This is a recent pic with my daughter Brooke! Christmas 2017 in Texas!

What in the world is happening? 

There are seven seals that the Lamb breaks that unleashes progressive acts of wrath upon the earth during the tribulation. Six seals have been broken open. The seventh seal unleashes the 7 trumpets and the seventh trumpet unleashes the 7 bowls. Each one releases an increasing intensity of wrath. This stuff is not for the faint of heart.

Here in chapter 8, the seventh seal is broken by the Lamb and it produces silence in heaven. This is a silent reverence that is contrary to the previous worship and singing. The breaking of the seventh seal is going to bring intensified wrath upon the earth and silence (reverence & awe) was the response of the inhabitants of heaven. The sense of something ominous is upon them.

Not all wrath is the same

Romans 1:18 says “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” This isn’t an impulsive act of anger but a calculated and determined act by a holy God. The revealing of Gods wrath, per Romans 1:18, is seen daily in our present lives in our current world.  There are the natural consequences of violating God’s moral laws. Consequences of sowing sin and reaping consequences. In the OT we see cataclysmic wrath of the flood and destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, so I assume God continues to do that is some forms today. Insurance companies call it an act of God.  There’s also a wrath of God’s abandonment – “therefore, God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts”. Here in Revelation is the culmination of God’s intense, calculated wrath being revealed against the sinfulness of the world. It is the final “Day of the Lord”.

The seventh seal unleashes lightening, thunder and earthquakes. It also unleashes the 7 trumpets. The first trumpet produces hail and fire that will burn up to a third of the earth. The second trumpet destroys a third of the sea and the sea life in it. The third trumpet strikes the rivers and streams and poisons the fresh water. The fourth trumpet strikes the sun and the moon so as to darken a third of the world.

What is your response?

To reflect upon His wrath is an ominous reality. It produced silence in heaven. It produces bewilderment and wonder to me. There is a heavy price for our sin. It is the wrath of God. Here in Revelation we see dramatic scene after dramatic scene of God’s revealed wrath upon the earth which leads many to the ultimate wrath of eternal hell. It’s horrible, frightful and disturbing. A discussion of the wrath of God leads some to rebel and defy God and others to humbly surrender.  Surrender is better. But everyone needs to make that choice.  By the grace of God, I am shielded from the wrath to come. The complete and utter wrath of God toward my sins was born by Jesus. I am redeemed, I am protected, I am saved. Wow! Amazing! Praise God!