The Opening of the
Seventh Seal
– Revelation Eight –
Trumpets were used
to sound certain sounds. These seven trumpets sounded forth the beginning of a
new series of events. Another angel is also introduced in vision. This angel is
pictured in the act of giving worship and honor to God. He had "a golden
censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with
the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the
throne." Much like when Korah led his rebellion God is here pictured as
sending fire from heaven. (Number 16)
God's wrath is poured out on those who oppose His cause. This is likewise very
similar to Ezekiel 10:2, where the man clothed in linen is commanded to go
between the wheels under the cherub, and fill his hands with coals of fire from
between the cherubims, and to scatter them over the city. This was a symbol of
God's destruction against wicked society.
The angel casts the
censer to the earth. The effect was that "there were voices, and
thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake." (Revelation 8:5) All
nature is in the hand of the Almighty as He brings His judgment against the
persecuting forces.
When the first
angel sounded a third part of the vegetation was consumed. As the second angel
sounded the burning mountain was cast into the sea and a third part became
blood. A third part of the boats and fish were destroyed. The third angel
sounded and a burning star named Wormwood fell upon the waters and a third part
of them were made bitter and many died because of the waters. The third part of
the light, both for day and night, was smitten when the fourth angel sounded.
At this point an angel flies "through the midst of heaven, saying with a
loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the
other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!"
All of these events lead us to the final triumph of Christianity.
The
opening of the seventh seal – Revelation 8:1-3: At the opening of the
seventh seal "there was silence in heaven about the space of half an
hour." This silence in heaven demonstrated a sober, awestruck view of the
judgment of God coming on the wicked. The prophet wrote, "Hold thy peace
at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the
LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests." (Zephaniah 1:7)
There was a silence of reverence and expectancy. "Be silent, O all flesh,
before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation."
(Zechariah 2:13) The silence shows that man cannot yet know all of God's plans.
In the book of
Numbers chapter 10 we learn that the trumpets were used to: (1) call the people
together, (2) signal the time for Israel to journey, (3) call the people to
war, and (4) sound an alarm. Joel wrote, "Blow ye
the trumpet in
There was an angel,
in addition to the seven, that appeared. The Judgment of God was about to be
executed. The genuine Christians pray much to God for protection. Their prayers
are pictured as much incense that is offered to God. The conquering Christ
brought judgment upon all that opposed Christianity.
The
seven angels prepare to sound – Revelation 8:4-6: The judgment God
spoke of through John was occasioned by severe persecution against the church
by
The first two
angels sound – Revelation 8:7-9: This is not final judgment as only a third of
everything is touched. These are warnings to call the wicked to repentance. The
sounding of the first trumpet had to do with land disasters. Many of these plagues
sound like what happened to
The
next two angels sound – Revelation 8:11-13: The third trumpet led to a
star named Wormwood being thrown into water and one third of the fresh water
was make bitter and poisonous.
The fourth trumpet
led to a third part of the sun, moon and stars being destroyed. Calamity would
come upon
Coming judgment
should move us to quickly obey the gospel. To obey the gospel one must hear the
salvation message (Romans