Session 5 – Chapter 8 - 11
- A sequence of seven trumpets (judgements) followed by an intermission that explains the power of the churches witness
Chapter 8 + 9
- A third presentation of Jesus’ rule in history
- A picture of temple worship (Ezekiel 10:2)
- The prayers of the saints combine with fire from the altar are hurled to the earth
- Not evil that disturbs world history – the real initiative belongs to God
- A series of trumpet blasts announce judgements on the earth
- These judgements impact the whole earth, are described like the plagues of Egypt but on a global scale, and represent the rolling back of the order of creation
- A mighty eagle pronounces woes that reveal the secret depths of angelic forces opposed to the rule of Jesus (Isaiah 14:12-15). These spiritual forces bring intense suffering to humanity for a limited time. In the midst, those who are sealed are preserved.
- The sixth trumpet – releases an enormous army that destroys a third of mankind. Even this judgement does not result in repentance.
- Chapter 9 ends with a picture of overwhelming wickedness, where people have been given over to worship demons and idols.
Chapter 10 + 11
- Remind the church that evil is not out of control. Rather God is moving history forward with / through his people.
- A new vision of the angel of the Lord: “there will be no more delay… the mystery of God will be accomplished”
- John’s prophetic call (cf Ezekiel 2:8-3:3)
> John is instructed to eat the scroll = gospel message of Jesus
> Sweet in mouth, sour in stomach
> Instructed to prophesy to all nations
- John told to measure temple and count the worshippers – excluding outer court
> Speaks of both preservation and a time of suffering for the church
- Understanding numbers and timing
> Key text: Daniel 9:24-27
> Key message: As you recognise events, you can know you are in the middle of the last days.
- Two witnesses are required to establish the truth of the new covenant (cf Zerubbabel in Zechariah 4).
- The witnesses are clothed in sackcloth: the church bears witness by their right response to the gospel – repentance and reverence
- Lampstands = the church, olive trees = the living source of oil = the Holy Spirit
> Conclusion: the church and the spirit bear witness to the gospel
- Zechariah 4: profound encouragement to the church – “don’t despise the day of small beginnings”, God will finish the work he has begun
- The witnesses’ proclamation has enormous power
- The witnesses will be killed, but resurrected and received into glory
> “the blood of the martyr’s is the seed of the church” – Tertullian
- Acts 1:5-8 – the witness of the church is an outcome of the indwelling spirit
- The seventh trumpet announces the final stage of history
> the worshippers in the throne room recognise the sovereignty of Jesus and are thankful that the final judgement has come
Questions
1. Read Zechariah 4: How does understanding the context of this verse encourage the church in their role as an anointed and authorised witness?
2. How do chapters 10 and 11 help us understand the call to proclaim the gospel?
3. If we really believed that our prayers and proclamations brought God’s holy fire to the Earth – how would we live differently?
