The 7 Trumpets
Revelation 11
Judgment or Salvation: A Call to Repentance and Faith
In the grand tapestry of human existence, two threads weave through every life story: judgment and salvation. From the dawn of creation to the final trumpet's blast, this dichotomy has shaped our understanding of God's relationship with humanity. It's a theme that echoes through the pages of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, calling us to grapple with profound truths about our nature, our choices, and our eternal destiny.
Consider the recurring pattern throughout biblical history. Adam and Eve face judgment in the Garden of Eden, yet God provides garments and a promise of redemption. Noah's generation experiences the flood's devastation, while Noah's family finds refuge in the ark. The Israelites witness the plagues upon Egypt, but find deliverance through the blood on their doorposts. Time and again, we see judgment falling alongside the offer of salvation.
This pattern reaches its crescendo in the person of Jesus Christ. On the cross, we witness the ultimate convergence of judgment and salvation. The sinless Son of God bears the full weight of divine wrath against sin, so that we might receive the gift of eternal life. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 beautifully expresses, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
The book of Revelation, with its vivid imagery and apocalyptic visions, brings this theme into sharp focus. We read of seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls – each series unveiling God's judgment upon a rebellious world. Yet interwoven with these scenes of devastation are glimpses of hope and redemption. We see a great multitude from every nation gathered around the throne, their robes washed white in the blood of the Lamb. We hear the triumphant declaration: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:15).
As we contemplate these sobering truths, we're confronted with a crucial question: How do we respond to this reality of judgment and salvation? The answer, resounding through Scripture and echoing in our hearts, is clear: Repent and believe.
This call to repentance isn't reserved for the notoriously wicked. Even the most outwardly righteous among us stand in desperate need of God's grace. Remember Nicodemus, the respected religious leader who came to Jesus by night? To this "good" man, Jesus declared, "You must be born again" (John 3:7). Recall the prophet Isaiah, who upon seeing a vision of God's holiness, cried out, "Woe to me! I am ruined!" (Isaiah 6:5).
The invitation to repent and believe is extended to all – from the heights of power to the depths of despair. We see this beautifully illustrated in the story of the Apostle Paul before King Agrippa. There stands Paul, a prisoner in chains, proclaiming the hope of salvation to the man seated on the throne. With passionate conviction, he declares his wish that Agrippa and all who hear him might become as he is – a follower of Christ – "except for these chains" (Acts 26:29).
This message of repentance and faith isn't just a theological concept; it's a lifeline thrown to a drowning world. It's the difference between eternal judgment and everlasting joy. Consider the poignant contrast between two hospital visits: An 88-year-old woman, facing what she thought were her final moments, found herself at perfect peace, ready to meet Jesus. In the same hospital, a man in the prime of life narrowly escaped death, coming face-to-face with the fragility of human existence.
These stories remind us that the line between this life and the next is thinner than we often realize. The trumpet could sound at any moment, ushering in the final judgment or welcoming us into eternal salvation. Are we ready?
The gravity of sin can't be overstated. It's not merely breaking arbitrary rules; it's a fundamental rejection of God's authority and a rebellion against His perfect will. As the New City Catechism eloquently states, sin is "rejecting or ignoring God in the world he created, rebelling against him by living without reference to him, not being or doing what he requires in his law, resulting in our death and the disintegration of creation."
Yet even as we confront the darkness of sin, we're met with the brilliance of God's grace. The same law that exposes our guilt also points us to our need for a Savior. And in Christ, we find that Savior – the one who took our judgment upon Himself so that we might receive His righteousness.
To truly believe in Christ means more than mere intellectual assent. It's a radical reorientation of our entire lives. For some, like Pastor Navin from Nepal, it meant leaving behind the religious practices of his family and facing potential rejection. True faith always manifests itself in transformed living.
As we reflect on these weighty truths, let the words of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" resound in our hearts: "The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever." This is the glorious hope that awaits all who repent and believe.
In light of eternity, where do you stand? Will you face judgment or embrace salvation? The trumpets are sounding, calling us to turn from our sin and place our faith in Christ. Don't delay. The time for repentance is now, and the offer of salvation is extended to you. Choose wisely, for your eternal destiny hangs in the balance.