Lift up your head

Bible passages: Luke 21:25-38 and Revelation 8:6-13

Think of a time when everything seemed to be against you. Why is it your head goes down at such moments? How do you feel?

(Read Rev 8:6-13) The details that were described as the seals outlining the judgment to come upon the world were opened, take on an even greater intensity as the trumpets of judgment are sounded by the angels.
Notice that all first four trumpet judgments affect the created order, which God had made to be good, and a blessing for humanity, but which is affected by the consequences of human sin.
Can you think of ways in which we can see signs of this in our world today?
We often hear the call to change our lifestyle to be more eco-friendly, how do you understand the call as a ‘spiritual’ issue as well as an environmental one? Also, how may the evidences of ecological disasters be one way in which God is challenging us to make a spiritual as well as a physical response?
According to Revelation 9:20-21, what is God’s purpose in allowing these judgments to fall on the whole creation? How would this response show itself in our society if people take the warnings seriously?

‘I suggest that we should see the word warning flashing in red lights all over these chapters, for their overriding purpose is to jolt the unbelieving world out of its complacency and self-centredness, to summon it to repentance and to warn the impenitent of the righteous judgment of God. This is the dominant message of these chapters: a call to repentance and a warning of judgment’ (John Stott)

It is sometimes maintained that Christians are removed from the world before God’s judgments fall. What alternative view is possibly suggested by 9:4 (see also 7:3)?

(Read Luke 21:25-28) Here we read of Jesus’ words about the global events which will precede the end. A sign is something which points beyond itself to a bigger truth. Do you think that we all have a tendency to see events happening in our world without reference to the bigger, spiritual picture?

Look at what Paul said in Romans 8:19-21. What do you think he means when he speaks of the interrelation of nature and the children of God?

Jesus speaks about creation being ‘shaken’. Look at (Hebrews12:26-29). How much is your foundation in life bound up with created things or in God’s kingdom?

What is the difference between a person with faith in the Lord and one with hope in this world alone?

(Read Luke 21:29-33) Whilst speculation about precise dates or timetables for the Second Coming is not encouraged by God(Mark12:32), why do you think Jesus encourages us to interpret the signs that suggest His coming is imminent?

(Read Luke 21:34-38) What are the dangers that can make us unprepared for the coming of Jesus, according to v34? Why do you think it is important for Christians to be prepared for that day, as Jesus describes?

Look again at v28, what do you think v28 means for you in your day to day lifestyle?