October 13: Discovery Questions (based on Revelation 8:6-13; 9:1-4, 13-15, 20-21)
1. Have you ever been in a situation where you knew you were mistaken and should have admitted it, but you found it difficult to make that admission? Discuss the reasons it’s sometimes difficult to admit being wrong or mistaken.
Ask two people to read aloud Revelation 8:6-13; 9:1-4, 13-15, and 20-21, one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask a third person to briefly summarize the passage.
2. Our lesson writer, Mark Scott, says creation itself was a casualty of the sin of Adam and Eve. In what ways does creation suffer from the fall? (see Gen. 3:11-19).
3. How do the first three trumpet sounds represent God’s judgment against the earth? Why do you think each of the first three trumpet sounds seem to be accompanied by fire?
4. The fourth trumpet blast (8:12) brought judgment upon the celestial regions of creation (sun, moon, and stars).
- Why do you think God’s final judgment extends beyond the earth and into the celestial realm of creation?
- John seems to repeatedly describe the judgments in thirds (a third of the sun, a third of the moon, a third of the stars, etc.). Do you think this was meant to be a literal number? Discuss why John may have used a third in his descriptions.
5. As John watched the unfolding events, he says he “heard an eagle” (8:12) warning humanity about the next three trumpet blasts. Do you think there’s any symbolism that accompanies the eagle, or is it merely a prelude to the coming acts of judgment?
6. John’s description of the fifth and sixth trumpets appears to bring judgment directly upon humanity.
- How are the judgments of the fifth and sixth trumpet sounds differ from one another? (see 9:5-6 and 9:15).
- Why do you think the judgments associated with each trumpet blast appear in the order they’ve been arranged? Does each trumpet offer humanity an opportunity for repentance?
7. After all that had taken place through God’s judgments up to this point, people still refused to repent (9:20-21). How could these people refuse repentance after all of this?
8. Based on our study and discussion, complete the sentence: “I will . . .”
For Next Week: Read and reflect on Revelation 12:1-17. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts and the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
Author: Christian Standard
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