8:1There was silence in heaven for about half an hour. With all the activity, this dramatic pause must have seemed to last for an eternity. During this time, the only activity was the prayers of the saints (8:3, 4). We must seek God in times of silence. How proper for us to be quiet and honor God for his power and might. Take time each day to be silent and exalt God. Silence also conveys trust and confidence in God (see Isaiah 30:15). We can trust God that he will give us strength and provide the justice against oppressors that we seek.
Life Application Study BibleRevelationChapter 8
Revelation 8
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 2182, 2183
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8Revelation 8
The Lamb Breaks the Seventh Seal
1When the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll,* there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour. 2I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets. 3Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God’s people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne. 4The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God's holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out. 5Then the angel filled the incense burner with fire from the altar and threw it down upon the earth; and thunder crashed, lightning flashed, and there was a terrible earthquake. 3. Sounding the seven trumpets
The First Four Trumpets
68Then the seven angels with the seven trumpets prepared to blow their mighty blasts. 7The first angel blew his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were thrown down on the earth. One-third of the earth was set on fire, one-third of the trees were burned, and all the green grass was burned. 8Then the second ange! blew his trumpet, and a great mountain of fire was thrown into the sea. One-third of the water in the sea became blood, 9one-third of all things living in the sea died, and one-third of all the ships on the sea were destroyed. 10Then the third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch. It fell on one-third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11The name of the star was Bitterness.* It made one-third of the water bitter, and many people died from drinking the bitter water. 12Then the fourth angel blew his trumpet, and one-third of the sun was struck, and one-third of the moon, and one-third of the stars, and they became dark. And one-third of the day was dark, and also one-third of the night. 13Then I looked, and I heard a single eagle crying loudly as it flew through the air, “ Terror, terror, terror to all who belong to this world because of what will happen when the last three angels blow their trumpets.”
Textual footnotes
- 8:1 Or book.
Life Application Notes 6 notes
8:1,2When the seventh seat is opened, the seven trumpet judgments are revealed. In the same way, the seventh trumpet wilt announce the seven bowl judgments in 11:15 and 16:1-21. The - trumpet judgments, like the seal judgments, are only partial. God's final and complete judgment has not yet come.
8:3-5An incense burner filled with live coals was used in Temple worship. Incense was poured on the coals, and the “ sweet-smelling smoke drifted upward, symbolizing believers’ * prayers ascending to God (see Exodus 30:7-9). The angel then threw the incense burner down upon the earth. ‘ This symbolizes the judgment of God released on earth in answer to the prayers of the saints for justice for those who had oppressed and killed them. This shows that judgment, vindication, and revenge are in God's hands, not ours (see Matthew 5:38; Romans 12:9; 1 Peter 3:9). No matter how strong the desire to exact revenge and retaliate at our enemies, our work is to pray to God for his justice.
8:6The trumpet blasts have three purposes: (1) to warn that judgment is certain, (2) to call the forces of good and evil to battle, and (3) to announce the return of the King, the Messiah. These warnings urge us to make sure our faith is firmly fixed on Christ.
8:7-12Since only one-third of the earth is destroyed by these trumpet judgments, this is only a partial judgment from God. His full wrath is yet to be unleashed.
8:13Habakkuk used the image of an eagle to symbolize swiftness and destruction (see Habakkuk 1:8). The picture here is also of an eagle flying over all the earth, warning of the terrors yet to Come. While both believers and unbelievers experience the terrors described in verses 7-12, those “who belong to this world” are the unbelievers who will meet spiritual harm through the next three trumpet judgments. God has guaranteed believers protection from spiritual harm (7:2, 3).
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8:11 Greek Wormwood.