Well done, good and faithful servant!

At school this week our K through 3rd graders stood with poise, and with expression, as they presented their pieces at the all school speech meet.  Just as I deliberately spoke to each one by name, "Josiah, well done good and faithful servant," the day is coming when we will stand before the Lord Jesus, King of Kings, who will direct these powerful words to you and all who serve Him.  My goal clearly was to plant a seed within each one to seek that glorious moment when Jesus honors their Christian work.  

The Holy Spirit is emphasizing today the study of the book of Revelation because it is not too early to have a solid understanding of the greatest move of God where He establishes His Kingdom of love on the earth.  Christians who grasp the revealed biblical plan are not afraid, but rather are filled with boldness, confidence, and love. God is calling His people to prepare, not physically with food or guns, but spiritually so we are not "children shaken by every wind of doctrine" or threats to are well-being.  

The 7th seal releases the 7 trumpet judgments which are an effective attack on the evil antichrist empire.  We repeat, it is not an attack on believers.  At the onset the prayers of the saints are united with the incense or prayers of heaven from the golden altar, which further demonstrates Jesus' desire for partnership with His body in all He does.     

All heaven is overwhelmed into silence by the glorious and terrifying judgments coming to the earth.  Glorious, not only because it will effectively stop all injustice, but also because it describes the defeat and destruction of the greatest oppressor through out all history, the anti-Christ.  

God is the master of giving us fore-types of what will happen through prior events in Old Testament. The first five judgments parallel the plagues of Egypt that Moses called down.  Upon entering the promised land, Joshua blew the 7th trumpet to bring about the destruction of the great city Jericho.  Micah 7:15-16 declares that greater miracles than the wonders that happened in Egypt will occur in the God's deliverance of His people, which will cause the nations to be ashamed of their might and fear the living God.    

Rather than just a book of information, the plan and sequence of judgments will become a prayer manual for the praying church to step by step agree with God and call forth the judgments which will severely hinder the resources and control of the anti-Christ.  This will be the church's finest hour. Not only do we not want to just be gone, we will be used mightily by God and be the greatest source of warning, stability, and peace to unbelievers who are in chaos wondering what is going on.  As Daniel 11:33 declares, those who understand will instruct many, even at the cost of their lives.  

Some people dread the book of Revelation because of the fear of persecution.  Yes, there is persecution, but only 12 verses out of the 400 verses speak of persecution. The overwhelming theme is preparing the earth for the coming and majestic reign of the Lord Jesus, and the perfection of all He has planned for mankind.  The presence and perfect love of Christ casts out fear, even of persecution, and the privilege and honor of glorifying Him will be paramount in all believers.  

Scripture also gives us information about the use of trumpets.  In Numbers, the trumpet was both a warning to prepare for battle and a call for the congregation to come together.  We see both these features in the seven trumpets.  The church will rise to stand in the full armor and authority of Jesus Christ and do great exploits, even greater things that Jesus promised to those who believe.  It will be the greatest uniting of Christians into the oneness and maturity of character suitable to be a bride for the Lord Jesus.  What a glorious day!