Pulpit Curriculum
The Sound of Judgment
M. Ian Blanchard
May 4, 2025

Pulpit Curriculum: The Sound of Judgment: Trumpets that warn and wake the world

May 4th – May 10th, 2025


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Sermon Summary

In this sermon, we return to the Sermon Series Revealed - God’s Plan for Eternity a journey through the Book of Revelation. We rejoin the apocalyptic narrative picking up at Chapter 8 verses 6-13 after there was profound silence in heaven (for about half an hour v1) which was soon broken by an angel who takes the censer, fills it with fire from the altar, and hurls it to the earth triggering thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake (v5).

Using this pericope (i.e. passage of Bible scripture) (verses 6-13), the preacher unpacks the first four of the seven trumpet blasts and posits that they are not sounds of doom but both a sign of divine justice and a gracious invitation to receive His mercy.

The preacher reminds us that God’s judgments are not random or meaningless acts of destruction but are intentional, escalating, and deeply theological and challenges the listener to Recognize that God’s Judgment is Certain, Rest in God’s Sovereign Control and Respond to God’s Warning and Share the Gospel Urgently.

Verse of the Week

Revelation 8:6 (ESV)
Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.

Going Deeper

This section of the Pulpit Curriculum is meant to support Bible reflection, and encourage readers to come away with a high view of Scripture.

Review Revelation 8: 6 – 13

1a) In this pericope, we see repeated references to a third of each item (except the grass) being affected by judgment. The preacher suggested that this limited destruction reveals something specific about the character of God.

(a) Do you agree with the preacher’s position? If so, in what ways does this “one-third” judgment reflect God’s character?

(b) Do you disagree with his interpretation? If so, what alternative understanding might better explain the significance of the “one-third” pattern?

2) How do the trumpet judgments in Revelation 8 parallel the plagues in Egypt (Exodus 7-12)? What does this suggest about God’s methods of warning?

3) Referring to the trumpet judgment the preacher stated “this is not a natural disaster; it is a theological disaster. God is judging rebellion and a rebellious world by undoing creation. He’s reversing Genesis chapter 1. What is your understanding of the preacher’s submission that God is undoing creation? What Scripture references can be used to substantiate this statement.

4) The preacher posited that in judgment, God shows mercy and restraint, cite at least two other texts in Scripture where this truth is borne out.

5) Identify a time in Scripture when a person, or a nation responded to God’s warning. What was the outcome?

Assess Your Life

The following questions are meant to encourage personal reflection and identify areas for spiritual growth in your relationship with God. Ask yourself the questions, respond honestly, write down your responses, and then prayerfully seek God’s conviction and guidance to move forward to repentance and restoration. In discussions with your friends and family, or in your Small Group, be open to sharing your responses with others in a spirit of accountability and transparency.


1. How do you typically respond when God confronts you or reveals areas of sin in your life?

a.) What does that response reveal about your heart posture toward Him?

2. In what ways does confession and repentance shape your daily walk with God?


a.) How has that rhythm - or lack of it - impacted your intimacy with Him?

3. What are you currently relying on to give your life meaning and security?


a.) How do you discern whether what you’re building on is truly eternal or merely temporary?

4. When you face difficulties/hardship, what do your thoughts and reactions reveal about your faith?


a.) How have your recent struggles shaped your trust in God or exposed areas needing growth?

Application

A key objective of this Pulpit Curriculum is taking God’s truth as exposed in the sermon and helping people apply that truth in practical and intentional ways to plot a course toward obedience and transformation. This section is intended to achieve that objective.


  1. What are some practical ways that I can anchor myself in God’s sovereignty during times of chaos or uncertainty?

  2. What steps can I take to deepen my understanding of God’s character?

  3. How can I seek to live with greater gospel urgency in my daily life? What specific steps can I take this week?

  4. How can I seek to live with greater gospel urgency in my daily life? What specific steps can I take this week?

  5. Write down a simple two-to-three-minute testimony of how Christ has changed your life and be willing to share it when the opportunity arises

Who will you ask to hold you accountable to these applications?

Sermon Main Points

God’s judgments in Revelation 8 are not random or meaningless acts of destruction; they are intentional, escalating, and deeply theological. These trumpet blasts symbolize that creation itself is being used to signal the seriousness of sin and the nearness of God’s justice. God is not merely judging the world; He is calling it to repentance. The catastrophes point beyond themselves - to the God who allows them in mercy, to stir repentance before it’s too late. This is a spiritual wake-up call for the church to:

1) Recognize God’s Judgement is Certain. (vv. 6 - 7)
Trust in God’s character even when His hand is heavy. His warnings are invitations, not just punishments. God is not bluffing. His holiness demands justice. His patience has a limit.

2) Rest in God’s Sovereign Control. (v.8 - 12)
Don’t fear when the world feels chaotic, God is sovereign over all creation. The earth’s shaking is meant to awaken our faith, not destroy it

3) Respond to Gods Warning and Share the Gospel Urgently. (v.13)
Live ready. Speak boldly. If God’s warnings are escalating, our gospel urgency must escalate too.

Quotes

• Even as God judges, He warns. Every trumpet is both a sign of divine justice and an invitation to mercy.
• Recognize that God’s judgment is certain, His warnings are invitation, not just punishments.
• Judgment is not a myth, it is a certainty and the right response isn’t fear, it’s repentance.
• Even in judgment there is mercy.
• For the believer, if we know that judgment is escalating, we must now escalate our prayers, our compassion, and our witness


Sermon Reflection

What stood out for me in this sermon?

What can I do to remember this?


5 Day Study Plan

Use the Inductive Bible Study method to study these scriptures this week and remember to share with someone else.

Follow these steps

1. Observe the text.
(What do you see in the text? Look for answers to questions like: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?)

2. Interpret the text.
(What did God and the human author of the text want the original people reading this text to understand/do? Why?)

3. Apply the text.
(How do I need to change in my thinking, my affections, my attitudes, and/or my actions?)


Day 1 - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

What I learned / How I will Respond?

Day 2 - Acts 17:30-31

God is calling all people to repentance

What I learned / How I will Respond?

Day 3 - Proverbs 19:21

God’s plans will stand

What I learned / How I will Respond?

Day 4 - Isaiah 45:7

God’s is in control

What I learned / How I will Respond?

Day 5 - Matthew 28:19-20

The mandate stands, the Gospel must be shared and with urgency!

What I learned / How I will Respond?


For best results, this content should be read and prepared privately and then discussed in your small group or with family / friends. We were not created to do life alone - get engaged today
© Harvest Bible Chapel Barbados - 2025