The Seven Trumpets - 26 October 2025

Dear friends of BCUC,Aside from trying to understand all the rich and, at times, overwhelming imagery and symbolism of the book of Revelation, I am discovering two key perspectives that help unlock its meaning. The first, which I have spoken about before, is that the opening sentence announces this as the revelation of Jesus Christ the King. The second is to see this message through the lens of the persecuted church. It’s only then that the message becomes grounded, and the context more concrete.Revelation is a vision given to a persecuted church, for a persecuted church. This setting helps us gain a better perspective on some of the more difficult passages of Revelation, such as the seven trumpets in chapters 8–11. I can’t draw on my own life experience to understand this fully — my life does not begin to comprehend the depths of losing an entire village, all possessions, and close family members simply because of prayer to Jesus. Yet videos and testimonies from groups such as Barnabas Aid help us connect more deeply (for example, those from Nigeria). The women who shared their stories at our church on Thursday from Iraq and India also gave us a powerful glimpse.I am thankful that we at BCUC have been supporting Barnabas Aid and the persecuted church through the work of the Pantry, particularly in Laos. I am also thankful that at BCUC we have Christians from many nations whom I consider friends. When I hear about the persecution faced by people in their home countries, it becomes a little more personal.When I listen to witnesses from these countries, I’m amazed by their response to such personal suffering. I never hear words of vengeance or pleas for God to destroy their oppressors. Occasionally, I hear prayers of thanks for blessings in their lives — such as a tent to live in — or prayers for release and freedom. But more often, I hear prayers for endurance, for opportunities to continue sharing the Gospel, and for their persecutors to come to know the love, grace, and forgiveness found in Jesus.In Revelation chapter 11, which N.T. Wright describes as “the most puzzling part of all” of “the most puzzling book of all,” we see two witnesses who are killed for their faith and then given resurrection life. It is the witness of that new life that brings repentance to others. We can be puzzled and challenged by these chapters of Revelation, and we can also be challenged by the witness of persecuted believers who have stood firm in their faith, yet still preach love, forgiveness, and the mercy of Jesus in the midst of violent oppression.The church — both today and throughout history — does not win the battle by having bigger or more violent weapons than the enemy, but by bearing faithful witness to the Gospel of the Lamb who was slain for us all.I look forward to exploring these challenging passages together,Benji