According to legend, King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table established a society called Camelot and tried to make it a utopia. They fought for righteousness and justice instead of mere wealth or fame. Of course, this dream fell apart due to sin. Yet some of the legends say that Arthur did not die and one day, when the time is right, the king will return from the isle of Avalon to rescue England and try again.

The story of Revelation is the story of the return of the one true King. In today’s reading, the seventh trumpet finally sounds, bringing to conclusion the second cycle of judgments. One more cycle remains—the seven bowl judgments (see Revelation 16). But the story of Revelation is not only one of apocalyptic chaos, judgment, and death. It also records ongoing opportunities for people to repent, marked by God’s love, redemption, and justice. He is being glorified in all that is happening.

This is why a cosmic announcement is made: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever” (v. 15). The battle is over. The King has returned!

This is also why the 24 elders fall on their faces in worship and sing a special hymn (vv. 16–18). They praise the Son because He’s begun to reign. Worldliness and evil will no longer be tolerated. He is “the One who is and who was”—“who is to come” is omitted because the future is now! Now is the time of judgment for unbelievers. The wrath of God will be justly poured out. Now is also the time of rewards for believers. Obedient reverence and faithfulness will be recognized. Jesus had promised that it would be so (Matt. 19:28–30).

According to legend, King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table established a society called Camelot and tried to make it a utopia. They fought for righteousness and justice instead of mere wealth or fame. Of course, this dream fell apart due to sin. Yet some of the legends say that Arthur did not die and one day, when the time is right, the king will return from the isle of Avalon to rescue England and try again.
The story of Revelation is the story of the return of the one true King. In today&rsquo;s reading, the seventh trumpet finally sounds, bringing to conclusion the second cycle of judgments. One more cycle remains&mdash;the seven bowl judgments (see Revelation 16). But the story of Revelation is not only one of apocalyptic chaos, judgment, and death. It also records ongoing opportunities for people to repent, marked by God&rsquo;s love, redemption, and justice. He is being glorified in all that is happening.
This is why a cosmic announcement is made: &ldquo;The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever&rdquo; (v. 15). The battle is over. The King has returned!
This is also why the 24 elders fall on their faces in worship and sing a special hymn (vv. 16&ndash;18). They praise the Son because He&rsquo;s begun to reign. Worldliness and evil will no longer be tolerated. He is &ldquo;the One who is and who was&rdquo;&mdash;&ldquo;who is to come&rdquo; is omitted because the future is now! Now is the time of judgment for unbelievers. The wrath of God will be justly poured out. Now is also the time of rewards for believers. Obedient reverence and faithfulness will be recognized. Jesus had promised that it would be so (Matt. 19:28&ndash;30).

Today in the Word is a daily audio devotional available via podcast. Today in the Word features solid biblical content and study that models the mission and values of Moody Bible Institute.

Today in the Word Devotional

The Seventh Trumpet

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/056442ae-4a98-4a68-98d6-b3fa01182f76/transcript

One day, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a mountain to pray (Luke 9:28–36). There He was transfigured, and His divine glory revealed. Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus about what would soon happen to Him in Jerusalem. An awed and nervous Peter wanted to put up three shelters, one for each of them.

This is one reason why some believe that the “two witnesses” in today’s reading are Moses and Elijah (vv. 3–6). The text doesn’t say so, but it does assign these two men powers notably similar to those wielded by Moses and Elijah. For example, they can turn water to blood (like Moses) and stop it from raining (like Elijah). They wear sackcloth, signifying mourning, and call people to repentance. Their coming had been prophesied by Zechariah (Zech. 4). Amazingly, this late in the game, God is still making sure the gospel is proclaimed, and salvation is offered! The two witnesses are divinely empowered and protected to do so until their work is done.

When that time comes, the beast from the Abyss attacks and kills them (vv. 7–13). The world celebrates their death and gives gifts as if it’s a holiday while the bodies of the two witnesses lie unburied. Why? Unrepentant people had been “tormented” by the witnesses’ message. Miraculously, after three-and-a-half days the Spirit raises them to life, showing that the “breath of life” is entirely God’s to control. His enemies are understandably terrified, especially when the two witnesses ascend to heaven (like Christ), and an earthquake hits. “They gave glory to the God of heaven” even though their hearts remained hard. No believer dies until their work is done. Believers facing persecution and martyrdom can take heart from this end times narrative!

One day, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a mountain to pray (Luke 9:28&ndash;36). There He was transfigured, and His divine glory revealed. Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus about what would soon happen to Him in Jerusalem. An awed and nervous Peter wanted to put up three shelters, one for each of them.
This is one reason why some believe that the &ldquo;two witnesses&rdquo; in today&rsquo;s reading are Moses and Elijah (vv. 3&ndash;6). The text doesn&rsquo;t say so, but it does assign these two men powers notably similar to those wielded by Moses and Elijah. For example, they can turn water to blood (like Moses) and stop it from raining (like Elijah). They wear sackcloth, signifying mourning, and call people to repentance. Their coming had been prophesied by Zechariah (Zech. 4). Amazingly, this late in the game, God is still making sure the gospel is proclaimed, and salvation is offered! The two witnesses are divinely empowered and protected to do so until their work is done.
When that time comes, the beast from the Abyss attacks and kills them (vv. 7&ndash;13). The world celebrates their death and gives gifts as if it&rsquo;s a holiday while the bodies of the two witnesses lie unburied. Why? Unrepentant people had been &ldquo;tormented&rdquo; by the witnesses&rsquo; message. Miraculously, after three-and-a-half days the Spirit raises them to life, showing that the &ldquo;breath of life&rdquo; is entirely God&rsquo;s to control. His enemies are understandably terrified, especially when the two witnesses ascend to heaven (like Christ), and an earthquake hits. &ldquo;They gave glory to the God of heaven&rdquo; even though their hearts remained hard. No believer dies until their work is done. Believers facing persecution and martyrdom can take heart from this end times narrative!

Two Witnesses

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/9ffcf50d-3991-4c04-88e9-b3fa01182f30/transcript

So many wrong predictions have been made about Christ’s Second Coming that there is a Wikipedia page devoted to the topic. Hippolytus of Rome, for example, predicted that Christ would return in AD 500. More recently, a cult leader predicted He would come back on Pentecost in 2019. They are only two examples of many who have been proven wrong!

Jesus said that only God the Father knows the day or the hour (Matt. 24:36). Just as there was an interlude before the seventh seal, so now there is an interlude before the seventh trumpet. A “mighty angel” appears, straddling land and sea and holding a “little scroll” (vv. 1–4). He’s met by “seven thunders,” but John is forbidden to write down what they said. What they said, and even why it was hidden, remains a mystery. No one should ever be able to think that they have God’s plans all figured out!

The angel raises his right hand—just as we do in a modern court when promising to tell the truth—and swears by the Creator that there will be no more delay (vv. 5–6). “The mystery of God will be accomplished” (v. 7). Our redemption will soon be completed. The end of history is nearly here. All prophecies are about to be fulfilled. This oath would have been a tremendous encouragement to John’s original readers.

John is told to go and take the “little scroll” from the angel’s hand (vv. 8–11). He eats it, and as he was told, it tastes sweet, though it sours in his stomach. Ezekiel had had a similar experience (Ezek. 3:1–4). This means that John’s vision is not yet over. He must continue to watch and write down the end times prophecies he sees.

So many wrong predictions have been made about Christ&rsquo;s Second Coming that there is a Wikipedia page devoted to the topic. Hippolytus of Rome, for example, predicted that Christ would return in AD 500. More recently, a cult leader predicted He would come back on Pentecost in 2019. They are only two examples of many who have been proven wrong!
Jesus said that only God the Father knows the day or the hour (Matt. 24:36). Just as there was an interlude before the seventh seal, so now there is an interlude before the seventh trumpet. A &ldquo;mighty angel&rdquo; appears, straddling land and sea and holding a &ldquo;little scroll&rdquo; (vv. 1&ndash;4). He&rsquo;s met by &ldquo;seven thunders,&rdquo; but John is forbidden to write down what they said. What they said, and even why it was hidden, remains a mystery. No one should ever be able to think that they have God&rsquo;s plans all figured out!
The angel raises his right hand&mdash;just as we do in a modern court when promising to tell the truth&mdash;and swears by the Creator that there will be no more delay (vv. 5&ndash;6). &ldquo;The mystery of God will be accomplished&rdquo; (v. 7). Our redemption will soon be completed. The end of history is nearly here. All prophecies are about to be fulfilled. This oath would have been a tremendous encouragement to John&rsquo;s original readers.
John is told to go and take the &ldquo;little scroll&rdquo; from the angel&rsquo;s hand (vv. 8&ndash;11). He eats it, and as he was told, it tastes sweet, though it sours in his stomach. Ezekiel had had a similar experience (Ezek. 3:1&ndash;4). This means that John&rsquo;s vision is not yet over. He must continue to watch and write down the end times prophecies he sees.

A Little Scroll

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/64955bd1-ac57-4432-afe3-b3fa01182ee4/transcript

We’ve all experienced times in our lives we might label as a crisis, either personal or in our community, our nation, or even the world. The word permacrisis is defined as “an extended period of instability and insecurity, especially one resulting from a series of catastrophic events.”

At this point in Revelation, we see what qualifies as a “permacrisis.” The second round of judgments in Revelation 8 is marked by an increase in their severity. As with the seal judgments, the first six trumpets are sounded, followed by an interlude. The first trumpet leads to natural destruction (8:7). It becomes increasingly difficult to understand what is happening. Is it a volcano erupting? Or is it a worldwide epidemic? Is an asteroid falling into the sea? Or are the events purely symbolic? In any case, the consequences are horrifying.

The second trumpet brings oceanic destruction, including both sea creatures and ships (8:8–9). The third trumpet affects water, but this time, freshwater as a blazing star falls on rivers and springs and turns them bitter (8:10–11). With the fourth trumpet, the scope of disaster becomes astronomical, as the sun, moon, and stars are “struck” (8:12).

The fifth trumpet introduces demonic affliction (9:1–11). Satan or perhaps another powerful demon is allowed to open the “Abyss” and loose a swarm of “locusts.” These demons are given the power to torture unbelievers with painful bites. The sixth trumpet unleashes large-scale death in war (9:13–19). Natural, human, and supernatural causes blend in the apocalyptic imagery. The people experiencing these judgments do not repent but actively pursue idolatry, sexual immorality, and other sins (9:20–21).

We&rsquo;ve all experienced times in our lives we might label as a crisis, either personal or in our community, our nation, or even the world. The word permacrisis is defined as &ldquo;an extended period of instability and insecurity, especially one resulting from a series of catastrophic events.&rdquo;
At this point in Revelation, we see what qualifies as a &ldquo;permacrisis.&rdquo; The second round of judgments in Revelation 8 is marked by an increase in their severity. As with the seal judgments, the first six trumpets are sounded, followed by an interlude. The first trumpet leads to natural destruction (8:7). It becomes increasingly difficult to understand what is happening. Is it a volcano erupting? Or is it a worldwide epidemic? Is an asteroid falling into the sea? Or are the events purely symbolic? In any case, the consequences are horrifying.
The second trumpet brings oceanic destruction, including both sea creatures and ships (8:8&ndash;9). The third trumpet affects water, but this time, freshwater as a blazing star falls on rivers and springs and turns them bitter (8:10&ndash;11). With the fourth trumpet, the scope of disaster becomes astronomical, as the sun, moon, and stars are &ldquo;struck&rdquo; (8:12).
The fifth trumpet introduces demonic affliction (9:1&ndash;11). Satan or perhaps another powerful demon is allowed to open the &ldquo;Abyss&rdquo; and loose a swarm of &ldquo;locusts.&rdquo; These demons are given the power to torture unbelievers with painful bites. The sixth trumpet unleashes large-scale death in war (9:13&ndash;19). Natural, human, and supernatural causes blend in the apocalyptic imagery. The people experiencing these judgments do not repent but actively pursue idolatry, sexual immorality, and other sins (9:20&ndash;21).

Seven Trumpet Judgments

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a8cdbf10-d816-4c77-9e79-aa1c012547e1/clips/97e12445-f372-4ff2-bac0-b3fa01182e9c/transcript

The Seventh Trumpet

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