THE SOUND of JUDGMENT... I     	  Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U.  12-5-99  P.M.  		 Revelation 8:1-13  		
	Have you ever been in a situation of extended noise.. and then suddenly... pure silence?  
You ask, "Why is everything (one) quiet?"  John had heard a lot of "noise" and loud voices in 
heaven... and now... SILENCE for one half hour!!! 
	We are getting ready for the next series of judgments... Notice.. 
I.  THE ANGELS ARE PRESENTED.. 
  A. The Opening of the seventh seal.. 
    1. Silence In Heaven..  (Ps.76:8,9; Hab.2:20; Zeph.1:7; Zech.2:13) 
	- The "calm before the storm".. 
	- All heaven stands mute and breathless.. saints and angels hush their songs of praise.. 
		and wait for the results.. 
    2. Introduces the Seven Trumpets.. described in Rev.8,9 
	- See the involvement of the angels.. a special group of 7 
	- Gabriel was probably one.. Lu.1:19 (stood in the presence) 
	- To them was given the "Trumpets" (used for various reasons) 
	- To summon the congregation of Israel (Nu.10:2); To give an alarm for war (Nu.10:9,10); 
	  At religious feasts (Nu.10:10);  To announce news (1Sam.13:3); To proclaim new kings 
	  (1K.1:34,39);  In worship (1Chron.16:6,42); Zeph.1:14-16 puts trumpets with the Day of 
	  the Lord;  The NT says a Trumpet will announce the Rapture (1Cor.15:52; 1Thes.4:16); 
	  and now.. the Trumpets of Judgment! 
 ** BUT.. BEFORE THEY BLOW THEIR TRUMPETS... 
  B. The Angel With The Golden Censer.. 
    1. Much incense.. offered with the prayers of the saints.. 
	- Perhaps the stored up "unanswered" prayers.. "Thy Kingdom Come.." 
    2. Offered with the prayers of saints.. on the golden altar 
    3. Now the silence is broken... censer filled with fire... 
	- And "cast" it on the earth..  Luke 12:49-52 (divine wrath) 
	   - Voices; Thunderings; Earthquake..
 ** EARTH HAS BECOME.. "AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH & LOT" 
	- Because they have despised so great Salvation... Mal.4:1 
	- The unbelieving world rejected Jesus.., it rejects the life giving message today... 
	   and will, in spite of the judgments, reject the truth in the midst of the fury of 
         God's known wrath!
 II.  THE ANGELS ARE PREPARED..  vs. 6 
  A. They are planning what is about to close the affairs of this age. 
    1. It is important to preserve the environment... 
	- But.. don't allow it to become an idol..  "Mother Nature" 
    2. What careless sinful man has done to the earth... will be nothing in comparison to the 
       judgments of God
 III.  THE ANGELS NOW PROCEED... vs.7 
  A. The First Angel Blows His Trumpet.. (the land is affected) 
    1. Hail & Fire.. mingled with blood.. cast on the earth. 
	- Remember Sodom and Gomorrah.. Gen.19 
	- Predicted by Joel 2:30:31 
	- 1/3 of trees burned.. only partial... worst yet to come ! 
	- All grass burned.. destruction would come upon buildings, people, flocks, and herds... 
		(grass recovers quickly after fire) 
  B. The Second Angel Blows His Trumpet..  (the seas affected) 
    1. "As it were".. a Great Burning Mountain.. (Meteorite or Asteroid) 
	- 1/3 of the sea.. became blood.. (Ex.7:20; Ps.105:29; 78:44) 
	- 1/3 of sea creatures died.. Hosea 4:1-3; Zeph.1:3 
	- 1/3 of ships destroyed.. (about 50,000 merchant & military ships) 
	    - The 3,000 or so military ships, manned by about 1,527,000 
	    - Many navies make their "home" in the Mediterranean Sea! 
	- What ever John saw.. it will create a huge tidal wave.. 
  C. The Third Angel Blows His Trumpet.. (fresh water affected) 
    1. A Great "Star" fell from heaven.. burning as a lamp (torch) 
	- Possibly a meteor or comet.. because of the fiery tail.. 
	- 1/3 of rivers and fountains.. became as "wormwood".. bitter! (Jer.9:13-15) 
	    - In OT.. bitterness, poison, death..  Deut.29:18; Jer.9:15 
	- The 1/3 certainly reveals both the judgment & mercy of God! 
	- Many died as a result.. Should cause the rest to Repent.. But.. 
  D. The Fourth Angel Blows His Trumpet.. (heavenly bodies affected) 
    1. Now.. 1/3 of the Sun, moon & stars are affected.. 
	- My.. how people become intrigued with a total eclipse... 
	- There will be plunging temperatures, darkness, disrupted weather patterns and tides, 
        and violent unpredictable storms. - Isaiah13:9,10; Ezek.32:7,8; Joel 2:10,31; 3:15;
        Amos 8:9 
 ** Judgment is only partial at this time.. but will get worse! 
      Grace is still extended.. Repentance is Possible! Terrible Times.. But God's Patience 
         will come to an end.. and Total Judgment Will Come!! 
      In Fact.. John Saw an "angel" (eagle) flying in the midst of heaven 
     And He heard it say with a Loud Voice... 
  WOE... WOE... WOE.. TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH !! 
  THEY WILL BE DESTROYED BECAUSE THEY FAIL TO HEED GOD'S WARNING.. 
  "Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, 'Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your 
   hearts'"  (Heb.3:7,8)

REMEMBER... TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION !!
  NOW IS THE TIME TO BE SAVED... TO BE COMMITTED... TO BE SERVING!!
    THIS IS THE ONLY TIME YOU HAVE !!