Trumpets–Seven

Outline: Seven Trumpets - 7
Passage: Revelation 11:15-19
Discussion audio (1h21m)

This wraps up the series of the sounding of the seven trumpets. Instead of further judgment events, the sounding of this trumpet returns the audience back to the Temple and Throneroom scene in heaven with the return of the twenty-four elders. They had become silent as the trumpets began to sound, but with the seventh trumpet sounded, they resume their worship of God.

This scene ends in verse 19 with imagery reminiscent of Israel at the foot of Mount Sinai, immediately after the Exodus story. God and his covenant with his people are revealed. For the servants of God though, this time God is not veiled behind clouds. The innermost compartment, the location of the very presence of God is visible in heaven.

Trumpets–Interlude, Part 2

Outline: Seven Trumpets - Interlude, Part 2
Passage: Revelation 11:1-14
Discussion audio (1h27m)

This session discusses the second part of the interlude scene between the sounding of the sixth and seventh trumpets of Revelation. According to a number of scholars and commentators, these are some of the most difficult texts in all of Revelation. Who are we kidding the, when we try to figure out what they mean? The key, I believe, is to stick to the big picture and the overall theme of the message rather than trying to identify what every detail supposedly could mean.

John borrows heavily from his Old Testament context when he writes the words that form today’s passage. Without properly understanding those contexts we can misinterpret and misapply what John wrote. We can end up forcing meanings and interpretations onto the text that were not intended. This is not to say that what we have is provably better than other explanations, but by taking a look at the larger context and keeping to the overall themes, I hope we come away with an interpretation that is closer to what John intended his audience to hear.