Monday, December 11, 2023 - TRUMPET BLASTS

 

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Monday, December 11, 2023 - Day 345  - (Today’s Bible readings: Haggai 2; Psalm 132; Revelation 8:1-13)

TRUMPET BLASTS

“When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.  Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.”   (Revelation 8:1-5 ESV)

“After finishing his vision of the seven seals being broken, John transitions to another vision, which depicts the end times with successive trumpet blasts. The visions are frightful since we all know in our hearts that we cannot stand before God in the judgment. Fortunately, we have One who stands beside us as our advocate–Jesus Christ–celebrated in chapters 4-5. His blood cleanses us from all sins.” (Lutheran Study Bible, CPH, 2009, page 2213.)

   1. The King shall come when morning dawns

And light triumphant breaks,

When beauty gilds the eastern hills

And life to joy awakes.

   2. Not as of old a little child,

To bear and fight and die,

But crowned with glory like the sun

That lights the morning sky.

   3. Oh, brighter than the rising morn

When Christ, victorious rose

And left the lonesome place of death

Despite the rage of foes.

   4. Oh, brighter than that glorious morn

Shall dawn upon our race

The day when Christ in splendor comes

And we shall see His face.

   5. The King shall come when morning dawns

And light and beauty brings.

Hail, Christ the Lord! Your people pray:

Come quickly, King of kings!

(Lutheran Service Book #348)

Lord Jesus, our righteous Judge, thank You for also being my advocate. Thank You for doing this by clothing this repentant sinner with Your blood and righteousness. Please nurture my faith with Your precious Word so that I will be ready for the trumpet blasts. Amen.  

Pastor David Paape