Book of Revelation: Chapter 8 The Seventh Seal— Seven Angels with Seven Trumpets

Revelation 8:1 “When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.”

“And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.” Revelation 8:2

“Silence” in Heaven Silence in heaven for “half an hour” as the seventh seal is opened. What is the meaning of this “silence?” “Calm before the storm?” “Silence” increases the tension. Impact on the judgments that are coming –“But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.“ {Habakkuk 2:20}

Seven Angels—Seven Trumpets Angels standing “ready” to carry forth His message. Each is given a trumpet. Purpose of “trumpets?” –Assemble (Numbers 10:3) –To move (Numbers 10:5) –Alarm for war (Numbers 10:9) –Times of festivity (Numbers 10:10)

Purpose of “trumpets?” –To call the wicked to repent? –Used as a warning and call to judgment: 7 seals—introduce judgments 7 trumpets—announce judgment 7 bowls of wrath—judgment Seven Angels—Seven Trumpets

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Revelation 8:3

“Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith.” Revelation 8:4

“Indeed, because he transgresses by wine, he is a proud man, and he does not stay at home. Because he enlarges his desire as hell, and he is like death, and cannot be satisfied, he gathers to himself all nations and heaps up for himself all peoples.” Revelation 8:5

Another Angel God’s awareness and prayers of the saints Angel was given a great quantity of “incense” to add to the prayers of the saints. “Censer” was a firepan in which hot coals from the altar were placed. Grains of incense were burned on the coals to produce a sweet smell before the Lord. – Leviticus 16:12,13

Altar of Incense This scene preceding the sounding of the first trumpet symbolizes the prayers of the saints ascending, like incense, unto God. Incense might represents the Savior’s intercession in heaven for the saints. – Hebrews 7:25 – Romans 8:26,27 Ingredients needed for the prayers to come before God’s throne!

Sounds in Heaven The censer that offered the incense is filled with fire taken from the altar. Fire strikes the earth, causing peals of thunder, lightning, and an earthquake—all symbolical of God’s response. All this expresses certainty that God hears and answers the prayers of the saints. God always warns first—then comes judgment!

“So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.” Revelation 8:5

“The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.” Revelation 8:7

First Angel/Trumpet Angels prepare to sound the trumpets (vs.6) The first four trumpets affect the areas of nature, ( natural calamity ); whereas, the next two pronounce woes upon mankind. First trumpet— land disaster – Hail and fire mixed with blood—Judgment – Only 1/3 affected —judgment is not FINAL – Exodus 9:22ff; Joel 2:30

“ Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood.” Revelation 8:8

“And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.” Revelation 8:9

Second Angel/Trumpet Second trumpet— maritime disaster – Great mountain burning with fire—Judgment (Micah 1:2-4) – Thrown into the sea – Became like blood – 1/3 of the living creatures in the sea died – 1/3 of the ships were destroyed. – Commerce and industry will be affected

“Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water.” Revelation 8:10

“The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.” Revelation 8:11

Third Angel/Trumpet Third trumpet land/water (inland water) disaster –Great star fell from heaven, burning like a torch (blazing torch falls into water) –Name of the star is Wormwood –1/3 of the rivers and springs of water –1/3 of the waters became Wormwood. –Many men died because the water became bitter

Wormwood is a bitter plant mentioned in the Old Testament, usually with divine chastisement against idolatry. –Deuteronomy 29:18; Jeremiah 9:15; 23:15 Wormwood in the fresh waters symbolizes the bitterness and sorrow men will suffer because of their idolatries and sins. Not everyone, but many, will die! Third Angel/Trumpet

“Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.” Revelation 8:12

“And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, ‘Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the remaining blasts of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound!’” Revelation 8:13

Fourth trumpet—abnormal functioning of the heavenly bodies Darkness upon the earth— sun, moon, and stars are darkened; no light! The land is in darkness 1/3 of the day Imagery of darkened heavenly bodies was familiar to the first-century Christians—served as a warning to those who did not serve the Lord. (Joel 2:10; 3:15; Amos 5:8; Micah 3:6) Fourth Angel/Trumpet

Interval—Eagle Flying in Mid-Heaven The eagle—a bird of prey “Mid-heaven” is literally the highest point, the place the sun reaches at meridian. Three woes—because the three remaining trumpets are still to come… The worst is yet to come! Will more directly affect mankind!