Revelation 8-9 – Judgments of history

Discussion notes based on the sermon preached the evening of 2-10-22

STUDY MATERIAL

Read the passage again and don’t forget to start your meeting in prayer.

Particularly ask that the Holy Spirit would guide your discussion and help you to apply what is said in Scripture to your lives today. Sermons are available on the St John’s website or YouTube channel.

Sermon Outline

Listen to the alarm bells of the judgments of history (seen in natural disaster, pain and death) and then repent and keep believing in Jesus Christ.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Opener: From Sunday evenings sermon, why doesn’t it help us to view events in Revelation chronologically? Discuss how we should read Revelation as human history.
1. Imagine the moment of silence when the seventh seal was opened (verse 1). What makes silence so powerful when we stand before God?
2. Chapter 8.2-5, what do these verses teach us about the importance of prayer?
3. Chapter 8.6-13, the trumpet calls of natural disaster. How do these judgements shape your view of sin and God?
4. Chapter 9.1-11 the fifth trumpet call of pain. What is the Devil’s purpose? Why do believers ‘seal of God on their forehead’ escape this pain?
5. Chapter 9.12-19 the sixth trumpet call of death. How do people deal with death? Why is Jesus’ death and resurrection so crucial for us?
6. What do verses 20-21 show us about God’s purpose for allowing these judgments?  What impact does this have on you as a Christian?

Prayer

Praise God that he will hold you fast through all the pain of suffering of life.

Pray that you would keep trusting Christ no matter what is going on.

Pray that people would turn to Christ in repentance as we speak of Jesus.