Chapter 8
-The seventh seal is now opened and there is silence in
Heaven for about half an hour before the seven angels (messengers) who stand
before God are given seven trumpets (Revelation 8:1-2). “Another angel (messenger)
came and stood at the altar with a golden censer and 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 (Revelation 8:3-4).” This censer was taken by the
angel, filled with fire from the altar, and thrown to the earth with peals of
thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightening, and an earthquake (Revelation 8:5).
*Application* If you ever wondered if the prayers you pray have an effect, look
no further than this passage. These are the prayers of the saints going into
action as an Almighty God who is just and sees all of the chaos and confusion
on this earth and will one day make everything right in His perfect judgment.
So keep offering your honest and sincere prayers and petitions before Him and
wait. He will listen and respond in His perfect time and will.
-The introduction of the first four trumpets is elucidated
now as the seven angels prepare to blow them. The first angel blows and there
followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, upon the earth. A third of the earth,
a third of the trees, and all green grass was burned up. The second angel blows
his trumpet and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, is thrown
into the sea making a third of it blood killing a third of the living creatures
in the sea and destroying a third of the ships. The third angel blows his horn
and a great star, named Wormword, fell from heaven, blazing like a torch and
destroying a third of the rivers and springs of water. Many people died from
the water that was infected from this judgment because of its bitterness. Then
the forth angel blows and a third of the sun, moon, and stars were struck so
that a third of the day and night were altered. At this point a eagle crying
with a loud voice flew directly over John’s head proclaiming three woes upon
those who dwell on the earth because of the three remaining trumpet blasts that
are about to blow (Revelation 8:6-13).
-*Application* These destructive events are upcoming in the
economy of God’s wrath upon a sinful and fallen world. It behooves us to
prepare for these cataclysmic occurrences with prayer and fasting. Perhaps He
will spare His people from the impending doom and gloom that His Day (of
Judgment) will bring. Even so, we know through every birth pang that we are now
experiencing (Matthew 24:3-13, Mark 13:4-20, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6) that He
still loves us and is drawing us to Himself for salvation.
Check out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBETugAECrA
Verse to Memorize:
Revelation 8:2
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