Prayers that shake the earth!
Scripture reading for December 24: Revelation 8-9
As Revelation chapter 8 begins, the seventh seal was opened in heaven by the Lamb. This seal revealed seven angels who had seven trumpets standing before the throne of God. Another angel, who had a golden censer, stood at the golden altar right in front of the throne and was given incense to offer. We are told that this incense was the prayers of the saints. Our prayers come before God’s throne in heaven like sweet incense. Our cries, worship, adoration and thanksgiving have a special place close to the seat of our King in the universe!
Heaven’s response to these prayers is instructive! The angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the golden altar and then hurled it to the earth. This act produced thunder, lightning and an earthquake. Never make light of prayer for our prayers have the power to move God to shake the earth!
Then the angels with the trumpets began to sound them one by one. With each trumpet blast, there was a corresponding reaction on earth that brought judgment and destruction. As John watched the first four angels and the events on earth, an eagle that was flying in midair spoke in a loud voice. “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the last three angels.” (Revelation 8:13)
The fifth trumpet sounded and John saw a star that had fallen from the sky. This star was some sort of angel for he was given the key to the Abyss. When he opened it smoke rose and darkened the sky. Out of this smoke, creatures like locusts with the sting of a scorpion covered the earth. They were instructed to sting only those without the seal of God and those affected suffered horribly.
The sixth trumpet brought the release of four angels of death who were bound by the river Euphrates. These killed a third of mankind. They loosed what looked like an army of mounted troops numbering two hundred million. These troops killed them with plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur. Even this display of mighty power did not cause any to repent of their demon worship, idolatry, murder or sexual immorality!
These trumpet judgments were inflicted on the unsaved of the earth but they were so hardened in their sins that they refused to repent! These chapters of Revelation show us the power of prayer and the protection of the seal of God on those who are saved. They warn us of the power of sin to blind and harden us. Let us continue to pray and ask God to shake our unsaved loved ones into the kingdom!
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