus. The second seal revealed a rider on a red horse who took peace from the earth so people would slay each other and this rider used a sword. The third rider was on a black horse and they brought famine or scarcity and inequity. The fourth was on a pale horse that brought famine and pestilence. The fifth seal revealed the martyrs who died for the word of God and were told to wait until there were more martyrs. The six seal (and final one for this chapter) is known as the tribulation period full on a great earthquake, a blood red moon and a black sun. During this time people will run and hide from "the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb." The 7th seal will reveal Jesus, but that will come later.
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Blood for Sins
The old covenant was solidified by blood (Hebrews 9:22). It was the blood of animals that were used as a sacrifice for sins of men. But when Jesus sacrificed himself, did that not hold more weight with sacrifice for sins than an animal? The writer makes this point once again by pointing what would be flawed logic for those that say Jesus was equal to or less than High Priests. Jesus shed his blood for your sins further solidifying his sacrifice. And that shedding of blood by Jesus was what we needed to be redeemed to God.
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Why Are You Saved?
We can forget from time to time and get haughty (prideful) about our salvation thinking that we deserve it, but in all honesty, we do not deserve salvation, i don't think there is any Bible reading believer that can honestly say scripture backs up the belief that we earned our salvation. The truth is, as we have seen through the life of Christ and the words of Paul, our salvation is a gift. You cannot brag to someone about something that someone gave you. A gift is given, while a prize is earned. So, did you earn Jesus through all of your hard work? Or was Jesus's blood shed due to God's grace? That salvation was a gift that you didn't earn. In 2 Timothy 1:9, Paul writes to Timothy about Jesus "who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began..." If that is the one thing I can teach you today, then I am satisfied in that, because in this time many of us have forgotten our gift from God.
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What is the Real Battle?
In Ephesians 6:12, Paul points out that we are not just battling flesh and blood. When it comes to self control, that isn't about just making better decisions. When it comes to dissension in the church, that is not just about "I have to be nicer because God wants me to be." Paul says that there is battle, spiritually, cosmically, against the authorities over present darkness. Paul says that there are "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." That means we are not just trying to be better people, but we are battling Satan. We are battling the one who bring evil into the church and creates problems. Paul then tells us to "armor up" by putting on the full armor of God. When we have this, it is no longer me vs Satan, but is me in God and God in me vs. Satan. There is a big difference between going to war and going to war with the proper equipment. Paul knew that too.
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Saved By Grace Through Faith
You can take credit all you want for your being saved. You can say that you kept the commandments. You can say that God favors you over others. you can say that your sins aren't that bad. But, ultimately, you're wrong. It is not your works that led you to be saved. Yes, it is up to you to accept the grace given by God through the blood shed, death and resurrection of Christ, but it was God's grace that even allowed that to happen. If someone gives you a gift, not a reward, you cannot take credit for that gift. A reward is something you earn for doing something. A gift is freely given. That is what Paul tells us here in Ephesians 2:8-9. Paul says "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." You cannot brag about your being saved. Give glory to God.
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And when he had given thanks...
Sometimes we can over look something so simple and easy. It may sound silly but when I come home late and there is a good parking spot in front of my house, I thank Jesus. When I make it home safely and pray before bed, I thank Jesus for my safety. I give thanks. In Luke 22:19, it is literally right in front our faces and we overlook because it is not a major part of the story, but still gives insight into who Jesus was and how we can interact with God.
During the Lord's Supper as he takes his bread, Jesus says thanks. It's just a piece of bread. Nothing major, but still food to eat and something that Jesus gives thanks to God for. Pretty simple and insignificant for some people. But for me, it shows how even in the small things, we can be thankful.
The small thing of giving thanks before eating the bread shows how Jesus could be thankful for something seemingly insignificant and small. remember Luke 16:10, "one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much." If Jesus were the type to over look even the smallest of things to be thankful for and to be faithful in such as giving thanks and his personal prayer life, then that would be evidence to show him to not be the Messiah.
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." This is exactly what Jesus did. Jesus knew his body would be broken and his blood would be spilled but still gave thanks to God anyway before telling the disciples about the upcoming events. Give thanks.
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