Do my prayers affect God’s judgment on sin?

It was very early in the morning when I read my Bible today. After that, we left for a funeral in a city that is more than two hours from here. The weather is cold and although our vehicle is reliable and has an amazing heater, I was not looking forward to five hours of driving.

The funeral is for a Christian friend who died from a brain tumor. He knew it was terminal for the past couple of years yet remained calm that his doctors could not remove the tumor and calm about his impending death. Knowing he would be with Jesus was his comfort. He leaves a wonderful wife, four adult children and their spouses, and several grandchildren.

As I read about the end of this world as we know it, his same anticipation should be in my heart. Those who know Jesus will see Him face to face. Yet at the same time, I am in an awe that is hard to describe because the wrath of God against sin is a serious and horrible series of events. It began in chapter six and continues almost to the end of this book called The Revelation.

Several years ago while reading the main section of Revelation, it came to me that the seven seals were a beginning of the Lord’s judgment. Then the seventh seal introduced another series of seven, this time trumpets, and then the seventh trumpet introduced seven bowls. Today I read that others understand these descriptions the same way I do. The trumpets do not double back over the seals, nor do the bowls of wrath double back over the seal and trumpet judgements.

One theologian says: “The series of three sevens are really included in one series of seven, that is, the seven trumpets are included under the seventh seal and the seven bowls are included under the seventh trumpet, so that we have in fact a single series in three movements.”

That is, the seventh seal includes all the events from chapter 8 to 19:10. This affirmation is helpful, but the scenes that unfolded before John are not pretty.

What startles me today is that the prayers of God’s people are tied to His judgments in some way . . .

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)

As the seven angels blow their trumpets, it seems that some of this is connected to our prayers. Is it prayer for relief during persecutions in those days? Or asking His mercy on all those who experience these events? These verses say “all the saints” so what do all of us pray for? Is it justice on the earth? The end of our battle with sin? Whatever it is, the prayers go to God and the next events are not what most of us expect:

The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter. The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night. Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!” (Revelation 8:7–13)

I’m stopping here. One third of nearly everything is being destroyed or ruined in some way, yet this is not the end of it.

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Lord Jesus, while I hate sin and the way many people mock You, yet this scene is severe and devastating. It challenges me to pray and to think about how You could answer my prayers. It also gives me something to think about. How do I regard sin, death and the fate of those who do the mocking? Show me how to pray regarding this revelation of Your response to the prayers of Your people.  

Today’s thankful list . . .

- Your grace for salvation and protection.

- the blessing of a God-honoring celebration of our friend’s life and Your blessing on his family.

- safety on the road to and from today’s funeral.

- challenges to live a good life and die well.